All posts tagged: hispanic

Hunger and Crime in Our Midst

October 4, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Food Pantry, FHL Indiana, Self-Sustained Food Pantriy

An example of a Missional Community

I came to the US in 1984 to work for a cruise ship based in Miami. After a year, I moved to Indianapolis with a huge dream and a pocket with just a few dollars in it. I thought I can have anything I want if I just work hard, after all, I will be a citizen in the Land of Opportunity. After 3 years, I found myself working 3 jobs and hardly sleeps. In less than 12 years, I found myself broke and depressed.

Many of us have big dreams but then, life happens. When you walk in the streets of a super power country – the United States, you will meet the new poor and a multitude of hungry people, both physically and spiritually hungry.

According to the latest US Census Bureau, the number of children living in poverty in Marion County is up 81% since 2000. This means an estimated 62,287 children under the age of 18 are living in poverty, that’s 1 out of 4 children in the county . Two of Indianapolis neighborhoods are listed in the top 25 Most Dangerous neighborhoods in the US. Yes, poverty and crime are closer than you think. You don’t need to cross the oceans to be in a mission field. They’re here!

What if we start looking together for resources right here in our own backyard. What if we can connect those in need and those who have more than enough? What if our food pantries become a place where food comes second only to relationships?

In less than 3 years, Faith Hope and Love helped start and incubate 14 food pantries. The idea for these pantries are to be self-sustained in 6 months. This means that each of them should have developed a strong community that watch after each other’s back. They should have developed relationships in and around their neighborhoods so they will have a volunteer base willing to help at least once a month, build connections and active support from different organizations such as businesses, churches and other non-profits and, they have engaged their neighborhoods so they can reach out to those in need and receive assistance from those who have more than enough.

This will be the focus of FHL in the coming years, to build missional communities that work together not only to address physical hunger but also the spiritual hunger. We believe in the grassroots movement instead of the top down approach. We believe that missional communities are possible if we embrace relationship over programs. We believe that the answer to hunger and crime is not food and guns, but relationships.

In authentic relationships, you find acceptance, you will find people that work with their hearts, not with their hands and you will see a community similar to that of the Book of Acts. That’s why the volunteers at FHL are very excited to share with you the energized mission at the breakfast at Maggiano’s on 11/6 7:30a. You will find more info Here.

Authentic relationships with God and with others (The Greatest Commandment) will solve the hunger and the crime in our midst.

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.

07/22/13 Testimonial during the 24/7Indy

August 5, 2013 Merlin Gonzales FHL Indiana, FHL Week

FHL Week 2013

I pray that you will be blessed as you read this story that happened on 24/7Indy. This was from one of our partners, Patty. Send me your testimonial and any encouraging message.

God showed me to divide the time into one hour slots and each hour focus on different topics. We did 20 minutes of worship, 20 minutes of declaring along with a testimony regarding that area from a testimony book from supernatural school at Bethel and 20 minutes of soaking. The time just flew and the Presence of God came in a wonderful way.

When we were in the 3rd hour of praying a group of young people came in from the camp. So I explained to them what we were doing and that they could join us. We all worshipped together and then got in a circle to pray for the government. I shared a testimony of healing I had had and offered individual prayer for anyone who wanted it. Becky, who was praying with us saw us touching each one of them and saying a blessing over them. We had them get in a circle and then 6 of us went around the circle and touched each one of the young people and the 2 leaders and spoke words of blessing and prophesy from God. One young man was on his knees the whole time and was overcome by the presence of the Lord! We were getting some powerful words for him. He is the one who God touched later with the joy of the Lord and he saw Jesus tickling him! God was doing a mighty and glorious work in him.

Then most of them left except for 5 who came to us for more prayer. It was 3 young people and 2 leaders. They each got prayer for specific things and one young man had scoliosis and we saw him get talller and one young girl had back pain and she received healing! The leaders also got prayer and were touched by God!

