Summer Update

Hello, my wonderful friends and family!

So much has happened recently, and it has been a while since I’ve updated many of you on my life, so I’d like to send my love and let you all know what has been happening, and share some thing that God is doing.

Most of you know, I have had the chance to travel down to Ensenada, Mexico with my youth group ever summer when I was in high school. This year, I’ve had an even greater opportunity to  serve as a short-term missionary in at the same base with Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I have been able to experience the joys of seeing a child’s face light up because of a simple balloon animal, a family of five living in a trailer and receiving a new home which I had the blessing of being able to assist in building, and a weeping mother, rather than asking for food itself, asking for prayer that God would provide the food. I’ve never seen such faith or contentment and joy than I have while working in the different parts of Ensenada. My stories and life-changing experiences could go on and on.

But even more than this, I have been able to grow in my faith with the Lord and take it to a new level. I have never prayed, wept, sang, or heard God's voice so much (or so very clearly!) as I did in those three months. I have been able to understand why I love to serve and God has opened my eyes to new perspectives and a deeper love for Him, people, and his creation. There is something wonderful that happens when you are removed from the routines of everyday life and the consumerism and chaos many of us know so well. 

In saying this, I have been able to have another opportunity to go down back to the YWAM Ensenada Base and serve for a few more months. I will have the chance to do many of these things I've mentioned again, as well as working with hospitality, kitchen, and lots of babysitting and laundry! :) Some of my fellow staff are also planning an outreach to Turkey in January. I am praying for this opportunity and the funds to go and do this, especially because it would be a great experience considering I have never been out of North America and have always felt a call to a middle eastern country. I am SO excited about all of this, and cannot wait to be back in Mexico, which has become my home!

As I'm sure some of you could assume, I would love to do missions work full-time, however I cannot work full-time with YWAM until I have done a DTS (Discipleship Training School, which is 3 months of lecture phases and studies, and about two months of outreach in a specific country applying what you have learned). I am planning on attending a school next spring/summer. However, I am not sure which location(s) God is sending me right now. I am looking into a Photography focus, but I am still praying for a lot of direction. 

In saying all of this, I hope that you now feel caught-up, and can sense my excitement! I have fallen in love with all of God's beautiful people, especially in Mexico, and "Going into all the world to preach the Good News!" I have a blog, (http://rachelvillaire.blogspot.com/) which you are able to read my updates, pictures, prayer requests, and information. Feel free to email me also for more information! (rachelvillaire@live.com) 

Thank you all so very much for taking the time to read this letter. I love and appreciate each and every one of you, and would love to hear how you are doing as well. As always, prayer is much appreciated. There are always needs as well as warfare of many kinds, which prayer is so powerful over! Also, I am not asking for any support or money, however, everything I am doing is strictly volunteer. The costs of living are about $300-400 in Mexico, DTS is an average of $5000, and in order to go to Turkey I will need about $700-1000 within the next few weeks. I am looking for monthly supporters, and if you are feeling called, I would be more than grateful and welcome for any form of support you might offer. But more than anything, your love and prayerful support are MUCH appreciated! Again, I would LOVE to hear from you and receiving letters are always a joy down there! :) 

Thank you again. God bless each of you!

-Rachel 

Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 43:18-19