12/24/2025
Things have been VERY busy the past couple of weeks in the Amazon! Joe and Jean Pierre have served HUNDREDS of kids from various communities cakes, chocolate (REAL Cacao), and given them toys. Joe looks a whole lot like Santa, and last year we supported his ministry in doing some awesome work last year during Christmas, and now this year has more than doubled last year.
So far, here is what has been accomplished:
Synopsis (From Joe):
Party #1; The community of Punchana with Andrew, 200 kids, candy, gospel tracts and crayons, Andrew furnished the chocolate and gifts on this one and it was absolutely awesome.
Party #2; Santana 2, 100 kids and adults combined, nice gifts were given for everyone in the village including plastic plates and cups they could take home and reuse many times, a complete meal with much extra for each person to take home with them and chocolate and cakes were served, we had a church service and shared the gospel with everyone.
Party #3; Jean's Pierres community of Charles Sevallos, San Juan". Over 50 kids, much chocolate and cakes were given out along with crayons, gospel tracts, candy, and gifts of balls, cars, squeeky toys.
Party #4; the evangelical church on Clavelas street, 125-150 kids, the gospel was shared, there was praise and worship with the kids, chocolate and cakes, crayons, gospel tracts, and candy were given out, many pictures with papa noel! Lots of fun!
Party #5; the evangelical church near the plaza de Rojas, 50-75 kids, well organized, kids singing and dancing to special music, fun dancing in a parade around the church, the gospel message was preached, gospel tracts, crayons, candy and balloons and balls were given to all the kids and two buckets of candy thrown in the air handfuls at a time for everyone and they all scrambled to get as much as they could laughing the whole time then many more pictures with papa noel, and of course chocolate and cakes. Everyone left so happy!
Party #6; the burned community in lower Belen, 125 kids, chocolate, cakes, candy, crayons, gospel tracks, whistles and noise makers were given to everyone and the gospel preached, at the end two buckets of candy thrown into the crowd of kids and adults all scrambling for as much as they could get and balloons thrown as well, everyone loved it!
Party #7: New Belen with the evangelical pentacostal church, 200-230 kids, the local pastor brought in children from their other two churches to perform dances to Christian Christmas music, again the gospel was given and chocolate and cakes, whistles, noise makers, gospel tracts, crayons, and candy were all given out and again two buckets of candy thrown which seems to be what all the people love the most, kids, grown men and women all going for the candy as it falls, using their hats, shirts, skirts to catch as much as they can, all of them laughing and giggling like little kids! I think this was my favorite part of the last three parties, all the people just went nuts over the thrown candy! And everyone left happy and joyous!
With what we have left in candy, tracts and crayons, Jean and I will go around where he lives on Christmas eve and hand out everything we have left.
This has been an incredible experience, and our only regret is not being able to physically be there. This happened ONLY through those who support St. John's Nutrition, St. John's Amazon Wellness, Brother Joe's ministry, and the incredible effort made by Joe and Jean Pierre to do the WORK involved in reaching this many kids in such a short time. Here's the kicker: This is NOT a "feel good" event where we are all here for these people today and then just leave them with a few happy moments and some candy and toys. These Christmas parties are special events to remind these amazing people of God's love, and our devotion to being there for them. From health care to helping schools and each individual family, there is no end to the needs that folks have here. There is also no end to the love and gratitude that they show for even the "little things". I for one have always believed that the "little things" matter most....
