In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to provide for widows, orphans, and refugees by setting aside part of their fields so they could find food to eat. These fields were called fields of the fatherless (or fields of the orphans).
“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.
Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.”
Deuteronomy 24:19-22
For years, I thought fields of the fatherless existed only in ancient times…but God has proven otherwise. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
When God first breathed His ministry to Caracol’s vulnerable children and families into life, Pastor Payot, Pastor Randall, and I knew that more space would be needed to fulfill the call.
The mission team began looking at several properties in the area, but none of them met the 3 requirements needed to move forward: close to the church, high elevation, affordable.
One night, we climbed up to the roof of the dorm where we were staying, and looked out behind the church property to see two acres of lush, green paradise.
We could not find Pastor Payot fast enough! When we caught up with him, he said, “Lorie, the guy who owns that land won’t sell it to us. He doesn’t like Christians. The church has been trying to buy it for years.”
Just days later, as the visiting American team was about to return home, the landowner offered to sell the property to us at an astronomical price. I mean, as high as the heavens are above the earth- that’s how high it was. There was no way.
We went home not knowing our next steps, but being prayerful around them.
Two months later, Pastor Payot messaged that the landowner had approached the church and offered to sell the property at a very fair price. He went on to say that other landowners with adjoining properties offered to sell as well!
By the time the rejoicing had quieted, the transactions were complete.
Before the beginning of time, God set this field apart to provide for the orphans, the widows, and the poor of the community. This paradise, this field of the fatherless, bears good fruit of every kind.
Tomatoes, cassava, beans, okra, spinach, sweet potatoes, eggplant, herbs, and more grow in abundance on the property. Anything that is too much to be eaten on site is given away to those in need in the community.
There are 8 kinds of mango trees on this field of the fatherless! During mango season, the harvest is so plentiful that the church elders fill buckets, vehicles and everything they can find to carry mangoes out to the village. It is a land of plenty.
This field of the fatherless also grows turkeys, ducks, goats, pigeons…and children. 400 children experience the gift of joyful play here every summer during VBS, 19 girls have grown up there…and God’s love story of reconciliation and redemption for vulnerable children and families is just beginning.
The God of Deuteronomy 24 is the same God who saved this field for Strong Tower. He’s the same God, with the same call on His people to “leave what remains for the orphan, the widow and the refugee.” He says this in the text 3 times. He wants our attention here.
As the Redeemed of God, we are still called to care for those who live in the margins. We’re called to act, to put into practice the commands and teachings of Christ. We’re called to serve the orphan, the widow, and the poor in Jesus’ Name. Let us give what remains of our time, talent, and treasure to love on Caracol’s children and families. It will be one of the best decisions you have ever made.
And the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:19
Lorie Holt
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Strong Tower Haiti