One Adventure After the Other

In His Glory

I have come across a detour in my local mission outreach.  I have been praying for some time regarding the Levy Community Transformation - wondering if I should be part of the CORE. There have been several times that a project or event has come up within Levy and because I do not live in Levy, I was not aware of it.  I have been kept up by our CORE committee on projects we plan but when it came to a project that the Levy community was having, I was not aware of it.  I then realized in order to be aware, I have to be living there.  I discussed this with our mission pastor and he told me he understood.  I have prayed for sometime if God wants me to move to Levy but I have had no indication of that.  However, I continue to help my brothers and sisters that are on the committee such as looming hats for some of the children at a local apartment complex and preparing food boxes for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season.  These boxes will be given to families at North Heights Elementary School and Belwood Elementary School. 

God has provided a Ministry House in Levy that will be used for a mentoring/discipleship ministry to homeless individuals and families. This house is on Parker Street and the CORE group is there on weekends getting it ready.  We were so lucky to get this house.  It was sold to us at a very reasonable price - $12,000.  Thank you Father!

2012 Mission Trips - I Will be Going to do the Work of God

We will be focusing on Suriname and Haiti for Mission Trips this year. 

Suriname is in the deep jungles of the Amazon located at the upper northeast corner of South America.  Building on a 10 year foundation of short-term medical trips, we have committed ourselves to a long-term ministry focus on the Saramacca tribe on the Suriname Amazon Jungle.  This is a tribe of former African slaves that developed from the 1500s to the abolition of slavery and consists of around 67 villages along the Suriname River.  The Saramaccans are an animistic people, worshiping demons that inhabit different aspects of nature and control the people through tradition and fear.

Haiti is still much in need.  Our ministry in Haiti is partnership with the Baptist church in Cotes de Fer on the southern coast.  We are working through MEBESH - the Association of Baptist Churches in Southern Haiti, and Reciprocal Ministries International, an organization that facilitates partnerships between Haitian and U.S. churches.  The church in Cotes de Fer lost their sanctuary during the 2010 earthquake and many families in the area are without housing and in desperate need. 

We will be going to Haiti in May, July, and August.  I am aiming for the July Trip.  Please pray for me that God will allow this.  That I will be in good physical health.  I have had some problems with my asthma lately and want to be well prepared for this trip of God. I feel that my time has come to help these people.  To be amongst them and pray with them.  My, how God loves us so!

Haiti is still very much in need.  We have gone there several times this year.  We have built several houses for children that have become orphans due to the earthquake.  We are working with Kids Alive International which is the same organization that we work with in the Dominican Republic.  

Disciplining within my Community      (Mobile Home Park)

My last blog indicated that I was ready to go into my community to reach out to my Latin neighbors.  I discussed what the Lord has guided me to do with the office managers.  They were much in favor and stated that one of the complexes in Memphis actually has a Hispanic preacher come by on Sundays and has a service for the Latin residents.  We have agreed to set up an office type area which would be an informational position for any residents that has questions or concerns such as the nearest county programs, Health Dept. food banks,etc.  At the present time, the office is going through some changes and we do not have a spot available.  There will be a spot within four to five months.  When I have gained the trust of the residents, I will be able to reach out to them.  One of my friends  at church (he is also an elder of the church) has already said he would like for his men's group to come over and have a cookout to help me with the outreach.  So that is in the works for spring!  I ask for your prayers that God continues to guide me and prepare me for this, that we come up with a location sooner, and that the residents will be receptive. 

In the meantime, I have made friends with several Latin residents.  One in particular is Ruby.  She is married and has three children with one on the way.  She invites me over to have meals with them.  I have invited her to my house but she has stated she would rather I go there because of her youngest children who she feel would "tear my house up" (her own words).  I have helped her oldest (11 years old) with his homework and I just can't believe some of this math!  Not only is the math hard but he is American born and his parents are from Mexico.  Neither one knows English very well so they are unable to help him.  He has so many questions and they cannot help.  So one of the outreaches we will have is a program that will teach parents English so they can help their children with their school work.  Sometimes I feel so bad for the kids because they are the translators for anything their parents cannot understand.  I have explained to many that they need to learn English to help their children and themselves. So for now, we are waiting for a spot and hope to get it soon.

Our House

December will be the last month that we will be providing meals for the residents.  It was a great year doing this.  All the participants from church really enjoyed preparing and serving the residents.  2012 will be a busy year with our outreach program in Levy, and our mission trips to Surhnam and Haiti. 

                                   Nueva Esperanza Church in Levy
We continue to partner with the church.  They have helped us with our project at the Ministry House.  Hector, the pastor of Nueva Esperanza is a very special person that God has put us in contact with. 

