FHL’s ‘Don’t just learn it; Experience it’ Luncheon at Outback on 3/25

A Message From the President of Faith, Hope and Love, International- Merlin Gonzales

“The Hope within You, Living from the Inside Out” is not just a pretty phrase. It is real! With the nation’s economic challenges also come the false hopes that many instill in the minds of people. Many are told that hope is found in the government, companies or other external sources. Although these have influences in our society, you and I can have an even greater impact by transforming our communities. John 17:22-23, “I have given them (the disciples and the generations to come) the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” This means that we have the Spirit of God within us, and we have the most powerful thing at our disposal: Love. 1 Corinthians 13: 13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Everything will disappear in this world, but no one can take away the love within you and me. The God within us is our hope, and the Love within us can change the world.

You and I are given the tremendous opportunity to transform this generation through sharing the hope within us and by "Living from the Inside Out".

Community needs are growing while community resources are dwindling...

The weakening economy has created increasing hardship for many people from all walks of life. Your financial support for this Luncheon will help over 500 families that FHL International, Inc.regularly serves throughout the year. Your participation in this luncheon will help the FHL Mobile Food Pantry and you will also enjoy some delicious food yourselves provided by the Outback Steakhouse. While you are with us at the Outback, you will hear an extraordinary testimonial of hope from Al Gibson, President of Crown Coating.

Please come join us! Thank you, Merlin

WHY: To raise awareness of the 'Hope within us' and to benefit the Mobile Food Pantry serving 500+ families in metropolitan Indianapolis.

WHERE: Outback Steakhouse 86th/Michigan St Indianapolis

WHEN: Wed. March 25 11:30a-1p

CONTRIBUTION: $25/seat

For more information, please visit our Facebook Event page

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.

Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:37:40

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

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, all under the direction and coordination of 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

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 from Nov 1st. 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 25, 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, October 25, 2008
Location: 1704 Trumbal St. , Indianapolis IN, 46218
Contact: (317) 923-5642

FHL Update: New Prayer Groups, ESL Classes, and Kindness Weekends

A few weeks ago, during the Transform Indiana meeting, FHL shared an idea of forming and empowering prayer groups in Indianapolis. If we could agree to pray together and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts, Christians in Indy would be more open to work together. After only 2 meetings, several prayer facilitators agreed to work together to provide 24/7 prayer groups around the city. We feel that there will be more exciting news to come about this development . If you are interested in getting involved with this group, please contact info@fhlinternatonal.org

Several months ago, Merlin Gonzales was approached by 21-year old volunteer of FHL International, Inc. regarding leading an English as Second Language (ESL) Class . He asked her to wait until the FHL Week (and the many FHL-related projects) were over. So she approached him again a few weeks later. After many prayers and much planning, the first ESL Class was launched on Thursday, Oct. 16th with 20 students.

The FHL Kindness Weekend in Castleton will be held on Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 18 & 19. There will be dozens of volunteers from various organizations who will be serving the community unconditionally. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact info@fhlinternatonal.org

Faith, Hope, and Love, International, Inc. is dedicated to transforming our city, one neighborhood at a time.

Simple ABC's of Ministry

Identify needs and identify resources. From the very start of the ministry that God had me started, the ministry had been focused on 2 items: Needs and Resources. So I contacted several pastors and community leaders and asked them to meet together to identify those 2 items in our community. We came up with less than a dozen projects, mobilized 7 churches and inspired 200+ volunteers to serve unconditionally. What turned out to be just a one-time 'local mission' became an international ministry within 3 years. The concept (which is not new) is now adopted as far as Cartagena, Colombia.

Join in with what God is doing (and with others who has the heart to transform our community). 2 quick stories:

Southport Presbyterian Church (SPC) was looking for additional projects for their youth. I hooked them up with Jerome Jorman to paint his newly purchased house to be used as 'Group Home' and with David Woodrupp to paint a house of an elderly near the urban area. The result: 2 houses were painted and several changed lives.

Northview Christian Life Church in Carmel was looking for additional projects to mobilize their congregation (see www.nvcl.org for more info on Life on Loan). I contacted the city of Indianapolis Neighborhood Liaison Office and shared with them the opportunity. They came up with projects, hooked them up with Northview. On the 18th & 19th, dozens of volunteers will be helping our city unconditionally.

Identification, connection and mobilization. Identify the needs and resources and connecting them through mobilization of the community. Simple ABC's of Ministry...