September 5, 2011 - 3 Big Lessons

Dear Family and friends, September 5, 2011

I have been back in the States for just under two months and I think about Ethiopia everyday: the people, my students, the food, language, city, etc. I count myself more than blessed to have lived and served in Addis Ababa at Bingham Academy this past academic year. THANK YOU for your love, prayers and support as many lives were changed for eternity, including mine. It is cliché to say, but it truly is more blessed to give than to receive, and I have been humbled being on both sides. Having the opportunity to both poor into lives as the “giver”, and by both the generosity from the nationals and friends there, and from your sacrifice of finances and prayer, being the “receiver” to make this past year even possible. God is so good and I am in awe. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is. 55:9)

3 of the biggest lessons I learned in new ways from living in Ethiopia this past year:

1. All that we have; money, clothes, food and time, is from the Lord and belongs to the Lord. It’s easier to not be possessive when we hold things with open hands in the first place.

2. I work to serve the Lord and fulfill the calling he has placed on my life. Not for any boss, man, or money.

3. People, no matter what their environment is, yearn for love, something to be hopeful in and purposeful in. That is why the poorest of the poor can be more content than the wealthy.

Now, I am in San Diego. I am still discerning how to specifically pursue the health professions and for a number of reasons I chose San Diego. For starters I plan to work as a massage therapist and possibly at a shoe store until I narrow down what I want to pursue. I will hopefully be moving into an apartment soon, with my friend I met in Ethiopia who is from Monterey!

Praise and Prayer Requests:

-The opportunity to have lived and served in a culture so different from my own; to experience a different land, challenges, love, and generosity; to use my knowledge and education to teach PE, athletic skills, and the connection the value of our physical discipline has to our spiritual discipline to kids from all over the world; to teach English and to play with street kids.

-For the right job(s) to come through.

-To move into an apartment we like asap.

THANK YOU all for your investment in the Kingdom this past year. This is an old song, but listen to it as a “Thank you” from my students and kids I worked with in Ethiopia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lVzeS5i8WQ&feature=related

God bless! Keep in touch.

Rachel Valliere

July 1, 2011 - Race for the Blind and Breathe Conference

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from SWITZERLAND! It is beautiful here and a great blessing to serve many tired missionaries through massage! The conference I am at is called “Breathe.” It is a privilege to be a part of the fellowship and witness the Lord’s work in providing spiritual and physical rest for missionaries from all over the world. I have given many massages and I had someone tell me the other day during a massage, “you have no idea how the Lord is ministering to me through you right now.” So thanks for your prayers for the conference.

Thank you also for your prayers as I have said my GOODBYES to students, friends and co-workers in Ethiopia. The last week especially was filled with emotion as I have fallen in love with the people, culture, food, language, city and my students. I had a sweet goodbye lunch with my Ethiopian Bible study and have signed many yearbooks. Graduation consisted of 12 graduates, from 9 nationalities, who are headed to 6 different countries for University!

Our RACE FOR THE BLIND was a fun success. We had numerous friends participate in the 5k run. The money has gone to support a home for kids from a blind school in Mekelle who have no place to go when they graduate; as well as the Hosanna House in Addis where I have been teaching English. As the girls knew our LAST DAY OF COMING TO TEACH was approaching, they gave up their lunch, put their money together and surprised us with the best going away party I have ever had. The night was filled with jokes, riddles, a coffee ceremony, popcorn, skits, an egg relay race, choreographed dances, injera/doro wat, cake, soda, crying, laughing, singing and praying together. It was so humbling. I will miss them!

So once again, my words and thanks do not express my THANKFULNESS for you in your financial and prayerful sacrifice this past year. God has worked in, and through me to other people in amazing ways, and one day in eternity we can all rejoice together. I have a heart for Ethiopia and for the hope of Jesus to be spread to the nations. So I do not know what the future holds but I am open to life oversees if that is where the Lord leads. Time will tell…

I look forward to seeing those of you in California soon!

Batom Ameseganachuahlow ina exahbeair yestaling!

