“Let it be said of us,
While we walked among the living.
Let it be said of us,
By the ones we leave behind.
Let it be said of us,
That we lived to be a blessing for life.”
John Waller, “The Blessing”
These lyrics flow through my mind today as I think about our opportunity to be a blessing in the hearts and lives of Oklahoma City’s inner-city boys and girls. An amazing mission field is right here in front of us, and with God’s help, we are doing EVERYTHING we can to reach these boys and girls to make a difference… but we can’t do it alone. For just the cost of a movie ticket or a few Starbucks drinks, YOU have the opportunity to be a blessing, to leave a legacy, and to change a child’s life – a child just like Yamilex.
Yamilex wakes up many mornings unsure of what the day will hold. She hears her grandma coughing from across the hall and wonders if she will be admitted into the hospital again today for lung failure. Her eyes rest on the photo of her mom’s last visit home – will her mom be back soon? Her heart cringes as her eyes move to Tyrone’s place in the picture. She remembers being scared as the police came to take him away late one night. Yamilex very much wants a daddy; her two sisters have daddies that live elsewhere, but she is left with no one to give a Father’s Day card. Her current realities hardly seem to be the picture of carefree days and scrapbook-worthy memories.
But once a week things are a little different for Yamilex. She looks forward to going to a Novo Bible Club in her school and getting to be a kid again, even if it’s just for a few hours. She plays games, eats a yummy snack, and has a lot of fun! Her mentor encourages her to honor her mom, and also helps her see how to avoid making poor choices like many of her peers. Once a week, Yamilex hears that she was created for a purpose; a vision is being cast into her life that is bigger than her imagination can even comprehend right now! We watch with joy as Yamilex begins to understand and own the truths she hears from her mentor and makes good choices.
At Novo, we see the heart-breaking realities of our inner-city communities on a daily basis. We see broken families, shattered dreams, and hopeless lives. We want these inner-city boys and girls to have happy, innocent, and carefree childhoods where they are loved and can play outside without the fear of drive-by shootings, gang activity, or prostitution. There are days when we look at the devastation that characterizes so many of these communities and change seems impossible. However, we know that change is possible when you know the Author of life-change. Novo is busy educating, empowering, and equipping the faith community to counteract these challenges and negative realities; we are committed to make a real and lasting difference here in this city.
In order for us to continue making a difference for children like Yamilex, we need your financial support. From now through the end of the year, all contributions to Novo Ministries will be matched – dollar for dollar – up to our $200,000 target goal! Our Board of Directors and a few key friends of Novo Ministries have generously pledged $100,000 to help double each and every gift between now and the end of the year. Please consider sending a gift today with the enclosed response card or go on-line to donate from our website. Even if we can’t change all of the realities our boys and girls face, we can provide guidance, give support, and introduce them to the One who gives them hope and purpose. You can be a part of real and lasting life-change. Give today and see a child’s life forever changed.
Ask Yamilex… it’s worth it.
Michelle’s been coming to Novo Bible Club for several months now, and we’ve enjoyed watching her grow, despite some of the harsh realities that characterize her life as a child living in the inner city. Michelle loves coming to Novo Bible Club and spending time with her leader, Miss Jenny, and learning about God and the purpose He has for her life. Michelle happily told us, “Miss Jenny teaches us how to be friends. When you get in trouble, she tries to help you and she makes you always have a smile… She makes you feel like you’re special!” 
