I'm Staying Another Year!

My 3rd & 4th Grade Class 2012-2013

Family and Friends,

Ever since I arrived back in Brazil in August, I have been feeling stressed, continuously busy, ill, worn out, and homesick.  As many of you know, I must announce on December 1^st whether I will renew my contract at Brasilia International School.  I have been praying for God’s direction and asking Him to be very clear in showing me what He wants me to do.  When He started answering me, I was entering this season that I mentioned at the beginning of the paragraph.  In my heart, I wanted to go home.  I was tired of being overwhelmed by those feelings, and when God began telling me to stay, I began feeling “trapped” here.  I didn’t want to stay if my life in Brazil was going to be filled with sickness, trial, stress, etc.  

We learned how to write our names in Japanese!

That’s when I was flipping through my journal and saw 1 Corinthians 16:7-9 written all over one of the color-filled pages:

“This time I don't want to make just a short visit and then go right on.  I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me.  In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost.  There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.” - 1 Corinthians 16:7-9 NLT

I was reminded of God’s love for me and His call on my life to come to Brazil to teach kids from all over the world, many of whom have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  So, my heart now echoes Paul in verse nine, “There is a wide-open door for a great work here,” and for this reason, I am choosing to stay for another year. 

I have great friends here! 

So, I ask you, once again, to come along side with me through you support for: prayerfully, relationally, and financially.  To make giving as easy as possible, I have included some step by step instructions for the online Automatic Donation Service with NICS, as well as their mailing information.  Please carefully read the instructions and for tax purposes, do not include my name on any checks, but only my project number: 003519. 

Please continue to follow my blog and see what God is doing in my life and in the lives of my students: www.dawnadredsduke.blogspot.com 

Thank you for partnering with me in ministry!

They seem to take after their teacher: SILLY!

To donate online:

1.     Go to http://nics.org/Donate-start

2.     Choose “Recurring Donation” or “Single Donation”

3.     Under the section labeled “Apply My Donation Toward,” choose “Missionary Support.”

4.     Insert My Project Number: 003519

5.     Fill out the remainder of the form with the correct information for either credit card donations or online bank transfers

6.     Click “Process My Donation”

7.     You will receive a tax-deductible receipt.

8.     Questions?  Call: (800) 887-6427

Compost: Fun & Smelly

To donate via mail:

1.     Make checks out to: Network of International Christian Schools

2.     In the “Memo” section of the check, please write my Project Number: 003519.  For tax purposes, do not write my name on the check.  You will receive a tax-deductible receipt. You can include a separate note with my name and project number if you feel uneasy about sending your donation without it.

3.     Mail the check to:

NICS (Finance Dept)

3790 Goodman RD E

Southaven, MS 38672

4.     Questions?  Call: (800) 887-6427

Jessica & Jonathan Axworthy @ NERD Prom

Please pray for the following:

1.  Me to be a great teacher of all content areas: Math, Reading, Social Studies, Science, Bible, Computer, Health.  My Class Blog

2. My students to be great students (They already are amazing!  But, for them to really internalize each of the subjects)

3. As you know, I live with a Brazilian-American family, The Axworthys.  We are really wanting to move to a new house.  So, pray that God will provide us with a reasonably priced house in a safe part of town.  

4.  Good Health & Safety 

Gonna see this girl soon!  

5.  My friend Sarah will be coming to visit in December and January!  I'm so excited!  Pray for an awesome visit.  

6.  SMASH - The youth ministry that I am involved with here in Brasilia.  

7.  My car is constantly having problems here, so for the right mechanic to fix it!  It's a continuously frustrating battle!
8.  Our projector bulb that we use for SMASH and other things burned out the other day.  So, if you are interested in helping to purchase or donating a new one please email me.

With much love, 

Dawna "Dreds" Duke