Following Him

Liz Ortiz
Apr 5
4 min read

When I walked into my sending church a few weeks ago, there were flags on the walls from many different countries, signaling the start of missions week. An older missionary couple and I were the featured missionaries for the week. As I walked into the church as a missionary and saw the flags, my memory took me back to 24 years ago. I was nine years old and walking into my church for the missions conference. The flags were on the walls. I was in awe and sensed that something special was happening. I always enjoyed when my family would invite missionaries over to our house. I loved hearing their stories and learning about other cultures. I was excited for the conference. I don’t remember who was at the conference that year, but I do remember it was then when I felt God calling me to become a missionary. I didn’t know where God was calling me, but at age nine, I knew that I was called. I told my parents and we prayed together for the Lord’s leading in my life. I chose to trust God and step into the mystery, knowing that I can trust Him to lead me where He wanted me to go. And I am still trusting and following Him.

One special thing about the missions week at my sending church was that the other missionaries were a couple that my church has supported for many years. My family invited them over to our home many times when I was a child. As I was going through old family photos, I found a photo of me with the Bakers from about 25 years ago! It was special being a part of the missions week with them.

The missions conference was a full week. I had an event every day: Sunday school, Awana, youth group, missions banquet and round robin dinners. I was busy! I’m thankful for that time and am encouraged by the week. I had so many great conversations and questions about the ministry and missions. I am thankful for a church that is missions minded. I’m excited to see who else will answer the call for missions.

Before the missions week, I had the opportunity to drive to ABWE headquarters in Pennsylvania. I was able to make a couple stops along the way to see some friends. When I arrived to ABWE, I was able to have some good meetings with friends there, including a debrief. It was helpful to talk to someone about my first term and celebrate all that God has done. I also participated in the 24 DEMO. It’s an event that ABWE puts on for people to come and discover their role in God’s mission. They can learn about ABWE, serving opportunities, and so much more. It’s also a great time to connect with mission minded people. Over 80 people attended! I was a table monitor. There were so many great questions about missions. It was exciting being a part of the event and maybe someone’s first step into missions.

This past week, I traveled to Minnesota where I visited with family, friends, and shared at a church. It was an encouraging time. I saw several extended family members that I haven’t seen in several years. It was good to reconnect and to spend time with them. Something special that I brought with me was a turkey puppet. When my parents did children’s ministry, they often used puppets. My dad usually voiced the puppets. I was asked to share during children’s church while I was in Minnesota. I brought Tom the turkey with me. I wrote a script and my dad recorded his voice for Tom. It was fun including my dad in my presentation with the kids. They all enjoyed Tom the turkey and learning about missions. It was a good Sunday.

Furlough is going by quickly. It may be busy, but I’m enjoying it. It is good to be with friends and family during this time. I am looking forward to getting back to Togo. I’m hoping to return around the end of May/early June. However, I need to get financial clearance before I can buy my plane tickets. I’m currently $50 a month under supported. Can you pray for this need?

Thank you for all your encouragement, prayers and support on this journey. Throughout the challenges of my first term as a missionary, I saw God’s faithfulness and goodness over and over. I’m looking forward to going back.

God bless,

Liz Ortiz

Prayer Requests:

Pray for all who came to DEMO as they seek next steps in God’s calling in their lives.
Pray for S, a teacher at the deaf school in Togo. She is expecting her first child. She is due next month!
Pray for those who have felt called to go into missions during the missions conferences that I shared at.
Pray for the teachers and staff at the deaf school and blind school to have a good semester.
Pray for 31 students at the school for the deaf and the 50 students at the blind school. Pray for their hearts that God would draw them to himself. Pray that they would continue to learn and grow in their studies. Pray that they would all stay healthy.
Pray for someone(s) to join me in the ministry.