July/ August 2008 Dear Family and Friends, Parlez-vous le francais ? Oui! (Do you speak French? Yes!) Thank you so much for praying for me during my time in language school. Learning French in 10 months is very intensive. It's amazing all the pieces that go into grasping a new language. Knowing what you want to say is one thing but actually saying it correctly can be a whole different ballgame - some days it is really frustrating and other days it is just comical what comes out. Your prayers and notes of encouragement were such a blessing! Seeing nearly 30 missionaries receive diplomas during the graduation ceremony was exciting. What a thrill it was to visualize these graduates taking God's Word to French speaking countries all over the globe! Many language partners from the community came to this event (some of them unsaved). With the presentation of many verses and a message from God's Word, it was a special way to share Christ with them. Eternal Destination Recognized Among those who attended graduation was Madame Granier- an 86 year old French lady with whom the Lord allowed me to spend 5-6 hours a week practicing my French. Thank you so much for praying for her salvation! God is evidently softening her heart. We had many conversations about Christ. Other times, we read from a Christian book in which the full plan of salvation was presented. We would take turns reading and then she would explain new vocabulary that I didn't know. It was very neat to see her opening up to the Gospel. She admitted one day that she was going to Hell. I was able to share with her that she could have eternal life in Heaven and be 100% assured of that promise. Please continue to pray for her. She is Catholic (although not practicing). On my last day with her, I gave her a Bible with highlighted verses. Another missionary continuing this semester in France will visit her weekly. I will be keeping up with her through letters. Please pray that she will come to accept Him soon! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn French so that I can share the salvation story not only with Madame Granier but the Togolese as well. Welcome to America! Flying into Atlanta (being back on American soil:)) was a fantastic moment for me. It's been so much fun to spend time with family and friends for a couple weeks while I am packing everything. Several Sunday School ministry items are being packed in my suitcase for my first Bible club days while I await the arrival of my container. August 29th I'm out of here! Can I ask you to pray for 2 specific things: - remaining container and vehicle funds (around $14,000)
- sale of my deputation vehicle (funds to be applied to shipping fund :))
It's exciting as I get things together for my first ministry days in Togo- a day that is just weeks away after 19 years since the Lord first spoke to my heart about missions. Thank you very much for your prayers and/or financial support. This missionary girl will soon be reporting to you LIVE from Togo! 10/40 over and out! All for Him, Lisa Lewis- missionary to Togo, West Africa
March-April 2008 Dear Praying Family and Friends, My Puppets Are Coming Alive! I have been thinking about and planning for my upcoming Bible Club days. I remember staying with a neat Christian lady during deputation. While at her house, she told me many stories about her days of teaching Sunday School using puppets. Recently, I sent her an email asking her for Christian puppet script resources. To my surprise, she emailed me back an attachment of a puppet script she had written and used throughout the years. She also told me if I wanted she would be glad to send me several other scripts, as well. I am so excited! I am planning to translate some of the scripts this semester while I am in language school and have my teacher review them. It won't be long now until Echo and Whimsey (my puppets) will be telling lots of Togolese children about Jesus! Full of Life at 85! The Lord has blessed me with another language partner. Her name is Madame Granier. On Monday evenings, I have been going to her home. She is 85 years old, full of life, quite a character, yet unsaved. I'm praying this semester that the Lord will use me as I share Him with her. She doesn't speak any English, so it stretches me, but she enjoys teaching and I am learning alot. Last week the Lord gave me the opportunity to ask her what her spiritual beliefs were. She told me she believes God created the world and Jesus died on the cross, however, doesn't believe in life after death. I was able to share some of my testimony with her, as well. She is definitely not closed to the Gospel. Please pray with me that the Lord will work on her heart this semester and that she will come to know Him very soon! When He Guides, He Provides
Thank you all very much for your faithful prayers and support! It is so special to see the Lord bring these funds in for His ministry! Thank you for praying with me about my upcoming container and vehicle needs. Praise the Lord $3984 has come in since I last wrote you (almost 20%!)! It's been super exciting to see God provide the funds! Please continue to pray with me regarding the remaining needed amount, as well. I look forward to sharing His acts of provision in upcoming months as I prepare for my Togo days right around the corner. What a Mighty God we serve! With God, all things are possible!
