MarchApril

March 17-19 Jamie and Carrie leave Valley Center CA at noon for LAX. 7:00 pm departure from LA headed for London; 10 hour flight time. 9 hour lay over in London. 9:00 pm departure from London headed to Entebbe Uganda; 9 hour flight time. "What day is it now?" Carrie

March 19- Arrival in Uganda at 9:00am. All seven, 70 pound suitcases arrived intact. Greeted by Luke and Pastor at the airport and upon arrival at the church we were greeted by the SIFA kids singing in three part harmony! WOW! This is going to be an awesome tour. Not wasting any time we proceeded directly to the US Embassy in Kampala Uganda to process the VISA applications for the children and chaperones to be able to enter the United States. We are presented with information regarding applications and petitions that should have been filed months earlier and leave the Embassy overwhelmed. With out wasting anytime we determine that we need to hire an attorney, file for legal guardianship of the children, and set the prayer chain in motion. "This is only a test!" Carrie " Is this really happening"Jamie

March 20- We spent the morning with the children and then get busy with the legal documents that need to be prepared and arrangements to go to court in Masaka for guardianship proceedings. Come to find out Uganda shuts down for Good Friday and Easter Monday. So court must wait until Tuesday. Arrangements are made and paperwork continues long into the night. We realize that we need a miracle to pull off what needs to be done and more prayer request are sent home. "I don't think this was on the itinerary" Carrie "Thank God for laptops!" Jamie

March 21-24- We have managed to sneak in time with the children in order to continue with preparations for their departure. They are so excited to receive the clothes, shoes, backpacks, and other donated items for their journey. Every moment we are not with the children is consumed with paperwork and strategic how to obtain guardianship, VISA's, a Rwandan passport for Jackie who was declined a Ugandan one because of the shape of her nose, and survive another ten days with little food and sleep. Easter morning made Jamie and Carrie miss home, but being with the children for services and lunch was wonderful.

March 25-April 25-

"Time flies when you’re having fun! Being a mom to 20 is the greatest job in the world." Carrie and Jamie Jamie and I (Carrie) have enjoyed the first month with the children tremendously. We are truly blessed daily by there growth, insight, new discoveries, and dedication to the mission of this tour. We unfortunately have found very little time to update this website. We hope to come back and fill in the missing month, however we will move forward from this point, as to not leave everyone behind. Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers for the entire SIFA Choir team. Blessings to each of you as we move forward!

April 26-

We enjoyed a full day being at the Icarnation Center Camp in Ivoryton PA. The documentary team from First Image Studio's spent the day with us filming and interviewing us to continue to weave together the story of our journey. The children enjoyed singing to other groups staying at the camp and meeting other American children. At 3 pm we left for New Hope Christian Church in Stamford and shared a wonderful Brazilian meal with members from their church. The evening concert was full of excitement and energy as this Portuguese speaking congregation embraced our children with love. It was a great night! After a 1.5 hour drive home we got the kids tucked in at 11:30 and headed to bed ourselves.

April 27-

We arrive at Christ Church New Chapel for an 11 am service during which the children enjoyed singing several songs throughout the service. After church the children enjoyed a Fried Chicken dinner (Their Favorite!) and great fellowship with the church members. The afternoon was shared with the documentary team and the evening ended with goodbyes as we would not be seeing our Connecticut friends for some time.

April 28-

Our Connecticut friends came back to the camp to say goodbye, one more time on this rainy morning. We packed up and headed out in a downpour for our journey to Bushkill, PA. We had a long day of driving and arrived at the Fernwood Resort that is providing our lodging for 4 nights. Thank you Fernwood! The children were wowed by the fancy accommodations and modern hotel rooms with big beds. After room assignments and showing everyone how the magnetic strip card keys, showers, TV's (oh no!), and lights worked we headed to bed about 10pm. The bathrooms had hairdryer on the walls and of course everyone had to check them out. The toilets had a ribbon on the to indicate that they had been cleaned and so we had to explained that they weren't really out of order. We never stop laughing and smiling as the things we take for granted are a whole new adventure for there children. Just before drifting off to sleep, Emma who was stretched out on the roll-a-away bed by the window said to me "Mamma" and pointed out the window to the moonlit playground and giggled. Nothing else has to be said. His eye where filled with hope and wonder, knowing that tomorrow would hold even more exciting things for his little heart to behold.

April 29-

Fernwood resort provided a wonderful breakfast of which everyone greatly enjoyed. After breakfast was our first opportunity for swimming. We managed to get everyone in to some form of swimming attire and headed for the pool. Before we could get through pool instructions the children began jumping in. Most of them ended up in the shallow end while other cautiously watched. Then there was Mudu who jumped right end to the deep end. Confident, happy, future President of Uganda was soon in a panic. He had no idea how to swim and couldn't touch. My lifeguard skill came in handy as I jumped in with shoes and clothes and pulled Mudu to safety. After sitting everyone down for a VERY stern pool talk, and trying to salvage my soggy cell phone, and getting a swimming suit on myself we all got back in the pool and enjoyed several hours of fun! Mudu was a little timid and stayed close to the edge but I was delighted that he got back in the pool. "Mamma Carrie . . . . Thank you for saving my life, I sorry you got your clothing all wet" Mudu

After swimming we were able to meet Grandpa and Grandma Lenior that are our gracious hosts while we are here. The children were delighted to meet them and enjoyed hugs all the way around. Lunch was a special treat of Pizza and a local Pizza place. After lunch the children rested and Jamie and I took uniforms to be cleaned. All the children woke up about 5 and the children enjoyed a dinner of Cup of Noodles and a Banana. Jamie and I felt pretty smart coming up with a hot meal for less then $20 for 25 people in a hotel room with a 2 cup coffee pot. The children loved the noodles and we were off for a concert at the Fernwood Ballroom. Despite a glitch with the sound system the children pulled of a spectacular concert completely chapel. It was a beautiful evening of sweet voices praising the Lord! We had a great turn out and the staff at the Fernwood enjoyed the children. While pointing at the large Chandeliers hanging in the Ball Room Daniel asked "Are those all diamonds hanging from the lights" . These children are still in awe daily about things you and I take for granted. We were in bed by ten as we did not have to travel after the concert.

April 30-

We decided to take the children for a hike and went to explore some waterfalls in the Pocono Mountains where we are staying. The children all enjoyed the mile hike up and round and over several waterfalls in the George Washington Child's Park . We hope to get some great picture up soon. Mudu stayed back form the edge of lookout points and promised me he wouldn't make me jump in this time. I was glad. PB and J for lunch and a two hour nap was all we needed to be ready for a great concert at Shawnee Tabernacle in Tobyhanna PA. We have a wonderful home cooked meal with the pastor and staff before our 7:30 concert. Everyone enjoyed the children and the children had a great time ministering to the 200+ people in attendance. Another late night, but energizing none the less as Shawnee was so excited to have us.