One Year Later, The Journey Continues

I didn’t know I could miss a place so much! Before I went to Togo, I knew God was calling me to serve, but I never felt a strong calling to a specific place. While in Togo, I was asking God to give me clear direction for my life, and He did! Now I feel a deep longing to return to the beautiful country of Togo to serve the people God has placed on my heart.

It’s been one year since I returned from Togo, and what a year it has been! None of us will ever forget 2020. It has been difficult emotionally for so many of us. But as I reflect on this year, I count it all joy….

Due to the covid shutdown, I spent even more time with my family.
I have loved laughing and spending time with my brothers.
I became an official missionary with ABWE!
I completed an online ASL course!
I got a new job working with special needs students.
Although we've had our scares, my family has been healthy throughout the pandemic.

One of the greatest joys this year is that I had the opportunity to share with my church family about Togo. The people of Calvary have blessed my family and me so much over the years. I will forever be grateful for them. It was a great blessing to connect with so many people at Calvary during the missions conference.

I also had the opportunity to teach in Children’s Church. I had so much fun with the kids. They were engaged and having a blast. It reminded me of the time when, as a 9-year-old child at Calvary Baptist Church, I felt God calling me into missions. I pray that God will work in these young hearts, as He did in mine.

One thing of which God has reminded me in 2020 is this: God is good, all the time. He is working all things together, and He is good. Even through this has been a strange year, I have much for which to be thankful; and I'm excited to see what God will do in the year to come! He is good!

Liz Ortiz

Prayer Requests:

Pray for wisdom on balancing my job and pre-field ministry.
Pray for health and safety for my family during the pandemic, especially for my dad because he is in the high-risk group.
Pray for an ASL interpreter for Togo – big opportunity for one!
Pray for more opportunities for me to practice signing.
Pray for additional partners for my ministry.

Praises:

Praise God for 46% of my monthly support!
Praise God for the missions conference at my church!
Praise God for an opportunity to take an online ASL class!
Praise God that schools are back in session in Togo! Jonas was excited to see his host family again that he stays with during the school year.