6 Sep 2022
Novō Padrinos / An Invitation
As summer turns to autumn and an exciting new season begins for Novo, I’m writing…
News // June 2022
“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 34:18, NLT
Rescue Mission
Since the first seeds for Novō were planted, back in 2008, through its formal launch in 2015 and the opening of Quinta Totaices in 2016, the belief that God’s heart is for those gripped by addiction has underpinned everything. “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Ps 34:18).
Thirty-four men have now graduated from Novo’s community in Santa Cruz, with many more profoundly impacted by their time with us. It is God’s love that calls, strengthens, and inspires us in this work. God’s generosity, expressed through His people, has provided for everything we have needed over the past seven years. It is God who transforms lives from the inside out. Who, or what else, is capable of doing that?
As we look ahead to the future development of Novō Bolivia and to laying the foundations for Novō in Nicaragua, we do so with our confidence in Him. In the God who is close to the broken-hearted and inspires us to join Him in His rescue mission.
"I was losing what I love the most"
“My name is Jose Luis Maldonado. I’m 47 years old and have been on the Novō programme for 12 weeks.
“For 15 years, I was lost in alcoholism. I lived in Argentina, but this alcohol addiction led me to lose everything. I lost work, friends, and family. I have four children, two sons and two daughters. I only have contact with one of my daughters, who lives in Peru.
“Finding myself entirely alone, I decided to return to Bolivia. My parents and siblings accepted me back into the family home and helped me to find help for my addiction.
“I decided to join the Novō programme because I saw that I was losing what I love the most, my family, and everything due to alcohol addiction. Things were getting out of control, and everything was different. I no longer had control of myself. I felt very sick. That’s why I decided to ask for help.
“The program is helping me recover my family’s trust and reconnect with God. The individual sessions with the psychologists are helping me to focus on working through the emotional part of my problem. They enable me to understand the addiction that brought me to this place. The advice they give me brings me face to face with myself. It’s helping me to learn to make the right decisions.
“I’m committed to continuing with my recovery. I hope to return to working as a mechanic and driver and to have a better quality of life. I want to make a positive contribution to society. I no longer want to be someone who is a concern to others.
UK catch-up event
If you’re in the southeast of England, please join us to hear more about what’s happening in Bolivia with Novo Communities and Adventures, along with our plans for Nicaragua.
DATE: Sunday 10th July
TIME: 12.30 – 14.00
LOCATION: Kerith Community Church, Bracknell, RG12 1EH.
To sign-up and to get directions, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/preview?eid=362986100197/
We’d love to see you there!
A week in the life of Quinta Totaices
As a residential community operating 365 days a year, 24/7, there’s always something going on at Novō Santa Cruz! The following gallery gives you a taste of all that might happen in a typical week.
From top-left to bottom-right, the images show:
1) Staff enjoying Salteńas during a staff meeting in honour of Bruno’s (Recovery Worker) birthday.
2) Residents completing a personality test as part of the therapeutic group on ‘Character & Attitude’.
3) Graduate Ricardo visits for a 1-1 session with the therapeutic team, along with his wife.
4) Residents enjoying a Sunday evening BBQ!
5) David (Director) and Bruno (Recovery Worker) participate in a workshop conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
6) Residents relaxing with a game of table tennis (the table was recently donated by a local supporter).
7) Residents and staff participating in a church 6-a-side football tournament.
8) A donation of essentials arrives from the family of a resident.
9) A special lunch: steak sandwich and fries!
10) Sunday service at Dios Con Nosotros church.
11) Wednesday morning whole-community devotional time.
12) Novo Servicios work project at a Christian retreat centre.
Thank you!
Thank you for your ongoing support for Novō! Your help enables us to help men in addiction find freedom from addiction and new life in Christ.
- If you would like to begin supporting Novō with a regular monthly donation, becoming a Novō Padrino, please click on the ‘donate’ button.
- If you are able to make a one-off gift at this time, please click on the ‘donate’ button. Your support will meet immediate needs.
- If you would like to join our WhatsApp prayer group, please email andy@novocommunities.org
- If you have any questions, or your church or business is interested in supporting Novō, please email andy@novocommunities.org
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