A Ministry of Glory Children's City International (GCCI)
Follow the SIFA CHOIR Journey . . .
The current month of adventures are listed below or use the links to read our archives.
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AYI MUKAMA
HAKUNA MUNGU
KYOTASUBIRA
TOGETHER WE CAN
The SIFA Choir is being hosted by Together We Can Change The World, Inc. For details on FREE resources you can use to make a difference in the world, Click Here.
September 1-
Alan Harless(Carrie's brother) and his family invited all of SIFA over for a labor day BBQ. We cooked hotdogs and roasted corn(no husk) over a fire pit. The corn was just like how they cook it in Uganda so the kids were walking around all day with a piece of corn in their hand. They ate it while swinging on the big tree swing, while jumping/hanging out on the trampoline and on the pony carts- all with big smiles on their faces because it was a small piece of home. Carrie took Jamie to the near by Amish store to get bulk items to make our own trail mix for Uganda. Then we all went to the lake to swim. The kids from SIFA and the host family kids all had fun playing "king of the mountain" on the floating dock in the lake, and others had a great time going down the slide. When the sun started to go down we returned to the Harless homestead for more food. Hamburgers, hotdogs, more corn, and then S'mores.
As the day ended, everyone went home with host families for their last night to enjoy "family" time before leaving Michigan/Indiana.
September 2-
We all met early at Harless's to say goodbye. Then we received a phone call from Mr. Garver, one of the host dad's, telling us that he had found rims AND tires to replace the spares that were stolen. Praise the Lord. So he took them into town to have them mounted and Carrie and Jamie drove to town with the kids loaded up to the tire store. They couldn't believe how someone had stolen the tires from under the vans, apparently there is a special tire lock that you have to unlock from inside the back door that they were able to by-pass. The tires were loaded under the vans within 15 minutes and we were on our way to Ohio. We were invited to eat lunch at the Cutlip's ( Olivia's sponsors)in North Ridgeville Ohio and they had a huge spread of food all prepared for us. Hamburgers, hotdogs, vegetables, chips, LOTS of ketchup, and then ice cream. SIFA can never get enough ice cream. It was special time for Olivia. She has been so patient. She has been asking when we would be going to Ohio for the last several states. So when we finally arrived in Ohio, she was very excited and very shy. She was able to meet and play with the Cutlip's granddaughter. After a little rest, we loaded back up for another couple of hours of driving. We spent the night in a hotel in Clarion Pennsylvania. Good night.
September 3-
On the road again. Carrie and Jamie looked forward to a shorter drive (only 5 hours) today. It was a beautiful drive, no semi's flying by us like in Virginia and Arkansas, speed limit was just our speed Jamie and Betty were talking about how the leaves were starting to change and remembering in April when there were no leaves on the tress. The seasons have been fun to experience with SIFA. Then the unexpected, one of the tires blew out on the trailer. Jamie realized what the sound was quickly and was able to pull over safely without any incident. The day was beautiful, we had just stopped for lunch so we were all fed and toileted and gassed up so we were able to hang out on the roadside. Carrie made a 10 mile turn around while talking to AAA roadside assistance. When Carrie made it back to Jamie they ventured out to try to change the tire on their own. AAAAHHHH. The semi's flying by, were a little frightening, so in between screaming and laughing we didn't get much accomplished except to loosen the lug nuts. The van jack wouldn't fit under the trailer axle, so we just stood by the road and waited for help. It didn't take too long, but when the guy looked at our spare he laughed and said that we wouldn't make it far with it. So he told us to follow him to his garage. When Jamie pulled out, she couldn't get up to speed because the spare tire was making the van horribly wobbly and Carrie was behind her. So when Jamie couldn't get up to speed, a semi came up on Carrie so quickly that she thought she was going to have a large semi grill implanted in the back end of her van. YIKES!!!!!!! We followed the guy to his shop, praise God they had a tire, and after a 2 hour delay we were back on the road. So another 1hour drive we arrived in the beautiful Pocono mountains at Spruce Lake retreat center in Canadensis PA. A day that started out as a 5 hour day ended up being about 8hours. As usual, SIFA handled themselves with no complaining but were relieved to be at the place we were going to call "home" for the next week. We have a cabin in the woods. Our own space with swings out front, lots of covered picnic tables, tether ball, soccer field close by, and lots of walking trails amidst the changing Maples and Oaks. Carrie and Jamie made dinner and then crashed for the night.