Love,

Rachel

PRAISE AND PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Heartfelt goodbyes and the countless relationships and memories that were made this past year.

-The opportunity to serve at Bingham Academy this past year, as well as various ministries in the city, and witness the Lord’s grace and love

-Transition back to California and the search for a job, car, apartment, etc.

June 12, 2011 - The Joy of My Students

Dear Family and Friends,

GREETINGS from Ethiopia (Endeminachoo)! I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying the start of summer (rainy season here!). There are only five days of school left and I have begun to say goodbyes and processing my year here. I have no choice but to give thanks and praise to God for His goodness and faithfulness. I cannot thank you enough for your prayers, support and love for me as I have been working at Bingham this year. It has been SUCH A PRIVILEGE to love, teach and serve the kids here this year. I will miss the hugs from Blane, watching Johannes run, the random comments from Anna, Leon’s sarcasm, Amen’s smile and many more.

There was an ORTHODOX HOLIDAY a few weeks ago and we had a long weekend, so three of us teachers went South to Langano (the only swim-able lake in Ethiopia) where one of the 4^th grade student’s have a “beach house” (not quite like CA!). It was so great to not only go out on their boat (the dad built it), but also to spend time with the family, hear their story and be with the kids outside of school. It has been such a blessing to see and hear the lives of so many forengie (non-Ethiopian) family’s and what it looks like to live/work/serve abroad long term. There are SO MANY blessings, challenges, joys, frustrations, etc. that come with the mission field, and I suppose anywhere in life. I was reflecting this morning at church at how people are people. No matter how different the environment or lifestyle is, whether a grain farmer with oxen in the country here, or a stockbroker in New York, everyone is in need of a savior who alone can fill the craving for unconditional love.

The last month or so has been so special. God’s love has been so evident through the many hugs, notes, “I’ll miss you Miss Valliere”, and gifts I’ve received. A few weeks ago my roommate Monica felt like she needed to go back to the BASICS OF THE GOSPEL with her fourth grade class. She shared the steps and what it means to accept Christ in your heart and make Him Lord of your life. When she gave the invitation to pray, four of her students made first time commitments and 13 rededicated their lives. The class was so excited and wanted to share with their friends and family. So they paired up with the 5^th grade class and 18 5^th graders made first time commitments and 4 rededicated their lives! The kids were coming up to me and telling me about the decisions they had made and how they were sharing God’s love with their friends and family! It was truly an amazing time, and big IMPACT ON ETERNITY.

Our last day of teaching English at the HOSANNA HOUSE was last Thursday and I think the best goodbye I have ever received! The girls surprised us with a dinner, coffee ceremony, a dance, jokes, games, and a skit using all the slang words we had taught them in English (bummer, awesome, etc), and more. I love those girls and will always pray for them. (http://hosannafoundation.org/house.html)

Next Sunday is our “RACE FOR THE BLIND” to build the home in Mekelle for the blind kids who graduate, so they have somewhere to go other than the street! Please be praying for the logistics and for people to sign up this week! http://beautyrising.donorpages.com/relayfortheblind2011/ethiopian

I ran a 21k (half marathon) awhile back in Awassa, and got to shake hands with Heille Gebresalasie at the finish line! But didn’t get a picture =(

I am still amazed at how big people will smile by me just ACKNOWLEDGING them; how women tell their children to look when forengie are passing by, and at how many “I love you’s” we get from men on the street. I will miss speaking Amharic, having conversations with people out the car window, swerving to not hit sheep in the road, the coffee, teaching, killing bugs in the shower (maybe not!), amongst many others.

The BREAHTE CONFERENCE in Switzerland starts in 10 days! Missionaries from Hungary, Morocco, Kenya, Cameroon, Lebanon, UK, Jordan, Turkey, Tunisia, etc. will be attending. God has provided and I am so excited to help people relax and refresh through massage therapy. ( http://www.catalystintl.org/ )

I will write again after the Breathe Conference! Thank you for your continued prayers and love this past year. Let me know how I can pray for you as well.

