When you hear the name Bonnie Consford, you might think of a bright smile, a quick laugh, or her love for teaching. But behind that smile is a story of God’s grace, a calling to missions, and a young lady who has already surrendered her future to serving Christ.
This fall, Bonnie will begin her senior year at Central Baptist Christian School in Center, Texas. And while most seniors are wondering what comes after graduation, Bonnie already knows: she’s heading to Ghana, West Africa for a one-year missions internship with her family.
Born in Africa, Called to Africa
Bonnie’s story began far from Texas. She was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at the Polyclinique Internationale de l’Indenie. Her arrival was anything but smooth—just an hour after birth, she went into respiratory distress from Wet Lung Syndrome. She spent her first four days in an incubator on oxygen and antibiotics. From her very first breath, God was writing a story of mercy and purpose.
As a little girl, Bonnie’s imagination was boundless. While her brothers built forts with blocks and cars, she transformed canned goods and refrigerator magnets into her “students.” Each item had a name, and some received stern lectures! Even as a child, Bonnie’s desire to teach and influence others was already taking root.
A Journey of Faith
Bonnie’s salvation story is just as powerful as her testimony of surrender. One morning in Ghana, her brothers, Gilbert and Danny, explained to her that she was a sinner who needed to be saved. She came to her parents in tears, seeking answers.
On April 9, 2017, during a Sunday afternoon junior girls’ class, she realized she wasn’t truly saved. Her teacher, Nana, encouraged her to talk to her parents. That day, Bonnie settled her salvation with her dad and soon followed in baptism. From then on, her walk with the Lord began to grow stronger and more personal.
A Defining Moment in Ghana
In October 2023, Bonnie returned to Ghana on a family missions trip. While helping at a Friday afternoon Bible Club at the Ruckmans’ home, she met a boy who whispered words she has never forgotten:
“I want to learn about Jesus. But I am Muslim. If I go to the class, my father will beat me.”
Those words pierced her heart. The reality that children around the world are hungry for the gospel—yet face persecution for hearing it—changed Bonnie forever.
Not long after, a layman preached at her home church about praying for missionaries to be sent. Bonnie felt God’s voice clearly: “I’m sending you.” That night, she surrendered her life to serve the Lord as a missionary.
Preparing for the Mission Field
Now, as she prepares for her senior year, Bonnie is busy serving where she is. She sings in both the church choir and youth choir, helps on a Sunday bus route, and even leads the singing for the kids on the bus. On Monday nights, she attends Bible Institute classes to get a head start on Bible college.
After graduation, Bonnie plans to spend a year in Ghana working alongside her parents and learning firsthand what missionary life is like. She is especially burdened for orphans and believes this one-year internship will be a key step before attending Bible college.
Why Bonnie’s Story Matters
Bonnie’s journey is more than a family update—it’s a testimony of God’s faithfulness across generations. She was born in Africa, and now God is leading her back to Africa. Her story reminds us that God still calls young people to serve, and when they listen, He uses them in mighty ways.
As Bonnie heads toward graduation and her missions internship, we invite you to pray for her, encourage her, and follow her journey. Her life is a living picture of what happens when someone says, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”
Stay Connected
Would you like to keep up with Bonnie’s story and our family’s ministry? Sign up for our email updates at consfords.com/connect. You’ll receive real-time updates, stories from the mission field, and opportunities to pray for Bonnie as she prepares for Ghana.
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