Beginning A New Year 2021

Is it possible that in February, 2021 we will celebrate 12 years of Onesimus House ministry? We, the Walkers hold many memories. And, as you read this and you have been a guest, your memories will be of time spent here. Twelve years ago we had only one grandchild. Now, in 2021 we have two - ages 12 and 9. And about three years ago, we got Jackson, our JackRussell/Chiquaqua mix. And, now in 2021 Charlie and I will be turning 76. As I write this on Jan 5, we are in the midst of much political upheval. The future is SO UNSURE. I, Gini, struggle a lot with the unknown. It has been challenging to my soul to look to God. Not only is His Word helpful but also special reading. The current book I just finished is CRY OF THE SOUL. This will be a frequent re read book for me in these unsettling days.

New Method of Communication

DEAR GUESTS

THE WALKERS HAVE PROVIDED A NEW MESSAGE BOX FOR ONESIMUS HOUSE.  IT IS A BRIGHT GREEN MAILBOX WITH RED FLAG AND IS ATTACHED TO THE PATIO WALL. THIS BOX IS FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE WALKERS AND GUESTS ONLY.  THIS IS NOT A U.S. MAIL BOX.

IF THE WALKERS LEAVE YOU A MESSAGE, IT WILL BE IN THE BOX AND THE RED FLAG WILL BE UP.  IF YOU WISH TO LEAVE THE WALKERS A MESSAGE, LEAVE IT IN THE BOX AND PUT UP THE RED FLAG.  WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE MANY MESSAGES BEING LEFT IN THIS MANNER.  WE WILL STILL USE TEXTING ON CELL PHONES AND EMAILS.  BUT WE THOUGHT THIS BOX MIGHT ASSIST OUR COMMUNICATION AND PROTECT IT FROM THE ELEMENTS. 

AS OF THIS WRITING, THE WALKERS HAVE ALREADY FOUND THIS METHOD OF COMMUNICATION HELPFUL FOR GUESTS WHO CANNOT BE REACHED BY PHONE OR EMAIL.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR IDEAS ON THE USE OF THE BOX, FEEL FREE TO LET US KNOW.

                                                        --- CHARLIE AND GINI

Pictures of Onesimus House

Our Guest Books

In February Gini posted about blessing from around the world - OUR MANY GUESTS.  Before guests depart they are requested to sign the Onesimus House Guest Book.  When guests depart and Gini goes in to clean and prepare for the next guests on calendar, her first course of action is to read the guest book entry and share it with Charlie.  These postings are VERY important.  The Walkers and all guests are blessed to see the hand of God at work in lives and ministries around the globe.  The guests are encouraged to take a bit of time and read the entries.  The Walkers enjoy seeing the returnees.  Onesimus House is now on Book number two!

Peter's Canyon

This is regarding the fire in October, 2017.  Yet, I feel it is worth a blog spot:

   LOSS OF PETER’S CANYON

We, the residence of Cowan Heights are greatly saddened by the loss of Peter’s Canyon Wildlife Reserve by the October, 2017 Orange County “Canyon Fire”.  Because this fire struck at the same time the northern California fire was burning, much of the fire fighting reserves were gone.  In years past, the P.C. Reserve was immediately covered and protected when any fire threatened its acreage. Although all the homes and most of the foliage of Cowan Heights were spared, we feel the loss of the reserve.  The regional park encompassed 354 Acres. 

Gini has provided the history of the reserve and many pictures of the wildlife in the Canyon story written for guests.  You may be wondering where the animals, large and small went during the fire.  Many were lost.  Others scurried and ran for their lives and now live in the neighborhood of Cowan Heights and other local home developments.  We hope that in the next few years this amazing reserve will come back with new animals and foliage.

In the meantime, look through these pages in the story provided for guests in O.H. and you will see our loss and hopefully pray for recovery.

                                                                                  Charlie and Gini Walker

 As of the writing of this post, parts of Peter's Canyon have re opened for hikers and visitors.  The destruction caused by the fire is still evident, but the foliage is slowly returning.  We pray this kind of destruction by fire will never happen again.

Changes

Each time I look at this blog, I enjoy seeing the visual changes to the exterior.  The foliage around the entrance has grown a lot.  But Gini has also added many cute plaster creatures around the chairs on the patio for the guests enjoyment.  We now have Peter Rabbit, Mother Goose and baby goose, several frogs, black birds, two baby owls and a gnome and a frog taking a nap in a leaf hammock.  WELCOME TO ONESIMUS HOUSE is abundantly displayed all around.  This little patio can be a restful and relaxing spot for guests to meditate and get some fresh air.

DVDs

Onesimus House has a TV but it is not hooked up to watch television shows.  The Walkers have carefully selected DVDs for our guests to enjoy.  We hope you will take some time to look through the selection and watch a few.  If you know of one that isn't in the collection that you would recommend please let us know.  The Walkers recently added a small selection of DVDs for children (ages 7 - ???).  Gini wrote a few Parental Warnings with some and put in the containers.