DTS Week 2. Jan 21

With a lot of Pitch Perfect, loads of snow, intercession, journaling, tea and biscuits, DTS is underway!

Its been two weeks since I left for this beautiful country of ENGLAND. Between the orientation, meeting my roommates, hearing God's voice on the first day of school, two trips out of Harpenden, and more cups of tea than I can count on my fingers and toes, I have enjoyed every second of what has happened so far.

Week 1 was mainly getting over jetlag, getting to know the staff and my DTS family, as well as the YWAM organization and the Harpenden base. It was neat hearing about the plans and goals that this base has, as its so different to Ensenada and so many new faces. Interestingly enough, I think that most of the staff here are American, which is strange. In my mind I haven't quite associated this place with England yet because I was never here when I came last summer.

Each week we have a speaker coming in on a different topic, so this past week we dedicated each day to an overview of each topic, given by our wonderful staff! A few of the topics are: the Nature and Character of God, the Father Heart of God, and many more!

The first weekend we went into a town a train stop away called St. Albans. It was so beautiful. We went to a cathedral, had some English food called a "Cornish Pasty" and shopped at the giant market! It was freezing cold but loads of fun. This weekend I went to Manchester on a 5 hour bus and visited Jacob for his birthday! We threw him a Mexican-themed surprise party with his classmates.

Every Monday on the "Oval" (Since our base is shaped in a giant oval - see photo below), we fast lunch and pray together as a base. This monday, to bring in the new year, we all got together for a whole day of praying and worshiping as a community about this coming year. Then we all had a lovely dinner of curry & rice together in the chapel. Today we had the first teaching of the Nature & Character of God. Each week I will post some highlights from these teachings and things that God is teaching me, and more photos from the week.
Here is a video we watched in class today. It really makes you think about being a christian in this world today.

I am 3 weeks into this amazing school that has already begun to change my life and challenge my relationship with Jesus in so many great ways!
God really confirmed to me through many things that I was meant to be here (read my previous blog!), and I have paid almost all of my lecture phase. However, I am still in need of the remainder of my school fees ($1500) plus my monthly living expenses. I know that God is going to provide, but I need your help.
Please join me in prayer for the provision of my finances! Would you like to be a part of all the work God is doing here? It is possible! I am still in need of one-time and monthly supporters. If you feel led to help me in this area, please contact me!

Email/iMessage: rachelvillaire@live.com
Facebook/rachelvillaire
UK Mobile: 07544936132

Thank you for all my faithful followers and supporters already :) This would not be possible without you. Till next time! Cheers!

Blessings.
With love, Rachel







// To view more photos, go to https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151193285036513.449679.541296512&type=1&l=e450c7f4ca

St. Albans Cathedral

St Albans Cathedral

My friend Kendra (from Modesto) and I  in St. Albans!

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 :)