7 years

Seven years ago, I walked into a 2^nd grade classroom. The students began pointing to an empty seat shouting in a mixture of French and Ewe, “He is over there! Under the desk!” I look under the desk and a 7-year-old, Jonas, pops up. He giggles that he is found. This is the usual scene that occurs each time that I went to Jonas’ class. He loved to be silly, but when it was time to work, he was focused. He loved to learn. It was exciting to see how he progressed in his language during that year.

Six years ago, when my year was up in Togo, it was difficult to say goodbye to Jonas. He was preparing to transition to a different school, and I was sad that I wasn’t going to be there to help him. As I drove away from his school, I said a prayer, “Lord, help Jonas with this transition and to remember me. Please reunite us one day.”

Five years later, a week after I arrived back in Togo as a full-time missionary, I was heading to Jonas’ school. I felt this sense of excitement and nervousness as I walked up the steps. Would he remember me? As I turned the corner to his classroom, all those feelings turned to pure joy. His eyes lit up and he gave me the biggest smile. He signed to me, “Your name is Liz, right?” He remembered! He was flourishing at his school. I told him how proud I was of him. I thanked God for that day and for the last five years. God is good, all the time.

This was Jonas’ second year at deaf camp. It was encouraging to see how he had grown in a year. He was interacting with other campers more. I saw lots of laughter and conversations with friends. He was eager to lend a hand if someone needed help with moving benches or anything. He is no longer that 7-year-old boy that I first met in 2018, but now a 14-year-old, young man. I am so proud of him.

The school for the deaf that Jonas went to only goes to the 5th grade. He has passed all his exams for the 5th grade. If he wishes to continue in school, he will have to go to the public middle school where there would be little to no accommodations for him. It would be difficult. He doesn’t want to continue in school. Instead, he would like to begin a 4-year apprenticeship program to become a tailor. The training center is close to the school for the deaf, and the teachers can help Jonas if there is a communication problem. Jonas is excited for this opportunity. I am happy for him that this seems like a good fit. He will continue living with the Christian Togolese family, be near to friends, and have access to his former teachers. He started the program this month. Please pray for him as he learns this trade that he would do so well. Of course, pray for his heart that he would come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Thank you so much for your many prayers for Jonas, his family, this ministry, and me for the past seven years. Seeing Jonas’ growth encourages me for the group of students that I now work with. How will they grow in the next seven years? Please be praying for these precious children, who I pray are future leaders for God’s kingdom! Please pray for wisdom on how I can best support the teachers and students. And of course, please pray for others to join me in the ministry. God can do a lot through one person but imagine what He could do with several people for His glory!

God bless,

Liz Ortiz

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Jonas as he begins his apprenticeship.

• Pray that I would recieve my resident card soon. I submitted the application a couple weeks ago. I would like to have it before I book tickets for furlough.

• Pray for the Awana program, I would love for it to start again.

• Pray for the blind school students. I will be starting a weekly Bible study with the girls next week. Please pray for their hearts.

• Please pray for these 11 students that I brought to camp that God would continue to work in

  their hearts: Lamy, Landrine, Kékéli, Safianou, Françis, Bertin, Azize, Komla, Koffi, Shadrac,

  and Jonas.

• Pray for all the students and staff that I work with that God would draw their hearts to Him.

• Pray for someone(s) to join me in the ministry.

• School has started! Pray for wisdom on how I can best support the school and encourage the students and staff.

• I will be coming home mid-December for a 7 month furlough. Pray for wisdom as I prepare.

Praises:

• Praise God for Jonas that he finished school and found an apprenticeship!

• Praise God that the blind students returned safely to campus to begin the school year.

• Praise God for my progress in the language!

• Praise God for all my wonderful partners!