ONESIMUS HOUSE

Submitted by Gini Walker

Nestled in the small neighborhood community of Cowan Heights in Orange County, Southern California is Onesimus House. Cowan Heights is known for its quiet hills with scattered homes. O. House (as it is affectionately referred to by its many guests) is fortunate to be on one of the few tree-lined streets and is within walking distance of Peter’s Canyon, a protected sanctuary wilderness park for local wildlife including bobcats, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, and an occasional mountain lion.

This is the story about this cozy little house—how and why it came to be.

Its 650 square feet sit on the top terrace of a privately owned acre of land. O. House is hidden from the street behind a large two-story car garage. When the Walkers purchased their home in July 1997, there was nothing but weeds and a small unused plot of land behind the garage. Now the lower terrace can be seen through one of O. House’s many windows. It is where the main house sits with a large yard— home of Charlie and Gini Walker.

Charlie received a dream from God about the need for a special place of respite and renewal. Missionaries on the mission field usually have furloughs to renew their calls and strength. But where to stay has often been a challenge. Part of Charlie’s inspiration was Philemon 22 in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote a brief letter to Philemon. He sent the letter by Onesimus, who was a former slave but now a brother in Christ. Paul asked Philemon: “Prepare a guest room for me because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.” (Philemon 1:22 NIV)

Since its first guest in 2009, O. House has welcomed over 100 guests from 14 different countries. Here are a few remarks from several of these guests:

“We are on day 91 of a 100-day missionary journey across the USA with the Afrizo Gospel Choir from Kenya. It has been a wonderful 91 days, but we are in need of rest. Thank you!”

Another wrote, “Thank you for your generous hospitality and for valuing the need to create a peaceful space for travelers coming through your community.”

And this, “It is our prayer that everyone who comes into this house may find peace and rest. May the Lord continue to bless you as you pass on the blessing you receive to others.”

Another wrote, “I looked out the window this morning and to my surprise and delight there was a peacock strolling by! What a treat!”

And more, “It was a gift to our souls to be the recipients of your kindness and generosity and to know that so much prayer and love has gone into all of the preparation for each guest. We enjoyed reading on your porch and listening to the birds sing outside the window.”

And finally, “In my travels to 37 countries now this is the most special place I have stayed—from the welcoming music to the food in the cupboards… coffee, French Vanilla coffee mate and extra crunch peanut butter…”

As the years passed and the reputation of O. House spread, many requests came for pastors’ personal day retreats and staff retreats. Probably the most unusual experience for O. House was the day of a backyard wedding. The bridal party used the house to prepare for the wedding later that evening.

The guest books are a means of connecting each guest with others who visit. In these special books, stories are written about God’s work around His world. Charlie and Gini feel particularly blessed to be a part of those stories in the ebb and flow of visitors. We call ourselves God’s caretakers and maid. There isn’t a day that passes without a look up to O. House with our hearts full of gratitude for God’s blessing to them.