Life in the Balance

By Mike Warneke,

We have had two very adventurous days in Northern Uganda this past Thursday and Friday. When spending time in Uganda, it is quite easy to see the differences between our children at our partner schools in the Central Region and the Northern Region. Here in the north, very few children run out to greet you, it is a rarity to walk hand-in-hand with children across campus and the language barrier is much more noticeable as well. It is not a secret why this difference is present, the LRA and Joseph Kony are at the root of the problem.

As we drove to the home of Denis Toolit, our Program Manager in Northern Uganda, we arrived at his family’s home compound on the outskirts of the village of Pader. We had the joy and honor of meeting the extended family of Denis, his parents, siblings, and the many orphans that invited us into their lives. We spent the afternoon listening to firsthand accounts of the atrocities that plagued this part of Uganda for far too long. Justin, Denis’ older brother, shared many stories of how he and his brothers time and again outran the rebels, or hid just out of site as they looted their home. Some of the details of their stories cannot be repeated at the horror of what has been done to this region. But in the midst of the retelling of this pain and sorrow, I found one of the most kind and welcoming families that I have ever met.

As I spend over a month in Uganda during this journey, I will be missing the birthday of my incredible wife, Abby. Denis just happens to celebrate his birthday a day after Abby’s and so today, we celebrated both of their lives. We took a cake on a three hour wooden roller coaster ride to Pader, and along with Denis’ family enjoyed the celebration together. The Toolit family gave me a goat, which I have named Asher, and some roasted peanuts as gifts from my wife’s birthday. I was beyond humbled to accept these gifts on her behalf.

On the drive from Gulu to Pader, you are forced to drive through the small village of Odek, which just happens to be the village where Joseph Kony, the leader and commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army, grew up as a child. As we bounced through this village, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that there is darkness in all of our hearts. We are all capable of both good and evil, and hopefully we will learn to always choose the former. I will never condone the actions of evil men, but I have seen time and time again that light always drives out darkness, and in the end, good conquers evil.

I am excited for the day when there will no longer be a noticeable difference with the way the children interact with us at our partner schools. I am excited for the day when hope is alive and well in Gulu , just as we have witnessed at our partner schools in the central region. We are serving in the realm of development and not charity, so patience is key as we move forward. Being in Odek today, made me despise Joseph Kony all the more, however, it is through these atrocities that I have found a second home, and a growing family in Uganda. Our path in this life is just about as bumpy as the road we traveled on today, filled with potholes, twists, turns, and even the occasional dead end. Uganda was not even on my radar ten years ago, but I am committed for the rest of my life to ensure that the children of this nation find hope, and discover that their dreams are within reach.

Day 12, Hope is a Basic Need, Gulu, Uganda

By Jennie Wellsand

Yesterday our small team of five journeyed to Gulu, a northern city in Uganda that is a
pproximately a 6-7 hour drive from Kampala on dusty, bumpy, half put together road.  Since ‘Frank the Tank’ was in the drivers seat, I was fortunate to catch a 20 min nap before we stopped for a well needed beverage.  The further north we drove, the hotter it got & the dryer it gets.  As soon as we crossed the Nile River, we were in the north region, there were baboons crossing the road & eating bananas & there was a different feeling in the air.

Today we went to five partner schools to hand out training jerseys, socks, cones & soccer balls.  Each of these schools are government run with a much bigger population in size than what we work with in the south.  We went to two schools with over a thousand students! As we walked onto 3 of the 5 schools, I could tell a difference between Gulu & Kampala.  If you know anything about Ugandan history, the people in the North have definitely faced much torture & turmoil.   The students at each campus don’t run up to you to hold your hand or touch you because you’re different.  They don’t waive excitedly because you are visitors.  They somewhat turn away out of fear or just lack an expression on their faces.  They’re not used to holding a hand, especially a strangers hand.

Tonight we went to an Americanized restaurant (I ate a burger & fries & it was delic!) & our Gulu staff shared a bit of the history that took place in Gulu, specifically some of the students on the campus we visited today.  Florence, our education director in the North mentioned that the children don’t want to open up because they are afraid we might take them & hurt them or make them do something they don’t want to do.  It was a good reminder for me to hear tonight because I was attempting to give the students high fives & encourage them to hold my hand  -- but they haven’t built that trust with me yet.  It was only 6 years ago that the war ended in Gulu.  SIX YEARS.  Which means most of the footballers we’re working with at the primary schools that are in P6 & 7 were most likely kidnapped to fight for the LRA – forcing these young men & women to murder there own family members, eat dead carcasses or chop off someone’s fingers & hands when they were just children – who are still children.

The stories we’ve heard from friends here in Gulu in the past & tonight are daunting.  One of our friends couldn’t even start his story about his cousin who past away in the war because he was already begun tearing up.  I have realized how much need there is for hope here.  Coach Walter said that many of these students do not believe in God because of what they’ve witnessed & been a part of here.  These kids were faced with evil straight in the eye.  I pray the King of Kings & Lord of Lords would open up huge doorways for us to impact these children with Truth by loving them as they are & encouraging their dreams for their future through football & education.  Hope is a basic need & praise God that Fields of Dreams Uganda has moved north to Gulu to install a hope for the future where, at the moment, it cannot be found.

To support the work of Fields of Dreams Uganda please donate today: http://www.fieldsofdreamsuganda.org/#!donate/chsy

Hope is Rising

By Mike Warneke

What an incredible day here in Uganda. FoDU Championship Tournament days have easily become some of my favorite days of the year. As our team wraps up our time here in Uganda it is so encouraging to say our goodbyes surrounding such a joyous occasion. From the parade through Wakiso, to the excitement and jubilation during the matches, the days was spectacular from sun up to sun down, and it was an extremely hot African sun today. As the Executive Director I have had the privilege and honor to be present at all of our tournament days thus far, and each one of them easily surpasses my expectations. It would not be possible for anyone to be present at our tournament grounds today and not sense that something incredible is happening in Uganda!

I am in awe of what God has done through this idea that is Fields of Dreams Uganda in such a short time frame. We are so incredibly proud of your Ugandan Staff, their tireless work with the children at our partner schools, and the love and humility in which they serve. I am especially proud of Jonathan Ssebambulide, our National Director, in which we can credit so many of our successes. Today was so well organized, and all who participated left feeling as if they were part of something very special. Due to a later start than expected, we ended once again in the dark, but part of me enjoys the dancing, the celebrations, and the unabashed joy under a canopy of stars.

The level of play across the board was very improved compared to last year’s tournament. The coaches have been doing a wonderful job working alongside our partner school’s gamesmasters, and the recent trip to Arusha by many students has had a large impact on the students play as well. It was so wonderful to watch Coach Faridah beaming with pride as the girls played so well on the pitch today, with heart, with determination, and with more knowledge of the game. New Kabaale Busega lost a close match to Africa Greater Life, and all of AGL helped celebrate across the pitch. Both boys’ finals matches were excellent to watch. New Kabaale Busega exhibited great teamwork and was able to defend their June title and take the senior boys division. Africa Greater Life played an excellent match in the junior boys division, but lost to a great opponent in Vision for Africa.

Words are simply not enough to capture the beauty of today, and to be honest the pictures posted on Fields of Dreams Uganda’s facebook page will not do the day justice either. The only way to be fully enveloped by the hope that is so evident in the children’s lives that we serve is to come and experience it for yourself. I cannot wait to travel to Gulu in March, in Northern Uganda and host our first FoDU championship tournament. And I invite you to join us on a June or July trip this summer to see firsthand all that being accomplished here in Uganda. I have never been more proud to be the executive director for FoDU than I was today amidst the next generation of Ugandan dreamers!!!!



Mike Warneke

Champions

To all of our Prayer Warriors,

Today, we were in the presence of champions. What a beautiful day! It was FoDU tournament day for the 4 partner schools of Fields of Dreams Uganda: New Kabaale Busega, Vision for Africa, Africa Greater Life, and Blessed Hope. When I say the word “champions”, I do not just think about one team in one sport. I am talking about every child and participant at the tournament today. The children, the Fields of Dreams Uganda staff, and our team displayed qualities of being a champion today and we were so blessed to be a part of this special day!

The event started with a parade in Wakiso to the field, which was about a mile-long or so. I have been to several parades before, but none could compare to this one. Each school marched, some with a banner of their school leading their teams of footballers and netballers to the field.  When I say marched, some actually marched, some walked, and some (including me) danced. The excitement these kids had to play this game that they love so much was breathtaking. I couldn’t help but feel the spirit of the whole community come to life as we passed through to the beat of a brass band. They played songs such as “This is the day that the Lord has made” and “When the saints go marching in”. It truly was a parade of champions. As someone said at dinner tonight, it was almost like they transformed from being orphaned or vulnerable children struggling to be able to afford to go to school into teams of athletes who were striving for one goal: to be the champions in their respective sports. And that is what is so great about a sport or a game, it can comfort you and either make you forget about the struggles of life for a few hours or it can even transform you into a new person with bigger dreams and a new sense of purpose for your life while here on this earth. That is what I noticed about these kids, especially some of the older ones. They understand that this sport can be an avenue for not only their future, but for the future of their younger friends and family at their respective schools. Through the example of these athletes, both on and off the field, the children and babies at these schools can realize that their dreams can also come true if they train hard and work hard at their studies. And that is what Fields of Dreams is all about. The amount of friendship, sportsmanship, and pure love and joy I saw today was magical. These teams were so proud to represent their schools and their country today and it was awe-inspiring to take it all in with them!

