November 29, 2017
Prince Baawuah, Washington Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Youth Leader
Emoji fries, crispy potato tacos, Italian-style skillet potatoes, Spanish Potato Tortilla (Tortilla Espanola). Certainly, these ring a bell. They are the sampling of the varied delicious recipes that 12,000 pounds of potatoes can be turned into. The potatoes are the produce Washington Ghanaian Seventh-Day Adventist Youth volunteers of Spencerville, Maryland, recently harvested on the First Fruits Farm Inc. (FFF) to bless homes and satisfy the hunger of many across Maryland and Central Pennsylvania.
The youth, second time volunteers to the farm in Freeland, Maryland, were privileged to be the first group to harvest the flavorful tubers for the current 2017 period. It was a follow-up to last year, 2016, when the youth volunteers joined the FFF to harvest corn.
Now, the mixed age range of four to over 50-year-olds contributed to the group’s enthusiasm at work on the farm. Typical of their Ghanaian roots of field work, the 25 volunteers filled the air with joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving for the two-and-a half hours they labored. “Mule!” sounded over and again signaling filled buckets with carefully picked and diligently sifted full and healthy potatoes ready to be hauled away.
It was easy to notice the group’s dedication, enthusiasm, team-work, diligence and Christ-likeness. That experience was both on and off the FFF field. Information reaching the leadership revealed the self-sacrificing spirit group members demonstrated before and after the field work.
First, Emmanuel and Emelia, two youth from Burtonsville, Maryland, intentionally drove 35 miles south (50 minutes) in the opposite direction to the field. They went to Clinton, Maryland, to pick up Emmanuella, their peer, who volunteered but had no means of transportation. Happily, the trio drove the 85 miles (about an hour and half) north from Clinton to Freeland to volunteer on the farm. After the event, the youth retraced their steps. They sent their friend back to Clinton before they doubled back home to Burtonsville.
That was such a Christ-like dedication and sacrifice!! There was more. Emmanuella, supposed to go to work by 6 p.m. that evening, had a lee way. Instead of leaving early, God opened a door for her so that she could stay till the harvest was done. What a miracle when we decide to go on our Father’s business in faith! He opens doors!
Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father in Heaven...give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:9-11). We know that with such a privilege to be the hands and feet of Jesus and serving in His stead to harvest 12,000 pounds worth of potatoes, a home destitute of a daily bread, yet looking upon God and God alone, will be satisfied.
This was reflected in the answer volunteer Christiana Gyimah gave to a penetrating question someone asked: “What do you say to an organization that supports the needs of the needy?” Her response? “It's a no-brainer!”
It is a no-brainer indeed to the heart that is compelled by the love of Christ (2 Cor. 5:14). First Fruits Farm Inc. fits the profile. It is a non-profit organization in Baltimore county that ‘exists to advance the Kingdom of God on earth by:
- Growing and giving food to those in need, in Jesus’ name.
- Bringing together volunteers from diverse backgrounds to share a time of serving and blessing others.
- Providing a fellowship opportunity for people of all races, socio-economic classes, and religious affiliations in a natural setting that demonstrates God’s grace and the love of Christ, and
- Offering a regular opportunity for Christian servant leadership.’
Margaret Attey, Communications Director, contributed to this story.