Months ago I could not even put into words what I wanted from this position at Novo. I couldn’t express what I wanted to feel… I just knew that it needed to be different than the way that it was. I knew I needed it to feel more like home. To feel more real. To feel less forced. And to know that it was my destiny for this time in my life. It didn’t always feel natural. It didn’t always feel right. It felt like too big of a challenge. Like too much work. Not enough pay. But then I started to feel changes.

Tonight as the kids started filing in I ran to each of them, embraced them, and my heart ACHED with genuine, undignified, unrestrained love for them. I can only be certain that I have never felt so at home than I did right then in that moment.

I was incredibly blessed that one of the older boys came to Club early while the Canvassing teams were out and before anyone had gotten back. We stood just outside of the apartment, in the breeze, talking while we waited for the other kids and teachers to get back. He said, “Miss Abby! I heard that the story today is about Jesus! I am SO pumped to hear about it. Last week I was playing outside and I could just feel something that was telling me ‘go to Bible Club, go to Bible Club’ and so I looked all over to find you guys. I was so glad that I did!” Later in the conversation he told me, which we had started to realize last week, that some of the kids pick on him. I asked him if he knew why and he said that it was because he was annoying, but that he “tried not to be.” I told him that I did not find him annoying and that I loved that I was getting to know him. I asked him if it hurt his feelings that the kids picked on him and he said, “No, because I know that it’s probably because they are going through something hard. And I have been through that before.” Even as I write this I am tearing up. He went on to tell me about his less-than-adequate father who put he and his mom through a lot of pain. He told me about his uncle who has invested in him. His step-dad who loves him. I could not stop smiling because this sweet little boy already knows the redemption of His Creator.

I can’t understand why I would be trusted with the job that I have been given. I can’t understand how such a blessing could have literally fallen into my lap.

Learn how you can make a difference for children like Eathon by volunteering or our child sponsorship program!

Thank you, Thunder, for the simple, amazing gift of a book.

Check out this video from the Rolling Thunder Book Bus stop at our program at Ambassador Courts Apartments!

Click here to check out our original blog on the Book Bus!

Click here to read about our trip to watch the Thunder in action!

By: Bryan Painter, The Daily Oklahoman
Published: July 22, 2011
CLICK HERE to read the original article on newsok.com

Cool air flows from six vents as the little boy sinks his teeth into a peach. The juice drips onto his peach fuzz-covered face.

The little girl with flowers on her shirt and hair in braids nibbles at one end of a sub sandwich.

And Valerie Sherrer, founder of Novo Ministries, watches and smiles, her heart warmer than the triple-digit temperatures the children have escaped on a recent day by gathering in the Ambassador Courts Community Center, 800 SE 15.

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma works with several partners in Oklahoma City to provide public summer feeding sites for children.

Those partners include Novo Ministries, whose staff oversees the program for children under age 18 at two locations, and assists at a third community center.

While any child can come for the meals, those attending are often from low-income families.

And while the main issue is often hunger, the heat wave has added to the importance of the sites.

On Thursday, Oklahoma City reached triple digits for the 29th time this year, continuing to close in on the record of 50 days at 100 degrees or higher in 1980.

Children can come for the meal and either leave right after or stay for a program provided by employees of Novo Ministries.

An added blessing

“I definitely think the heat has made the summer feeding program even more important,” Sherrer said. “That’s simply because although some people have access to air conditioning, others don’t have access to air conditioning or even fans.”

In 2004, Sherrer asked to start faith-based, after-school and summer programs at some of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority’s community centers. Novo Ministries has facilitated weekly Novo Bible Club programs at 17 sites throughout the metro. Last year, the nonprofit also became involved in the summer feeding program at Oak Grove Housing Development.

This year, Oak Grove is feeding about 30 to 35 children per day, while another 30 to 45 come to the Ambassador Courts.

At 2:45 on a recent afternoon, Elizabeth Rauch, the Ambassador Courts site coordinator, looks at 31 children — ranging in age from 3 to 17 years — and tells them it’s time for the afternoon meal. The littlest ones yell with excitement and form a line to pick up their brown paper bag and a small, cold carton of milk.

Gathering around six tables, they pull sandwiches, tomatoes and either peaches, apples or oranges from the sacks.

Assistance is needed

Among the children are those of Apollonia Murillo, who lives at Ambassador Courts and works for Novo Ministries. She helps with the meals and snacks in the summer feeding and tutors during the school year. Right now her husband is out of work in the construction business and searching for employment.

She is extremely thankful for the summer meals provided by the Regional Food Bank.

“I’m on a budget and a lot of families in this neighborhood are on a budget,” she said. “We’re used to sending our kids to school, and they eat two meals at school. When they’re out for the summer, sometimes our food budget really doesn’t stretch enough for those extra meals.

“So it helps out a lot.”

Since June 13, the official high temperature for Oklahoma City has been lower than 95 degrees only twice, according to the National Weather Service, Norman Forecast Office.

While it’s tough to keep a child inside during summer vacation, the heat is dangerous. That’s another aspect Murillo appreciates about the program.

