Why Field of Dreams?
As Mike Salley, director of Show Mercy, walked the property near Kaliti Village in southern Uganda one day, he was reminded of the movie ‘Field of Dreams’. In this film, the story begins to unfold with Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) walking peacefully through his cornfields tracing his fingers across the tops of each of his corn stalks. In that moment he hears a voice gently whisper to him, “If you build it, he will come.”
While the voice continued to pursue Ray, he caught a vision of a beautiful and brightly lit baseball diamond in the midst of his harvest. Now the voice was whispering directly to Ray’s heart, for as a young boy, Ray’s dad had taught him the history of many baseball legends. Ray loved baseball! Even though it was a ludicrous idea, Ray knew he must build this field even though it would destroy his crops. He was beginning to catch a vision and purpose was born in his heart. Yet, with resurfacing thoughts of his dad, Ray’s past began to haunt him. It was riddled with regrets surrounded by missed opportunities with his dad. Like a time in his youth, out of anger, he refused his dad’s request to have a simple game of catch. For many unfortunate reasons, Ray had not known what it was like to bond with a loving father.
Once the field was completed, miraculously, many baseball greats from the past appeared and came to play ball. Ray was star struck but still longed to know who the “he” was that the voice referred to. At one point, Ray was asked by one of the players on his field, “Is this heaven?” Ray’s simple reply was, “No, this is Iowa.” The player quietly responded, “That’s funny, it looks like heaven.” And later, that same player, when replying to Ray’s question, “Is there a heaven?” emphatically responded, “Oh yes!…… Heaven is the place where dreams come true.”
In the climax of the movie, Ray is overwhelmed when he finally discovers who the “he” is. It is revealed as the man he longed to know, his dad. His heart welled with gratitude that beautiful sunny Iowa day when he and his loving father finally have that game of catch. Ray had built it and now his father had come. He was experiencing a simple yet life changing moment of purpose, love and healing.
Throughout the film, every character that approached that baseball field was touched and changed by the magic of dreams coming true. The desires of each heart were being filled and the underlying message, “People will come,” spoken by Ray’s young daughter, enhanced the truth that people long to leave a life of meaningless endeavors. They desire to dream….. to be a part of something that truly matters…….. and for their hearts to be stirred with passion and hope once again. And for others; to know purpose and catch a dream for the very first time.
As Ray and his father continue that game of catch well after the sun has set, the headlights from an endless stream of cars meander for miles on the horizon, all heading to one place….. the field of dreams. And one by one each car; with desire and purpose, pulls into the cornfield longing to experience something fresh and alive, something that will move their hearts and fill their dreams once again.
We at Show Mercy International, have heard the Lord’s voice in those whispered words. We know that by completing the Field of Dreams, HE (a loving father) will come! And as the ground has been broken and the road is paved through the property, we witness miracles already taking place in the nearby village. He begins to show His love to many orphaned and abandoned children as well as struggling villagers; and He will reveal His heart to the many partners who visit Uganda and serve on the Field of Dreams property. The longing cries of this village, having not yet experienced a passionate and intimate relationship with their father, will be heard. We know that His love never fails!
Have you ever had a dream or longed to be a part of one? A dream that speaks to your heart and brings you to that place of knowing; “I matter…….. I really have a purpose!” And then to have that purpose become a song in your heart that lights up your whole life and your path? We believe that the Field of Dreams is a place where dreams come true. Where every heart can find renewed purpose and for many; where new meaning to life is born in loving relationship with the Creator Father. He will come……… for the children…….. for the villagers………..the volunteers and mission teams……. for every heart……. including yours and ours.
As Mike Salley (like Ray Kinsella) was walking peacefully through those 25 acres that day, his thoughts were very well drawn to the orphaned and abandoned children Show Mercy has rescued and cared for thus far. That is when he heard a voice gently whisper, “If you build it, I will come.” Please consider joining us in our efforts to build the Field of Dreams. Somewhere in our hearts we all truly know that we desire to ‘have a catch’….. with the Father.
