With Love, Rachel: Summer 2012 overview

At the end of Mission Adventures Switzerland, we had to write about our experience and what God has done. I am going to share what I wrote with you.

Looking Back Getting Here...
-Wow, God definitely provided for me to come - I've done past MAs, and God gave me lots of confirmation and open doors. I raised the EXACT amount of money to the dollar to pay for a one-way ticket and all my fees.
-Beth's encouragement for me and the fact that she also went was definitely the Lord.
-God's perfect timing - With Jacob leaving to go to England with his family and do His school, I knew that my time had began to come to an end for that season of my life in Mexico, and God has something for me and Him.
-I met JP and Sarvia (who were my leaders from last summer) and they encouraged me to come this year.
-One of the Pastors at my church, Sean, spoke some words over me before I left. It confirmed all the doubts and fears I had about going, and was one of the biggest encouragements for me to follow what the Lord had planned for me.

Looking Up What God has Done...
-One night during MA as I was praying, I said "God, I have nothing left... No money, no place to go after this, and absolutely nothing except myself left." God said in reply, "That's all I've wanted this whole time. Just you." God just wants me, nothing else from me, and for me to be willing and able. That's all. What an amazing thing that is!
-God gave me peace about everything; my future, money, life... and soon as I returned back to Switzerland, I had almost $200!
-I've been able to see God fulfill his promises to me and heard him speak so clearly. He really renewed my passion for the youth and how much I love MA!
-I've built life-long relationships with staff and students, and was able to stay with some of them for a week after MA was finished - it was an awesome time!
-Shown me that God is my provider. Over all things. And He has rebuilt so much of my faith and trust, and really challenged me in my relationship with Him. I've grown to a new level with Christ and that is so great, we never want to stop growing.

Looking Forward My Future...
-Doing MA has again reminded me that I would love to do long-term missions work --> Mission Adventures, DTS schools, etc.
-Again, God's given my peace about my future. Whatever it may be..
-I always knew I love to travel, and now that I've gotten to see so much more than North America, I realize how much I love traveling, cultures and all that... Jacob and I have talked about a future "Traveling Mission Adventures" and I see how possible and how incredible that really would be.
-God has opened a few doors for my pretty distant future, but doors nonetheless. I've had opportunities to staff DTS schools in Ensenada in April/be a student, or helping pioneer MA in Finland next summer.

Also, an opportunity for me to get a ride to England was possible. I also kept reading, hearing, and thinking about a DTS in Harpenden... I wasn't sure why, or how... But I prayed that if I could get a ride to England and visit and if God began to open doors, I would go. I've filled out an application and am still in the process of applying. I got that ride to England and have been here for over 2 weeks now. If I want to do long-term missions work, especially with YWAM, then I know that a DTS is my next step. However, in order for me to do this I need to return to the USA to get a specific visa, even though I am allowed in the country for 6 months (really stupid process). Please be praying that if this is what God wants, I will be able to return home on a cheap flight and get a visa quickly.

I've been praying and seeking God on the situation and every time He tells me the same thing... "Be still. I am God. Wait on the Lord. Just believe..."

Thank you to everyone who has been praying and supporting me in any way. I owe you all so much, and so do the kids who's lives were changed during this time. I am so thankful to know you. May God bless you and Keep you.

With Love,
Rachel