DTS: week 1.

An oval of houses up on a hill, English, Canadians, Albanian, Americans, Egyptian, Salvadorians, and Number 8 and 9.

Basically, this is what our DTS in Harpenden, England January 2013 consists of! It has been an incredible first week, watching God move already by getting all of us students here providing flights and visas. we still have three students who aren't here yet, but they've got their visas and flights and will be arriving soon!

Each morning we had orientation. Learning about YWAM and its values, goals, etc., meeting different people around the base, learning about the flat (or house, we live in Number 9.) and community living, hearing about how we all and why we all came to do DTS here and just enjoying each others company. Tomorrow we are taking a trip into town for the first time to visit around.

This first week of school was quite an adjustment for me. It is the first time going to a base where I am not staff, or in charge of something (or someone, haha! nannying...) but rather being a student, and just enjoying this time and as much work as it will be, it is a break for me. A time set aside for me to completely and 100% bask in the glory of God and his love.

God has provided such an amazing amount of my finances. I have paid $2000, but still am in need of raising $3000 more, and I need $800 in 6 weeks. Please be praying that the Lord provides this (which I know He will) and possibly considering helping me in spreading the word on this side of the world!

Blessings!
With love, Rae

DTS: Harpenden, England . Jan 8, 2012

This month has been quite the adventure and I have been so encouraged in seeing God work!
My Christmas was spent with my family in Idaho on my Moms side. It was a bit difficult being with all of them without my mom or sister, or even dad, especially during the holidays. However it was so great to see them all and God really provided during my time of fundraising there. While I was there, I was able to raise the remaining of the $2280 that I need for my first day of school! It was my first Christmas without  my grandpa, who passed away last spring, and so it was a blessing for both my grandma and I to be able to spend this time together as I was separated from my family and she was without her husband.

I then made my way back down to Ensenada, Mexico for the new year. My boyfriend came home for the holidays, so I got to spend New years with him in our "home town". It was such a sweet reunion after 4 months of being oceans apart. :) I took a huge leap of faith in going down there, as my passport and visa for my school in the UK hadn't returned yet. There was not a single problem entering or leaving Mexico! On Friday I received an email saying that my visa had been issued! About a week earlier than expected.

Today (Monday Jan 7) Jacob and I both fly back to England on different flights. However I couldn't leave until I had my visa and passport back. This morning at 10am (California time) I got a text Saying that my passport and visa had been delivered! My flight left at 10am, but soon as we picked up my passport we flew over to the airport and I checked in for the 11:30am flight to Philadelphia. Everyone kept Saying "it doesn't look good" or "it's completely full, you probably won't get on" but I waited just the same. Of course, I got on the flight! I flew to Philadelphia and waited for standby to board onto the London flight an hour later. Everyone had boarded and the lady said "sorry it's completely full." I said "REALLY? That's not supposed to happen." God had flawlessly brought me this far and I absolutely knew that I was supposed to be on that flight. She checked again and said "no wait, there is one person who didn't show up." I knew without a doubt that was my seat!

So, here I am on this flight to London, every single second of this whole journey thus far (and will continue to be) a complete miracle from the Lord and proving time an  time again that He is my provider! That is one huge lesson he has taught me in preparation for this DTS. I am SO blessed to be the daughter  of the God of the universe.

I thank you all for the unending prayers and support in getting here. I am so thankful to have amazing g people in my life. Please don't stop, because  I know just getting here is the easy part.

The best is yet to come.






There is no way that I'm going to sleep on this flight. Waaaaaay too excited :)

One out of 5.

Five cities. One down, four to go.

My journeys have begun! After spending a few weeks back in Modesto and a few weeks back in Ensenada, I have once again set off on this journey called "life."

Whilst I was in Mexico, I had the incredible opportunity to help staff a house build over Thanksgiving for the second year in a row. I could not think of a better way to spend my holiday - Blessing others and being blessed!

As I finished up my time back in my hometown of Modesto, California, I tied up loose ends, did some fundraising for DTS (I made about $500! Praise Jesus!) and was able to be a part of the worship team on Sundays again. On my way home from the airport after being in Mexico, I was in a major car accident caused by bad weather. The car spun out and hit the freeway divider. My cousins and I should have been majorly injured, or dead, but after tears and the shock, I realized that God has such a greater and bigger plan for me than death! He must have something incredible in store for me, and in that I find so much peace. Satan tried everything (from almost missing my flight, loosing my bags, to sickness and the car accident) to discourage me -- but that cannot be done! Each day I realize more and more the plan He has for me.

