The four "G"´s

Are you curious what the four "G"´s stand for?

This is the story of:
the God´s children´s home
the Girls
Going Shopping
and... Good bye!


Once upon a time... we came with two landrovers to God´s children´s home orphanage with an exciting plan: we got to take all the teenage girls of the teenage group I (Andrea) am involved in ... shopping for new clothes!!!
What sounds like a normal thing to do for us is something absolutely extraordinary for these girls! The clothes they have are usually donated, and they never get to go an PICK something they LIKE!
A very close friend of mine from home works with teenagers that had taken on different jobs to earn money for a good cause - and had donated parts of it for "our" girls at God´s childrens home. We used parts of that money for school uniforms, books, but also baking utensils to teach them baking.... and to make this exciting trip possible! Come along with us!!!


Here we go... still some wild roads to drive on till we get to the "city"!


I have to say, I kind of enjoyed the offroad driving experience! Definitely more the offroad one than driving in absolutely crazy Monrovia traffic - where using the horn is not an exception but part of normal driving! ( Will I ever get used to driving in GErmany again? Well, the potholes I will not miss too much unless we will have a car like the landrovers!)


First stop: a lebanese fabric store! The girls were allowed to pick the fabric they like, and we planned to have a nice outfit have tailor-made for them (the normal way to get clothes here for there is no H&M whatsoever in faaaaaaar reach!) We thought we will have to wait for ages... but they were done in less than 10 minutes (wow, they must have dreamed about it in detail for weeks!)

Next stop: The market! It is a market where you can buy second hand clothes from wheelbarrels and wooden stands - clothes mainly donated from the States and other "western" countries. People buy them in bulk and sell them on the market. At first I was really frustrated to see that they sell what we donate at home for people that cannot afford clothes - but I realize that it creates jobs, and that is something really good.


Each of the girls received some money from us that they could spend on any clothes they needed and liked - and that was one of the first times they got to do that! Can you imagine, being 15 and never had the freedom to chose something you really like? Or not having a bra because you didn´t get one? It was a joy watching these girls being so excited!


Next stop: Shaka´s tailor shop! For about 7 US Dollars he made a nice skirt and top for each one of the girls...


... and they got to pick the style themselves!


This is how it works: there are many posters with all kinds of styles, and you try to imagine which one would look the best on you (it is not so easy - I´ve been there, done that!)


And then: taking measurments! (It is not a garantuee though that it will for sure fit! I had to take my ordered outfit back twice until it really fitted me... changes are included in the price though!)

Now I tell you about our last - and hardest "G" - the Good bye!

We though long and hard how to have a special event for the 9 teenage girls that we became so close to after over a year of fellowship, studying the bible together, praying for each other, praying for food when there was none and seeing how God was providing, helping them move to their new place..... and also having lots of fun together!

We decided to take them to the...


... beach! And believe it or not - even though they live so close to the beach, this was their SECOND time only at the beach (the first one was also with the ones from the who had started this teenage group last year!)
None of the girls can swim or possess a bathing suit!
At first they were quite afraid of the water....


... but after a while we had so much fun with them there!
We hardly could get them out of there, but we had some more surprises:


We had snacks, time to chat and laugh - and then a wonderful time of reflection back on our time together! We played a little game - passing on a roll of yarn, and each person receiving it had to say what they remembered most about our times! Then that person held on to the yarn and passed the roll on - and we created something like a net and a beautiful pattern - something so symbolic for the memories that make us so thankful to God and will also remain even after we have to leave...
We read different passages from the bible together like the one in Jeremiah 17:7+8:
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stram. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit".
It is hard to go, but it is our prayer that they will learn more and more to put their trust God and not in us - and experience who he will guide them on in life and form this precious young lives into something strong and healthy in this damaged and needy country!


Before we had to take them back to the orphanage we surprised them with some gifts, cards...


and then, their beautiful new outfits we went shopping for the other day! I will never forget how their faces lit up! We have a saying in German: It was like Christmas and Easter together! I was never so moved by seeing such joy over "simple" gifts!



I pray that we all can learn from them, taking things not so much for granted, having a thankful heart that can be surprised with little things and can be content even without those things!


Being in Africa has taught me alot and challenged my perspective on things in many ways.
My prayer is that especially during this Christmas season we can take the focus off the material things, about WHAT we get and WHAT we give to others, but to really focus on what Christmas is all about in the first place! Let us look up from ourselves and look to God, who made a way for us through Jesus to receive forgiveness for the things we do that separate us from God, and gives us this unbelievable offer of reconciliation with him, the creator of everything!
" For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, tht whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life!"
That is real genuine hope, the greatest gift you can think of, and a reason to celebrate!

On behalf of all 4 Edeles....


... have a blessed and peaceful Christmas season!
Thanks for your interest in our lives, our ministry ... and your support!