“Right now I don’t even let my kids go outside,” she said. “When they come here, they’re with all their friends who come here and they get to play.

“I am very thankful for the center.”

Youth and Family Ministry Major at Oklahoma Christian University
Ultimate Frisbee extraordinaire
Would love to have a pet wombat someday
Next dream travel destination – Japan

Why Mr. Cameron volunteers…

“I volunteer because I like to serve and I want to serve. It’s a great opportunity for me to get out and practice being a Christian.”

“It’s fun just to hear [the Yellow Team boys] talk; to hear what it’s like to be that age again. It’s fun to hear how they see things; like what makes sense to them and what doesn’t.”

“[Volunteering is] definitely is one of those things that has its ups and downs. There are weeks that if feels like you haven’t done anything. But you are making an impact. The kids are listening.”

What Megan Connell, Mr. Cameron’s Site Coordinator, has to say about him…

“This is now our sixth year of Novo Bible Club programming at [the site I coordinate]. During the first 3 or 4 years of programming, many of the children at [that site] had a new small group teacher every 10 weeks. A couple of years ago, we began recruiting local volunteers for this site, in hopes that the children would have more consistent teaching, a teacher with whom they could build a more permanent relationship, and the presence of a constant, caring adult in their life. At the beginning of fall in 2010, Cameron joined the team and became the teacher of the older boys small group. Cameron has faithfully taught these boys, week after week, building trust with them and setting an example for them of a man who faithfully serves Christ and loves others. I am so grateful that Cameron has continued to make time out of his busy college life for these boys each week. And maybe these boys don’t realize it right now, but, someday, they will realize how big of an impact he has made on their lives.”

Thanks for making a difference, Mr. Cameron! We appreciate you!

Meet Sebastian.

Sebastian is a 7 year-old boy who has an incredible imagination, a deep love for books, and boundless amounts of energy.

One week Sebastian’s Small Group Leader was teaching the group about promises. He used the example that when people get married they make a promise to each other and that it’s very important to keep that promise. “People don’t have to keep that promise,” Sebastian replied. “My parents didn’t keep that promise.” Sebastian lives with his mom because his parents are divorced.

Sebastian attends church each week and started coming to our Novo Bible Club at the beginning of this semester. He is hearing and learning more about God. Even though he hasn’t been attending our program for long, he already loves learning and sharing what he’s learned with his leaders.

One crisp Thursday in fall of 2011, something changed in Sebastian. As he heard the gospel presented, he bowed his head as if he were praying. After a minute, Sebastian’s head and hand darted up. The teacher asked him to save his question for after Large Group. About two minutes passed and Sebastian raised his hand again; once again he was asked to save his question for later. After the teacher wrapped up the Challenge, Sebastian threw his hand up in the air again, but this time he didn’t wait for an answer: “All I wanted to tell you was that I just believed in God!”

A few minutes later, Sebastian was taken aside by one of the Novo Bible Club leaders where an incredible conversation took place. Verses from God’s Word were shared with him to be sure that he truly understood what Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection meant for him. Throughout the conversation, it was evident Sebastian had had many seeds planted in his life and that the Holy Spirit had moved on Sebastian’s heart to convict him of his sin and draw him to repentance. The leader read Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Then the leader asked, “Have you believed on Jesus before? Have you made this choice to follow God with your life?” Slightly exasperated by all the questions and ready for a snack, Sebastian confidently replied, “Yes, yes! I HAVE followed God with my life – I already told you! I did that tonight when I had my head bowed over there and I was praying to God.” With a big smile and a lighter spirit, Sebastian asked to go back to his Small Group.

With Sebastian’s choice to believe on Jesus, his eternity is sealed. No matter what happens in Sebastian’s life, we can know and believe that we will see him in Heaven one day. We know that his life has been changed – forever!

There are thousands of children who live our inner-city communities that need to be loved, to hear Truth, to experience life-change. The staff and volunteers of Novo are grateful for the privilege of working with boys and girls like Sebastian each week in our Novo Bible Clubs. We are especially grateful today for those who partner with Novo to reach Sebastian right in his own apartment complex. Many thanks to our Program Site Partner, – Gateway Community Church – Forest Creek Apartments, and all of our volunteers at that site!

Debbie Williams, Community Relations Coordinator for the Oklahoma City Thunder, worked her magic once again and – after bringing the Rolling Thunder Book Bus to four of the Oklahoma City housing projects where we work – asked if we could use 30 tickets to take some of the amazing kids she met earlier in the year to the Thunder’s preseason finale game against the Dallas Mavericks. What kid wouldn’t be thrilled to go? (What teacher wouldn’t be, for that matter?) We had 30 tickets and a few days to round up just the right kids to go cheer on the Thunder.

The day had finally arrived. The 30 tickets were each assigned a name. But 11-year-old Dontay wasn’t one of them. And he was beyond disappointed. When Dontay’s teacher realized what had happened, she frantically searched for any tickets that maybe, just maybe, weren’t being used. Nothing.

Dontay’s teacher said that she would give up her ticket so he could go.

But God, in the way He tends to operate, worked everything out so both Dontay and his teacher could go.

