Romania

Wow, I don't know where to begin.

Our time is a bit more than halfway through in Romania. It reminds me of a European version of Mexico! These Swiss students here are the most incredible students I have ever experienced with Mission Adventures. We've been working with gypsy villages, doing VBS, and today we will paint a school.

This country has so much heaviness over it, yet it is so beautiful. I am so lucky to be serving here. God is speaking to the kids every day and showing them new things, as well as myself. I've really been stretched and I have grown so much on this trip -- and it's not finished yet! 

Last night we took a train to see Dracula's castle. We planned to take the train back and were stuck at the train station for over 3 hours. However, no body complained and it was a blessing in disguise because the kids got to really unite, and I was able to speak and pray for some of the kids, and watch them pray for each other. It was incredible. 

God's really teaching our team and the Swiss team what He meant when He said, "Be FLEXIBLE."

God has a sense of Humor.

I can't wait to tell all about the rest of the trip.

With Love from Medias,

Rachel

Today is the day.

Today is quite a historic day in the history of YWAM Burtigny/Switzerland.
Today is the day that the first ever Mission Adventures team arrives.
Today is the day that all of this preparation and prayer really comes into play.
Today is the day on which people will look back and say "The first ever MA in the summer of 2012...."
Today is the day I get to be a part of something historic. I am so blessed to be able to pioneer this programme here with so many incredible people.

Our staff consists of: a Korean, American, English, Swiss-French, Swiss-Italian, Mexican, and a Canadian. If there is one thing I love about this base, it is the diversity.

All of us have put in countless hours of preparation for this day. We've put in hours of prayer before and during the time I've been here. Everyone of us has gotten God's word spoken over the lives of each individual coming here -- very specifically and clearly.

I'm so excited but nervous because I speak NO French, and it's mainly in French.........and Romanian because we are going to Romania. Pray for that whole tricky situation would be appreciated, because it changes a lot of what I normally do during cycles.

file://localhost/Users/rachelvillaire/Documents/MA/Switz%20'12/Staff%20Photobooth/DanBuck%20copy.xcfI am so proud to call myself Burtigny MA Staff. I love each one of these people and can't wait until the team arrives - the countdown is on...Now, it's less than an hour.

The wonderful MA staff! Dressed up for our Rules Video
The theme was "sports" because of the Olymics

Dressed up for our staff video - we did cultural cliches
 I was a cowgirl, and Beth was a proper English lady :)

Beautiful view from the little restaurant Beth and I visit.

Prayer Requests: 

• That God would use me and give me peace about not speaking French/Romanian which makes things pretty difficult
• God would speak clearly to these students lives, as he's already shown He has so much to teach ALL TWENTY of them! Including the leader, Gael.
• Continual Financial Support - I still owe a chunk of staff fee's, and am in need of monthly supporters. God has provided this far, and I believe he will continue to.

July 3

Today I sewed about a total of 5 costumes (not including the ones yesterday and the day before!) for the Jesus Passion Play we are going to have next week. I also taught two other staff members how to sew.

Tonight we had prayer and intercession for Mission Adventures and we interceded for two students specifically. God revealed many amazing things about these kids, and we were able to pray into their lives, and prepare ourselves on just how God wants us to show His love to them. I am excited to see what God has for their lives.

Today Beth and James and I took a walk down the road to take some photos of the area around us (Soon to come). We couldn't help but stop and stare at the beautiful sight of the fog on the hill, and the sun shining through it onto the valley, with mountain surrounding us, and green as far as the eye can see. It was so humbling to look at, and a great reminder of the ginormous and magnificent God we serve -- I am honestly struggling for words to describe Him. He is simply...Indescribable.

Please continue to pray for the students as God continues to reveal things to us and prepare their hearts for what is to come this next week.

Also for flexibility as a team, because we will be doing most of our sessions in Romania, but none of us have ever seen the base, so it will be a big challenge

Love from Burtigny,
R

PS: Happy Independence Day, America ;)

Welcome to YWAM Burtigny (Geneva) Switzerland

I finally made it (after 19 hours of being in the air) to YWAM Burtigny in Geneva, Switzerland!

It's still a bit hard to wrap my mind around because I have been dreaming of going to Europe for years. At first it seemed a bit surreal, but now I've gotten used to it...until I drive around, and think "Wow this looks like some place in Europe...Oh wait, I am in Europe!"

The base is located on a farm, where we get free potatoes and discounted milk for the base (free to the staff) -- straight from the cow! The only thing in the village is a tiny little diner-like place (basically the main building) and the nearest town with stores is about 10 minutes down the mountain. It's quiet and kind of a culture shock! Thankfully, my friend Beth from England is here staffing with me, and it has been such a blessing having her here with me to be myself with.

It's been a busy week planning for MA, which begins July 7th. With painting, sewing, paper maché-ing, brainstorming, note-taking, crafting, cutting, gluing, singing, worshiping, and interceding, we have started to become close as a team (only 4 of us previously know each other) and are learning each other's strengths and weaknesses on how to work together.

So far I've been to lake Geneva, pet some baby cows, went to a city called Nyon and visited a legit castle, ate a chocolate eclair, and have attempted to speak french at all of these places.

Today we are going to an English speaking church to meet the speaker for the youth that are coming. It's been a challenging adjustment to life here, and a bit homesick, but I know this is a great experience and God has brought me here so I am excited to see what's going to happen!

Please keep us in your prayers, as the little details are going to fall into place this last week before the team arrives!

Love from Switzerland
-R

Here are a few photos for you to see:

The main building at the mission (my room is on the second floor just near the tree :)

I love that nearly every house has flowers and shutters

The view from up the road. We literally live at the base of the mountains. I saw the Swiss Alps flying in!

