The Joy of Digging Potatoes

Ērgļi, Latvia, 18th September 2024
Text: Dan Roth
Photos: Anna Roth & Katie Roth

What does war look like? There are many different pictures: soldiers on the front lines, civilians keeping factories going, refugees living abroad. Here is war through my eyes on a potato field at Eagle’s Wings, harvested by a group of 30 Ukrainian refugees:

What do I see? The potato gathering looks like a common event here in Latvia at this time of year but as I look closer, I see two young people with prosthetic legs. I see a middle-aged man missing an arm. I see teenagers without their fathers; fathers they haven’t seen for 3 years because men are not allowed to leave Ukraine. I see older women in their element, enjoying a yearly ritual in which they are competent and experienced.

But something is wrong. They should be in their own gardens, the fields of their communities, their own land. Instead, they are displaced in a foreign land. Suddenly, the sadness of what I see gives way to joy, because I recognize God’s grace. These people are having a good time, laughing and telling jokes, reminiscing about old times. The little kids sit in the dirt, counting potatoes. The young people grumble about the work and then tease each other for being lazy. The older women are full of advice for a better crop next year. They love being together and are grateful for the opportunity.

Loading up 120 sacks of potatoes for distribution to Ukrainians all over Latvia.

You might be wondering – why potatoes? As a farmer, in Spring 2022 it seemed a normal reaction to a massive crisis and an unknown future. Russia had invaded Ukraine a few months earlier, bringing scenes I’d previously only seen in war movies to our screens. Today, three potato seasons later, I find myself surrounded by Ukrainians praising me for such a brilliant idea. Strangely, the need for the potato itself has diminished. The price of potatoes at the grocery store is low and nearly all Ukrainian families living in Latvia now have full-time jobs.

There is nothing brilliant about our potato field. The crop this year wasn’t especially good. But it provides a platform, a reason to come together. That is the true brilliance of the potato field. What Ukrainians living in Latvia need today is fellowship, togetherness, the feeling of belonging to one another, not losing their identity or being forgotten in a foreign land. I thank God for taking a simple idea and making it a greatly loved and looked-forward-to event. A place of coming together, working together, relaxing together and healing together. Eagle’s Wings is a refuge and place of renewal for hurting people.

Slavic Maiboroda, BBI Director of Ukrainian ministry:

“This event unifies us. It brings us together from different parts of Latvia. We feel a strong need for togetherness as we are not in our own country. This opportunity to be together, work together, do a BBQ together, and swim together in the lake gives us time and space to strengthen and support each other. There is much joy in this togetherness.”

Dan Roth

BBI associate Dan Roth is active in the ministry of Eagle’s Wings and Madona Baptist Church. He also oversees the work on the farm at Eagle’s Wings. He is passionate about discipleship and mentoring and Ukrainian relief ministry. Dan loves farming and spending time with his family.