What’s Your Favorite Team?

It was a treat for me [Rodney Suddith] to be with Mohammed as I had met him on a previous trip to Bwaise Slum in Kampala. Mohammed was born with several birth defects that will shorten his life. The first time I met him he was shy and had little to share. But on this day Mohammed was like a field general as we slashed overgrown vegetation and picked up trash.

During a break Mohammed asked what our favorite soccer teams were as well as our favorite player. I shared, then asked Mohammed about his favorite team and player. His response was very inspiring. Mohammed surveyed the other people working and said his favorite team was “The Good News Football Club,” which is made up of members of the Sports Outreach staff, and his favorite player was Bashir. One must realize that Mohammed can name every team and all the stars of the Premier League; he is aware of Chelsea, Arsenal, Ronaldo, etc. Therefore, his answer was a bit surprising, so I asked him, “Why is the Good News Football Club your favorite team?” They’re the only team that has ever asked me to play!” answered Mohammed. “They also come to where I live to feed me and other children, they help me to go to school and they also help my family. They know I have challenges, but they accept and love me. The Good News Football Team is my family and that is why I love them.” I am now a Christian, but others are not – but the team still loves them, helps them, and feeds them. They are my family, and this is our community – and that is why we are cleaning today.”

Excerpted from the April 2015 Newsletter