Adonai's Mercy House Holds First-Ever Leaders' Retreat
In any organization—whether large or small—it is important for the leaders to ensure that the organizational vision is aligned and that they share the same mission.
For Adonai's Mercy House (AMH), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting poverty-stricken Filipino children battling cancer, that mission took physical, spiritual, and emotional form during its first-ever Leaders' Retreat, held June 11–15 in Walla Walla, Washington.
Held at the scenic compound-residence of AMH co-founders Shane and Aimee Wallenda, the retreat brought together members of the Board of Trustees of AMH–U.S., leadership of AMH–Philippines, and key supporters from various places.
With the theme "Love Without Borders"—also the unifying theme of all AMH events this year—the retreat aimed to strengthen teamwork among its diverse and passionate stakeholders.
In attendance were Board of Trustees members Ting Valdez, Lace Goodwin, Joy Funtanilla, and Joyce Vives, all of whom traveled from different corners of the United States—from Guam, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Nancy Nicolas, Executive Director of AMH–Philippines, also flew in from Manila to join the gathering.
Supporters and spiritual mentors also graced the retreat, including Larry and Sylvia Pitcher, Sean and Amanda Calvert, Carl, Nicole McCauley, Remus, Patrick Saldou, Arvin Lioanag, Fort Nicolas, and Jasna Nicolas. Together, they formed a community of stakeholders and believers in AMH's mission.
On June 11, as a prelude to the retreat, Adonai's supporter, Elizabeth Preston led a Creative Journaling workshop that invited participants to tap into their overlooked well of imagination. The session introduced an unconventional but enlightening technique: writing and drawing with one's non-dominant hand.
This simple yet profound practice encouraged participants to embrace vulnerability, thereby unlocking a balance between the brain's creative and logical functions. The result was deeper self-expression and a renewed approach to reflective journaling, which many described as both therapeutic and unexpectedly revealing.
The retreat officially began with an intimate appreciation dinner on the evening of June 12, held in honor of donors and logistical supporters who have quietly sustained AMH's operations over the years.
The mood was warm and celebratory, setting the tone for the retreat's three days of reflection, art activities, lectures, prayer, storytelling, planning, and laughter.
The following day, June 13, the AMH retreat participants visited a nursing facility for the elderly, where AMH co-founder Shane Wallenda serves as a chaplain. Ting Valdez conducted a neurographic art session, a new experience that the residents apparently appreciated very much.
"It was an uplifting experience spending time with the seniors at Brookdale," said Dale Goodwin. "By the end (of the visit), the room was aglow with their radiant expressions."
In the evening, an intimate small-group dinner was hosted on the grounds of the Wallenda residence, with the breathtaking Blue Mountains of Walla Walla bathed in dusky light as a dramatic backdrop. The setting was as serene as it was symbolic—reminding attendees that the work they do is grounded not just in strategy but in stillness, gratitude, and shared vision.
Shane Wallenda welcomed the group with heartfelt words, expressing deep appreciation for the presence and commitment of each participant. He emphasized that while the mission of Adonai's Mercy House is global in reach, its heart beats strongest in gatherings like these—where minds align and spirits are renewed.
AMH friends Carl and Nicole also shared brief but powerful reflections. They spoke not only of the visible impact AMH has made on the lives of children fighting cancer in the Philippines, but also of the quiet transformation it inspires in those who give. As Carl put it, "When you give through Adonai's, you don't just change a life—you find your own purpose becoming clearer."
With the theme "Love Without Borders" echoing through devotionals, workshops, and personal testimonies, the retreat served as a moment of grounding for an organization expanding both its vision and its geography. For AMH, borders are not obstacles—they are invitations to love more, give more, and build more bridges of healing.
As AMH continues to serve its young cancer warriors in the Philippines and inspire compassion across continents, the seeds planted in Walla Walla are poised to bear fruit in the form of deeper partnerships, wider impact, and a renewed spirit of unity among its leaders.