All for Him, Lisa Lewis - missionary to Togo, West Africa
February 2008
Dear Praying Family and Friends,
La Grand Odyssee
Last month, I had the opportunity to see part of a dog sled race. It was a 12 day, 1000 km race through the Alps, speculated to be one of the hardest in the world. There were competitors from many different countries. One day they were close to our town and we were able to see them come in. We met Tim Hunt, the American musher as well! It was a very exciting, picturesque time to see the dogs descend down the mountainside and run across the finish line!
French School Days
This semester is cranking right along! It's exciting to see how much we have learned! This month, I will be giving two devotionals. One of them will be in front of the whole student body. I would greatly appreciate your prayers as it will be a challenge presenting entirely in French. My favorite class this semester is Bible terminology! I get so excited thinking about sharing His Word in French during my upcoming Togo days! There is an unsaved student intern with us this semester who is observing our classes. I'm praying she gets saved this semester as a result of the Lord allowing her to be in our school for her internship, and regularly hearing our Bible classes! It's neat to see how the Lord works!
Exciting News from Togo
The Lord is doing mighty things in Togo! In a little northern town, 39 were baptized during the month of December! The service was over two hours long and many testimonies were shared by those who had accepted Christ. In fact, one of them was a chief! He wanted to be an example to his tribe. Isn't it exciting to hear how the Lord is working? The fields are white unto harvest! I can't wait until I can be there! It won't be long now!
When Will You Head to Togo, Lisa?
I'll be finished with language school in July, and then will return to the states for a few weeks in order to pack a container. The Lord has blessed me with many Bibles, tracts, discipleship materials, Sunday School lessons and visuals, as well as multiple medical supplies for Togo. My household items will also be shipped in the container along with these ministry tools. I have been able to save a few thousand dollars in the last months, however, I am still in need of about $20,000. This amount is needed for container fees, port fees, and a used vehicle when I arrive. I will continue to save as much as I am able to. Will you please pray with me that the Lord will bring these additional funds in so that I can depart for Togo as soon as my container is packed? It is going to be neat to see the Lord provide in this avenue, as well. He has provided in so many ways during my deputation and language school days already! If the Lord would lay it on your heart to help with this, please send monies to BIMI for container/ vehicle fund - Lisa Lewis #1332. Thank you so much for your prayers! I can hardly wait until I'm reporting LIVE from Togo!
All for Him,
Lisa Lewis - missionary to Togo, West Africa
October 2007
Dear Praying Family and Friends,
Bonjour from France!
Last time I wrote you, I was in the states jumping through the hoops of the visa process. Thank you so much to the many who prayed with me about getting a visa! The Lord answered our prayers! During my 4th visit to the Atlanta Embassy, I was able to give the little French Embassy man some cookies and a French Bible in exchange for my visa. The Lord has blessed in so many ways since then. I wish I could share all the blessings with you! One of them was when God enabled me to fly all the way from Chicago to France with a missionary buddy-and no, we did not have the same flights before boarding! What an awesome Lord we have who cares about even the minor details of our lives!
School Girl
With the Swiss Alps surrounding the school, it is such a beautiful location. The town people are friendly and helpful to us as new students. It was a neat little surprise for me finding out at our first school meeting that the director of the school is actually from Togo! What a blessing it is to be in classes where the students are all missionaries, excited about speaking French with the people to whom the Lord has called them. An additional praise is that our professors long for us to minister around the world and pray that we will grasp the new concepts quickly. My teacher is such a hoot! She is always making us laugh and reminds me of a French Lucille Ball at times. We have class from 8:40AM-4:15PM four days a week and a half day on Saturday. While I would never have thought that learning the language would be such a trick, I am really enjoying classes and learning so much. It spurs me on to learn more and more as I think of the Togolese people with whom I will be face to face soon. There are so many who still don't know Him-ministry opportunities galore await me! My burden for these precious souls is ever present and I excitedly anticipate my upcoming Togo days!
