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It’s not a coincidence

October 4, 2013 Merlin Gonzales blog

On September 01, 2013, my wife and several other people who are involved in the ministry of FHL, decided to set a table at a large Flea Market south of Greenwood, IN. This flea market attracts hundreds of people from 7a to noon. We were not going to rent a space in the flea market but rather we thought of walking around the flea market to pray and to give cold bottled water to people. Somehow, we ended up renting a space to put our table (Free Prayers & Water).

I was surprised to see how open people are for prayers at a market place such as this flea market. Our team got busy giving away free bottled water and praying for people.

At the end of our outreach, I found out from our prayer team that a couple whom they prayed for paid for the rent of our space. I was touched by their gesture and the story stuck to my mind for a couple of weeks.

On September 28th, our friends from out of town visited Indiana and invite my wife and I to have lunch with them and their Hoosier friends. We visited Carmel Art Festival and later ate at a famous burger joint in Carmel, IN. While eating, we exchanged stories our new friends. Later in the conversation, the husband said that he and his wife visited the flea market in the south side just a few weeks ago. He said that a bunch of people at the flea market prayed for him and his wife. As soon as I heard his story, I almost fell out of my chair!

They were the same couple that our group prayed for on September 1st. Keep in mind that it was the first time that we did this kind of outreach-in a flea market. There are hundreds of flea market in Indiana and there were hundreds of people in this particular flea market. All of us were amazed at the story and we became instant friends. We glorified God for connecting us once again.

Up to this moment, I still get goose bumps whenever I remember how God orchestrated the series of events. No one could have planned the occasion. God used our friends from out of state to have lunch with them and their new friends. Their friends who live in Central Indiana, happen to visit the flea market we visited on Sept. 1st. They were the ones we prayed for at the flea market.

There is more to the story but this is all I can reveal until the proper time. And No, It’s not a series of coincidence. God is on the throne and He is in control.

Find your passion, and then do it well

September 19, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Food Pantry, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

Taken at #ET13 conference

My wife and I were so blessed this past few days attending a technology conference #ET13 sponsored by ExactTarget. More than 6000 thousand people from around the world attended it. I did not know what to expect but it was first class all the way. It was held at a 5-Star hotel in Indianapolis, high-tech presentations and cutting edge break out sessions, good food, great Speakers and over the top entertainment at the end of each day.

The Keynote Speaker for the ending of the event was the Former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. She reminded us of the old phrase that goes similar to this, “Find your passion and then do it well.” You probably have heard this phrase in other versions but the meaning is still the same. And, you probably have read or heard that this is not a good advice.

At the end of the conference, we were provided lunch. I happen to sit next to an older man. I started a conversation with him and shared with him that I agree with Condoleezza Rice to find your passion and then do it well. I told him that I found my passion in my ministry, I just need to be better in leading it to continue the exponential impact we have in our communities.

My passion is to help those who are less fortunate, to encourage those who have not yet find their passion and then train others to do the same. I founded Faith Hope and Love not by design but because of the circumstances that presented themselves while doing what I am passionate about. However, like many entrepreneurs, I did not abandon my job immediately. I worked in the same place for the next 2 years after founding the ministry to support my family financially. Then after much prayers and discussions with my family and trusted friends, I quit my job and decided to pursue my passion.

I think human beings live a more exciting life if they are engaged with what they love to do. As I am writing this, I was reminded of another great phrase, this one from the movie Braveheart, “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.”

Let me ask you a few questions that hopefully, would stimulate your thinking. What really matters at the end of your life here on earth? Did you live fully or just half-way because you chose not to pursue your passion? Did you live a very safe life and took the safe road? When you look back in your life, would there be a lot of “I should have followed my passion”?

I love what I do now but it is never easy. However, I welcome challenges in my life, they make grow and make my life more exciting. I know it’s not going to be a walk in the park when you follow your passion but I know that you got to walk on clouds while doing what you love to do.

Back in early 2005, I did not see myself as the founder of a ministry that reaches to thousands of people every year. Maybe you are at the same situation right now as I was 9 years ago. It seem almost impossible to pursue your passion. But maybe, you just need to step on it and see the deeper reality of what you were called for.

You will live fully when you follow your passion. Just aim to be better at doing it and you will realize a fulfilling life. So, I challenge you to find your passion, and then do it well.

Neighborhood Innovation

September 13, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Indiana, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

Innovation applied to our neighborhoods

You probably have heard by now that iPhone just unveiled 5C and 5S both with iOS 7 and the later with fingerprint sensor and 64-bit processor. Even with all the innovations, some tech experts are saying that they are losing the ground in the smartphone war.

No, I’m not going to lead you to follow this trend, but let me ask you a question, “What If we put as much emphasis on missional community innovation as we do with smartphones?”

Here’s an example: One of the self-sustained food pantries that FHL planted is having a Baked Sale on Sat. 9/14 to raise funds for their pantry. What’s innovative about it? It’s an old concept that was upgraded. The local residents are coming together to sustain their food pantry. Last month, a family did a garage sale and used the money to buy food for the pantry. These methods maybe archaic but they are morphing into neighborhood transformation.

This is grassroots movement in steroids! The local neighborhood has a sense of ownership of their pantry. They now come together not just for food but for camaraderie and relationships.

Unlike technology innovation, grassroots movement is powered from ground up instead of from top down. This approach can create a legacy not a legend. This approach can transform a neighborhood, a city and a country. These neighborhoods will win over hunger, homelessness and crime. Instead of losing ground, they will conquer the land with ever increasing innovation to solve challenges together.

Harvest and sowing

September 6, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Food Pantry, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

Fresh Corn from the heart of Indiana

Early part of this year, we received a large amount of corn seed from one of our ministry partners. They are distributor of corn, soy beans and other seeds. I contacted one of our friends who farms. She agreed to plant the corn, tender and harvest them.

Today, my wife and I were so blessed to see hundreds of fresh newly harvested-corn at their farm. We went around Indianapolis to deliver the corn to 6 different organizations. We were so blessed to see the smiles and the gratitude of the recipients. It is interesting to see how happy people were when they receive the corn! The $ value of the corn was not that much but what made the recipients smile was our thoughts of them. It’s the same thing as giving away bottled water. A bottled water cost less than .50 cents but it’s the thought of giving unconditionally that count.

As the deliveries ended, I was just reminded of how a “Missional Community” would look like – similar to what I had just witnessed. Someone provided the seed, someone planted and tendered it and I was blessed to be the delivery man.

We are all distributors of God’s blessings to people around us. How cool is it to give away God’s unlimited blessings to others. As you go about this weekend or your week, keep thinking that you can be a conduit of God’s blessings to others. It may be just a smile or just giving a cold cup of water to others – just as the Bible says. You may be harvesting blessings for you and your family as you sow simple acts of kindness to others.

Another Kingdom Class just started

August 30, 2013 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion

It’s been a busy July with the FHL Week 2013 new format. We started with Prayer Celebration on July 21, 2013. The rest of the week included several Projects/Services such as the Project Blessing. Simultaneously, we did the first ever 24/7Indy non stop prayer and worship for 168 hours. We have seen God Encounters and miracles.

After a busy FHL Week, we started the 4th Kingdom Class in Anderson, Indiana on Aug 21st. Like all of the Kingdom classes, this class will end with a project. The project will be tied in with the 24/1 Prayer Worship in Anderson. The participants in this class are expecting big things to happen in their city in the near future. Stay tuned!