Family and Friends Fun Time Page

I got to spend a day with my great-nephew Micah (Jenny and Joel's son) last month.  It was a great day.  Joel's parents (Michael and Faithann) had a cook out.  After the cook out, we sat around the camp fire and reminisced.  It was fun and I enjoyed seeing Michael, Faithann, and Matt again. 

Thanksgiving is coming up Thursday and I will have Thanksgiving dinner at Gil and Prissy's.  My niece Becky and her children will be there also.  I am looking forward to the turkey and all the trimmings and of course being with my family. 

I will be spending Christmas down in New Orleans with my sister and her family.  As you know, my brother -in-law is Creole and he really knows his cooking.  

Thank you God for my great family and their love.  You are so loving.

Hat Looming

I am still creating some neat hats.  Have sold quite a few at different events.  I have a three day craft show at AT&T downtown.   I hope to do well with sales.  The Razorback hats are really selling at $12.00 each. 

                                                  My Manuscripts

Zach the Cat - I have a new person that will be doing my illustrations!  She has come up with some great ideas and am looking forward to the outcome. Zachary's actual pictures will be in the book!  Zachary was pretty sick last week.  He had a bad kidney infection but he is getting better day by day.  He is eating better and drinking his water like a good little boy.  He is 17 years old and I thank God for giving me such a sweet loving companion.  His love is unconditional.  I know when the time comes and he goes home in heaven, God will enjoy his sweet loving nature. 

Walking the Healing Path - I am still doing the last of my editing.  After this, I will be "publisher" shopping.  Wish me luck!

One Adventure After The Other

In His Glory

There has been a lot of prayers these days as far as my local outreach. 
During our last weekly Levy Committee meeting, we discussed several things that we felt was needed within the Levy community with regards to our outreach.  As I sat there, I started thinking about how great it would be to have such a committee within my community.  I also thought about my feelings towards the Hispanic people in the community.  I felt I needed to tell the Levy group about my feelings. Being brought up with an abusive father has not helped me with my attitude towards the Hispanic men that live here.  I have come across several that beat their wives or women they live with and their children.  They are very abusive and do not live the life God wants them to.  They are far from having conversations with the Lord.

I have had bitterness and anger with the women as they allow this to go on and do not try to break this pattern.  They are so afraid to do anything because most of them are illegal and they do not want to do anything to draw attention.  They stay within this life and subject their children to the continuous beatings and dysfunctional life.  Most of them feel that it is their fault and wonder what they did to cause this anger.

I told the group I hated feeling this way. I told them I needed to look at the people within my community as the Lord wants me to.  I asked for their prayers and everyone joined around me for prayer. 

Yesterday was a day of thought and prayer.  I felt that the Lord had told me exactly what I am to do - to reach out in my community. I had a restless night as I kept thinking of the "what if", "who will", "why should" and "why me".  Then I thought I should not be questioning what he wants. I just need to obey his wishes.

I picked my friend Angie up for church this morning and told her exactly what happened.  I told her God has chosen my outreach. She was happy for me and in agreement.  She said the Lord placed me there years ago just for this.

So, what was the sermon about today?  Going out and being Disciples of God!  Going out and doing what he wants of us.  I could not believe it. Brother Bill had covered it in his sermon.  It is strange because many a Sunday the sermon will pertain to something I have actually been through that week!  It never fails. 

We had communion and also had the Elders up there for anyone who wanted to talk or needed prayer. I shared this with George and Dinah Platt and told them I was ready to go within my community.  I told them about how the Levy group had prayed over me and how much better I felt.  I asked for their prayers and both prayed for me to be able to do what the Lord wants me to,  and that I continue living the life of God no matter what I do or where I go. 

I immediately went home and started working on the first step - drawing up a plan in phases, and emailing a few people to meet with me to share my vision.  This is something that will take time and I ask that you pray for me.  Pray that I am successful in getting a CORE Committee together to discuss what the Lord's plans are.  Pray that if I come along an obstacle, that God will help me through it.  Pray that I will be strong enough to overcome any interference that Satan will try. Pray that God guides me continuously with this outreach and that my love for him will continue to grow stronger and stronger. There is so much to pray for and I thank you for your continuous prayers.  I will definitely keep you informed.

Our House

The Summit Church continues to provide meals for and serves around 90 people every third Friday of the month.  We had a great time again this month.  The residents loved what we served.  We had BBQ chicken, BBQ beans, coleslaw, watermelon, cookies, and lemonade.  A great menu for such a hot summer day!  We look forward to being with them again next month. 