Buddies of all Ages and Stages
While I'm here, however, France is a mission field in itself! I'm thrilled to report that my very first weekend here, God led me to a wonderful church to be a part of during my language school days. This church was started by a missionary about 10 years ago. What an encouragement they are to us! It has been exciting to see the Lord work in the church already since we have been attending. Not only do I enjoy having a French church "family", but the Lord has also given me a language partner. She is an elderly lady with Alzheimer's who lives in an assisted living home close to the school. She and her friends don't realize how funny they can be at times-it seems every day they are on a new adventure. I enjoy visiting them and don't have to worry about repeating myself from visit to visitJ. I just have to make sure they don't sneak home with me! As my verbal skills improve, please pray that I will be sensitive to Divine Appointments He gives me. As some of them have limited days on the earth, I know the Lord has put me in contact with them for a reason-to tell these cute little old folks (as well as many others) about Him! I praise God all the time for this wonderful opportunity He has give me to learn the language of the Togolese people. Thank you so very much for YOUR faithful prayers, encouragement, and support! "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Phil.1:3
All for Him,
Lisa Lewis-missionary to Togo, West Africa
Association Francaise d'Enseignement Biblique
50, rue des Galibouds
73200 Albertville, France
October 2007 Dear Praying Family and Friends, Bonjour from France! Last time I wrote you, I was in the states jumping through the hoops of the visa process. Thank you so much to the many who prayed with me about getting a visa! The Lord answered our prayers! During my 4th visit to the Atlanta Embassy, I was able to give the little French Embassy man some cookies and a French Bible in exchange for my visa. The Lord has blessed in so many ways since then. I wish I could share all the blessings with you! One of them was when God enabled me to fly all the way from Chicago to France with a missionary buddy-and no, we did not have the same flights before boarding! What an awesome Lord we have who cares about even the minor details of our lives!
School Girl
With the Swiss Alps surrounding the school, it is such a beautiful location. The town people are friendly and helpful to us as new students. It was a neat little surprise for me finding out at our first school meeting that the director of the school is actually from Togo! What a blessing it is to be in classes where the students are all missionaries, excited about speaking French with the people to whom the Lord has called them. An additional praise is that our professors long for us to minister around the world and pray that we will grasp the new concepts quickly. My teacher is such a hoot! She is always making us laugh and reminds me of a French Lucille Ball at times. We have class from 8:40AM-4:15PM four days a week and a half day on Saturday. While I would never have thought that learning the language would be such a trick, I am really enjoying classes and learning so much. It spurs me on to learn more and more as I think of the Togolese people with whom I will be face to face soon. There are so many who still don't know Him-ministry opportunities galore await me! My burden for these precious souls is ever present and I excitedly anticipate my upcoming Togo days! Buddies of all Ages and Stages While I'm here, however, France is a mission field in itself! I'm thrilled to report that my very first weekend here, God led me to a wonderful church to be a part of during my language school days. This church was started by a missionary about 10 years ago. What an encouragement they are to us! It has been exciting to see the Lord work in the church already since we have been attending. Not only do I enjoy having a French church "family", but the Lord has also given me a language partner. She is an elderly lady with Alzheimer’s who lives in an assisted living home close to the school. She and her friends don't realize how funny they can be at times-it seems every day they are on a new adventure. I enjoy visiting them and don't have to worry about repeating myself from visit to visitJ. I just have to make sure they don't sneak home with me! As my verbal skills improve, please pray that I will be sensitive to Divine Appointments He gives me. As some of them have limited days on the earth, I know the Lord has put me in contact with them for a reason-to tell these cute little old folks (as well as many others) about Him! I praise God all the time for this wonderful opportunity He has give me to learn the language of the Togolese people. Thank you so very much for YOUR faithful prayers, encouragement, and support! "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Phil.1:3 All for Him, Lisa Lewis-missionary to Togo, West Africa
Association Francaise d'Enseignement Biblique
50, rue des Galibouds
73200 Albertville, France August/September 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
Race to Victory
This past month, I had the opportunity to take part in my home church's Vacation Bible School. It was an exciting week with a NASCAR theme. The emphasis was on winning the race for Christ by realizing that only through Him do we have victorious lives. It was during counsel time one evening that I had the privilege of talking with a teenage girl who responded to the invitation. When I asked her why she was coming forward, she asked, "Well, I have always heard people say "Once saved- Always saved", but is that really true?" How excited I was to be able to show her specific verses regarding this. I could tell she felt heavy hearted and was concerned about her eternity. After we prayed, she gave me a smile and replied, "I know for sure now that I am on my way to Heaven!" It was such a rewarding moment! Yes! Once saved- always saved! What an amazing gift He gives to those who accept Him!
