All posts tagged: Faith Hope Love International Inc

Arctic Food Allocation

The extreme cold did not stop the leaders and volunteers to address hunger.

The extreme cold did not stop the pastors and volunteers to address hunger.

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FHL is opening food pantries in the Arctic?

Yes, it seemed like we were in the Arctic yesterday. It was around 8 degrees when we unloaded the Litho Press 24-footer truck. Five food pantries received their allocation. They in turn will distribute the food at their own neighborhoods namely, West & East 38th St., East Indy, Hamilton County and Fort Wayne. Hundreds of individuals will receive grocery items in this cold weather.

I believe God had scheduled the food allocation during a single-digit day because one of the Pastors who has a warehouse offered FHL to use part of his warehouse for pantry purposes.

FHL food pantries are designed to be missional communities where everyone gets to play. It’s a place where people pitch in and help out for the common good of the neighborhoods. It does not matter if it’s cold or hot; the needs in our communities are not dictated by the weather but can be addressed by the collective effort of everyone.

Mission field in our own backyard…they exist in central Indiana. We believe that we can drastically lessen the number of hungry people if we come together with something to offer – time, talent, treasure and prayers.

FHL is looking to partner with farmers, livestock owners, landowners, realtors, businesses, church/ministries, government and school systems to identify underutilized resources. We can shift the hunger statistics together right here in our own backyard, not in the Arctic.

Please contact [email protected] for more information how to start a food pantry in your neighborhood.

Merlin GonzalesArctic Food Allocation
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Missional Community

One of FHL Food Pantries

One of FHL Food Pantries

Take a “fresh look” at your community. Yes, take a second look with your keen eyes and see what’s obvious.

Many times, the obvious gets neglected. Just look around you as you are driving to work, to your church or to your school. What do you see…I mean, look around with observant eyes. How’s the sidewalks, how’s the person driving the vehicle next to you or how’s your fellow student or your co-worker who has been indifferent. They are apparently present in our world and yet we miss them.

FreshLookOur society had become so enamored with the conveniences of modern living that made our lives complicated and we tend to become individualistic creatures. We are busy people. Many of us spend more time gazing at our smart phones than our spouses or our loved ones.

I would like to ask you to “take a fresh look at your community” again. What direction is your community going if you accept the status quo? Do you see deterioration, self-centeredness, residents are living in fear and oppression? How’s the environment? Or, do you see a Missional Community where the atmosphere is charged with vigor, joy, freedom, helping one another and caring for each other. Are the neighborhoods clean, safe and vibrant?

When you look again, do you see little things that can make huge impact? Do you see your neighbors getting involved in making it a better place for your family and for your community? What would the church at the street corner say if you offer your assistance to come alongside them to reach out to others? How would your employer or the principal of a school nearby react if you approach them to build a Missional Community – a place where residents are caring for each other, a place where all the sectors of the community come together to build safer and healthier neighborhoods?

Yes, I believe that together, we can build a society known for its hospitality, cleanliness and prosperous in any way possible. My next blog will provide you with practical steps that we can take to transform our neighborhoods together.

God bless,

Merlin Gonzales

Merlin GonzalesMissional Community
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FHL Announcements: September 2009 Volunteer Opportunities!!

FHL Logo

Opportunities to get involved and to volunteer as of September 2009:

Prayer at the Circle on 8/30/09 3pm

This prayer group will have a brief worship, communion and prayer for Indianapolis

FHL Kindness Days

  • on 8/29/09 :00pm

at 10th St & Rural, Indianapolis; There will be 4 Groups reaching out: Passing out cold drinks, picking up trash, street evangelism and Prayer Tent.

  • on 9/11/09

There will be several projects at Martindale-Brightwood area (clean up, light construction) and in Castleton. We are expecting more than 60 volunteers to come together in serving our communities.

  • on 10/17/09

This day will be focused on Cars of Clay Ministry. More details to come.

FHL Refugees & Farm Ministry

FHL has (3) farms that have been producing food for the community. A church in Greenwood, IN is donating 20 acres land for farming. There will be vision-casting luncheon at Midwest Food Bank on Saturday, September 12 from 11am to 1pm; Lunch is provided. There are opportunities to partner and to volunteer. Contact Wili de la Rosa at [email protected].

Street Evangelism 9/26/09

Meet at Cornerstone Baptist Church located at 952 N. Pennsylvania at 11am to 3pm. Please contact Bill Lamb 317-549-5238 for more info.

FHL Mobile Food Pantry on 9/26/09 3:00pm-4:30pm

Experience the blessing around the city!

Volunteer from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Contact Ethan Crane (317) 578-3370 for more info.

Citywide Prayer 9/27/09

Citywide Prayer/Worship.  Contact Donna Cherry at 317-578-3370 or [email protected]

Jehoshua House, LLC

Offender, Re-entry ministry. Contact Bob Irvin at 317-578-3370 or [email protected] | Jehoshua House.org

Cars of Clay

Car Ministry. Contact Jim Raftery at 317-578-3370 or [email protected]

FHL Corporate Office
Located at 8383 Craig Street, Suite 335, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

Exciting and rewarding volunteer positions available. Contact Merlin Gonzales at (317)578-3370 for more info.

Merlin GonzalesFHL Announcements: September 2009 Volunteer Opportunities!!
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FHL Week 2009 Recap

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyAw0sknlJg]Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!  What a privilege to work alongside all of you in these past few months. FHL Week 2009 was the largest impact we had in terms of number of salvations, people we touched,  and projects completed and generated.  The  overall value of our projects and services in all categories saw significant improvement.  It truly became a Year of Hope for many in Indianapolis and the hope within us became the tangible expression of God’s love to His people.  Heaven came down and His Presence was evident in our communities.

Words cannot adequately express the miracles that happened (and are still happening) during of Faith, Hope and Love Week 2009. But here is a partial list below:

  • 2 communities were transformed both spiritually & physically (Riverwood & Elizaville)
  • 25 individuals were brought to salvation
  • Creative miracles were witnessed, such as:
    • people who were in wheelchairs started to gain strength in their legs and started pushing their own wheelchair (or jumped)
    • transformed individuals
  • Countless projects were generated for continuance after FHL Week 2009
  • Numerous new relationships were started
  • FHL reached out even farther to areas such as:
    • Lebanon
    • Avon
    • North of Noblesville
  • More businesses provided resources
  • The Indianapolis Deputy Mayor preached the Gospel at the Circle in front of the general public

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM5N52gILIM]

Thank you so much for allowing me to serve with you. As I mentioned in the past, FHL Week is just a beginning of the continued flow of God’s blessings to our communities. In the weeks to come, I would like to touch base with you to see FHL could serve with you or how you could join us in serving together.

I am sure that it is almost impossible for me to thank everyone personally so please extend my sincere gratitude. It’s been and will be my honor to work alongside with you again!

FHL Week 2010 is July 25-31, The Year of Love

Eph. 6:23-24, “Peace to the brothers (and sisters), and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”

Merlin Gonzales

Merlin GonzalesFHL Week 2009 Recap
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