The Wrong Side and Right Side of 30

THE WRONG SIDE OF 30

While on my most recent trip to train leaders in Brazil, I read a news article about the arrest of a man who had been on the run since 2013 over a charge he sexually assaulted a girl with special needs in Puerto Rico. The 30-year old man was captured after a manhunt and a shootout with police.

Reading this, I thought, “What a waste of a life!” and wondered about a 30 year trajectory that led where it did.

THE RIGHT SIDE OF 30

In contrast, it has been our privilege to train a group of 30-year olds in Brazil. In addition to our international training team of Samir Diab, Jane Hawkins, Tom Shedd, Gayll Phifer-Houseman, and me, the following 30-year olds (or younger) were Co-Trainers or Lead-Trainers with us in four cities in Brazil: Vladi (30), Camela (28), Tony (30), Mariana (27), Vivi (36), Jaisson (34), Litos (30), Karina (26). Each is growing spiritually and having a positive influence on others for Christ. Each has chosen a positive trajectory for their lives.

Mariana and Tony — Camilla, Sammy, and Vladi

SPEAKING OF 30 SOMETHING

On this most recent trip we passed the 30 On Expedition trainings. Each training consists of 7-11 90 minute sessions, the aim of which is to equip leaders to multiply viral, missional, disciple-making, leadership-developing, church planting movements. We have trained hundreds of leaders now in Uganda and Brazil, plus preached numerous times, seen people come to Christ, and had countless conversations to lift up Christ and spread the Gospel. Below is a photo from our most recent Phase 2 training in Montenegro, Brazil.

On our just completed Brazil trip, we participated in two ordination services and graduated a group of Brazilians who have completed all four of our Phases of training (photo below), and are becoming trainers themselves.

Bom Retiro do Sul Phases 1, 2, 3, 4 Completion

HERE’S ANOTHER 30

We also got to tour a shoe factory started by one of the men who became a Christian through Hope Chapel Brazil, the main church we connect with and work through, led by Sammy and Marcia Diab. Sammy now heads up the Divine Expedition Training in Brazil.

At the shoe factory, I was asked to speak with Sammy interpreting and shared the Gospel with the 30 workers there. The factory owner, Douglas, also shared and reported that the next day two of his workers said they received Christ. Can you hear the angels in heaven rejoicing?