Ivanildo C. Trindade, former Charis Fellowship pastor and a native of Brazil, has published a book about his 30-year journey as a resident alien in the United States.
I am not a ‘Bad Hombre’: Insights on Race, Ethnicity and Culture from a Brazilian Resident Alien is a tribute to everyone who believes that America is great, not because of the urge that some have to close her to foreigners but because she continues to welcome new residents with open arms. The book provides an alternative narrative to the prevailing mood in our nation, one that tends to see immigrants as “undesirables.”
Trindade tells his personal story as a resident alien after emigrating to America 30 years ago. He also gives the reader the tools he utilized to help him understand the forces behind the powerful dynamics of race relations in the U.S.
The stories about the author’s sojourn run the gamut. The reader will find “the good, the bad, and the ugly,” as the saying goes. Trindade remains positive, pointing to his own experience as a sign for Americans that their lives can be enriched by befriending foreigners while for foreigners can believe that they can succeed in the land of endless possibilities.
From historical notes and cultural tidbits to practical advice, Ivanildo takes the readers through his unique journey. His hope is that people can build a better nation upon a foundation of understanding that begins with a resolve to treat everyone the same, no matter the color of their skin or their country of origin.
“This book is an exceptionally outstanding treatment of culture,” says Tom Julien, director emeritus of Encompass World Partners and former missionary to France. “Few people would be as qualified to write on this subject as Ivanildo,” he adds. “One of the values of this book is that it treats our response to cultural influence from two viewpoints, rational and personal. The book shows how they interact and will help you rise above cultural prejudices that can have a harmful influence on your relationship with others, either personally or professionally.
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to Ivanildo for investing the time to share his lessons of life with us,” Julien adds.
“It is common to see life from only one’s own perspective. It is difficult to step into someone else’s shoes,” adds Kevin Gushike, director of the doctoral program in leadership at Lancaster Bible College/Capital Graduate School. “Reading I am not a Bad Hombre allowed me to fully step into the mindset and experiences of someone who traveled to the U.S., calls it home, and yet struggled at times to be accepted in the place he considers home.”
Noting that the book is a “must read,” Dr. Gushike notes that the book should be read by anyone who wishes to fully understand the complexity of race in the U.S. “The author shares personal stories, insightful observations, practical recommendations, and unpacks the myriad of issues and emotions that confront our society.”
Trindade was born into a poor family of nine children on the Amazon in northern Brazil. He has been a local church pastor in the U.S. and Brazil for more than 30 years. He was a founder and executive director of Internationals USA, Inc. (I-USA), a non-profit that focused on helping Americans acquire intercultural skills to welcome and befriend citizens of other nations into the U.S. for 12 years. Ivanildo was also the co-founder and president of Grace Refuge Outreach Worldwide (G.R.O.W.), a ministry that has been rescuing at-risk children in SE Asia since 2009.
For seven years, he taught Linguistics and Portuguese language at the Federal University of Pará, his alma mater. He holds a Master of Theology from Grace Theological Seminary (Magna Cum Laude) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership from Capital Graduate School. He and wife, Naza, emigrated to the U.S. with their three small children in 1993. They currently live in Mansfield, Ohio, with their female Cockapoo, Izabella.
The book is available for purchase at bookbaby.com. It may be pre-ordered at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. E-book versions are available on all three sites.