Nueva Esperanza Church in Levy

My friend Danny loves the Spanish language and the people so much that I mentioned to him about going to Nueva Esperanza Church.  I enjoy going there and I thought it would be neat for him to hear the word of God in Spanish.  We went to their 5:00 service.  It was a beautiful experience, joining in with the congregation praying and praising the Lord.  The service lasted about 2 hours.  It is a church that has about 30 to 35 members.  Of course, hearing their prayers and praise made it seem more than that.  Danny enjoyed being among the Nueva Esperanza Congregation, praying and praising with them and is already planning to go back.

Family and Friends Fun Time Page

I mentioned that my brother and I ordered crabs online.  They were great!  It was just Gil, Prissy, and myself.  We had a great crab feast. We have finally found a place online that not only has great crabs but great prices.  If you like Maryland Blue Crab, here is the site:  http://www.crabplace.com/

Hat Looming 

Our Levy Group is looming hats to give to children at Wilmington Apartments in Levy. Some of the patterns are really cool and we know the children will like them and they will definitely be keeping them warm during the cold weather.

I am getting ready to set up again at Bryant Farmers Market to sell my Razorback Hats and others.  If you are interested in purchasing a hat or hats, please let me know.  Any size, color, pattern $10.  Razorback Hats $12.

My Manuscripts

I am so excited to share with you that my friend, Angie Terry has offered to be my illustrator for "Zach the Cat"!!!!  I am just too excited.  She is a great artist and I can't wait to see what she will come up with. 

I just received my last editing from a friend for "Walking the Healing Path" and am starting on editing today.  I pray to the Lord that I will be able to have it completed by then end of this year and off to publishing.

catalina.batista@att.net                                           http://thesummitchurch.org/

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In His Glory

As you know, I have been on two mission trips with my church (The Summit Church). I was trying to decide between the jungles of Suriname (northeast part of South America)  or Haiti for this year and it just was not what the Lord wanted me to do at the present time.  Perhaps next year.  Instead, I have been guided to reach out in the Levy area.  God is doing wonders leading us to mission in this part of town.  He has given the Summit Church a mission field of great need just minutes away.  This neighborhood of wonderful ethnic diversity is approximately 1/3 Hispanic, 1/3 African-American and 1/3 Anglo.  There is great social and economic need, with over 95% of the children in the schools on assisted meal programs. We have been involved with Levy for the past few months.  We are setting up a Core Committee.  Most of the members in the committee live in Levy. As I am a member of this group, it would be much better for me to live in Levy.  It is best to be in the community living, walking, talking, sharing, with the people every day.  I have been asked to pray about moving to Levy.  This will definitely be a work of God as I own my mobile home and it would be impossible to move there and make a house payment or rent.  I would like to ask you to pray for me about the decision God will make.

We have partnered with the Hispanic Church - Nuevo Esperanza - in Levy.  We will be helping them within the community.  We had a meeting with them last Wednesday and it was great.  Very positive.  We prayed, praised the Lord and had a great Mexican dinner! This is the second time I have been there.  The people and their love for God reminds me so much of the Dominican Republic. We are working together to bring more people to Christ.  To go out in the community and spread his word.  It seems like something easy to do but at times, it is not.  There are so many people there that have never been inside a church before, some who do not know who God is or even heard his name, and some that are just wanting to talk to someone about him.  Hungry for us to talk with them.  It is a rewarding outreach and I am glad to be a part of it.  This neglected part of Little Rock is in great need of an infusion of the Kingdom of God that brings spiritual, social, and economic transformation.

We continue to provide meals for the homeless at Our House.  We are there every third Friday of the month serving the residence. It is a rewarding feeling to see these people enjoy the food we prepare for them.  There are at least 90 people there each day.

I continue to pray about where I am needed.  I have thought about moving to the Dominican Republic for a few months to work with the Kids Alive International Program in Constanza. Of course, Levy is in the picture now also.  Wherever God wants me is fine. I have dedicated myself to him and know it will be rewarding for me.  My life has changed and I am very happy where I am at this point. 

The Summit continues to have every Monday Prayer.  We started it back when we had our six week revival. 

Yes, Miracles Do Happen! After last weeks Monday Prayer night, a few of my friends prayed for healing of my knee.  I have had so much pain and sleepless nights.  Since that night, I have not had any pain.  I am now able to ride my outside bike every day at least 1/2 hour each time!  I believe in God's healing powers.  I just did not know that it could happen to me!  Praise the Lord for his wonders!

I continue to do my volunteer work at church every Wednesday helping with the housekeeping.

If you would like to visit the Summit Church, please give me a call or email me.  I would love for you to visit with us.

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