Novō News // September 2024

Hello, I’m Brandon, a recovering addict. I want to tell you my story.

I lived my life to get high. I lost my identity and my dignity because of drugs. I lost my business. I was on the verge of losing my family. I couldn’t live without drugs, or so I thought…

One day, I said, “Enough!” and asked my family for help. I was honest and told them that I was a drug addict and I couldn’t continue living like that because my life was empty. I tried many times to recover, but it was in vain. I couldn’t until I found out about the Novō centre.

I decided to go to hospital for a detox. The first few days were very difficult because of the withdrawal. I couldn’t sleep or stay calm. I was very anxious and my body was craving for the drug, but I was strong and decided not to let myself be defeated. There was a phrase that helped me daily: “I choose not to drink today.”

And, so it was, thanks to the Novō program that taught me so much. I recovered my identity and, little by little, I started making good decisions and developing good habits. I started to get my smile back! I realised how beautiful life is when I’m sober.

Today, I’ve been clean for 8 months thanks to brother Bruno’s teachings, the therapies with brother Oscar, the time with the volunteers, and Pastor David and his wisdom.

I have recovered my family and I am working so that they trust me again. I have a job, go to the gym daily, attend DCN church and I’m studying graphic design and marketing at  Domingo Savio University.

Today, I feel much better physically, mentally and spiritually! I am very grateful to Novō for turning me into a new and useful man, a person who is good for society and my family.

Thank you, Novō.

Lots has been happening at Quinta Totaices since we last wrote, much of it the routine stuff of a Christian residential recovery community.

Day by day, the staff team create an environment in which our residents experience the love, security, guidance, and encouragement, needed for healing and growth. Devotions, therapeutic groups, work duties, 1-1 counselling, nutritious meals, exercise, and simply being together all contribute to the residents’ renewal.

Month by month, the guys work through the seven stages of the Novo programme, each with a different focus (e.g. Identity in Christ, Facing the Past, Deepening Relationships), to ensure they are prepared spiritually, emotionally, physically, and relationally for a future free from drugs and alcohol.

In addition to all this, over the past couple of months:

• We hosted a day for the families of our residents, which included a workshop on how to establish healthy boundaries. We plan to run these “family days” 2-3 times a year as we focus on developing this side of the work in Bolivia.

• Our graduates got together for an evening to celebrate and encourage one another over a good meal! One of the highlights was hearing how 90% of those present are actively involved in a local church.

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) delivered a workshop on international addiction treatment standards for our staff team.

We’re encouraged as we see Novo’s impact gradually extending beyond Bolivia.

• It’s been exciting to see the first men completing the programme at Centro Mahanaim  (Nicaragua) since they began using Beyond Addiction, the Novo recovery programme. Inspired by Marvin’s trip to Bolivia, Centro Mahanaim has also started celebrating these programme completions with a graduation event.

• I (Andy) began September at the International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition (ISAAC) global conference in Kuala Lumpur. 100+ Christian addiction recovery workers gathered from 18 nations for ISAAC’s first conference since the pandemic. It was great to meet people from Pakistan, Honduras, Nigeria, Uganda (and many other places), to deliver a workshop on the role of hope in recovery, and to be invited to join the network’s Steering Group.

• In October, we’re looking forward to welcoming Mario Rincand, from Loma de Gracia, a recovery community in southern Nicaragua, on a 10-day training visit to Quinta Totaices.

• We’re thrilled that Hope in Addiction is now available in Spanish on Amazon in both Paperback and Kindle e-book and for a donation that allows us to purchase 50 copies to distribute in Bolivia, Nicaragua, and other Spanish-speaking contacts.

It’s always amazing to see the diverse ways in which God provides for this work!

In July, a group of Novo supporters in the UK completed our Big Summer Walk, raising over £4,500, and a local supporter in Bolivia donated a side of beef! During the same period, God also provided through designated gifts for travel and books, regular monthly giving, one-off gifts, and the time and energy our volunteers, trustees, and prayer supporters invested in Novō.

God’s provision comes in all shapes and sizes!

However you feel prompted to support, we are tremendously grateful for you and the help that brings this ministry to life.