Indy Christian .com -- Daily Internet Starting-line

Faith Hope and Love Habitat House

By Merlin Gonzales, Pres., Faith Hope and Love

Recently, Habitat for Humanity asked Faith Hope and Love to partner with them to build a house for a Hispanic family. FHL President, Merlin Gonzales thought it would be good that the house be built by different nationalities. Ralph Taylor, International Affairs Coordinator for Indianapolis Mayors office agreed to call a meeting at WFYI Ch 20 on Monday, May 11^th.

The meeting resulted with several ethnic groups to partner in building the house in the Martindale-Brightwood area starting June 3- July 11. The immediate need is to staff the June 3th –June 5^th house build days. Two shifts are offered, from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Please contact 317-578-3370 to get involved in this community house build. For more information, please see our Facebook event page

Labels: Christ, FHL FHL International, Habitat for Humanity, Martindale-Brightwood Area, Merlin Gonzales, Ralph Taylor, WFYI

posted by Melanie Reed @ 11:25 PM 0 comments

Starting out the Season 'Merry' With An FHL Kindness Weekend This Saturday, Nov. 22 At Merry's Bakery

Faith, Hope and Love, International, Inc. will be hosting another Kindness Weekend this Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Merry's Bakery, (317 624-9057) located at 456 N. Holmes Ave, Indianapolis, IN. GoogleMaps: Merry's Bakery Directions

Volunteers are asked to come at 1:oopm to help set-up and stay till 5pm. Food will be given away from 3pm until supplies last.

FHL International, Inc. prays thanksgiving to our Lord for His provision and wishes to extend our warm thanks to Merry's Bakery for providing us the warmth of the restaurant on such a cold day. Because of their hospitality and generosity there will be plenty of time to talk and share our love for them and of the Christ and the Good News with many of our neighbors who need nourishing spiritual encouragement.

If you want to volunteer and be spiritually refreshed while refreshing others, please contact Merlin Gonzales at (317) 578-3370 or email us at info@fhlinternational.org

Bring your hearts and your hands to reach out in love to our neighbors. And if you are unable to come, we welcome your prayers for us! And your prayers for our city, its citizens and their needs.

Labels: FHL FHL International, God Faith Hope Love International Inc Kindness Weekend Mobile Food Pantry Communities Service Outreach Merlin Gonzales

posted by Melanie Reed @ 2:47 PM 0 comments

FHL: A Day With Jesus

by Merlin Gonzales, CEO, Faith Hope & Love International, Inc.

I picked up some food from a food bank near the airport for the FHL Mobile Food Pantry. My little trailer was full and I was very happy until on my way back. Just after a mile from the food bank, I found out that the trailer is flat. I managed to drive the truck to a street corner, called AAA only to find out that they do not repair trailer tires. By this time, I was starting to get irritated. I am doing the work of God and why did He allow me to have a flat tire and no help. But later, I found out that there was a tire repair shop nearby and they sent their person to change the tire.

I told the manager that we are a non profit organization and he waived the service charge and he just charged me for the cost of a new tire. I was very happy and thanking the Lord for saving me money and sending me help.

After an hour I was back on the road again, entered I-465 going East to deliver some of the food to a couple of ministries when all of a sudden, I saw white smoke coming out from the back of the trailer. I was on a busy highway and I did not want to park on the side of the freeway, however, a speeding vehicle passed me by and pointed on the trailer. With hesitation, I parked the truck on the side of a busy freeway right at the intersection of I465 and I69. I was bummed out… this day is not my day. I found out that the new tire I just bought was rubbing against a bolt of the trailer and almost sliced in half.

I was so aggravated and I did not have any tools. The highway noise was very irritating with all the sounds of trucks, large semis, sirens from Police and the trash on the side of the road. I asked God why is it that I have these problems when I’m trying to do His will. Then all of a sudden, my eyes noticed a bridge (I69) over I465 and wondered how the homeless people could live under the bridge with all the road noise. How about when it’s raining or snowing? I thought God was saying, I want you to experience for a few minutes being in this place some of my people’s residences.

I appreciated the experience and went to deliver several cases of frozen meat to a couple who literally housed 500+ homeless people in the past 4 years. Then I stopped by at a home on the east side to a lady who is jobless and recently accepted 2 homeless people into her house. I was humbled by God after the day was over. It’s not about me, it’s about Him. This is not your ministry, it’s mine. Are you willing to obey me unconditionally?

God said to love your neighbors. Hmm…I’ve done my duty today, I followed what Jesus said. Then I felt better. But Jesus wants to take us to the next level; the generation of grace and unconditional love. Don’t just love your neighbor, He said…love your enemies as well!

Labels: FHL FHL International, Inc. Faith Hope and Love International, Merlin Gonzales

posted by FHL Intl. @ 6:48 AM 0 comments

FHL Update: Kindness Weekend - Faith Is Renewed, Hope Is Nurtured, and Love Is In Action In Our City!

By Melanie Reed, FHL International

With a heart filled with faith, hope, and love, mountains can be moved and work made light. The Lord's workers proved the truth of that by offering themselves throughout a very busy weekend for FHL International on several projects.

Kindness Weekend for October 18th and 19th began with prayer outside the new FHL International corporate offices located in Castleton! There were over 30 volunteers working in four shifts from Northview Christian Life who worked not only on the FHL office, but the entire complex. They picked up trash, raked leaves, cleaned windows and worked on the inside of the new FHL corporate offices. The Northview Christian Life volunteers also completed several other projects throughout Indianapolis, with collaborative help from FHL International.

Over 80 volunteers from Northview cleaned up 6 blocks of the 25th and Dearborn neighborhood and several volunteers through BRAG cleaned up the Binford and 71st neighborhood.

FHL was also blessed by our Lord with the means to provide frozen food to Living Water Ministries. Edward Figueroa and his wife, Gena, have literally, over the past 5-6 years, provided shelter in their own home to over 500 homeless people!

Many people were blessed this weekend by the loving hands of their neighbors. As, Merlin Gonzales, Founder of FHL International, Inc. said: "Truly, faith is renewed, hope is nurtured and love is in action in our city!". Praise the Lord!

If you want to become a Faith, Hope, and Love volunteer and work on a 'mission trip in your own backyard', please contact info@fhlinternational.org or call 317-372-0371

Labels: FHL FHL International, God Faith Hope Love International Inc Kindness Weekend Mobile Food Pantry Communities Service Outreach Merlin Gonzales

posted by Melanie Reed @ 11:06 PM 0 comments

Please Note: FHL Mobile Food Pantry at Save The Youth Center on October 25!

Please Note: that the date for the Mobile Food Pantry has changed. It has been moved up to this SATURDAY, OCT. 25, 2008. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. FHL International, Inc. endeavors to meet the needs of those in need where they are and this sometimes causes plans to be changed. (Prov. 19:21) We thank God for you and for your willingness to be flexible and stand in readiness to help. - FHL, International, Inc., Merlin Gonzales, Founder and CEO.

Please mark your FHL calendars for October 25th, 2008. The Mobile Food Pantry will be located at the Save the Youth Center on Saturday to serve those in need in the area. If you need help, please come by. If you would like to help us and your neighbors by volunteering, please contact us by phone at (317)923-5642 or email us at: info@fhlinternational.org or visit our website @ http://fhlinternational.org Thank you and God bless you

Time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Location: 1704 Trumbal St. , Indianapolis IN, 46218
Contact: (317) 923-5642

Labels: FHL FHL International, Inc. Faith Hope and Love International, Inc. Mobile Food Pantry Merlin Gonzales

posted by Melanie Reed @ 3:09 PM 0 comments