New Website

My blog at this address will no longer be updated.

Check out my updates here: http://www.jareddwhite.com/blog

Search & Rescue

The Plan

“I Heart the LRA”

Controversial, Contextual and Changing the World

• NOTE: This was written in response to a group of people that disagree with the newly released Invisible Children shirts.*

You can buy this shirt at: http://store.invisiblechildren.com/

Currently, the governments of DRC, Uganda and Sudan see the LRA as a collective (abducted child or not). The bombings of “Operation Lightning Thunder” prove this to be true. There were no efforts to isolate the commanders from the abducted children and hundreds were killed in this joint military offensive.

IC is trying to help change the current view of the LRA. The LRA is not a terrorist organization and we should start to view the LRA as innocent children who have been kidnapped and are held against their will. Saying “I Heart the LRA” is an act to separate the LRA and it’s leadership (Joseph Kony and his commanders), so that people can see that the LRA is not a terrorist organization…Joseph Kony is the problem and the terrorist.
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The shirts are serving their purpose. It’s a beautiful thing that so many people are asking questions and really seeking depth and truth in the current situation. How incredible would it be if the communities in northern Uganda loved the LRA and when they return home to Uganda were received with open arms, forgiveness, reconciliation and support? If the negative association to the LRA is changed to a positive the child soldiers that return would have less stigmatization to overcome than they currently do.

Current former child soldiers are stigmatized as rebels in their communities. Even though they were forced to join against there will. How incredible would it be if the LRA became a positive stigma? And instead meant “innocent child” instead of rebel or terrorist. It might make it easier for their communities to receive them when they return home.

The current situation with the LRA and innocent children is a very complex and I believe these shirts are the least of our worries (and the child soldiers). The shirts will fade away a year or so after April 25th, but the hurdles these child soldiers will face will last their entire lives.

These concerns have really helped bring so much to the surface. I feel like I need to spend more time supporting the leaders of northern Uganda in their efforts to remove the real guns from the hands of the LRA and bring home their children.

The Power of Three – TRI 2009

TRI to See the Power of Three…

This video was created to launch Invisible Children’s (IC) new TRI Campaign. About 2 months ago, I was asked by IC’s management and founders to oversee and manage this campaign (on top of my responsibilities as Mission Coordinator).

With the economy affecting all of us, IC has had to decrease “overhead” and add more responsibility to staff…I’m thankful for being given the opportunity to manage this new and exciting initiative. Mainly because its a campaign that will help northern Uganda rescue their abducted children, sustain IC and their programs in Uganda.

Rescuing Child Soldiers

This video was created by one of the IC roadies that went on the most recent trip to Uganda I was fortunate to lead (see “Ten” blog post). The video is only 12 mins long and is about Invisible Children working closely with the leaders of northern Uganda to help plan “The Rescue” of child soldiers from a rebel army called the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). The LRA has been committing atrocities in northern Uganda for over 20 years and Invisible Children has been asked to play a role in helping those who are still being oppressed in northern Uganda…the child soldiers.

It’s a unique situation because these child soldiers were abducted by the LRA and forced to fight (kill or be killed). Watch the entire thing, it’s worth it.

The northern Uganda leaders present are the elected and appointed leaders (including a representative of the Catholic Archbishop Odama).

Thanks to all of my supporters (through prayer and finances) I was a part of this monumental meeting that was documented (props to Adam Litchfield – the roadie that filmed the entire 4 hour meeting). Enjoy the video!

These Other Things

With my birthday approaching, I’ve been a little “giddy” about receiving mail at my new address. Today I received an incredible gift and I want to share a part of it with all of you.

“The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom [The Way] and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you” – Matthew 6:33

Thanks Gramma & Grampa! Love you too.

The Way – part.1

You’ve probably heard of it or are in pursuit of it.

The Way isn’t new.

It’s thousands of years old.

Yet it’s still as controversial as ever. Jesus’ followers are still being persecuted and oppressed to this day for it. Recognizing we’re sinners and that no one is good except God alone is part 1.

Jesus is God. The Son of Man. The Son of God. The Father is in Him and He in the Father.

“Jesus was not just another great religious teacher, nor was he only another in a long line of individuals seeking after spiritual truth. He was, instead, truth itself. He was God incarnate.” – Billy Graham

I’m Back and Spanksgiving

It’s been quite overwhelming since I got back to San Diego a couple weeks ago. Trying to catch up with friends after being gone for 2 months is a pretty impossible goal and I’ve pretty much failed my attempt. Thanksfully, some of my friends have an annual Spanksgiving party (it’s a pre-Thanksgiving feast with friends since most everyone spends Thanksgiving with family) and I was able to see a lot of my friends and colleagues all in one night. The theme of the night was “Norman Rockwell” and all fifty people who attended looked straight out of the 50’s. It was a fun night with great company, amazing food and a lot of photographs. Check out the photo below of me and two of my roommates (I live in Ocean Beach now and no the cigarette is a prop, I’ve never smoked a cigarette in my life – not going to start now.)

Me, David & Russell – The Patrelli Boys

Mercy

My co-worker in Uganda has such an incredible God given name…Mercy. The other day I stopped by her house to see her beautiful baby girl for the first time. Stephanie has big eyes and the cutest cheeks. Check out some photos of my visit.

Mercy & Stephanie (notice the Invisible Children Schools for Schools t-shirt, oh yeah!)