Bonnie O'Neill

Ezer's House is the vision of a dedicated couple whose lives have been devoted to ministry, and whose influence has changed lives over the past 45 years. Ministers Auston and Bonnie O’Neill answered the voice of God and established Help 4 The Nations Church International (H4NCI) with a mission statement: to enhance health, overcome hardships, and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and through the combined efforts of all who want to make a difference and believe what Mark 16:15 says. We will accomplish this goal by meeting the needs of others. To empower them and teach them to be self-sufficient, and provide spiritual education. 

Their story is woven with many encounters with God. An accident caused Bonnie to lose her independence and left her with constant debilitating pain, using a walker and cane, taking twenty prescription medications a day (mostly opioids), dependent on oxygen, and needing assistance from Auston to survive. A myriad of physicians and therapists predicted that she would be paralyzed for life and confined to a wheelchair. After 11 years of constant decline, Bonnie thought nothing could be worse than her present situation. One day, in 2012, Auston came home and told her he had been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. After surgery, the doctors informed them, they were unable to remove all the cancer. The cancer had spread to Auston’s lymph-nodes with a prognosis of less than 2 years to live. 

On bended knees Auston and Bonnie sought an answer. After much prayer, the Holy Spirit was leading them to travel the country in their RV. With unclear understanding and many questions, they knew they had to obey the voice of God, even with sickness and death sentences. They had learned years prior that when God says go or do -- you go and you do! That He will make the way, open the doors, and provides the funds. For with God's vision comes provision! They have learned that obedience is better than sacrifice. 

For the next two years, Auston and Bonnie traveled to 48 states and over 62,000 miles across the United States honoring American Veterans by visiting Veteran’s hospitals, homes, VFW's, funerals, parades, cemeteries, memorials, fundraisers, etc. 

In 2015 while preparing for their cross country return trip home, they heard God’s voice again saying “Stop taking ALL of your medicine; WATCH how you refer to yourself and what you speak over yourself. Most expecially everything you have been diagnosed with, speak life to it and to yourself, NOT death.” They did what God said. Over the next couple of weeks God unveiled the reason for their current situation. When they arrived in their hometown, they were completely healed. Neither of them were taking any prescribed medications. Bonnie could walk and RUN. Auston was no longer sick or even in remission; the cancer was GONE! They set out to make a difference in other people's lives. They had been given a second chance in life and were determined to make others’ lives better, also.

Their mission is to help the broken, distraught, and improve poverty-stricken environments; encouraging everyone to access a better life, freedom, and happiness! After a six-week trip to Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Africa they formed Help 4 The Nations Church International and planted a church in Uganda, (Word of Grace International), established a kindergarten (Ellwood Kindergarten- Putting God First), and a sponsorship for children in need. They are dedicated to feeding, clothing, and educating orphans and widows. To creating a life change where needed. To teaching others how to become self-sufficient, as well as showing and teaching the love of Jesus Christ. 

Ezer’s House was conceived through the leading of the Holy Spirit in September 2018. Auston and Bonnie are natives of Northern Virginia. While driving home, down a familiar road, Bonnie heard the distinct voice of the Holy Spirit say, “turn around”. They did so immediately. The Holy Spirit directed them to an abandoned motel. Bonnie left their vehicle and stood in front of the fence. She saw a vision of life around the property with women and children laughing, a restored facility of beautiful natural materials with trees and flowers. And that same voice declared, “This will be a safe-haven for female survivors of sex trafficking. A home where through (God’s) love they would find healing, safety, and peace. Their broken hearts and lives will be restored.” 

After much prayer, knowing they had been chosen for this God sized mission. They began working to build a team of individuals with the boldness to move beyond placid conversation to proactive planning. A team that could help implement a complete system of care. One designed to fully embrace the challenges of a tough population, it began! With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the miracle of synergy the pieces and people began to come together. Individuals and organizations assembled to take hold of this project. Through much prayer, obedience, and the agreement of partnering organizations, friends, and family; Bonnie and Auston launched Ezer’s House with their first Board of Directors meeting in May 2019. 

 
At present Ezer's House is in the startup stage: collaborating with organizations, churches, and philanthropists to procure property and begin building the state-of-the-art facility. Ezer’s House is surrounded by many NGOs with a longstanding history of community support and ministry across the national capital region. A number of these organizations have carved out service niches in key support areas and have established municipal ties and relationships that expand the portfolio of community outreach across the DMV, (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia).