July 1st, 2005

The car we bought has broken down five times, cause we can’t afford a car that works. Jason and Danica have a parasite in their stomach – it’s not as bad as you think, they can produce a chocolate milkshake from their bums on command; whipped cream anyone? Laren’s scabies are back. SCABIES: an itchy herpes virus on his hand. (Yes, you can get herpes on the hand. Don’t ask). And Bobby has major facial hair, but only out of his mole, which the natives have twisted into an Obi-Wan Kenobi braid. It’s his version of the missionary braid, only out of his face. Yes ladies and gentlemen we are back in Uganda! We (Jason, Bob, Laren, and Danica) all feel like we didn't even go home to San Diego for a month. It's as though we went to sleep, and when we awoke, we were in Uganda. It’s becoming more and more like home everyday, especially for a fine young lady named Katie Bradel. Katie, unlike us, hasn’t left the country for the past 5 months. In fact, today the immigration office gave her a work permit AKA “green card�– she may never come home! (Bradel Family – We’re seriously kidding, she?misses and loves you – and can’t wait to come home…someday…maybe.)

ALL READERS: realize once again we love joking. I mean, all of the above is true, but is somewhat exaggerated for effect. We enjoy taking American’s utter fear of the unknown, specifically The African Continent, and messing with their heads. And, oh yea-?a lion ate Bobby!  See? It evokes a certain emotion, and you on the receiving end might believe the statement. Which is kinda fun, admit it. We promise not to abuse or misuse this trick of naivety too much. Now, let’s get down to business. THE UPDATE.

In the past two weeks we have had 12 screenings of “Invisible Children – Rough Cut� in Kampala, the main city. Think of Kampala as a condensed Los Angeles, add more people on the streets, second hand clothes, and illegal amounts of diesel gas fumes. We have screened?the movie at some International Schools, Makerere University (10,000 college students attend), Acholi displaced groups, cultural centers, hotels, and The Cineplex, which is exactly like an American movie house, except instead of having 40 theaters there is only two and you can breast feed while watching Brad kick Angelina’s rear. But they still have air conditioning, dynamite popcorn, and leather seats. Seriously.

It’s strange and exciting to screen the film for Ugandans and others who live here. They really like the movie, but laugh at different parts. For example, they don’t really laugh at the chicken’s head being cut off, because many of them have done that growing up, or still do it today. But they love the part when Jason asks, “What do you mean shot?� and the soldier replies, “With the gun, they shoot them.� You can literally hear the audience say, “stupid mzungu� meaning “stupid white man.� That’s a shout out to you Michael Moore! Also, to hear Ugandans speak about their country, the government, and this war after the film is something to behold. They feel so lied to. Jacob and Tony came down for a few screenings, when they speak to the crowd it’s completely quiet, and by the time there done, we’re not the only ones choaked?up. They are doing amazingly well. They are happy and working hard in school...they now say "sicky" all the time, thanks to the Biola Boys.

The Biola Boys need a small introduction: The remarkable Matt, Nick and Justin are three young men who attend Biola University in southern California and after seeing Invisible Children at their school, they set up 40 screenings within their turf, packed their bags and decided to go to Uganda, to see the children first hand. They left Uganda ten days ago, but in one?month they have done more than we could imagine. They have gone to almost every school in Gulu to take a really close look at the need for education. They have personally interviewed and have a bio on over 300 children, with a picture, to get sponsored immediately. They told us face to face.... that this is “their life calling�. They have plans already to bring back 30 people this December...to do a summer camp type program, including health and sex ed, during?the kids Holiday. But their ultimate goal, with Invisible Children, is to have 100,000 children in?northern Uganda sponsored in school by 2007. Lets help them reach the goal.

And now for yet another introduction:?The person who has organized the screening tour in Uganda is an incredible women named Christina Jordan. Christina has lived in Uganda for seven years, and has been involved in various organizations, namely Life In Africa. AKA “LIA�. Aside from setting up all the?screenings Christina has spearheaded the “Bracelet Campaign.� She has empowered Ugandan artisans (which is a fancy name for artistic designers) and has had numerous samples made. After much deliberation we have narrowed it down to one amazing bracelet, which will be revealed this upcoming year. But Christina had the inventive idea to sell the sample bracelets on E-Bay, and have the proceeds go towards Margaret’s surgery. The bidding started yesterday, and the link is: http://auctions4africa.com/ug/4/ic/3/bracelets/2/sample/1/ There are 15 bracelets up now – the auction runs for 1 week, so it's over on 7 July. The bracelets are one of a kind. A brief description of the Invisible Child will appear next to the bracelet so you can have some understanding of who that child is. The stories of these children will be revealed in Visible Video Vignettes this upcoming year, but again, you will be the only one to have that specific sample bracelet. Seriously, designer originals, people… so get bidding!

Speaking of bracelets, we have an invisible children job opening. We are in need of an IC representative who has a passion for children, quality control, adventure, and most especially Uganda. The job description consists of: a young entrepreneur overseeing the production, development, and eventual shipping of thousands of bracelets to the United States from Uganda. So, you will need to move to Uganda. You will need to live here from September to?December 2005. So, if you are done with college, or want to take a semester off, or if you are one of those wonderful business minds wasting away in a cubicle who has been wanting to get involved since you saw the film and are ready for a change of view… come to Uganda and oversee the production of these bracelets. Send all resumes to info@invisiblechildren.com or 1810 Gillespie way, El Cajon, Ca 92020 ATTN: Bracelet Director. Think of how?accomplished you’ll feel when Oprah announces the bracelets as the new UGG.

We are anxious to get back to Gulu and we leave tomorrow morning. We have heard that rebel activity has increased. The rebels have practically surrounded the town of Pader. We understand that there is an increased military presence this past month. There have been two more instances where the rebels have come even closer to our house than last time, about 1/4 of a mile away.

It overwhelms us to think that we have the obligation and opportunity to speak on behalf of these kids who are being brutalized. From the Biola Boys doing exactly what we challenge people to do; to the youth of Uganda rising up - it's crazy.

Freedom will come to Acholi-land - of that we can be sure. We love all you guys. Continue to inspire your sphere of influence.

Invisible Children Crew.