Jeri, Deborah, Becky, Kathy and Matthew from FHL prayed during this time. It was a wonderful and moving and exciting time with Jesus!

No fear, be at peace

August 2, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Indiana, FHL Week

What happened next was the manifestation of God’s love over His children

Luke 10:21, “...I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to the babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.“

It would be overwhelming to share with you all the stories I have received and still receiving. Here is a story of an 11-yr. old girl who came to the 24/7Indy with my friend Maria, her younger brother and her mother. At around 10:30p on 7/22, I was asked by Maria to pray and to anoint the family. Within a minute, I sensed that God was working on Ariana, so I asked what’s happening. She said that God spoke to her and said, “No fear, be at peace.”

Meanwhile, her mother told me that at the previous prayer meeting they had just before visiting the 24/7Indy, Ariana asked her how she can hear from God. Then I noticed that her hands were starting to shake. What you are about to view is the video and her narration after encountering God.

I was so blessed to witness God’s presence. The startling thing is that God had given Ariana an assurance to have no fear and be at peace because He was about to do something that she had never experienced before.

Don’t limit God with our logical thinking and miss what God is doing in our lives.

Are you a resource partner? Would you like to know more?

Merlin Gonzales, FHL International, Inc.

The Kingdom in Our Midst
Ph: 317.578.3370 www.fhlinternational.org

Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

July 31, 2013 Merlin Gonzales Backyard Missions, FHL Indiana, FHL Week

Mid-week FHL Week & 24/7Indy celebration at Creekside Ministries

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2013

Reported by Facundo Cortez, FHL Anderson/Pendleton Area Coordinator

Today was an extraordinary day as we experience the supernatural pouring out of His Holy Spirit!!!!!!!

We met at WellSpring Church and had our group devo (devotional). We started the day soaking in God’s presence by being in His Word, praying, worshiping & praising the Lord! God’s presence was real! WOW!

Today we had two teams. One team went to Wheeler and another group went to Liberty Christian School to continue the painting project there.

The Wheeler team’s assignment today was to continue doing housekeeping at Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children in Indianapolis. They cleaned the dining room.

When they were done they went to Garfield Park to enjoy their sack lunch.

The Liberty team continued to make progress painting the women’s bathroom on the first floor. They decided to go to Taco Bell for lunch. While there, one of the team was able to talk to another guest at the restaurant and give her hope since she was going to a rough time. It’s amazing where God can give us opportunities to share the Word about faith, hope and love!

The teams then got together at the ice cream shop across the street from Liberty and eat ice cream together. Then we said goodbye to the Steve Wolverton from Michigan and his two granddaughters. We could not have do it without them.

Then the Holy Ghost Fireworks started!!!

Several churches and ministries from the Anderson/Pendleton attended the 24/7 Indy at Creekside Ministries. It was led by their deaf (ASL) worship team and it was AWESOME! The presence of the Lord was everywhere! The power of the Holy Spirit began to be poured out big time!

(Let me say that my religious/church background is not one that normally feels comfortable with magnification of the Holy Spirit. Some of you reading this may not believe or accept the things I am about to share but I ask that you read with an open mind and heart.)

All of sudden, people began to be filled with the Spirit Holy, slain in the Spirit, shaking uncontrollably, speaking in tongues, laughing for no reason! Some became so drunk in the Spirit that they had to be driven home! Some people were crawling to the altar! Some were healed of physical sickness! Others were healed of broken relationships and broken hearts! Others were set free from bondages, generation curses and so much more!! As people walked thru the prayer tunnel they were also slain in the Holy Spirit. To put it mildly, it was wild!! All of us received the power of the Holy Spirit to do what He wants us to do: Be his witnesses! To proclaim boldly the Good News!

If you weren’t there don’t worry The Holy Spirit is coming to a neighborhood near you! I believe that as the momentum continues we will continue to see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit like in the day of Pentecost! Revival is here NOW! The manifestation of God with signs and wonders is happening NOW! And they will continue from this day forward! To God be the glory!