For Christ,

Rachel

PRAISE / PRAYER REQUESTS:

-His faithfulness and all He has taught me and done in my life this past year while being here! As well as the ways He has used me in the lives of so many kids and people here.

-The Race for the Blind next Sunday, June 19^th!

-Safe travels and time for me, as well as for the attendees of the Breathe Conference.

-My transition back to CA in a month and my search for a job.

May 3rd, 2011 - Southern Ethiopia and a Non-Profit

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings once again, I hope you are all doing well. As for this update, I must begin with thanking the Lord for His FAITHFULNESS and work both in my life and the lives of those around me. Living in a culture where poverty is constantly in front of me, the electricity regularly shuts off, and donkeys and cows are part of street traffic, the uncertainty of life is very evident and real. It causes me to constantly be reminded of where true peace and joy come from – not material possessions or comfort but the true love of Christ at work in and through us to one another. The kids I teach bring me so much joy and I am reminded that RELATIONSHIPS are what matter to the Lord.

About a month ago was our Spring Break. My roommate Monica and I took the opportunity to TRAVEL SOUTH to Arba Minch, Jinka, and see the Mursi people. We were blessed with a Christian Bajaj (taxi) driver in Arba Minch (which means 40 springs). He took us to the springs, crocodile farm, the airport and around. We visited the local DURZE TRIBE up in the hills where we saw the local market. I have never seen a people be so resourceful in my life. They use every single part of the bamboo and false banana leaf for food, baskets, chairs, local wine, etc. We took a 14-hour bus ride (suppose to be 6 hr.) to Jinka and made friends with everyone on the bus. We taught them some card games when we were broken down, and practiced our Amharic. We saw the Hamar, Bunnee and Mursi people, the latter of whom stretch out their lips, bash out their bottom teeth, and put clay plates in their lip. They also have many other markings and beads all over their bodies (pretty much the national geographic type photos). In Arba Minch we met up with one of our students and her dad who showed us his crocodile farm and the best local restaurants with fresh, full-sized, fried fish – fantastic! So Monica and I had a great break from school, enjoyed hanging out with our student outside of school, and are/were very thankful to see more of the COUNTRY and PEOPLE here in Ethiopia.

The East Africa INTERNATIONAL TRACK MEET was hosted in Addis Ababa at the American school in Addis. Bingham got THIRD place, which was a huge victory for us. The school from Oman won, the American school here got second and we got third. Both of those schools are much larger than we are along being equipped with more equipment. Schools from Kenya, Ethiopia, Oman, Egypt, etc. were present at the meet. Being at a track meet always makes me feel at home, and I loved watching my kids compete!

I am also really excited to be part of helping put on a race to raise money for the blind school we visited up north in Mekele awhile back. The efforts are headed up by Kathleen, a lady in Santa Barbara, who started a non-profit organization called BEAUTY FROM ASHES RISING. Please check out this site!: http://www.beautyfromashesrising.org/ as well as the attached form with more info about the race and details of the race profits.

I am still TEACHING ENGLISH at the Hosanna House, which is a joy. I am not a very good English teacher, but consider myself privileged to be a part of these girl’s lives. The woman, Tirset, who started the home, works for a Satelite Christian radio station in Las Angeles. Here is the link to the radio station and HBN television station if you are at all interested in seeing her work: http://www.hosannafoundation.org/ - http://www.hbntelevision.com/home.html .

Staff meetings, tennis practice, youth nights, Badminton, Injera bo wat, and funny kid comments continue to be a part of my normal life. Check out the new Bingham Academy WEBSITE: www.binghamacademy.net/index.php

And don’t hesitate to update me with your life. I am excited for the upcoming Breathe Conference upon my return home during the end of July, and the opportunity to minister to other missionaries who have been on the field for an extended period of time. THANKS AGAIN for all of your continued prayer and support for me! God alone knows the eternal impact you have made.

Blessings because of Christ,

Rachel Valliere

PRAISES AND PRAYER REQUESTS:

-Safety during times of travel.

-the relationships I have built with the students, co-workers and friends in Ethiopia.

-The opportunity to see the many facets of the Lord’s work here and to be a small part of it.