After two days of packing and many goodbyes and "see you laters," I kicked off my series of trips by visiting some amazing friends in the Sacramento area I met last year during a cycle at the base in Ensenada. My week leading up to my departure had been so stressful, but I knew I needed to see them before leaving. The Estebez family opened up their amazing home to me and it was such an encouragement to be with some family in Christ. God knew I needed some peace and love from them!
As I type, I am on the train to San Jose, CA where I will be flying in the morning to Boise, Idaho for Christmas with my family there. From there I will be going to Ensenada for New Years to see my lovely boyfreind Jacob and the Kemp family! Once I get there I will be on my way to London to begin my DTS!

I've got many miles and days of traveling, but I am so excited to see what is in store.
I've been doubting many times about whether or not this is the right school or place for me to be, but God keeps confirming over and over that it is where I need to be! However, I am still in need of about $2000 and waiting for the return of my visa/passport. I believe in the power of prayer, and if you join me in praying I believe God will provide it all! He is faithful.

If you would like a newsletter, and/or a Christmas card please message me with your address!
I pray you have an incredible Christmas Season. May you be blessed.

Merry Christmas,
Rachel

rachelvillaire@live.com
209-324-9483

DTS: about $4500 (Lecture $3000 Outreach $700-1500)
Flights: Paid for! Praise Jesus!
Visa: $330
Living Expenses: $50-100 monthly
Raised: $1500!

I'm going so many places, even Google Maps doesn't comprehend it.

Loved spending time with my sister, my best friend again!

Cousins Cody and Heather, Mom, Me, and sis

Little Kemp Brothers at the beach. Ensenada

TACOS. TACOS. TACOS. Mexico

building day! 

This is the familia that we built for over Thanksgiving weekend.

The finished product!

Got to take my friend Jocelyn and teach her how to shingle a roof :)

Before/After 

I cut all the wood. Yeaaaah!

Awesome view from the roof of the Ensenada YWAM base

Fútbol Mum for the month!

Mexico is full of many amazing things: tacos, cheap shopping, tacos, beaches, tacos, wonderful people, tacos, adorable children, tacos and Football! (aka soccer).

The Kemp family has three out of the six kids playing fútbol during the week. For the most part, I've once again taken over the role of "Soccer Mom" every Monday Wednesday and Friday and weekend games. 4-5:30, pick up and drop off the other one at 5:30 then pick up again at 7pm! Luckily - it's just about two streets away :) braving thee Mexican drivers again, the giant green van drives back and forth and loves it!

Who wouldn't with these cuties?

Schooling everyday as well, and they're doing so well, it's so cool to see how much they've advanced and grown and see them work together because Noah is a year behind Asher repeating his 3rd grade work.

More updates soon to come!

With love, Rae

flex-i-ble: able to be easily modified to respond to altered circumstances

Once an organization loses its spirit of pioneering and rests on its early work, its progress stops. - Thomas J. Watson

Looking back on MA Europe 2012, I see that God definitely provided for me to come. With lots of open doors, confirmation, and wonderful supporters, I raised the EXACT amount of money to pay my staff fees and purchase a one-way ticket. I knew God wanted a time to grow in Him and my season in Mexico had ended. Arriving in Switzerland, I was reunited with great friends from my previous summer in Mexico. The day after I arrived, the staff training began!

We started from scratch, only 4 of the 10 staff knowing what MA was like. During that time, we made stage props, planned every session for two weeks, sewed costumes, cleaned rooms and cleaned more rooms,

filmed videos, edited photos, coordinated with Romanian Staff where we were taking the students on outreach, and designed a whole camp-like experience based on the theme: ZOOM.

The night before the students arrived I came down with a high fever, which resulted for 14 hours of me being in bed, but was able to make it for training with the kids! My lack of French was fortunately not an issue, as they all spoke English to some extent, and we had many translators. For two days, we trained the youth on creating ways to tell Bible stories, crafts, dramas, Romanian culture, and giving testimonies. Then after dinner -- we were off to Romania! About 36 hours of traveling later, we arrived at YWAM Medias.

