David Smith Lawrence, 89, of Sanford, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Healthcare and Rehabilitation of Sanford. David was born in Jamestown, North Dakota to Arthur and Ora (Smith) Lawrence. As a boy, he learned the good news that although we live in a broken world, our Creator God, has not abandoned us, but He loved us so much that He came to earth as a man, and died on a cross to pay the complete penalty for all of our sins, so that we could become His children, and live with Him forever in heaven.

After high school, David served in the US Army, including a tour in Japan. While attending Seattle Pacific College he learned that there are many people living in remote areas of the world who speak their own unique language, and who have no access to the Bible. David joined New Tribes Mission, so that he could take the message of the Bible to some of those people, and served with them for 50 years: 6 years in various training institutes, and 44 years in Papua New Guinea.

David spent 6 years in the Gimi tribe, putting the language into writing, and teaching Bible lessons. It was thrilling to see God transform the lives of those who accepted the message, and put their trust in God.

In 1966 he help start the Numonohi Christian Academy, a school for missionary children. While his main classes were in History Social Studies and Music, he also taught the trade language, Tok Pisin to High School students and new missionaries. He continued to teach the Bible to interested people living around the school, and mentored many of the High School students, so that they were able to share their faith as well.

In 2002 David moved to NTM Homes in Sanford, where He quickly became involved sharing the good news about Jesus to those God brought his way, including homeless people, and inmates at the Seminole County Jail. He encouraged and mentored those who wanted to be taught.

David is survived by his wife and best friend Althea (Morey) Lawrence of Sanford, Florida, his son Steve Lawrence and his wife Gay of Salem, Oregon; his daughter Joy McInturff and her husband Richard of Stephen's City, Virginia; his son Craig Lawrence and his wife Pam of Hueytown, Alabama; his son Dana Lawrence of Birmingham, Alabama; his sister, Betty Beckwith of Portland, Oregon, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and grand nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 5. 2017 from 9:30 until 11:30 am at the DeGusipe Funeral Home, 905 Laurel Avenue, Sanford, FL.

The memorial service will be at 10:00 am on Friday, October 6, 2017 at the NTM Homes Chapel, 88 Mission Blvd, Sanford, FL.