Taking it to the Streets Walk-a-thon Sponsored by SuperFeet

Over the last 10 years, the Oneness Foundation has been involved in sharing love, hope and helping individuals and organizations throughout Whatcom County. One Oneness member in particular, Ginny, wanted to share that love and hope with those who had fallen through the cracks and were without help. She organized a team within the Oneness Foundation and headed to the streets. Here is her
story:

I was raised to have a faith in God as a young child, but I went my own way for some time. In coming to Oneness I found a relationship with a loving God again and learned to look outside myself. I felt drawn to serve by helping others outside of my world. With that my group was formed within the ministry called “Taking it to the Streets.”

Taking it to the Streets

We decided to go to those that others discarded and overlooked. We went to the homeless every Sunday morning and would feed them, clothe them as well as anchor them with hope to face their issues. We would talk about God and what it means to have Christ consciousness, and the hope and peace that it brings. We also had opportunities to do practical things so that they could see love in action. Many of the lives we touched didn’t really know what it is like to be loved. We fed the homeless and gave them clothes, blankets, flashlights and batteries. We helped families recover from household fires, and helped many individuals in extenuating circumstances. Most of all we held out our hand in love, prayer and emotional support.

Costa Rica Trip - Praying with the Children

I also went to Costa Rica and worked in the ghettos and streets. It was an eye opening experience to see others in tin roofs and dirt floors. Although I couldn’t change their circumstances, I was able to bring what I learned at Oneness to give people hope and a new way of looking at things. My time there proved fruitful and I made a connection that later opened the door for the organization to give money towards building a well and a school/church in Haiti following its devastation.

A couple years ago another passion was kindled and we started going into the jails. We were able to form relationships and see lives changed for the better, and families restored. Because of the teachings and support at Oneness Foundation, making the world a better place became not only a dream, but a reality!

- Written by Ginny – member of Oneness Foundation

To Serve….With Love – a testimonial from one who has served, and has been served, with love.

In the 9 years that I’ve been privileged to be a part of Pastor Sheryl Walker’s spiritual community, I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles to help teach and support others, both with children and adults. Pastor Sheryl has always encouraged us to reach out to others in many ways. The most recent areas I’ve been involved in serving are through the “Taking It to the Streets” Ministry, first on the streets for a couple of years, and now in the women’s jail ministry. It’s been a real learning opportunity, and a blessing to see good things happen in these peoples’ lives. We can give them hope, through kind words and actions, and sharing the word and love of God. It’s encouraging to work with Ginny and others in these areas, to be a partner in the passion and commitment to help others. We’ve been able to apply teachings from Pastor Sheryl, and further develop a sense of community and “oneness”. It’s encouraging to see people returning each time we meet, hungry for the word of God and fellowship. We’re planting seeds and showing those who may have little or no hope, that someone does care, and there is forgiveness and something to look forward to.

Our family has also been the recipient of an outpouring of love, kindness and help over the last several months from our spiritual community. Following my husband’s severe accident last winter, our community rallied together in oneness, to help support us in many ways such as visits and phone calls, meals, help with farm work, assistance to attend appointments, and kept us uplifted in prayer. What a blessing to be part of such a wonderful spiritual group! We have been shown Christ’s love through these actions, as well as through the teachings and love of our leader, and we are eternally grateful. We have been truly blessed, both in the giving to, and receiving from, others.
Written by Karen – a member of the Oneness Foundation