News // March 2022

Andy writes…

Novo’s vision is to bring new life to individuals, peace to families, and hope to communities ravaged by addiction. How do we do that? By empowering God’s people in developing nations to create transformational communities that offer healing, wholeness, and hope.

For a little while now, Mickey and I have been wondering when our time in Bolivia might draw to a close. Celebrating the 5th anniversary of Quinta Totaices towards the end of last year confirmed a growing sense that Novō Bolivia is ready for life without us here permanently. Indeed, the next steps of growth and development may well be aided by us being further afield.

Our expectation had been that a move away from Bolivia would mean a return to the UK. This seemed to ‘make sense’ and after a demanding 7 years in Bolivia, seemed good to us. However, not for the first time, it seems our expectations and God’s plans weren’t fully aligned. Towards the end of July, as we first started to talk seriously about a return to the UK, we were hit, quite independently, by a strong sense that whilst God was calling us away, he wasn’t calling us home. Rather, his next step for our family is for us to move to a new place to establish Novo in a second location.

Since that point, with the UK trustees we’ve been weighing up if that sense is from God and, if so, where we should be heading. As part of this process, we made virtual connections in Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. Mickey and I have both made exploratory trips to Nicaragua. Having done so, we have a shared sense that God is calling Novo to Nicaragua.

There are several reasons why we sense Nicaragua is where we should go:

• The needs in the country – Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, after Haiti.
• The potential in a connection made with Rommel & Ana Raudales, missionaries with LAM who lead Quien Soy Yo?, a ministry with a long-term vision to start a residential rehabilitation center and are looking for the kind of help that Novo offers.
• Nicaragua’s proximity to Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala – places with massive addiction problems and an often harrowing approach to addiction rehabilitation (www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28934795)
• The potential for Novo Adventures to offer tours across Central America.
• God’s peace and provision as we’ve moved forward.

The team in Bolivia has been part of the process. They feel ready for what’s coming, understand Novo’s commitment to Bolivia is as strong as ever, and recognize the vital role they will play in supporting and equipping our team in Nicaragua.

Looking ahead, we’re all excited to see what God will do and how he’ll do it. We have open minds and open hands, are ready to follow Him step-by-step. Our trust is in Him and His wisdom, guidance, provision, and purposes.

So what’s next?

We aim to arrive in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, at the beginning of August 2022. We know we need to take our time during that first year, to settle the kids well, to learn and build relationships, and to discern God’s plan. In addition to being connected via WhatsApp and Zoom, Andy will make at least two trips a year back to Bolivia to support the Novo Communities and Adventures teams.

In all that lies ahead, we’d so value your prayers:

• For David (Novo Communities) and Lewis (Novo Adventures) as they lead things forward in Bolivia and for the whole of the team in Bolivia.
• For financial provision as we expand Novō’s ministry to other places of need.
• For grace, courage, wisdom, peace, guidance, protection, and strength as we lay foundations for Novō Nicaragua.

If you like to hear more about how you, your church, or your business can partner with Novo as we move forward in Nicarague, do get in touch with me at andy@novocommunities.org

On the 2nd January, we were shocked to hear of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Marco Antonio, just a week after testing positive for COVID.

Marco joined us in January 2019 and quickly became a much-loved and integral member of the team. His work involved leading the residents each day in their work responsibilities, supervising evenings and weekends, and overseeing our kitchen.

To know Marco was to be blessed by his irrepressible joy, his infectious laugh, his living faith in Christ, his readiness to go above and beyond, and his exceptional culinary gifts. Our whole Novō community (staff, residents, ex-residents) will miss him. Our future residents will miss out on the light and life he would have brought to their lives, just when they needed it most

We give thanks to God for Marco’s life and the time we were able to share working towards the dream of seeing lives transformed and men set free from addiction. Our prayers continue with Marco’s family and all those whose lives he blessed.

• On Saturday 5^th March we enjoyed another graduation evening. Congratulations, Ricardo, Jose Ignacio, and Reinaldo!
• We have a new website at www.novocommunities.org Among other improvements, you can now donate to our UK charity directly on the website and find all our latest news and media. You’ll also find links to online giving portals in the US and Canada. Do take a look around the new site and keep it in mind as a reference point if your church, small group, friends, or family are interested in learning more about Novō.
• In recent weeks it’s been good to both receive training and help to equip others in their ministry to those battling addiction. At the start of February, the whole team spent time with Jony Munoz, a counsellor and former member of the Yeldall Manor therapeutic team, learning about Process Groups and considering how they might be integrated into the Novō programme. Over the past few weeks, our very own Oscar Cabrera has been delivering training to the team from Anchor of Hope, a ministry that works with homeless and vulnerable children/youth here in Santa Cruz. Anchor of Hope plans to launch a weekly Novō group to begin working more intentionally to address the addiction issues of those they serve.

At this key moment in Novo’s story, we want to thank you for your support for Novo. As we step forward in obedience to what we believe God is saying, we so value your prayerful and financial support.

If you’re based in the UK, you can donate and complete a Gift Aid declaration directly on our website. If you’re in the US or Canada you’ll find links to the giving portals of our partner, the Great Commission Foundation.

If you have any questions, or your church or business is interested in exploring a partnership with Novō, please email andy@novocommunities.org

Thank you!