The team was not disappointed when 5 children and 2 mothers showed up because this is the start of the church. The team realized that these 5 children could be the future leaders of the and they were as important as any one else.
Steve Newburry, one of the team members quietly slipped into the arms of Jesus in his sleep early Monday morning. Despite the tragedy, the team decided to stay for the duration of the trip but opted to work on the seminary grounds in Quito, Ecuador instead.
This is what team leader Liz Stroop wrote: "The team is doing well. We have had a VERY emotional (lows and highs) past two days. A lot of tears have been shed. A lot of laughter has been shared. We have spent a lot of time reminiscing about Steve and talking about how happy he was to be in Ecuador. I pulled out his application for this trip and read some of his words to our team. He said that he felt he could be used best “by serving others” and that he “did not come to Christ so much as He came to me and had been walking with me ever since.”
But I am thankful for a God that changes lives. Steve pursued God hard after his experience last year in Ecuador, and I am confident that Jesus received him into his arms two nights ago. I am thankful for a God who has plans that are bigger than anything we can understand. I don’t know why God chose these specific people and this specific place, but I know that He is good and that He loves us.
We miss Steve. But we are pressing on toward a bigger mission. No, it’s not the mission we expected, but it’s the mission that God intended and that, we believe, Steve would be proud of. Thank you for your prayers. See you at the end of the week."
Please remember the team as they return home, Saturday, and also the Crossroads Community Church and Steve's family as the reality may hit harder when they see loved ones and their church family.