Vonda Smith

Biography

 I am a full time Christian wife and mother, a student, childrens' bible class teacher,  prison ministry volunteer, and missionary to Africa.  That describes my life today, however, occasionally the part that is full time becomes the part that is part time and vice versa! 

God has blessed me with a loving Christian husband and a wonderful Christian son, Travis, and daughter, Teena.  They are my biggest supporters in my ministry services!  Without their help I would never be able participate in so many activities for the Kingdom of God.  The four of us worship together with the church of Christ that meets on Oldham Lane in Abilene, Texas. 

We live very modestly in a small mobile home on a two acre plot of land the Lord has blessed us with in a rural area about 20 miles southeast of Abilene. I was born and raised in Texas and have lived all my life "out here in the country" (and am happy to stay here I might add - at least until the Lord calls me elsewhere!).   We are self- employed in a small family swimming pool business and enjoy the wonderful benefits of working together as a family! 
 

Spiritual Background

I am the oldest of five children and was raised by Christian parents that made weekly worship part of our routine growing up. The Lord has provided me with many opportunities to serve Him through the years.  My favorite area of service has been teaching children's bible classes for the past 28 years.  Teaching has provided me with a continual spiritual feast!  I love children.  The older I get, the more I want to be like them! 

My husband, Terry, and I are blessed to be able to work together going into the local state prison weekly to teach the bible and mentor inmates who have decided to turn their lives over to Jesus.  I currently teach the three-year-old children every Sunday morning where we worship. I also get to help my husband with special projects for the Junior High Class he teaches on Sundays and then we work together in the College Class that he teaches on Wednesday nights. We have a wonderful church family at the Oldham Lane congregation that includes bible students of all ages!  One of our favorite leisure activities is casual meetings in the homes of our family and friends with The Book open!
 

Favorite Bible Verse

"...His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." (NIV) Jer. 20:9
 

Teaching Seminars

I know that God loves me because He has blessed my life the past three years with opportunities to be part of three mission campaigns into Ghana, West Africa and  three campaigns into Cameroon, West Africa.  These were definitely life-changing experiences that have blessed my life beyond belief! They "enlightened the eyes of my heart" in ways that will remain with me forever!  Lord willing, it is my prayer that I will be able to continue to make these trips every year to teach the lost and encourage the African brethren because it keeps my heart filled with reminders of the blessings that are mine in Christ.  I pray that one day I have the opportunity to meet and study with you on one of the campaigns.
 

Hobbies & Interests

I suppose my favorite hobby is teaching children's bible classes and creating bible visual aids to use both here and in the mission field.  I also love working with World Bible School through the Internet.  I use to spend lots of time sewing and crafting, but my sewing machine and craft room now sit collecting dust. I find much more lasting satisfaction in writing notes of encouragement to those that I have shared the gospel with through WBS in the prison and the mission field. I also enjoy working in my yard just enough to keep some "flowering" reminders of God's loving nature close at hand, but my favorite "colorful flowers" are the little ones that blossom when they gather in bible class to hear the stories of God's love that I share with them!  God has been good to me!
 

Favorite Bible Passages

My favorite bible readings are the "stories" in the New Testament from the life of Jesus and I also love the "stories" of the different bible characters of the Old Testament. It's hard to pick a favorite because there are so many wonderful and exciting bible stories!  I love to read the stories and imagine myself actually being there and of course I love to retell these exciting stories again and again  to the children that I am blessed to teach!