September 4-
Everyone slept in this morning and enjoyed breakfast at nine. It was our first day at the camp and a nice day to explore, hang out, and do laundry. We began cleaning out the trailer and preparing to disassemble our "home on the road". Lunch was followed by quiet time during which all most everyone took a nap. After an early dinner we headed to our short concert for the homes group also staying at Spruce Lake. As is with SIFA not everyone was ready to go on time so Carrie headed out down the path with all but 6 members of SIFA. Twenty minutes later we arrived at the main camp. Jamie had waited for Paul, Betty, Christine, Daisy, Angellah and thought they saw her and followed, but as it turns out they took the road which was a much longer route. So, Carrie and the kids pulled off a twenty minute concert while Jamie hiked back to the camp alone to find Paul and his group. Juliet and Dina did a great job leading and Carrie sat in front moving her hands like Paul does but really with no idea what she was doing. After our concert we eventually found Paul and the rest and then divided up again since half the group wanted to go home and the other half wanted to stay and play put-put with the home schoolers. Carrie walked with those who wanted to go home and then drove the van back to pick everyone else up since it was getting dark. Everyone really enjoyed golfing on the newly installed course and provided comic relief to all those watching. Although SIFA is extremely coordinated on the dance floor, we haven't quite mastered the hand eye coordination of put-put. With a little practice I am sure they would do great, for now though we won't be scheduling any time with Tiger Woods. After a rigorous of golf we were treated by one of our new friends to a treat in the snack shop and enjoyed a great time of fellowship. It was time to head for bed by the time we arrived home.
September 5-
SIFA has a school day today. We have not dine as much formal school as we anticipated we would along the trip, however the children have learned so much from their experiences and conversations with host families. Today though we hit the books and made our minds focus on written work. After school it was time for lunch and freetime. We enjoyed not having any structured activities and doing things we enjoy. We are so blessed to be at Spruce Lake and have room to run and make as much noise as we want.
September 6-
It was pretty much a free day for everyone today. Jamie and Carrie didn't even have to drive once today! The day passed quickly with much laughter, playing, and enjoying the camp. Just before dinner time, Olivia had another surprise today when her sponsors, the Cutlips, arrived to spend a couple days with us at camp. We enjoyed a great dinner together of chicken and veggies and then played Uno and Phase 10 late into the night. We had a great evening together and went to bed laughing at the winners, the frustrated, and biggest losers!
September 7-
This morning started with a special church service put on by SIFA. Jackie and Juliet lead worship and were joined on the drums by David, Robert, Daniel. Carrie lead a time of testimonies and reflections from many of the SIFA children. Paul preached a wonderful message and encouraged all of us. The Steve and Julie Cutlip were are guest for the service and we enjoyed hearing from Steve about gratitude. After church we had lunch and then were surprised by more visitors, Uncle Bill (documentary team) from Connecticut, Riley and her Dad (Together We Can Changer the World) from New York. Everyone was excited to see our latest visitors. You never know who will show up in the woods!The afternoon was shared visiting a rehearsing several songs for the Saturday concert. We all had a nice day and enjoyed a nice dinner and evening of fellowship and games.
September 8-
Breakfast was once again prepared and served by our cooks for the week, Carrie and Jamie, and enjoyed by everyone. Coffee cake has become a favorite. After breakfast we had devotions all together and in middle Mamma Ginny and Aunt Barb arrived as a huge surprise to the SIFA children. We all enjoyed family hugs and finished devotions with our new guests. The rest of the day we enjoyed visiting and being with friends AND cleaning the trailer out. Everyone has collected so many things and we have needed so many things to live that past 5 months on the road. So, it was time to disassemble and get ready for international travel. Each child has a very large duffle that will hold 70 lbs when they go through them, the problem is right now they are so full that they weigh close to 100 lbs. There other duffle bags only hold about 50 pounds. We have been so blessed with so much stuff. Now the children just have to make choices about what is really important and also see what clothes that they have out grown. Needless to say about an hour after unloading everything from the trailer it looked like a clothing bomb had gone off in the girls room and an even bigger one in the boys. Good thing we have a few days to sort. Off to bed among the piles of stuff. Goodnight.
September 9-
Today we had a great day of activities. We woke up this morning to heavy(or should I say torrential) rains and tornado warnings (we didn't know about that part until later) and headed to New Jersy to go bowling. Yes, we went to New Jersey to go bowling. Our host Grandpa Lenoir wanted us to go to where he bowls every week so one ran full of SIFA headed through the storms and arrived at bowling at 10. Everyone who went really enjoyed a great morning. Emma kept us laughing as he would get so focused on trying to get the ball down the lane that he would cross the fowl line and get a penalty. Geoffrey made us laugh with his odd spin and amazing way of releasing the ball. Juliet has an eye for bowling and did great job as did David. On the way back we made a stop at Mt. Pocono Hospital and sang for Grandma Lenoir who has been sick during our visit. She was so happy to see all the children again and was amazed by how much they had grown. Everyone on her floor of the hospital enjoyed our song and then it was time to go back to camp for our next adventure. We were able to go bouldering on an indoor boulder wall and rock climbing on a great wall. Only 6 of the boys came down to the gym as everyone else was napping or battling the cold we have been passing around since the weather got a little but colder. The boys have such amazing arm, abdomen, and leg strength that the guides were surprised they could master even the most difficult routes in just a few tries. Mama Ginny, Uncle Bill, and Aunt Barb joined us just at the end of the climbing for the most exciting part of the day- the Power Swing! The power swing is a cable and harness system the pulls you to the ceiling of a two story gym and releases you into a freefall and then you swing back and forth before coming to a stop. The boys, Ginny, Jamie, and Bill thought it was great fun. Carrie was talked into going and is happy to say that she did it and never feels the need to do such a crazy thing again. After a short Bible story about depending on Jesus with our guide and praying we headed back to our house to prepare dinner and enjoy an evening together as a family.
September 10-
Today was another day in the beautiful Pocono Mountains at Spruce Lake Retreat. The morning started with excesses time in the chilly 50 degree morning air, breakfast, and then a special choir rehearsal to get ready for our very special last concert on Saturday. Jamie and Carrie made a trip into town to get the windshield replaced and a few last minute aarons. Then it was back to camp for cleaning, packing, and getting organized. SIFA had really moved in to our little Huckleberry Cabin and it was quiet the process to get ourselves all put back together and ready to fly home. The excitement about our final days in America and our arrival back in Uganda mounted as we had a much to be done but we are ready to go, at least for the moment . . .
September 11-
SIFA was up early this morning and on the road at 9:00. We were sad to leave Spruce Lake Retreat which had been our home for over a week. It was truly a blessing to all be together in one place and reflect on our time in America. Once we packed up we headed to Washington D.C. to the Uganda Embassy. We needed to find out about obtaining Paul's passport that had been stolen in Chicago. We arrived at the embassy at 2:00 and found parking for both vans and the trailer near by. At the Embassy we were greeted by a host of Ugandan's who were excited to see the children and hear them sing. Paul was granted a replacement passport which we will pick up tomorrow at 1:00. From the Embassy we made our way through down town Washington DC and then by the Pentagon. It was special for the children to see the 9-11 memorial on 9-11 and understand the gravity of what happened seven years ago. SIFA has learned and seen so much in America. Have been blessed and humbled by so much of American history and life. How timely it was to be at the Pentagon on this day.
We arrived at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield Virginia right at 4:00. We were excited to be at our first official host church and to see people we meet in the very beginning. Everyone was off to host families and enjoyed a nice evenings in homes with families. It is hard to believe that these will be our last host families. What a journey this has been. Good night from VA.
September 12-
SIFA was up early and back at Prince of Peace for an early choir rehearsal while Carrie and Jamie ran around Springfield trying to get some last minute things completed. When Emma was getting dressed he unzipped his duffle bag and said "Oh, no all you guys are dirty!" Emma neglected to get his laundry done at the camp so he was out of clean clothes, and mixed that with his favorite American words . . ."You guys"! When we caught up with Robert he said that his host family took him to the "Abraham Clinton Memorial" in Washington DC. When asked if he saw Abraham Lincoln, he laughed and said oh yeah him too. Robert and Emma always keep us laughing!
Serpa, our host coordinator from Prince of Peace, invited us to her place of work for lunch. The employees of Southeastern offices of the Lutheran Church had heard about SIFA when we were here in April, and told Sirpa that they would like to provide lunch for the kids when they came back to town. So, we ate lunch with Sirpa after singing a few songs. Then we headed back to Prince of Peace to wait for host families. Meanwhile- Carrie and Paul headed back into Washington D.C. and to the Uganda Embassy and picked up Paul's passport!!!!!! Praise the Lord! The kids played outside until it started to rain then we moved in to play cards and hang out. While we were waiting, we had some special friends show up. One who had driven up from Carrollton Georgia with her sisters and then our friends and a Pastor from Richmond Virginia. It was such a wonderful surprise. At five, everyone returned to host families. It is nice to be enjoying such wonderful families for our last few night in America. Chinese food was on the menu for many and really enjoyed. We should have tried it sooner. Good night with only a few nights remaining.
September 13-
Yeah, a day for SIFA to sleep in. The kids spent the day with host families. Some went to Mt. Vernon, some went to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles- they got to go to a mock control tour and watch the planes land, others went swimming. A great fun day for SIFA. As for Carrie and Jamie, they didn't get to participate in that fun, they had their own. They ran around Manassas and Fairfax trying to finish getting the kids and themselves ready to leave on Monday for Uganda. There are so many little details involved in getting 20 kids and 2 other adults in addition to ourselves ready for traveling for 2 days half way around the world. Carrie and Jamie arrived just in time to get a quick shower, change and run out the door to pick up the SIFA kids on our end of town, and head back to Springfield. Back to Prince of Peace for a chicken dinner catered by Roy Jackson and his wife. After dinner Carrie and Jamie drove SIFA to Herndon for the our Farewell to America Finale Concert. Together We Can Change the World and My Power Mall hosted concert. We were so excited to have some of the kids sponsor's and tour friends in attendance from Washington State, Indiana, and Connecticut, Georgia New York, Virginia, Washington DC and Mama Ginny and some of our friends from April when we were here the first time. Riley came down as she and Christine sang Music is a Bridge and Together We Can Change the World for the first time in a concert. There was excitement and yet a little sadness in the air. Some of the kids expressed that they weren't ready for this to be their last concert and Carrie and Jamie certainly aren't ready for this to be the last concert with the kids. The concert was great fun! In addition to singing SIFA songs, the choir had learned and sang backup vocals for"African Child" written and sung by teacher Paul. Just before the last song some special gifts that had been created by the SIFA children and aunt Penny were presented to Carrie, Jamie, Betty, Paul and Ginny. The children's hand prints and an outline of America with all the places that we had toured. Thank you Penny for your thoughts, support and encouragement. When the concert was over it was time for pictures, pictures, and more pictures! All the items that had been used with the concerts were sold - drums, grass skirts, baskets- The SIFA children decided that they wanted to take home their costume uniforms for special occasions at church. Carrie and Jamie drove the kids back to Springfield whose host families didn't come to the concert and realized that they hadn't stopped to eat dinner or anything since lunch. They laughed at themselves as we pulled into a Wendy's drive-thru at midnight. They had always wondered who goes to Wendy's in the middle of the night to eat, well...... now they know.
So that is a wrap for the whirlwind SIFA 2008 concerts. It only seems like yesterday that we were preparing frantically in a chilly barn in Pennsylvania for our very first concert and blown away by the media coverage and eager attendees. Now over one hundred concerts later we emotionally say "Farewell America" and a HUGE thank you to all the thousands of volunteers that have made each and every concert possible. We have been blessed beyond measure to sing in the smallest of places to the grandest of cathedrals. There is no way to pick a favorite concert, each one has been a beautiful display of the hope and joy that God has given the SIFA children to sing and overcome such insurmountable circumstances and pain in their young lives. We are blessed to have a huge SIFA family across the US and around the world. Now, as SIFA children are tucked into their warm beds for their second to the last night in the states with their last gracious host families we say " Farewell America . . . see you in 2010!"
****************************************************************************This will be the last posting from the US. We hope to be able to send updates and have them posted while we are in Uganda. Please check back to see how our final hours in America went and the great journey home. The next 48 hours will pass in a blur of packing, last minute details, hugs, phone calls, laughing, and reflecting over the tour. Please keep all of SIFA in your prayers over the next days as we make a 35 hour journey to Uganda through London and then a 5 hour journey back to the villages the next day. We all need your prayers as, we the SIFA Africa Children's Choir end the tour and transition into our lives apart from each other. We have all changed so much over the course of the tour, and most significantly we have become a family . . . as you can imagine we will miss each other very much. Your prayers are a blessing.