-My future and what job is next for me. I am open to suggestions/ideas!

-To end well and make the most of my time left here with the students.

http://www.hosannabroadcasting.com/ -

April 7, 2011 - Backpacking and Parent Conferences

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well and encouraged in the hope we have in Christ. Thanks for your constant love, prayers and encouragement! I sang this song yesterday: “Lord, now indeed I find, Thy power and Thine alone, can change a lepers spots and melt the heart of stone. JESUS PAID IT ALL, all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.” This last month has been full of activity. To start, I went BACKPACKING with some of the 9^th and 10^th grade students as a class project. They had to hike 40 Kilometers (~25 miles) in two days. The maps we had were from the 1970’s thus not very accurate in addition to not really hiking on any trail. So we hiked through dessert sand (hot), dirt roads, local villages, and many herds of cattle to our two lake destinations with our backpacks on. We were quite the sight for the village people. Some KEY WORDS from the trip include: Flamingoes, beautiful lakes, hot springs, sand storm, ostrich, camels, dust tornadoes, and hot filtered sulfur water to drink. The high-schoolers were tough but everybody had blisters and was tired by the end.

I had the sweet chance to SAY GOODBYE to a missionary couple who had been living in LANGANO for the past three years (4 hrs. south of Addis). I got to know them my first summer here in 2009 and it was a joy to spend some time with them here in Addis, say goodbye, and simultaneously see many Habasha (Ethiopian) friends who I was on staff with at the Sports Friends (soccer) camp with before.

We had parent teacher CONFERENCES two weeks ago and I met with over 40 parents to talk about their kids in my PE class. I really enjoyed the opportunity to share about what we have been doing in PE and my approach of making parallels with life: the importance of teamwork, perseverance, hard work and learning to have a good attitude both when you win and loose, because in life sometimes things go the way you like and sometimes they do not. For most of the parents I had good reports about their kids!

For my runner friends, I got to be within an arms length from HAILE GEBRSELASSIE! I ran in the Addis Ababa Women’s 5k and was the first forengie (white person). I had my picture taken with the winner, other runners, and squeezed in a picture with many others and Gebrselassie. I got to start right behind the elite field and there were over 9,000 runners in the race!

We had our first TENNIS match, which was really fun for me, as the coach, to watch my kids finally compete. They have made SO much progress! We took the middle school kids to a day at the pool for memory verse prize day and jumped off a 10-meter platform. I have still been TEACHING ENLGISH and am involved in putting on a HUGE RACE as a fundraiser for the blind kids up north in Mekele (stay tuned for more info). I got to visit two of my student’s (sisters) parents project near Addis in Dukem. He is the head of SOURCE OF LIGHT here in Ethiopia and is almost finished building a school, pastor training center and clinic for the local community. He still needs some more finances and figure out details with land from the government. It is amazing and inspiring to see so many people chasing after the vision God has given. Check out: http://www.sourcelight.org/regions-of-outreach/africa/ethiopia/

Some of you may remember last summer when my parents went to Switzerland to serve missionaries at a conference entitled Breathe. Well, I have been invited to serve on the volunteer staff at this 10-day conference as well. It is designed to give rest and refreshment to cross-cultural workers in difficult places all over the world. This type of support for missionaries and other Christian leaders overseas is often lacking (or non-existent in many regions) and as a result, many face on-going and overwhelming stress, exhaustion, family problems, illness and other forms of crises. I am so excited to be a part of the staff this summer (June 22 to July 2) and will be a MASSAGE THERAPIST. I will be part of a team of pastoral counselors, IT (computer) guys, therapists (my dad last summer), doctors, etc. The conference takes a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual aspects of life. Many cross-cultural workers who are single or work in Muslim cultures do not receive touch. Many live in dangerous cultures (political strife, bombings, threats on their lives) and carry the stress in their bodies. Therefore massage has been a vital part of the therapeutic process. School here at Bingham Academy ends June 17^th so the timing is perfect. Breathe is led by Dr. Daniel and Lori Hahn, who serve at Bible Fellowship Church in Ventura, California. You can check out http://breatheconference.org/ for more information. My flight home is basically paid for, so I need to raise $1000 to cover the conference costs. If you would like to also support me in this, checks can be made out to BFC/Catalyst Int’l and sent to Karen Narula c/o BFC/Catalyst Int’l, 6950 Ralston St., Ventura CA 93003 USA. All donations are tax deductible, just don’t put my name on the check. Instead just include on a piece of paper that it is to go to my account. Thank you SO MUCH for considering in supporting me in this as well, and please do not feel obligated!

