Liz Ortiz

“How does it feel being back?” I've been asked that question frequently since I returned to the states. My response, “It feels weird.” A culture that was once familiar to me now feels so strange. I still find myself checking my bag to make sure I have my flash light, a...

“Things have changed” wasn’t a phrase I was expecting to say over and over again during my final weeks in Togo, while I was covering the gap for the sign-language teacher. But, I also wasn't expecting the announcement, just 3.5 weeks ago, that the ASL teacher wasn't co...

My alarm went off at 5:00AM. Although I am not a morning person, this morning I was excited to jump out of bed. After months of praying, planning, and preparing, I could say, “Today is the day. We are going to Benin.”

A few months ago, I wasn’t sure I would be able to m...

One Sunday in September, I got up early to go with another missionary to visit a small church up on the mountain. The long drive over rough dirt roads caused me to become very car sick, but as soon as I saw the little bamboo structure and the people's smiling faces, I...

Everyone was at my house, celebrating the end of the summer sign language class, with a potluck lunch of Togolese and American dishes. Jonas sat across the table from me and made a face as he took a sip of soda. He signed, “I’m thirsty. I don’t like this drink.” I sign...

“Pop, pop, pop!” I took the popcorn off the stove. Every week I bring a snack for my sign language class, and popcorn is the kids' favorite. I grab the bowl and my keys and set out for the MK school. Not far from my house, I see in the distance someone start to run tow...

“Are you nervous?” my senior missionary, Judy, asked while we were at the print shop. “A little, but I’m excited. I've been praying for this day.” For months I had been wrestling with what I might be able to do with Jonas this summer. School was done, and my heart beca...

“Here comes the bride!” The church was overfilling with people. Children eagerly pushed their way through the crowd to see the bride. Cheers filled the air as the bride entered the room. Togo weddings are quite the celebratory event. It made me think of what heaven may...

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest when I looked down. My next step was about to be on a viper! I quickly sidestepped to avoid the two-foot snake that slithered past me. No one else was around, so I quickly ran to the nearest house to alert them of the danger. “Ther...

“Do you remember the way?” asked my collegue, Christy. I looked around at my surroundings on the unmarked dirt road. “Not really. This looks familiar though.” We continued to drive, trying to remember the way to the Deaf school. Christy made a turn, “Ah! This looks rig...