Ecuador missionary Dottie McBride dies at 67

Dottie McBride and her husband, Louis, stand with daughters Rachel and Jessie at their home near Cuenca, Ecuador, in 2009. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

Church members in North and South America are mourning Dottie McBride. She died from illness April 30 at age 67.
The native of Nocona, Texas, served for 35-plus years in Ecuador with her husband, Louis. (See her obituary.)
The Nacona Church of Christ supports their work.

Dottie McBride prepares breakfast in her kitchen in 2009. (Photo by Erik Tryggestad)

I was treated to breakfast at the McBrides’ beautiful home in the mountains near Cuenca, Ecuador, during a reporting trip there in 2009. The entire family is involved in benevolence work and ministry to the people of Ecuador.
Their daughter, Rachel Montesdesca, works with the Key Way Foundation, which helps deal with social problems in Ecuador “by providing a haven through which children can receive food, shelter, medical aid and emotional and spiritual support,” according to the foundation’s website.
Here’s a brief summary of their work from from a story I wrote for our Global South series:

Louis McBride was born in Ecuador. His father was a railroad worker from the U.S., and McBride moved there when he was 12. He met his wife, Dottie, in the States, and they committed to five years of mission work in Ecuador.
“It’s been a long five years,” said McBride, who has traversed the country for 31 years, helping win souls and plant churches.
In that time he’s seen Churches of Christ grow, but he fears that many are caught up in doctrinal matters and are more interested in “purifying the church than preaching the gospel.” He encourages churches to refocus on evangelism. He and his family live in Cuenca, Ecuador.

(In case you’re wondering, the McBrides are not related to Bailey McBride, editor emeritus of The Christian Chronicle.)
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ecuador Fund or to the Key Way Foundation, both addressed to Nocona Church of Christ, 311 Cooke St, Nocona, Texas, 76255.

• Feedback
  I have had the honor of staying in the McBride home several times as our church has traveled there to work with family and foundation. What a joy it has been meeting and spending time with the whole family. Dottie, Luis and girls have always held a special place in my heart. Dottie and I have spent alot of times praying, studying and just girl talking together in their beautiful home. So many mornings of setting around the little table in the kitchen on a cold morning, having tea and devotions.What a beautiful women and example to me and her girls. Dottie, some day we will meet and hope God has the tea pot on and we can worship Him in person.Your family is so blessed by the life journey you were on, and great is your reward in heaven

  CYNDI HERZ

  May, 10 2012

  BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO DIE IN THE LORD WHO THEY SHALL RECEIVE THEIR REWARD ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS.

  PRINCE KYEI

  May, 10 2012