Togo or not to go

Liz Ortiz
Jul 1
4 min read

An AI generated photo of our panic run through the DC airport.

You know that scene from the movie Home Alone when the family is running through the airport and arrives to their gate moments before the door closes? Well, this was Ariana and me when we landed in DC, trying to make our connecting flight to Togo. A severe thunderstorm kept our Chicago flight grounded for over two hours. The winds were so strong that while we were on ground, our plane shook back and forth. Ariana looked out her window and saw a lightning bolt in the distance. When we did eventually take off, we had to fly an hour out of the way to avoid the storm. Instead of a 3.5-hour layover, we had 15 minutes before our next flight would take off. I honestly don't know how we made it. We had to take a bus to a different terminal. We went as fast as we could, but it was only because of God that we made the flight. We had just enough time to message our mothers that we made it as we walked on the jet bridge. When we arrived in Togo, we waited by the luggage carousel chuckling doubting that our luggage made the plane. My jaw dropped when I saw my maroon suitcase dropped onto the belt! We then cheered when Ariana's bag came as well. All our bags made it! A miracle! We praise God that we made it safely to Togo with all our luggage! As we pulled up to our house, we were greeted by friends. After a long travel day, it was good to be home.

Stepping back into life in Togo felt a bit like deja vu. Everything in my home was how I left it 6 months ago. Friends came and greeted us. My French came back to me as if I hadn’t left. It felt strange, but good. Jet lag was a struggle though. It took me almost 3 weeks to get over it. I feel like I am finding my rhythm again, and it feels good.

One of the first things that I had to work on when I arrived was renewing my resident card. It is a lot of paperwork and traveling around the country to different offices to get the right forms. I have most of it done. However, I am waiting on two documents to be processed before I can renew my resident card. Will you pray with me that I these papers would be ready soon?

As I turned the calendar to July, I told myself to brace for the chaos. July is FULL month of ministry events. And I’m hosting two people for the month, Ariana and Kristin. Ariana, arrived with me on the plane. Kristin came last July to help with VBS, teacher training, and camp. She is returning to Togo on July 3rd. I am looking forward to us serving together. Please pray for safety as we drive to the different to the different events. Pray for good health. Pray that I am not overwhelmed in the languages as I translate in French. Pray for the hearts of those who attend these events that they would be drawn to Christ.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. It was great to connect with many of you during my furlough. I am thankful for my time in North America. I look forward to this new year of ministry in Togo.

God bless,

Liz Ortiz

Prayer Requests:

Pray that the last two documents for my resident card are ready soon.
Pray for safe travels for Kristin as she flies up out July 2nd , and arrives on July 3rd .
Pray for safety as we pick Kristin on July 3rd .
July is going to be a very busy month. Please pray for good health and stamina for Ariana, Kristin, and me.
I will need to a do a lot of translating in French. Please pray that I don't feel overwhelmed in the languages and can understand and be understood well.
· VBS is July 6th-9th at the deaf school. Pray that everything goes well. Pray that the Gospel message is clear.
Teacher Training is July 13-14. Pray that everything goes well and that it is encouraging and helpful for the teachers.
Teens Enrichment Workshop is July 20-21. Ariana will be leading a crochet workshop at a Christian middle school.
Deaf Camp is July 23-26. Pray that everything goes well and that hearts are drawn to Christ.
Pray for Ariana’s family and my family while we are away.
Pray for wisdom as we prepare for the summer ministry events and all the details to come together. (VBS, teachers training, camp)
Pray for someone(s) to join me in the ministry full time.