American Teacher Killed in Benghazi: 'If There's Any Person to Take a Chance on, it's God'
The American teacher killed earlier this week while in Benghazi believed that God would protect him from all harm and took comfort in his faith. Ronald "Ronnie" Smith, 33, was shot and killed while on a morning jog in the area near where U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed last year.
"If there's any single person in the entire universe that you can take a chance on, it's God," Smith said in a video made for the Austin Stone Community Church where he belonged. "No matter what happens, I'm good. That gives me peace; I'm okay with that."
The church issued a statement after his death, stating that he and his family "moved to Benghazi to teach high school chemistry and to be a blessing to the Libyan people. Ronnie loved Libya and was dedicated to his students to help them aspire to their dreams. Ronnie's greatest desire was for peace and prosperity in Libya and for the people of Libya to have the joy of knowing God through Christ."
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The teacher originally from Texas but working and living in Libya was going home to see his mother and other family in the U.S. He and wife Anita were planning to visit, then return home to Libya. He leaves behind his wife and a 2-year-old son. He took a job at the International School in Benghazi and had a favorable reputation among his students and colleagues.
"He was doing his morning exercise when gunmen just shot him," Adel al Mansouri, director of the International School, told NBC. "I don't know why. He was so sweet with everyone. He loved being in Benghazi and he loved Libya and the kindness of its people."
That sweetness was felt and reciprocated by his students, many of whom took to social media to share their feelings about the loss and to pay tribute to their mentor.
So far no group has come forward to take responsibility for the killing, but the U.S. has called on the Libyan government to conduct a thorough investigation.
