“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’” (Matt. 5:35-37, NIV). Although in this text, Jesus speaks figuratively about workers for the spiritual farm, to First Fruits Farm, Inc. (FFFI), this text is both literal and spiritual.
Located in Freeland, Maryland, about 30 miles north of Baltimore, FFFI is a non-profit ministry dedicated to growing fresh vegetables and fruit to help feed hungry people in the community. Since 2004, on nearly 200 acres of beautiful farmland and with help of thousands of volunteers, who have been blessed to provide nearly 10 million pounds of fresh produce to brothers and sisters in need. In addition to produce, the farm also provides over 60 dozen eggs per week as well as beef to various shelters and food banks.
This fall, the Washington-Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist (WGSDA) church, in northern Virginia, became an answer to FFFI’s prayer for workers to God’s harvest field.
Back Row, From Left: Lawrencia, Charles, Aunty Hannah, Victoria, Gloria, Christiana, Auntie Rosemary, Ama, Nancy, Elder Yamoah, Mathilde, Michelle, Juliana, Eugene, Richard. Front Row from left: Tiffany, Afia, Michael, Emily, Daniel, Vanessa, Elder Asiem & Elijah, Fred, Prince, Uncle Moses.
With a wide age range from six years old to over 40, 26 workers joined in at the FFFI’s farm at Sparks Glencoe to harvest sweet corn. For about three hours, with other volunteers along side, several wagons were filled with ears of corns. Volunteers say it was a great time to meet new people, work together as a group, have fun, venture something different and to be the hands and feet of the Lord, serving in His stead.
“It has been an awesome privilege to be with all of you and thank you for being such a blessing to people that you don’t know,” said Rick Bernstein, one of the founders and farmers. “They are going to get this corn and give to God the glory. Even though a lot of this is going to the major food banks, about 95 percent of where the food goes after the food bank are churches that are using these foods to help people, but also to give glory to God and to reach people for Christ.”
The WAGSDA Church youth plan to make this a yearly practice.
By Prince Baawuah and Margaret A. Attey