Wagon Surprise
Late one evening, my family noticed a large black bag and two big boxes stacked in our little red wagon on the front porch. No one knew where they came from! Upon further inspection, we discovered the contents were multiple packages of gauze and all kinds of medical supplies. As the mystery unfolded even more, we found out that our neighbor lady had been collecting items for several weeks for my future medical Togo days! What a huge blessing these items will be! It has been so neat to see the Lord provide supplies in various ways especially these last few months!
Echo and Whimsey
Thank you so much to the many who helped me name my new puppet friends. Since there were so many great names submitted, I had to have some help in the selection process. Echo was named by Bo, who is from Michigan. Whimsey received her name from Sarah, who lives in North Carolina. The puppets are delighted with their new names! The treats have been mailed out and should be arriving any day to all those who helped with the naming process. It was so much fun receiving all the email suggestions and I learned that there are quite a few comedians in the midst!
Up, Up, and Away!
It won't be long now until I will be up in the clouds flying to France for language school. Please be in continued prayer with me for my visa. Lord willing, it should make its appearance any day now. It thrills me to think about that day when I will have the opportunity, speaking French, to lead a soul to Christ! Please pray that I will be able to soak up the rules and sounds and learn the language quickly! My new Skype phone number while I am overseas is 704-257-4481 (this will work like a stateside number). I look forward to writing you next time from France! Thank you so much for your faithful prayers!
All for Him,
Lisa Lewis - missionary to Togo, West Africa
May/June 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
New Teammates
Let's go guys! It's just about time for Bible Club to start! With some monies from a Vacation Bible School group, I was able to purchase two inexpensive, cheery puppets on eBay. They are both very thrilled about returning to Africa and love children! They did not come with birth certificates so they are in need of names. Those that would like to help, please email your name suggestions, mailing address, and your favorite candy bar to Lisa@togoandtell.com. Prizes will be awarded and names chosen will appear in the next prayer letter. As it is easier many times to put a name with a face, a picture of them is placed on my website. All of us are so excited about working together in Togo telling many children about Christ and sharing truths from His Word! A special thank you to the young people for these ministry tools!
Furry Bumper
It was like hitting a speed bump at 60 m.p.h. The car in front of me swerved and within seconds, I realized a car in front of me had hit a deer. I had little time to react and traffic was heavy, so I ran over the poor creature. I felt terrible as this was my first incident with a deer that I was not able to avoid. While this definitely wasn't Bambi, but maybe his big brother or mother, praise the Lord no damage was found after an inspection by a mechanic! I'm so thankful for His safety and provision!
Four Full Buggies
Where will you get your medical supplies? This has been a frequent question I have been asked during my deputation travels. Several missionaries had told me of a place up north called International Aid which is a supply warehouse for missionaries. What a cool place! It is one of the only places I know where so many items are only 5, 10, or 25 cents. It was at the end of my shopping, 18 boxes were packed and rung up, that the cashier said "Do you realize your items had they been sold at the actual prize would have cost about 18 thousand dollars!" What a blessing this place is to missionaries! At such a small fraction of the price these items were purchased. With them, many will be treated and told of our Wonderful Savior!
Praise the Lord for new church supporters in April and May! I thank you so much for your continued prayers! Through recent circumstances and a huge tuition price increase, I felt the Lord closing the door on the Quebec language school I had been accepted at. However, I am so glad when God closes one door, He always opens another. A few days later, the Lord opened the door for me to apply and be accepted at a Christian language school in France. In the next few weeks, I will drive to Atlanta, submit paperwork, and be interviewed by the French consulate. I'm thinking about taking some fresh homemade cookies to share during my visit. A verse the Lord has laid on my heart for this area as I trust Him is Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." I covet your continued prayers for this visa process. I know it is going to be exciting to see the Lord work in this avenue also!
All for Him,
Lisa Lewis- missionary to Togo, West Africa |