During our time there, we worked with gypsy villages, poor communities, and shared the gospel with so many hopeless people.

God stretched our team in so many ways - from waiting 5 hours at a train station, to last-minute change of plans. Never once did God say pioneering Mission Adventures in a new country would be easy, but rather to “Be Flexible!” It was one of the most rewarding experiences and I was truly blessed beyond what I could have imagined. I've never known a faith or a trust in Jesus like I know now. Living each day SOLEY relying and depending on his provision -- In every aspect of my life.

My heart went out to the people of Romania, who don’t know what true LOVE is. Thank you all for your unending prayers.

So... What’s next in my journey with Christ?

I miss all the traveling and way of life in Europe, but I mostly miss the people I was with -- the ones who are all so in love with Jesus like I am and all have the same kind of goals and heart's desires. My next step is to go back to England and do my DTS in January at the Harpenden YWAM base near London.. A DTS (Discipleship Training School) is 6 month program in which Christians from all over the world, representing different denominations and cultures, come together for in-depth teaching and training in Christian living, ministry to the poor and needy and evangelism. My fees during this time are extremely large (about $5000 for the school, plus airfare and living expenses.) So I ask that you would join me in prayer for this school, the finances, and considering becoming a monthly or even one-time supporter of my big step into Full-time missions and these next few months of preparation. Keep a look out or contact me for my future fundraising events!

With love, Rae
Website: rachelvillaire.blogspot.com
Email: rachelvillaire@live.com
Phone number (while I am in the states): 209-324-9483
Twitter: rachel_villaire
Facebook: Rachel Villaire

So... What happened?

So.. What happened in Romania? What's happening Next? 

With love, Rae
Website :rachelvillaire.blogspot.com
Email: rachelvillaire@live.com
Phone number (while I am in the states): 209-324-9483
Twitter: rachel_villaire
Facebook: Rachel Villaire

Home: Modesto

It's been two weeks since I arrived back in my hometown Modesto, CA.

After  lots and lots of prayer, tears, more prayer, and a little bit of fighting, God opened up door after door within a week for me to come here. From getting extremely cheap tickets, to canceling flights for even better ones, to getting back into church leadership, I know that God's brought me back for a while.

Its hard coming back after nearly a year and trying to jump right back into "normal life." People are gone, church has changed, friends have left or moved on. I'm not able to drive yet (long story...) while I'm in the states either, so it makes things really difficult. I am constantly reminding myself that God brought me here and I need to make sure I am maintaining these relationships with my friends and church and that He wants to teach me something.

A few days ago in my quiet time with Jesus, I read that God brings us to the "valley of humiliation" to remove the skepticism from us. When we are on the mountain, we saw all the things that God can do, and anything is possible when we are on the mountain! But when we get down to that valley, how is God any different? But for some reason we begin to get frustrated, doubtful, and skeptical. But God wants to bring us - to bring ME - out of that and to show me that things are JUST as possible here in the valley! I just have to take it one day at a time.

I miss all the traveling and way of life in Europe, but I mostly miss the people I was with -- the ones who are all so in love with Jesus like I am and all have the same kind of goals and heart's desires. I keep praying that God will give me strength and to keep bringing those godly friends back to me as encouragement. My next step is to go back to England and do my DTS in January at the Harpenden YWAM base. A DTS (Discipleship Training School) is 6 month program in which Christians from all over the world, representing different denominations and cultures, come together for in-depth teaching and training in Christian living, ministry to the poor and needy and evangelism. My fees during this time are extremely large (about $5000 for the school, plus airfare and living expenses.) So I ask that you would join me in prayer for this school, the finances, and considering becoming a monthly supporter of my big step into Full-time missions and these next few months of preparation.

Whilst I am here, I would love to get together, so please don't hesitate to contact me, and I would love to share face-to-face about what I've been doing, the things God's done, and the places I've been!

With Love and blessings to you,
Rae


Website :rachelvillaire.blogspot.com
Email: rachelvillaire@live.com
Phone number (while I am in the states): 209-324-9483
Twitter: rachel_villaire
Facebook: Rachel Villaire