.jpg)
A Night When Hope Sat at Every Table
- Shane Wallenda
- Aug 30
- 2 min read
In one warm August evening at 1919 Fern Avenue, something extraordinary unfolded—an event so deeply human, it transformed the fellowship hall of Assemblies of God in Walla Walla WA into a holy ground.
It wasn’t the fine china or the floral arrangements of a fine banquet—though both were lovingly prepared. It wasn’t the music or the scent of adobo and cinnamon rolls wafting from the kitchen. It was something else. Something more sacred. A sense that for one night, love had truly crossed oceans.
“I fervently prayed for a transformative gathering,” said Aimee Wallenda, co-founder of Adonai’s Mercy House, the evening’s host and heartbeat. “And last night’s experience was nothing short of extraordinary, surpassing my expectations and leaving an indelible mark on my heart.”
This year’s Adonai’s Mercy House Annual Banquet, held on August 2, 2025, and themed “Love Without Borders,” was more than a fundraiser. It was an evening of music, food, prayer, and personal stories—stitched together by a common purpose: to support impoverished children in the Philippines battling cancer.
Through Adonai’s pediatric oncology ward located in the Mary Johnston Hospital, a 118-year-old mission hospital in Tondo, Manila, and its hospice program, these children receive life-saving care and, perhaps even more importantly, hope.
Sponsored by the Assemblies of God Church, the event welcomed guests from Walla Walla and surrounding towns. There were tears, laughter, and hugs shared between strangers-turned-supporters. There were testimonies from stakeholders who had come to the Philippines, and quiet moments of remembrance for the children who, though no longer with us, left their fingerprints on the mission.
“Although not everything was flawless,” Aimee reflected, “the collective effort to honor the memories of our beloved children in AMH was truly unforgettable and a testament to our resilience and determination.”
The evening began with emcee Jordan Green welcoming the guests. As the latter settled in, ballet dancer Grace Green moved gracefully across the floor, her performance both tender and haunting—her movements speaking the grief and grace of the children AMH serves.
Then it was time for a heartfelt invocation by Pastor Levi, who expressed joy in “fellowshipping without borders” and worshipping the Lord “through a beautiful song and… a dance.”
“What if we gave without borders so that Adonai’s Mercy House can share love without borders, live without borders and ultimately dream without borders… [G]race knows no borders; generosity knows no borders,” Pastor Levi mused.
Aimee, together with her husband, Shane, co-founder of Adonai’s Mercy House, shared stories and videos of what the Adonai’s has done for the children as well as the transformation in his and Aimee that gave a different meaning in their lives.
Bob and Devi, longtime volunteers who recently returned from the Philippines, shared how AMH provides not only medicine but dignity—shelter, counseling, spiritual care, and end-of-life companionship. Their words painted images that lingered long after the applause faded.
