We Progress as We Struggle
Documenting our efforts is a battle in itself. Between hospital runs, emergency calls, and holding the hands of grieving parents—we do our best to show you where your heart goes.
This page is our honest account: imperfect, incomplete, but true.
The Founders
Shane and Aimee Wallenda, a couple from Walla Walla, Washington, began extending help to impoverished Filipino children battling cancer in 2012.
It started when the Wallendas were first introduced to a foundation in the Philippines and felt compelled to contribute. They began by sending shoebox gifts filled with essentials and small toys, later raising $500 to host a modest Christmas party for the children.
At the time, they had no idea that this small act of kindness would set them on a life-changing path.
After three years of quietly doing this charity work, Shane one day told his Filipina wife, Aimee, and declared: "We will have a foundation, and it will be called Adonai's Mercy House."
Aimee laughed it off. "We're not that rich to put up a foundation," she thought. But as they would soon discover, when God plants a mission in your heart, He also clears the way for it to flourish.
Then They Met Prince
Prince was five years old, blind, and battling cancer. More than anything, he wanted to meet his hero—Coco Martin, a famous Filipino actor. In his young imagination, Coco was the father he never had, a comforting presence in an otherwise painful reality.
Aimee shared Prince's story on Facebook, hoping for nothing more than a kind word or prayer from well-wishers. But the post spread quickly, and within days, Coco Martin himself reached out. He met Prince, fulfilling the boy's greatest wish.
Shortly after, Prince passed away.
His death left a deep mark on the Wallendas. They couldn't shake the thought of families who, due to poverty, had no choice but to stop treatment for their children. How many more "Princes" were out there—children whose battles ended not because of the illness itself, but because they couldn't afford to fight?
That question led them to the Bible. One day, as they searched for guidance, they opened to:
"Down the middle of the great street of the city, on each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."
— Revelation 22:2
Then something remarkable happened
Aimee received a gift: a money tree.
"I couldn't help but see the connection between the leaves that heal the nations and this tree."
A Decade of Faith, A Bold Step Forward
For a decade, they tirelessly fundraised in Walla Walla, Washington, rallying support for Filipino children with cancer.
Seeking to expand their efforts, they met with Ms. Nancy Nicolas, a seasoned development worker with a heart for the cause. A month later, Nancy became the first Executive Director of Adonai's Mercy House.
One of Nancy's first thoughts was to call Dr. Glenn Roy V. Paraso, Executive Director and CEO of Mary Johnston Hospital. What began as a simple conversation turned into a game-changing opportunity.
"Would your organization be interested in partnering with MJH to run a pediatric oncology ward? There's a vacant ward we can renovate."
The Vision Became Reality
The newly renovated Pediatric Oncology Ward at Mary Johnston Hospital was consecrated—a sanctuary of healing and hope. The ceremony was led by Dr. Paraso, MJH Board Chairperson Reiner Puno, Nancy Nicolas, and the Wallendas, who stood in awe of how far their journey had come.
4 Beds
With round-the-clock care, led by a pediatric oncologist and dedicated nurses.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide every decision we make.
Compassion
Caring deeply for the well-being of every individual we serve, with empathy and kindness at the heart of our actions.
Dignity
Treating every patient and their families with respect, ensuring they feel valued and honored throughout their care journey.
Commitment
A steadfast dedication to providing continuous support, raising necessary resources, and helping one patient at a time.
Hope
Offering encouragement and faith in the face of adversity, providing not only physical care but emotional and spiritual support.
Integrity
Acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all our efforts to ensure the trust of communities we serve.
Inclusivity
Ensuring that no one is denied care or support based on financial or social barriers, embracing the most vulnerable without discrimination.
Our Vision
A world where compassion reaches every child with cancer, every lonely elderly person, and every vulnerable individual in need. We strive for a future where no one is denied help, and communities everywhere take responsibility to care for those most in need.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable—especially children with cancer in the Philippines. We offer compassionate support through medical, emotional, and spiritual care. Our mission is to ensure that no one is denied the care they need, regardless of financial challenges.