A bit of what the houses in the village look like

 My lovely English friend, Beth, hanging out in the front garden

Many more photos coming soon...

Today is the big day

I am currently sat in the airport in Denver, Colorado waiting for my 5-hour layover to be finished. Still four more hours to go.

My heart hurts and is aching from all the wonderful things I am leaving behind in Mexico. Watching my Jacob's head disappear as I walked thru security was one of the hardest feelings of my life. As I sit here, trying not to cry, I see this verse on Facebook:

"All this is for your benefit, so that the Grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the Glory of God!" 2 Corinthians 4:15

Thank you, Lord. I know that this is all in your plan. As much as it sucks... It's going to be an adventure with you, Jesus. Now I just need to convince myself of it.

Four nights and three days

...Are left before I leave my home of a year to go to Florida and then to Geneva, Switzerland!

Before this week, the only thing I knew was that I had an opportunity to go to YWAM Burtigny, and I should take it. Yes, my heart hurts from leaving this place and all the memories and loved ones that it holds, but I can't think of another opportunity like this one.

This week, God has showed - and is continuing to show me - that this was not just an adventure for me, but rather, He has been planning it out from the beginning. On Sunday at church, (Pastor) Sean gave me a word from the Lord during prayer time: "I feel as if God is saying that this is not just an adventure you want to go on. Yes, it will be an adventure for you, and for you and Him, but He has already called you there. There are going to be people who only you will be able to reach, and God is bringing you there for those specific people." What a wave of peace rushed over me when I heard those words!

Gemma (a fellow church go-er and YWAMer) came up to me after and said that she had a vision from the Lord: "There was a group of people who were hurt -- cuts, bruises, all kinds. They began asking for help 'please, someone help me...can anybody help me...' and nobody could, but you finally realized you were the only one who could help these people. God is sending you there because there will be specific people who only you will be able to help. Whether it is emotionally, spiritual, or what, I don't know..."


How amazing. On Monday, as I was figuring out the last details of my flights, one of the new Mission Adventures staff families (The Weibolts) at the base came up to me and asked how my finances were going. They said that before they came to staff, God had told them to bring extra money to give to someone here, and when they heard what I was doing, they decided to bless me! What an honor, and even more peace knowing that this is totally not something I am doing on my own strength but the Lord is carrying me every step of the way!

Tonight I began my packing process. I don't even want to think about the separation between Jacob and I yet. Although I've cried every night for about two weeks straight.........

God - help me to be strong.

with love,
rachel

My Fiances for Switzerland
Total Needed:  $1647
Air fare: $806 (One-way ticket: BOUGHT)
Staff Fees: $845 (includes my airfare to Romania)
Total Earned: about $1400! Praise the Lord!


Would you consider supporting me in getting to this new season in life and spreading the Gospel of Christ to Europe? Email me: rachelvillaire@live.com or donate online @ my Blogger.

Jail for a night.

Tonight I had my first experience in Juvenile Hall.

Every Tuesday night, my friend Sarah and some other young adults get together and put on a bible study and hang out time for the young boys at the nearby prison. I was blessed enough to be able to take her spot and join them tonight.

From the moment we arrived, you could tell the kids were so hungry and excited for their attention. Many of these kids asked such intelligent questions, such as: Who is the Holy Spirit? What things does he tell you to do? What should I read in the bible? What if I keep sinning over and over? Are the fruit of the sprit actually.....REAL FRUIT? So...Anyone can go to heaven? Why doesn't God just make us love Him? And they went on and on.

These questions made me smile because of their curiosity. But at the same time, it made me feel very humbled to think that all of these things were the "basics" to me, and what I had been drilled into my whole life. Now some of these kids had never heard any of these things before, such as the Fruit of the Spirit. We were able to answer all of these questions, not on our own, I am sure, but only because we prayed for God to give us verses and answers - which is exactly what happened. Michelle and I spoke about all kinds of topics, and a lot of it was being good, and producing these Fruits, and listening to the Holy Spirit. We challenged the boys to stop before they acted, and think whether a good thing or bad thing would result and if it would be pleasing to the Lord. They agreed. One of them was very curious and I know the Lord has really been tugging on his heart. When Michelle said "...my parents raised me up in church," he said, "You're so lucky...I wish...." It made me want to cry the entire hour and a half. He asked for a "cool bible to read, and where to start because the first 10 pages really made him lose interest." So Michelle gave him a bible and I told him to read in Matthew, it was the story of Jesus and fairly simple. I encouraged him to read it, and to keep asking questions because he's on the right path! He was excited and I am only praying that he continues to dig and search for the Truth.

I cannot even begin to explain the emotions I felt while walking out of that place. I have never felt so encouraged as I have today, but at the same time, so very broken hearted for these young boys. God really told me ask I was there to continue seeking Him out, reading his word and knowing it.


I Peter 3:15 ¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect


I pray that this is an encouragement to you to keep seeking out Christ's word and his Truth. Also, that you don't take for granted the brilliant things that you know and understand about the Lord, and the things He has revealed to you in your hearts.

Prayer Requests:

• That God continues to soften these boys hearts, and his Truth would be revealed. Even during the hang out time, the boys were already reading and digging into their bibles, asking questions
• That prayers would be answered, and it would be a testimony of God's grace and Love to them
• Patience and loving kindness for the boys
• blessings for these young adults who go so faithfully every week, and that God would continue to give them them words to say

Much love from Canada,
Rachel


My Fiances for Switzerland
Total Needed:  $2,175
Air fare: $1300 (To Switzerland and back)
Staff Fees: $875 (includes my airfare to Romania)
Total Earned: about $900! Praise the Lord!


Would you consider supporting me in getting to this new season in life and spreading the Gospel of Christ to Europe? Email me: rachelvillaire@live.com or donate online @ my Blogger.