Education: BA in Inter-Cultural Studies/ Hope International University

Hometown: Baytown, TX

Family: Ross (dad) Joann (mom) Jacob (oldest bro) Matt (twin Bro) Leno (Brazilian Bro) Jared (youngest bro)

Hobbies: Graphic Design, Snowboarding, Fishing, Exploring the nooks and crannies of BIG cities.

Job Title: Solid International: Brasil Director

How did you come to Solidarity? I came to Solidarity back in the day when we were only a Bible study. Steve Carter and Kevin Mo-Wong invited me to come hang out. The first Bible study I went to was in the Fullerton Community Bank. I remember thinking that it was pretty strange that we met in a bank. I soon came to find out though that this was a pretty nomadic Bible study and we would be meeting in all sorts of random places. A few months after that first meeting we found Garnet Ln and I was involved in the neighborhood from the first week, up until the end of 2007.

What is your role at Solidarity? My role with Solidarity takes place in São Paulo, Brasil. In partnership with a few different ministries, I work with kids and teenagers that for one reason or another are in situations where they no longer live with their families. This role has a few different faces. On one side I am the coordinator of a house called the Remnant Republic (Republica Remenescente). This house for teenage boys is part of a ministry called ABBA that works with kids that come from high risk situations such as living on the streets or in the slums. The “Republica” is set up to disciple these teens as well as teach them responsibilities and life skills that will allow them to eventually live self-sustaining lives as the probability of them returning to their own family is small.

            On the other side, I play a part in a network of ministries that are specifically targeting people that live on the streets in an area known as the “centro” of São Paulo. This network is made up of men and women that are passionate about reaching the least, the last, and the lost specifically in this area. I personally work with younger boys and girls that are living on the streets. The goal is to develop relationships with each of these children that will eventually lead them in making the decision to leave the streets.

What is the best part of your role?

-Being on the streets at 5:15 pm, running around and playing games with the kids there while thousands of business men in suites and ties obliviously walk by on their way home after yet another 9 to 5.  It’s a time that I realize I truly love what I am doing, even if the day has been a difficult one…

I also enjoy the fact that I get to drive an old beat up VW van around Sao Paulo. It’s a dream come true!
 

 
Fun Stuff:

What is your favorite movie? I think it’s a 3 way tie: Shawshank Redemption/ Into the Wild/ Goodwill Hunting.

What reality TV show would you be on and why? This is an easy one. I would be on "The Deadliest Catch". Those guys are hard core and it would be fun to be out on the open sea for a while. (As soon as they create a Bass Fishin reality show I am totally there)

Favorite place you have been and Why? “Ilia Bela”- An island here off the coast of Brasil that has blue water, white sand, water falls, rivers, jungle, places to explore and places to fish!

Where is the next place you would like to go? The Swiss Alps in winter time with a snowboard and Friends.

What makes you laugh/cry?

Laugh: The picture of Tommy in San Francisco (ask him about it), my brother Leno and the gibberish that comes out of his mouth.

Cry: Kids that suffer in situations beyond their own control, death.