It’s been absolutely ages since we last shared a family update! Hopefully, you’ve been getting Novō news via Facebook or Instagram and the newsletters. If not, you can read the latest update, and find a ‘subscribe’ link, here: Novo News – June 2021.

Here’s a quick run-down of what’s been going-on with us as a family:

At the beginning of last year Daniel finally made it out of Bolivia and returned to the UK to do a Discipleship Training School with YWAM in West Sussex. He had an amazing time, learning, growing and making some wonderful friends. During his time there he felt increasingly led to continue working and training with them and has just begun a second year with YWAM at Holmsted Manor. 

The kids here have started the new school year online again, with on-site classes starting-up gradually, grade-by-grade over these first few weeks of term. In fact, today Phoebe and JJ returned to school for the first time since March 2020. That feels like a very long time! Jemimah’s grade did go back to in-person classes towards the end of last year, so it’s not quite such a big jump for her. Last year Mickey home-schooled Phoebe, using a different curriculum well-suited to her educational needs, which helped her to make some good progress academically. That said, it’s become clear that she really needs the interpersonal contact of in-person school and so she’s returned to school here. In order for her to be able to access the curriculum we are employing someone to be a one-to-one in class assistant for her. Please pray for the kids as they get back into the swing of in-person classes!

We were all left a bit bereft at the death of our much loved Cocker Spaniel, Barney, back in March after a short illness. In July, we were excited to welcome Wilber to the family. If he can ever learn to some chewing things, he has the makings of a lovely, very teachable dog!

After three years of interviews, checks, training, reports, home visits, and court hearings we were completely thrilled when we had the final adoption hearing for Miah at the beginning of March this year!! It feels so good to have concluded that arduous process and for Miah’s place in our family to be legally secure. 

Whilst we knew there were real hurdles to navigate, we had hoped and planned to get back to the UK in the summer to see Daniel, the rest of our family and friends (most of whom haven’t met Miah yet). It’s now been more than 4 years since Mickey and the kids have been home. We were a bit crushed that, having applied for a visa for Miah and waiting for a response, we discovered (after much effort to get in touch with someone who could speak to our case!) that visitor visa applications from red list countries were not even being considered, even in circumstances like ours. In the coming week we should have everything ready to submit her application for British citizenship and are praying she will soon be able to travel on a British passport. Please pray with us that Miah’s citizenship application would be processed quickly and that the outcome would be positive!

In the absence of a visa to travel to the UK we made the decision to do a family road trip around Bolivia. Whilst not exactly restful, it was a refreshing, fun time, enjoying Bolivia’s incredible diversity together as a family for the first time. The only negative was not having Daniel with us! 

With thanks for your friendship, prayers, and support!

With much love,

Andy & Mickey

As a family we don’t receive a salary from Novō and are able to serve in our role due to the generosity of our supporters. If you’d like to join our support team, please get in touch or follow one of the links below. At present our support is just over £700/month below budget so your donation, whether one-off or regular, will meet immediate needs.

In the UK our support is administered by Stewardship and you can give either online at www.give.net/20171708 or using this form: Stewardship Donor Form

In Canada you can support us via the EFCCM, designating donations to account #2-3231. You can do this online at EFCCM Donate! or by sending a cheque to: EFCCM, Box 850, Langley Stn, LCD 1, Langley, BC, V3A -8S6.