Sadly, tomorrow will be the last day for some of us on this trip. As usual, the week has flown by way to fast and most of us feel as if we have only just begun. But one thing stuck out to me today as we start to prepare to leave this beautiful place: we are ALL champions in the eyes of our Universal God! Each participant today received a medal that said “I am a CHAMPION” because each of them is a champion. Our God created each and every one of us in His image. He created us to be joyous, to love one another, and to believe in He who is so good! The children that we saw today displayed each of those qualities while on the football pitch and also while watching and cheering and dancing for their schools and their friends at other schools. My hope is that they continue to realize that they are champions each and every day in whatever they dream to be. It is my goal that I can live up to be half as good of a champion as these children and young men and women have proved to be.

Though I am sad to leave this place, I look forward to coming home to share with friends, family, and other supporters about the wonderful champions I carry with me in my heart. Thank you all for your support, prayers and love. It is my prayer that this story doesn’t end with the plane ride back to America. This story is being etched in my brain and my heart forever and I can’t wait for my friends and family back in America to get to know my new friends and family here in Uganda. Because we are one BIG family under one BIG God.

I will see y’all soon prayer warriors. But until then, be blessed!

Brian Fleming

I Am a Better Person Today

By Pat Warneke,

Today we headed to Africa Greater Life to spend time with the beautiful children there.  Our greeting was way over the top  Behind the team we tunneled through hundreds of children jumping and screaming to welcome us.  I was enveloped by a feeling of total acceptance and love.

as the footballers were at the gate with signs stating “I train. . . to encourage and inspire others”, “I train. . .because I have a purpose on this earth!”, I train. . .to make this world a better place!”, I train. . .to bring my dreams within reach!” , I train . . . to be successful in life!” and “I train. . .because I am a champion!”

When we reached the assemble hall the boys football team was able to share with us what it meant to them to have traveled outside of their country to Arusha, Tanzinia for the larger tournament and to bring home the prize.  The pride and joy on each of their faces was indescribable.  The boys shared how they had been the first ones in their families to ever leave their country and the HOPE that they now have for a brighter future.  We are so very proud of every one of these fine men.

The children and staff  took us on a tour of the grounds which included the green house with young cabbage plants, an irrigation system, a cat fish pond, the new football pitch,  classrooms and some of the new dormitories.  The kids were so proud to show us their classrooms and the charts on the walls.  I love the pride they have in their home.

In the afternoon three of us nurses had the opportunity to share some basic first aid with the staff and the older kids. We had fun acting out what to do if you or a friend are choking, if you are in a room filled with smoke, or how to treat a friend who has stopped breathing.  Jonathan was our interpreter and everyone should now know how to take good care of their friends and their families.  Abdul, a young student in P-7 had all the correct answers to our questions and is one of many young students that dream of becoming a Doctor.  The kids at AGL are working with their teachers and with the staff of FODU to be successful in this world and to make it a better place.  I applaud each one of them and I do BELIEVE in their dreams!

I am a better person today for having spent it with the staff and children at AGL.

And Yet, Another School of Champions.

By Jennie Wellsand

Today our team went to Africa Greater Life, this school recently won a tournament in Arusha & prior to that won one of our tournaments & received a goat whom they named Hope.  We were welcomed warmly with an African song, cheers & bight smiles.   The footballers were dressed in their jerseys looking like champions.  Since this was my second trip to AGL, I knew what to expect for the most part but was once again blessed by their welcome & joy as we came to campus.  As we went on the tour of the grounds it was encouraging to see them strive to be self sustaining by having a green house, fishing pond & lots of land to plant.

The most shocking part of the day for me was realizing how many faces & names I remembered from last year.  As soon as we went into the chapel for our welcome ceremony a boy named Isaac shook my hand & was so happy to greet me again.  Isaac wants to be a musician.  He was actually the boy in charge of the keyboard music for our session & was beaming with pride.  I am excited to see him at the tournament tomorrow & again Sunday morning – I am hoping to sit down with him to see how well he is achieving his goals of being a musician.  Despite the extremely hot day we had, it was encouraging to see our team flourish in all of our specific giftings loving on the children of Uganda.