"Adonai's Mercy House has never been about wealth or resources—
it has always been about faith."
In Memory of Prince
Through it all, they remember Prince. His story was the spark that lit this mission—a reminder of why they do what they do.
Today, Adonai's Mercy House stands as a beacon of hope for children and families facing the darkest moments of their lives, proving that even the smallest act of compassion can grow into something extraordinary.
A Night When Hope Sat at Every Table
"Love Without Borders" — The 2025 Annual Banquet
On 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 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. And last night's experience was nothing short of extraordinary, surpassing my expectations and leaving an indelible mark on my heart."
— Aimee Wallenda, Co-founder
The Evening Unfolded
A Dance of Grace
Ballet dancer Grace Green moved across the floor, her performance both tender and haunting—her movements speaking the grief and grace of the children AMH serves.
Testimonies That Lingered
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.
Strangers Became Family
There were tears, laughter, and hugs shared between strangers-turned-supporters. Quiet moments of remembrance for the children who, though no longer with us, left their fingerprints on the mission.
"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... Grace knows no borders; generosity knows no borders."
— Pastor Levi, Invocation
Sponsored by the Assemblies of God Church, the event welcomed guests from Walla Walla and surrounding towns—
People coming together to support a cause bigger than themselves.
What We've Captured
Every number represents hours of work, miles traveled, and lives touched.
Hospital Visits
Visits to Philippine General Hospital, National Children's Hospital, and partner facilities
Families Supported
Families receiving ongoing support for their child's cancer treatment
Reports Filed
Medical updates, expense reports, and donor communications
Stories Captured
Photos, videos, and testimonials documenting the journey of hope
A Child's Treatment Journey
From the moment a family reaches out to us, this is what coordination looks like.
Intake & Assessment
Family arrives at the hospital. We assess medical needs, financial situation, and immediate requirements for care.
Treatment Begins
Chemotherapy cycles start. We coordinate with oncologists, secure medications, and provide daily meals to the family.
Blood & Platelet Support
Regular transfusions required. We mobilize donors, cover costs, and transport supplies to the hospital.
Nutritional Support
Hot meals delivered to families who cannot afford to eat while staying at the hospital with their child.
Emergency Response
When crises arise—infections, additional surgeries, emergency medications—we respond within hours.
Family Coordination
Liaising between doctors, pharmacies, blood banks, and families who often don't speak English or understand medical terminology.
The Struggles We Face
We believe in honesty. Here are the challenges we navigate daily.
The Language of Medicine
Most families speak Tagalog or regional dialects. Medical staff speak in English and technical terms. We bridge this gap every single day, translating diagnoses, treatment plans, and medication instructions.
The Bureaucracy of Care
Government hospitals require endless paperwork. Insurance claims, charity applications, medication requests—each form is a barrier for families who may not read or write fluently. We navigate this maze for them.
The Geography of Poverty
Families travel from remote provinces—8, 10, 12 hours on buses—to reach Manila's hospitals. They sleep in hallways. They have no money for food. We meet them where they are.
The Exhaustion of Documentation
In the chaos of saving lives, taking photos feels secondary. Writing reports feels like a luxury. Yet donors deserve to see where their money goes. We struggle to capture everything while being present for families in crisis.
Moments We've Captured
Between the chaos, we pause to document hope.
Hospital waiting room with families
Child receiving chemotherapy
Meal delivery to families
Blood donation drive
Medical team consultation
Parent holding child's hand
Medication pickup
Family prayer moment
The Coordination Behind Every Child
What it takes to support one family through treatment.
3-5 Locations
Hospital, pharmacy, blood bank, laboratory, charity offices—all in a single day.
12-16 Hours
Average time spent coordinating care for a single family in crisis.
51 Families
Currently receiving active support, each with unique needs and timelines.