God has been SO FAITHFUL and my source of JOY. Just yesterday a second grade girl (who is not very good in PE) said she had a secret to tell me. Then whispered in my ear that I am her favorite teacher. I always love to hear from you as well and am thankful for the way God uses body of Christ! May the Lord be your all in all!

Because of Christ,

Rachel

PRAISES AND PRAYER REQUESTS

-God’s protection while camping and daily throughout the city

-The joy my students bring and good parent teacher conferences.

-A couple of weeks ago over 60 churches and a large number of houses were burned down by Muslim extremists in the rural areas outside of JIMMA. 46 of the churches burned down were EKHC (protestant) Churches.

-To finish well and maximize my time as there are 2 months left!

-To trust in God for the future and what job is next when I return to the States!

March 6, 2011 - A Wedding and Teaching English

Dear Family and Friends,

I could write a novel! So much has gone on since my last update. But before the stories, I want to express my sincere thanks again for your love, prayers and support! I am truly thankful and know that I am loved because of the love of Jesus in your lives. The kids here bring me so much joy and laughter and I know the Lord alone sustains and provides for me! I trust and hope you as well are blessed.

Highlights: I went to an Ethiopian wedding, I am teaching English at a girl’s orphanage. I am more in touch with the world here. We got to buy and take books to the Ethiopian school next door.

Just this morning on our way to church there was a crazy naked man and two dead dogs in the median of the freeway type road. And a different crazy man stood right near our table outside as we were sipping our macchiato’s and he saluted to us started singing before he was escorted away by the parking lot attendant. The picture below is a standard car wash. =)

Well, here is another random story: my roommate Moinca and I had the opportunity to go to a SUPER nice Ethiopian wedding. Monica made friends with a girl whose sister was getting married on her flight back to Ethiopia after Christmas. The girl’s dad took Monica home from the airport and invited her to the wedding. Apparently that’s a normal thing to do in Ethiopia – invite basically strangers to a wedding! But we took the opportunity and there were many very important diplomatic, governmental and rich Ethiopian men – including the richest black man in the world, and his brother (sitting right behind me)! It was fun to experience the food, dancing and culture of an Ethiopian wedding celebration!

Three weeks ago my roommate Monica, Malisa and I started teaching English at a Christian girls orphanage. We were introduced to Tersit, a passionate Ethiopian lady who now lives in Los Angeles and runs a satellite Christian radio station in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and India. She started this orphanage about 5 years ago and was inspired by a young street girl who was raped and had a child. There are 19 girls super sweet girls who live there. They are taught the gospel, go to local government schools and are loved by Tersit like they are her own daughters. Her website and ministry is http://www.hosannabroadcasting.com/ and she is hoping to purchase the home that the girls live in within the next few months. Pray for me as I have never taught English before and do not have the best grammar or explanations as to why we talk like we do!

I had the opportunity to go with the grade 4 class to deliver math, Amharic and English books to the Ethiopian school next door. The fourth graders made goodies and had a bake sale to raise money in order to buy the books for the school. The kids were very appreciative and thankful to our students. It was an eye-opening experience for our kids and a lesson that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The middle school had a beach party last Saturday and we built a pool with a blue tarp and stacks of hay for the kids to play in. I was mobbed by a group of about 8 students who proceeded to carry me with my dry clothes on and dump me in the pool. We also had a water slide and water balloons to add to a great day in the sun.

