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FHL Day July 24, 2006

FAITH, HOPE & LOVE STORIES

1. Noblesville/Fishers Area—Tranz skate park was open and free for any and all youth skaters; others on the team went to 3rd Phase Women’s Shelter.
2. Carmel/Westfield Area-Among several projects, local community missionaries provided refreshments and coffee to patients, guests and employees at Clarian North hospital-turned Café/Piano Bar. What a creative way to serve those in the hospital.
3. Southside Area-Some of the services/projects were light construction and bottled water give-away.
4. Westside Area-Did lawn care, weeding and edging.
5. IPS #74—10th & Rural Street—Newly assigned principal Tim Clevenger was on hand and told Faith, Hope and Love that the “wish list” the workers were following actually came from the school students themselves. Imagine their thrill when they return to school in August and see all of the beautiful work that has been done by those seeking to show God’s love in practical ways—mulching, weeding, beautifying flower beds, and many other practical things.
A few events that took place at IPS #74:
Ø The FHL 50' mobile prayer trailer was parked at School 74 for three hours too. Prayers were lifted to heaven. Answers began quickly. A few neighborhood residents arrived with their own equipment. Ready to take over the work, they asked the principal what they could do. He gladly directed their energies toward another playground project. Group Workcamps Foundation came to town with 100 teens from Tennessee, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan. One group was at IPS #74 to weed, mulch and beautify the grounds. Others will be serving the homeless, ministering at men’s and women’s shelters, helping at after-school programs, and giving some love to the elderly. Some of the Workcamps students have done this type of work before, but for many it is their first time. Everyone interviewed said they weren’t nervous or scared, just really excited!
Ø A neighborhood social worker happened to stop by to see what was happening. She was greatly encouraged to see people from the suburbs coming down to minister in her part of town. “These kids won’t forget this. And I don’t just mean the gardening. I mean they won’t forget that strangers came to their school and treated them like real people, and did something really nice for them.”
6. Castleton/Nora Area
As the group gathered back at Abundant Life on 82nd street near I-69, many were rejoicing at the hard work and the opportunity to refresh souls. They did a myriad of jobs . . . window washing, trash pick up, cleaning yards, visiting patients in the hospital, providing home repair, and even giving spa treatments to women!
Ø An older man who himself is a trash-collector, couldn’t believe a few young men were picking up trash and not being paid for it. The same story was repeated for the young gals who washed office windows.
Ø A 26-year-old man with two children who hasn’t been able to work for three months due a car accident was so grateful for those who mowed his lawn and cleaned his yard. He’s been wanting to connect to a church, and today he saw God removing some obstacles in his life.
Ø A 79-year-old man whose son is in hospice, with cancer, was so grateful for the prayer of the servant team at his home.
The response of those who received these offerings?— “How much does it cost?” “Why are you doing this?” “What church are you from?”
The answer: “Nothing; it’s free.” “To show God’s love in a practical way.” “Lots of different churches, all working together”!
One of FHL Area Coordinator, Shelly Smith stated, “Our volunteers (including many of the youth) can't wait to be able to help again tomorrow. Our God is Great!!!!”

posted by fhlinternational @ 6:52 AM