Update from Uganda!
September 17th
We arrived in Uganda after a very long journey at 7:20 am Wednesday morning. The kids did great on both flights (7 and 10 hours) and and for our 11 hour layover in London. Everyone had a relative at the airport to greet them with the exception of Flora. With amazing SIFA strength she handled it great and was happy to hold some of the new babies that had been born while we have been gone. Juliet found out the her grandfather whom she had lived with since the age of 2 had died while we were gone and was heartbroken. Her aunt came for her and was very good in support Juliet and being affectionate. We were so grateful Juliet had someone to comfort her. All 50 bags minus 1(little Emma's bag we are still waiting for)arrived and with SIFA Efficiency Robert and the boys and all the bags off the luggage carousel in no time. Fortunately in Uganda the luggage carts are free, so the kids loved getting one for themselves and finding their own bags and taking them out. Much better that having to carry 70lb bags like we did at Dulles. After a big welcome, we all crammed into 4 mini vans and 1 car. That includes all 49 bags, SIFA and their guardians/parent. That was quite a site. The kids were yelling at Carrie and I out the windows, "seat belt please", " music on please", " air on please". Those were the most common phrases that we all shared when loading into our vans when traveling. That brought smiles and a tear to our eyes. Back at Glory church in Kampala we unloaded, and many of the kids couldn't wait to introduce Carrie and I to the people in their families that had come. They were so gracious and we were hugged and hugged, and thanked for taking care of the child. The kids shared pictures, stories, and various gifts that they had brought back for everyone. It was so phenomenal to see them all interacting. What a blessing to be a part of a home coming like this. we hung out at the church, for lunch- matoke!( a favorite food missed by all the children and adults), and rice and cabbage. The kids spent the night at the church and Carrie and I were exhausted and needed to go to our guest house. We said Sulla Balungi(good night) to the kids, got our hugs for the night, and assured them that we would be back in the morning. So good night from Uganda.
October 1st
Carrie and Jamie are now state side, minus SIFA. How can that be? Is it possible? It feels very surreal. We traveled without any incidents. The kids were professional flyers now, so they knew how to buckle their seat belts without us explaining to them, they knew about the headsets and how to work the tv screens, they knew how to order their drink from the flight attendants, and the best part for Carrie and Jamie was that ALL the kids knew how to lock the bathroom door so Carrie and Jamie didn't have to guard the door! Hallelujah. The time with the kids was so special. We had an 11 hour lay over in London and after everyone napped, Carrie spent time loading music from our time in the vans onto cd's, they both played games, and interviewed each child for sponsor packets. Landing in Uganda effected most of us in many ways. We were so thankful to welcome SIFA "home", and yet we were tearful knowing that our time with them was drawing to a close. That quickly changed when all but 1 of the 52 pieces of luggage arrived, and then every child but 1 had family waiting for them outside of the greeting area. That was so special. Back at the church in Kampala, the kids spent time on the floor sharing pictures and stories, and one by one at different times they would come and take Carrie and Jamie to meet their families. What a special blessing for everyone. The rest of the time in Uganda was more difficult for Carrie and Jamie. The cultural differences regarding the adult attitudes toward the children's needs was quite evident, and Carrie and Jamie spent most of the time advocating for the children. The children all got to go home to their villages, only for a couple of hours, but it was blessed, and we just got verification this morning that all 20 SIFA children are in boarding school in Kampala. A great place that will nurture and care for the children, and the education standard is so much better than what they were receiving in the villages. We are thankful. So SIFA is transitioning into a school routine and Carrie and Jamie are transitioning into life as it is without SIFA, not driving 15 passenger vans, not counting 20 heads everywhere we go, not preparing for concerts, staying in our own homes, and most of all-life without seeing each other daily. The adventurous journey is over, yet there really is so much more. We don't know what lies ahead for each one of us, but we are so grateful for all of you who have followed along with us, prayed for us, encouraged us, and loved us. We would love to keep in touch with you and help you keep in touch with the kids. Feel free to email Carrie- carrie@sifachoir.org or Jamie - jamie@sifachoir.org.
A wholehearted SIFA farewell to each of you!
