This Christmas season, I had the profound privilege of visiting several villages along the coast of Ecuador: La Ponga, La Unión, and Loma Alta in Manglaralto, Santa Elena. In these communities, love, faith, and generosity were not ideas but lived realities, shared hand to hand and heart to heart.

Serving on behalf of the Open Soul Foundation, the philanthropic wing of the Bible Chat App, our team came with open hands and full hearts. We offered food, prayers, presence, and Christmas cheer to families who welcomed us with humility, warmth, and grace.

As we moved from village to village, the words of Scripture became tangible before our eyes:

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

Together with local volunteers and missionaries, we delivered rice, lentils, flour, bread, and chicken, enough to help nourish nearly one hundred families, many with small children. Standing among the people as food was assembled and shared, I was reminded that this was holy ground. This was the Gospel lived.

Glory to God. 🎁

As a staff member of the Open Soul Foundation from the United States, I was deeply moved to witness our missionaries in Ecuador in action. Chris and Cindy Parkhurst gathered local community members and invited them into the work itself, guiding neighbors as they helped assemble and distribute the food. Hands worked together in unity, creating not a moment of charity from afar, but a shared act of compassion lived side by side. Every family was seen, honored, and served with dignity.

One of the most moving witnesses of the trip was Miguel, who has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Though he was not feeling well, Miguel walked with us through the villages, stopping to pray with and for the people. He offered words of comfort, faith, and gentle teaching to the local community. His quiet perseverance was a powerful testimony. In his weakness, Christ’s strength was clearly revealed.

We hold deep gratitude for the Parish of Saint Spyridon in Loveland, Colorado, whose faithful ministry served the Manglaralto region for over five years under the name Panagia’s Pantry. Their long standing commitment and prayerful leadership laid an important foundation of trust and care within these communities. After we shared how the Open Soul Foundation and Bible Chat are now continuing this work, they graciously made a donation in support of the ongoing mission. We honor their faithfulness and give thanks for the seeds they planted, which continue to bear fruit.

What struck me most throughout this journey was the living faith of the people we met. Faith here is expressed through joy, humility, generosity, and a sincere desire to serve the Lord, even in the midst of scarcity. Their warmth reminded us that the harvest truly is plentiful and that love multiplies when it is shared.

To everyone who said yes to giving, to serving, and to loving, thank you.

This is what Christmas looks like. ❤️🙏🏼🤗

Feliz Navidad from Ponga, Ecuador.