Monthly Archives: May 2017

May 09 2017
1

Stories of Transformation: Meet Ulises

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

 

 
STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION
MEET ULISESUlises, 35, was the second resident to join the Novō programme at Quinta Totaices in mid-December, and he is still with us today. This makes him our longest standing resident and an important role model for newer residents – as well as the ‘guinea pig’ for each aspect of our 7-stage programme!
Ulises is a drug-addict and alcoholic who lived on the streets of Santa Cruz for 15 years, having fallen with a gang at the age of 14.

He was in a poor physical state when he arrived, with various joints out of place from where he’d been hit by a bus, some months earlier, and left on the side of the road. He has been receiving medical help for his shoulder and arm, which are now healing well.
Emotionally, after the novelty of being in a comfortable home and being immensely grateful for this, the hard work began for Ulises.

One particular ‘breakthrough’ came as he demonstrated a willingness to be vulnerable with his peers during a therapy group. The group touched on a sensitive issue relating to his childhood and Ulises allowed his leaders and peers to see the sadness and turmoil the session was stirring-up. In the days after the group we saw glimpses of Ulises’s anger and a withdrawal from full engagement with the programme, but it was good that he felt safe enough to remove his polite and happy ‘mask’ and become more real.

One major hurdle, and a required programme ‘objective’, was to prepare and present his autobiography, which Ulises did successfully in front of his peers and two staff members. This was a significant and life-changing achievement.
It is incredible to see how Ulises’s confidence has improved while he has been with us. At the start, he was shy and quiet in his manner but in a recent church service he attended (where he didn’t know anyone) he had the boldness to stand-up, introduce himself, and promote Novō’s car-washing business to acquire new clients!
Ulises came to Novō with a genuine Christian faith and now, free from drugs & alcohol and in the heart of a Christ-centred community, he’s rediscovering his relationship with God. It’s a joy to see this happening and to begin to imagine what God has in store for Ulises in the future.

When asked about his goals and dreams for future, this is Ulises’ response:

“I want to carry-on and finish the Novō programme and then I want to go to technical school so that I can learn a trade, provide for myself, and be able to help all the others like me who are still on the streets.”
Please pray for Ulises, that he will reach his goals, and for the 7 other men currently on the Novō programme, perhaps praying these words from
Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians:“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:18-20)
SUPPORTING NOVŌ Ulises’ story would be very different were it not for the generosity of all of those who are supporting practically!

In 2017, as we work to see local sources of funding (including the business) move the project towards financial sustainability, we need to raise a monthly minimumof £5,500GBP / $9,000CAD / $7,000USD. 

As we trust in God to provide for these immediate needs can we ask you to consider partnering with us to meet these immediate needs?

Your financial support, whether with a one-time gift or a regular monthly donation, will enable more men like Ulises to find freedom and new life Christ!


Novō is a charity which is dedicated to pursuing a singular vision – the vision of creating transformational communities in developing nations where hurting and broken people can find healing, wholeness and hope.

Donate