Dear Friends of Invisible Children,

May 26, 2005

In many ways the past two months have felt like years; and in other ways the past two months have felt like an intense - surreal dream. Either way, time has passed, and we find ourselves two weeks back into the United States feeling much like the kids who left Narnia through the wardrobe. But it's almost more than that: It's Indiana Jones returning from the crusade, Harry Potter returning to Privet drive after his adventures at Hogwarts, and perhaps most of all like Frodo Baggins and his three cronies in the end of the 3rd film when they go into the tavern for a cold brew, look around, and realize they love their home, and yet, their lives will never be the same. So we like movies, so what? We could've thought of at least 10 more, but we used restraint.

As much as we all enjoy being home, there's a part in all of us that fears the inevitable question, "How was Africa?" With this question comes some difficulty, because just like any life altering experience, it can never be put into words. Where do we begin? No story, e-mail, photo or video clip will do it justice. With that stated, we are going to attempt to put it into words anyway, because we know you want to know, and maybe this e-mail will give us all a head start on the unavoidable question.

Africa? How was Africa? Africa was amazing. Africa is amazing. Africa is a million and one things. It is a land of contradictions, and a land of great controversy. Africa is more diverse than any other place on the planet. It has experienced the greatest combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill. It is plagued with individuals who are hurting, dirty, and dying. It is plagued with rich leaders. It is strong, joyful and resilient. Africa is filled to the brim with song, dance and soccer. It feels your lungs with life with every burnt breath. It feels your eyes with tears with every sight. The sun blazes, the rain pours. It has more sky than your eyes could possibly take in. Africa is humbling. Africa rips the heart out of your chest and buries it in the rich red soil, knowing that you will someday return, to see the growth. And there is no doubt it will grow. Africa is dangerous, welcoming, and addictive. It is prosperous. It is poor. It is all too overwhelming. Africa knows the value of friendship. Time is not money in Africa. And money goes a long way. Africa holds a mirror up to your soul - letting you see all your selfish desires, and not letting go, until you're completely broken.

Since the beginning of this project, over two years ago, we have met a lot of people from all around the world and a frequent question is, "how are you funded?" We always answer with, "Individual people give what they can, because they believe in the project."  It's pretty absurd and unbelievable, but nevertheless factual. It has once again proven true. You did it. Since the last e-mail on the 30th of April, after asking everyone who read the update to send Invisible Children five bucks in the mail: 592 of you responded with five dollars, resulting in $2,960 raised. This does not include the hundreds of you who sent in tens and twenties.  We, the team, feel stunned and honored that you would take the time and money to fund this project. People think that there must be a man behind the curtain...someone funding this project from some corporate building. But really it's just you: high school idealists, traditional economists, college revolutionaries, soccer moms, church youth pastors, super senior citizens, kindergartners, CEO's, artistic bohemians, devoted missionaries, bleeding-heart liberals, bleeding-heart conservatives, aspiring rock stars...and the list goes on. From the bottom of our hearts we say "Thank You" for allowing us to continue to work on this project.

As far as the update goes: Katie Bradel (a cheerful amazing individual whom, if you haven't met her, you should) stayed in Gulu, Uganda. She's holding down the fort, opening an IC feeding center, greeting the Biola Boys, as well as a night commuting spot in our back yard, researching NGO's, spending more time with the children we focused on, and becoming fluent in Lwo (Loo-oh) the Acholi-Land language. In fact, she barely speaks English anymore. Laren, Bobby, Jason, and his wife Danica are coming back home for one month: important meetings, Bobby's graduation from USC's prestigious film school, updating the website, and more meetings. Then we will head back to Uganda June 12 till the end of July. The story is almost "in the can", but we have about 30% more left to capture.

Currently at the office we are working on setting up the high school/college screenings for the Fall. We are attempting to hit the top 1,000 high schools in America, while at the same time getting screenings into the lowest ranked high schools in the nation. If you are high school or college age and are attending any school, regardless of rank, and are willing to be a contact person e-mail Emily Sernaker: invisiblevolunteer@yahoo.com with Highschool/college Movement as the subject. She's the amazing girl on the DVD's "Our Big Ideas" who inspired her friends to raise $15,000 for Invisible Children. Let us remind you, she's 17. . . and she's running the joint. Trust us, she's earned it.

We will end this e-mail with an excerpt from one of our recent reads, Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz. We took the liberty of paraphrasing, but hopefully we didn't completely butcher the overall content.  Sorry Donald if we did. NOTE: This excerpt is not about Sudan or Uganda (where Invisible Children takes place); it is about a different conflict going on in the Congo, which is a country in Africa, directly neighboring Uganda.

"So I've been watching Nightline with Ted Koppel lately. He isn't as smart as Ray Swarez but he tries, and that counts. He's been in the Congo, in Africa, and it has been terrible. I mean the show is fine, but the Congo isn't doing so well. More than 2.5 million people have been killed in the last three years. Each of eight tribes is at war with the other seven. Genocide. As the images moved across the screen I would lie in bed feeling so American and safe, as if the Congo were something in a book or a movie. It is nearly impossible for me to process the idea that such a place exists outside of Portland... A friend asked me if I "was capable of murder or rape or any of the stuff that is taking place over there."  I think so, I don't know how else to answer the question...I do buy the idea we are flawed, that there is something in us that is broken. I think it easier to do bad things than good things. And there is something in that basic fact, some little clue to the meaning of the universe.  I know now from experience that the path to joy winds through this dark valley...and that nothing is going to change in the Congo until you and I figure out what is wrong with the person in the mirror."

Much Love. Wondering Dangerously.

Your Friends at Invisible Children

P.S. Take pictures and video of your house parties and fundraiser(s) and send them to the office:

Invisible Children, Inc. 2705 Via Orange Way, Suite B Spring Valley, CA 91978

Or if you feel something huge coming, contact us before hand and we will help you come up with ways to document it! We might even come. The movement that has started is beyond what we ever imagined - and we want to share it with the World Wide Web - and possibly put it into the full-length feature film. You are a part of us. You are a part of them. You ask how was Africa? GO, and answer the question yourselves.

P.S.S. There is a concert thrown by the LIFE and this HOLIDAY life - on June 3rd@ 7pm.  Go to www.movement.org to find out the details. Come enjoy music (and life) to fundraise for the invisible children.

P.S.S.S. the second most commonly asked question is: what did you eat and where did you potty? The answer: we are creative.