Dani Duvall
Goiânia, Brazil
Quarterly Update
(January –March 2011)

It’s hard for me to imagine that three months ago around this time, I was beginning to feel the urgency to run around buying the final things I needed (medicine, batteries, “teacher clothes”, teaching supplies, etc.) It’s now the beginning of April, Institute of Christian Music & Missions (ICMM) has officially opened, and I am completely submerged in my English classes, Portuguese classes, Bible studies, and mentorship(s). I am teaching three English classes this semester: two (a beginner and an advanced) are for our English Immersion School, and the third is a beginner class for our Music students with ICMM. I have Portuguese classes four days a week (Monday through Thursday) with a lady from my church, Lilia, which are incredibly helpful—and necessary. Along with my classes, I attend church here at Igreja de Cristo: Novo Horizonte—the same church that has allowed us use of its facilities for our school. We have church services Thursday & Sunday evenings and “Sunday School” on Sunday mornings.

It’s amazing to think of how much I’ve grown since I’ve been here. Being completely submerged in a new culture and language makes the learning of that language much faster, but not necessarily easier. Portuguese is a beautiful language and though I have hit many walls that I have had to work hard to overcome, Gloria a Deus, He has helped me surpass them all! The friends that I have made here often correct me when I miss-speak, which I admit does frustrate me at times, but I learn so much more because of them; for this I am very grateful. I have also grown spiritually. This month I’ve started meeting two times a week with my friend Karen—pictured below—doing our own Bible study/accountability time. I’ve also started another Bible study with a few people over “Discipling” on Thursday nights before church. In my own personal study I have also become more dedicated—reading the Bible and doing a devotional every morning. It’s great to wake up and “have breakfast” with God—the first thing I do in the morning and it sets me right the rest of my day.

I also have some incredibly exciting news to share with everyone! This June I will be joining Central Brazil Mission on their Medical Missions Boat! I will be joining a team coming from Journey Christian Church (VA) to travel to Manaus, Brazil, travel up and down the Amazon, help in whatever way possible—translating, cooking, keeping the boat in order, working with different villages along the Amazon—for 10 days. This is where I need a little more help from you. This trip is going to cost around $1000 US dollars and I need your help in reaching that goal! If you would like to make a donation for my trip, you can (1) Make all checks out to: Central Brazil Mission & Memo: Danielle Duvall—School of Ministry; and (2) Send all checks to:

Cathy Duvall
2156 Kingsford Dr.
Florissant, MO. 63031

I’m doing my hardest here in both my work and my acquiring Portuguese. Actually, earlier this week I was really challenged in thinking about my work here. Am I doing enough? Could I be doing more? Is my work actually fruitful? And a thousand more questions similar to these. I want you to know that though I am still pondering and working through those questions, I do believe that my work here is fruitful: I hear only positive things from the students, I’m able to hold one-on-one conversations about Jesus with others, and my personal spiritual life is flourishing. I do believe that God has brought me here for a purpose (of which I know that I am teaching English and able to work with Karen weekly; as well as the unexpected conversation I had with Tia Ivani (the woman I live with; pictured below) a couple weeks ago when she told me that she believes God brought me here to help her become more disciplined in her personal devotional life/to become more dedicated to seeking God through His Word). I believe that He is blessing both my work and the work being done in the school (& in my house!), and that I am doing my hardest to make sure I fulfill that purpose; maybe even exceed it.

In my personal study of the Bible recently, I have been confronted with the image of God as my “refuge” and “provider.” Psalm 4:7-8 says, “YOU HAVE PUT MORE JOY IN MY HEART THAN THEY HAVE WHEN THEIR GRAIN & WINE ABOUND. IN PEACE I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN & SLEEP; FOR YOU ALONE, O LORD, MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY.” Here both are shown: God can (and does) fill our hearts with joy and He can make us more satisfied than anything you or I could EVER do without Him. What’s even more striking about this is that when you delve further into the book of Psalms—and scripture in general—you will find how Awesome and Powerful God is (Psalm 46, 47). Why on earth would He provide refuge for me? Because of His Love (1 John 4:7-21).

I ask for continued prayers for: my work here; for the school Institute of Christian Music & Missions; for Rafa & Drew and the rest of the teachers here; and for the students—that they continue to pursue both their schooling with us as well as God with desire and passion.

You all have blessed me so much more than I can ever express, so I’ll just use a simple “Thank You.” You can follow me with weekly updates on my blog at http://dduvall.wordpress.com and/or email me at dani.duvall@gmail.com.

God Bless You All,

Deus te abençoe,

Dani Duvall