Just a few weeks after their arrival into the country, their front door was axed in by burglars and their belongings were stolen! They knew it was their teenaged neighbor boys. But Steve said, “There are few repercussions in Uruguay for minors who commit crimes.”
God kept prompting them to forgive the burglars and continue to reach out and witness to them. Even though they didn’t want to, that’s what they did.
Over the next year, Steve continued to play soccer with them in the street and slowly gained their trust. Many months later, Steve preached at Uruguay’s Teen Challenge Center. Afterward, a familiar face approached him. It was one of the boys who robbed his house! He accepted Jesus and enrolled himself in Teen Challenge to break free of his drug addiction!
Not only did this young man come to Christ, but he asked the man he once robbed if he would go back to his house and share the news with his family, so they would know he was okay. Because they listened to God’s prompting of forgiveness, they now had the opportunity to go into this home and share the good news of Jesus and what He had done in their son’s life! Steve said, “It’s amazing how God can use difficult moments of our lives to open the door for others to experience His love and grace!”
Steve and Jill are involved in teaching and preparing new pastors at the Bible School, serve as directors of Global University Uruguay and are involved in sports evangelism, using soccer as a bridge to reach the lost. In addition, they are part of the national leadership team that is training and mentoring new church planters and helping facilitate the launch of 100 new churches in Uruguay, as part of the Hope for Uruguay 100 initiative, in partnership with Builders International.
Steve and Jill have been married for 12 years and have two sons (one born in Uruguay) and one baby on the way!