When we arrived back at the house we were greeted by our Gulu (northern Uganda) staff.  They helped the Kampala staff get jerseys & prizes ready for tomorrow’s big tournament.  While they were organizing things, our team was also greeted by two of the widows we partner with, Hannifah & Rose.  Rose works with about 30 women who make our beaded work which includes bracelets, necklaces & paper bowls.  Hannifah & her family make our cloth products which include purses, coin purses & scarves.  It’s amazing to be a part of an organization who can support women’s lives in such an amazing way.  Knowing I will bring back some of these handmade products to The States & sell them at a fair trade price to American’s that want to further the ministry of Fields of Dreams makes me thrilled!! Thank you for supporting the women of Uganda & impacting the future of the children of Uganda.  You’re making a huge impact with your purchase & I cannot wait for you to see the new products we will bring home! 

Day of Rest

By Brian Fleming,

Hello again to all of our prayer warriors!

It is hard to believe that we are already through Thursday of our trip. It seems like just last week our team was all meeting for the first time and jumping on a plane in Chicago (oh wait…that was last week). Today was our day to just take time to relax and rest before heading to AGL tomorrow and Sunday with a great day of soccer matches at the tournament on Saturday. As I was talking with Jja Ja Pat (Jja Ja means Grandma) last night, we both agreed that we normally don’t like these days when going on other trips in the past. We sometimes feel guilty or disrespectful for taking “a day to rest” because this isn’t a vacation. We are all here for a specific purpose. But this day was needed by all of us to let us reflect as a team on what the past few days have held and just bask in the beauty that God has created in this country that we are blessed to be in. The plan for the day was to go to Jinja and take a boat tour of the birth of the Nile; but the day held so much more for us.

The day started as any other day, with a devotion time led by Mike. He read from Matthew Chapter 11. This is a great passage that says things like, “I thank you Father…because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to the children.”, and “Come to me, all you that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” What beautiful words to start the morning.

We took off from the Adonai House where we were staying and headed towards Jinja to take a boat tour of the Nile. But first we made a special stop. We all were so honored to stop by Jonathan’s mother’s house (Jja Ja Nora) for a brief visit. She was a beautiful woman and happiness and joy just poured out of every word she said and every hug she gave us. She kept telling Jonathan she was so blessed for us to visit her but we were so much more blessed to see and talk with her, even if it was brief. It was so great to see Jonathan smile from ear to ear as we talked with his mom and learned about his family. That turned out to be the surprise and highlight of the whole day for most of us.

As we continued on towards Jinja, I was so excited to be going to the Nile. It should probably be a bucket list item for everyone to do at least once. The story of Moses in the Nile kept coming to my mind. It is a beautiful story of God’s perfect will. God had a plan for Moses, and though his journey started with his mother placing him in a basket in the Nile knowing that she might never see him again, God knew that was the perfect path that needed to be taken in order for His will to be completed. It is so perfect that we were visiting the Nile here in Uganda today as well. It reminded me that God has a perfect will for each and every one of these kids that we have met and for each person here in Uganda and around the world. God knows the will he has set out and though it is a tough road and most times we have no idea why God would provide such a rough path and journey for these beautiful children and young people, we know that he is a Big God who has a PERFECT will.

The Nile River was beautiful and the whole day was fantastic. We saw a crocodile as we crossed over the bridge before getting there and saw countless birds and lizards and other creatures that were great examples of God’s handiwork. We then went into the city of Jinja for lunch and to do a little shopping for some of our friends, families, and supporters back home. The whole day was great and I believe we got the rest we needed so that we can be fully present for the rest of our time here in this place.

The night ended in a great way as well. We took time to do some affirmations for our own team. We went around the circle and each told what we loved about the other teammates on the trip. As I sat there listening to each person speak about the others and thinking about what I loved about each person, I was reminded of something special that God tells us. I was reminded that each of us has special gifts to bring to the body of Christ. This team has 7 great people with many different gifts. We have a great singer, a great video-man, 3 outstanding nurses, 1 engineer, and 1 director/visionary. But more important than that, we have 1 team who loves these beautiful children and wants to see those children’s dreams come true. And if we keep our faith in our God who is so big and perfects us in so many ways, all of their dreams can and will come true.

Tomorrow is another big day as it will be our first at AGL. I am so excited to hear more dreams from these kids and help them understand that those dreams are never too big to dream. We will also get to help remove some obstacles from these dreamer’s lives through first aid and basic medical training as well as distribution of some helpful medical supplies.

Until next time prayer warriors, be blessed!

Uncle Brian