I have been way more in touch with the world since being here and aware of big events such as Sudan spitting, the New Zealand earthquake, the turmoil in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, etc. I feel so much more connected to the world, being closer I suppose, and working with people from many different countries. I also have realized how the rest of the world is obsessed with football (soccer). It’s crazy how tons of men will pile into coffee shops and watch the European teams play. I often am asked which team is my favorite, and I’ve learned to respond with the most popular teams amongst our students (Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United)! Our JV boys soccer season, which I had been helping coach, has just ended with a first place win for the first time in Bingham history!

And to finish off with a fun quote from a 2^nd grader last week: “Miss Valliere I’m so excited, guess what?! I’m not gonna lie to you anymore!” He is a handful but I love him!

Take care and I always love to hear updates from you all as well!

“No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.”

For Christ,

Rachel

Praises and Prayer Requests:

-The opportunity to see so many humble Christian brothers and sisters who have a vision from God and are faithfully carrying it out here in Ethiopia. (The longer I am here the more I am getting to know the families and parents of my students and see their work here.)

-Thanks for your prayers with the miss-communication with the administration. Things have smoothed out and apologies have been made. God is working in my life and honestly is my faithful source of joy.

-Direction and guidance for what to do next year (next fall). Where and what to do for work and where to live!

-For Monica, Malisa and I as we teach English and get to know these 19 girls. (Ages 8-16)

Feb. 7, 2011 - A forest and blind school

Dear Family and Friends,

It is my joy to say hello to all of you again. I would not be here without your love, prayers, support and encouragement. Please let me know how I can be praying for you as well. So much has happened in these past 3 weeks.

First of all we had a day off of school due to an Orthodox holiday called Timket (which is the celebration of Jesus’ baptism). So, three of us girls took the opportunity to go camping in the Managasha forest/jungle about 2 hours away. It began with our first experience of getting gas in the city, and was then followed by many hello’s to village people on the roads. I enjoyed driving the ranger on the BUMPY roads, through a jungle filled with baboons, monkeys and bush buck (kind of like deer). Starting a fire was a challenge (at 9000 ft.), so thankfully we had the help of 2 forest rangers/guards, and we took a hike to a waterfall.

Two days later the three of us flew up north to Mekele where we were able to visit a government run blind school, a Christian orphanage and an Orthodox Bible college. It was a life changing experience to both see and be touched by the kids lives there. Many of the kids at the blind school had visual signs of being mal-nourished and once they graduate they are released to most likely a beggars life on the street. The lady (from Santa Barbara) who we went up there with is planning on starting a home for the kids who graduate where they can learn different trades and how to make a living. The orphanage was incredible, the kids are well taken care of, and the humble man who started it five years ago has a vision that one day it will be self-sufficient. They are hoping to use their land for dairy and agricultural purposes and start a school on the campus (which they have already begun building). There was a couple there from Indiana who met the two kids they are adopting for the first time. Words do not describe the emotion and love and joy for them to interact with their kids. With the kids at both the blind school and orphanage we sang songs, did crafts, danced, loved on them and were blessed to see a be a small part of their lives!

Teaching Middle School is going well. It is at a different level where I am able to communicate more “life lessons” through sport. Although with that, comes with the small cost of dealing with a little attitude. The first three weeks back for all my classes were filled with getting ready for Field Day, which was a really fun, all-school, two day track meet. It was such a joy for me to watch my kids compete! I see so much potential!

The new teachers are a joy and a fun addition to our group of single staff. We all were able to go bowling 2 nights ago and had a great time of bonding together. Please be praying for my roommate Monica, myself, the Heye Family, as there has been some mis-communication with the administration. We each have had separate issues but are thankfully able to pray and process through together. I am used to being called Miss Valliere and am so thankful for the countless hugs and encouraging exclamations from my students!

For Christ,

Rachel Valliere

Praises and Prayer Requests:

-A great two days of “Field Day”

-A great trip up to Mekele and the opportunity to see the Lord’s work there!

-The new teachers and my friendships here.

-To be the best teacher I can be and reach out to specific students.

-For the Heye family, Monica and myself.

-The kids at the blind school and orphanage. (If you feel so inclined to financially support the blind school, orphanage, or give supplies/resources for the Bible college please let me know!)