I ended up sitting next to Dontay at the game. It was awesome. I think the only thing better than watching your first live Thunder game is watching a little boy absolutely immerse himself in the atmosphere of his first live Thunder game.

Dontay plays basketball and did a running commentary. Since I’m an old pro myself (Oh fine, I played in high school.), we had lots to talk about. When the music played, Dontay danced. When the chants began, Dontay cheered the loudest. And when Perkins blocked Nowitzki, you know Dontay was on his feet.

I don’t know a lot about Dontay. I only spent a few hours with him in Loud City. But I do know that he loves basketball. He has a sweet spirit. Dontay lives with his grandma who loves him and his two older siblings and is teaching them and their many cousins to know, love, and serve Jesus. I know that Dontay is bright and wants to go to college someday. I know that he doesn’t get to see his mom, but that his dad is involved.

And I know that going to a Thunder game was the highlight of Dontay’s year.

Thanks, Thunder, for making a difference for Dontay.

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.

I just wanted to write you a letter saying “thanks.” It’s been fun being your small group leader this year. Thank you for…

• The colorful pictures of you and your family
• Bringing me laughter
• Getting me out of the office
• Saying silly things
• Telling me about lost teeth, broken arms, and scarred knees
• Giving me Taki’s for the first time
• Sharing your neighborhood with me
• Teaching me the value of simple explanations
• Challenging me to put my petty complaints in perspective
• Beginning to open up
• Forgiving my mistakes
• Letting me pray for you
• Letting me cry over you
• Letting me laugh with you
• Letting me love you

Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of the Gospel. Thank you for coming back each week, even though our craft attempts are sometimes a flop. Thank you for bringing me joy this year.

Sincerely,

Your Small Group leader

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!”

Novo Ministries is connecting inner-city children like Michelle to faithful mentors each and every day of the week all across our city. You can make a difference in the life of children like Michelle this holiday season by giving to Novo Ministries. How? Every gift you give to Novo Ministries, from now through the end of 2011, will be doubled. For each child like Michelle you invest in this year, another one will be connected to a passionate, committed mentor, as well, and another life will be changed.

Impact Michelle. Change our city. One heart and one child at a time.

How it Works:

Several of our major supporters are encouraging us to finish strong in 2011 by offering a challenge. For every dollar we raise, they will donate a matching dollar, up to $100,000. It’s that simple. Your amount, times 2.

How You Can Help:

1) Give.
We have less than two months to raise $100,000, which means every penny is vitally important. No gift is too small! You can give online here, by mail (address below) or by calling Novo Ministries at (405) 208-4255.

2) Share.
Tell your friends, family, and co-workers about Novo Ministries’ story and the Matching Gifts Campaign. Include this short-link (http://bit.ly/uWXo4L) with social media posts and emails, encourage your networks to follow your example and give!

3) Pray.
$100,000 is a LOT of money to raise in a short time, but we know we can do it with God’s help.

4) Repeat.
Keep sharing and praying. We’ll keep you updated via our Twitter and Facebook on our progress and specific ways you can participate in making this year’s Matching Gifts Campaign a success!

Questions? Contact Valerie Sherrer at vsherrer@novoministries.org or at 405.209.9765

Mailing address:
Novo Ministries
P.O. Box 672
Oklahoma City, OK 73101

Don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.

Meet more kids like Michelle

Miss Sherry is a great volunteer. I have the privilege of working alongside her each week. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Miss Sherry by watching her lead and personal conversations, it’s that she is a woman who, in her own words, “doesn’t like to sit still. . . . I wanted to get on Survivor, but my husband wouldn’t tape it.” She is a woman with a plan and a vision for what she wants to accomplish! From walking up the Continental Divide to playing laser tag on her 50th birthday to making her first fondant cake to mission trips to Slovenia to being a part of the Choctaw Dancing Hooves. (By the way – they were showing at the Oklahoma State Fair on September 23rd and 24th. Check out this fun video from last year!)

Miss Sherry’s zest for life is infectious, but her passion for sharing the Gospel is even stronger. She works as a physical therapy assistant and routinely gets to talk to elderly patients about Jesus. Everywhere she goes, Miss Sherry is planting seeds for the future. This is partly what drew her to Novo Bible Clubs – “It’s an investment in the future and [the kids] are kind of like my surrogate grandchildren.” Miss Sherry shares her life with these “grandchildren.” She brings out her old Tiddly Winks game or introduces them to Jenga for the first time. One of the kids has even “friended” her on Facebook. But Miss Sherry doesn’t just play with the kids. She’s not just a friend or even a “grandmother” figure. Miss Sherry, for these boys and girls, becomes the hands, feet, and face of Jesus. She prays for them, invests in them, and pours her boundless energy into them. For Miss Sherry, “This is an opportunity to make a change in lives that will be a long term solution and if you have time to invest in a kid, it will be worth it.”

So Miss Sherry plants seeds of hope and truth and love in the lives of her Bible Club kids. And I have a feeling that each time Miss Sherry’s Blue Team boys and girls look at their special strawberry plants, they’ll remember those seeds, too.

Check out our volunteering page to learn more about how you can make a difference or click here to learn more about child sponsorship.