Let me start by saying this.... I really don't like blogging, love writing but don't like blogging and even though I do love writing, I'm no English professional so forgive me for my incomplete sentences and improper use of the English language. However, I feel this is the easiest and most effective way for you to know what's going on in my life and how you can be praying for me. So because your prayers are far more valuable than my dislike for blogging, here we are. I will try and blog no less than monthly while I'm still here in the States and no less than bi-weekly while I'm in Mexico.
As many of you know I still am not 100% sure that I will be moving to Mexico and volunteering at Door of Faith. While this is and has been my desire for the last 1.5 years there are still some little details that are being worked out and I have yet to get a definite answer from the orphanage director but I've started the "process" regardless. In December of '09 I moved back to my hometown of Placerville, CA to live with a couple named Mike and Kate Logan from Green Valley Community Church (GVCC) who graciously opened their doors to me and are providing me with a place to live and to save money while I work towards my goal of moving to Mexico. I'm still working as a server at Olive Garden just now I'm in Folsom and God has crazily blessed me with a second gig at Denny's working the GRAVEYARD shifts 2-3 times nights a week so needless to say, I'm exhausted. God has really been testing my patience and my desire to be a good witness to those I work with in the secular world. With the two jobs and being involved in youth and worship ministry at GVCC I haven't had a full day off in the last month, I've always got something scheduled but it's good and I am really thankful for the relationships I've been building at Green Valley and will be sad to leave them when I do. The enemy has definitely been trying to use my weakness when I'm tired to cause me to not want to do my daily devotions or maybe to not be a very good Christ-like example at work.... I'm not perfect and it's been hard, so pray if you would.
As far as my Mexico plans are concerned... I am currently at $-6,000.00 :( Because of a series of unfortunate and somewhat foolish events when I lived in so-cal I have that 6k dollar debt. 6k alone really isn't that large of a debt paid off over a year or even 6 months for that matter. The problem is my goal is to move to Mexico on May 1st, 2010. That means I have to make 2k dollar payments at the end of February, March, and April for this to be possible. The problem is my new Olive Garden in Folsom is much slower and I'm only bringing in around $1,000 per month compared to the $1,800-$2,000 I was making per month in so-cal, thus the need for a 2nd job.
I still have no clue how I'm going to make $6k in the next 3 months and maybe I won't. Maybe I won't move to Mexico until June 1st, or even July 1st, or never. I am a firm believer that my life is not my own. I am in His hands now and always have been. You know, little side note for you here. I've been doing a 365 study with my friend Brendan from DOFO and we just finished Genesis and just started Exodus.... It is AMAZING to see God's ultimate control and His pure faithfulness in fulfilling His promises for His people. At the same time we've been reading through Psalms, Matthew and Acts. To step back and see the unrelenting faith of the early believers in Acts, the faithfulness of David in Psalms, and to watch the life and ministry of my Savior unfold in Matthew, I have been extremely encouraged and convicted in this last month and a new meaning has come to the words "all scripture is inspired by God..." 1 Tim 3:16 Our God is powerful, wonderful, loving, just, kind, sovereign, and has me right in His arms, I need not worry. All that just to say that I know who am I, and am excited to watch God's wonderful plan for my life unfold. I know that God makes us passionate to serve Him and God has instilled in me a passion to serve at DOFO I cannot explain. It's like nothing I've ever felt before and when I'm there I have this unexplainable joy. There is no feeling like serving the God of the universe where He has made you passionate. I have a yearning desire to be in Mexico and everyday my heart aches for the kids at DOFO. I long to be with them and to serve them; I cannot thank you enough for your prayers in this journey.
Things to be praying for
-Focus. that throughout the chaos of my schedule that I would continue to focus on devoting the necessary time alone one on one with Jesus.
-Money issues. I know He will provide, but just that I would continue to trust that He will. Too often I find myself thinking I should have gotten a better tip or more tables in a shift and asking Him "why didn't You have them tip me more? every cent counts ya know?" So that I would continue again, to focus.
-Witnessing opportunities. Living up here and seeing old friends and talking to customers at work I'm constantly asked "so, why'd you move back?" This brings an EXCELLENT opportunity to share my testimony and how God's working in my life. So pray that I would have the courage and not only courage, but that I'd be excited and unashamed to share what God is doing in my life.
I do appreciate your prayers and if you feel God has put it on your hear to support me financially with a one time donation or are interested in being a monthly supporter (honestly, no donation is too small)
send 1 time donations to (while I still live in the U.S.)
603 Canal Street Placerville, CA 95667... checks made out to Ernest Duke
or for information on becoming a monthly supporter please contact me at 530.651.4469 or through email at ernesto42189@yahoo.com
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