2020

Global Friendship House – 2020 – Corona!

“GF HOUSE” – 2020

#Lockdown#cancelledflights#cancelledvisits#moretime#athome#children# move#renovations#timealone#masks#reflection#fears#joy#FreetoFly#Hu-mantraffic#Noteaching#

The joyful start in 2020 did not last very long as the shockwave of “Corona” hit worldwide. We had no fear but a respect for the unknown. Many opportunities emerged to encourage, calm, motivate and address fears. How thankful we are that we know Who holds our future and He is the one in control and not the virus! We saw families dividing, old people sad because they could not see their loved ones and parents afraid of their children’s future. We saw two extremes: those who were cautious and fearful and those who were trusting the Lord! Even though we felt like avoiding both, we continued to be true to our calling to keep our home open as often as was truly necessary, yet as little as possible to keep the risk low!

All other activities were put on ice! No teaching, which left me with no other choice but to deregister my company until further notice.

MARCH

An urgent call came amidst all the confusion and fears people manifested. “Can you help this young lady and take her in?’ She has nowhere to go, in the middle of a lockdown, lonely and in a state which can only be described in the following:

Confusion, mourning, deep sadness, loss, life tired, no family, no friends, sense of hopelessness, anger, in need of love and acceptance, medication, alcohol, cigarettes ……

We needed to make a quick decision! Obey the law, give in to Corona or invite and love a person in need! We chose the latter and said, like Esther “If we perish, we perish”. GF house is not only open for the “safe” and our “own comfort”. Sometimes it is necessary to take a step-in-faith. We did so with lots of challenges but no regret!

For a few weeks we could not only be a place of refuge but a home away from home – a family who cared while she worked through her loss. A haven of peace and comfort and a place to “rest”. After several weeks of caring, reflecting, listening, loving, and trying to make her feel at home, a visit to the doctor brought a change of events. Corona made things very difficult! We have kept contact though and she is doing well. We are thankful we took the risk and stepped out in faith!

OCTOBER

Due to a situation in S.A. I reconnected with an old acquaintance: Salome Geiger

What started out with, “Hey, do you feel like helping us”? turned into coming alongside Salome and designing a full marketing concept, corporate id, Flyers, writing a 36-page organizational manual, designing fundraisers, Power Points, connecting and recruiting people to volunteer. Staying within our statutes, to come alongside people and other NGO to support and assist where we can. Thanks to Corona, we had the time!

For more details see, “Beyond priceless” the fight against human traffic https://www.beyondpriceless.org

Now we are not only active in South Africa but also in USA/France/Germany – “Thank you Corona” with all due respect to the ones who lost loved ones.

DECEMBER

Imagine 2 South African brothers with an Italian passport coming to Germany with no German and in the start of the second lockdown! Giovanni and Ettore. During the few weeks and months that followed, we learned much about the laws and bureaucracy of Germany: Registration, unemployment agency, social welfare, medical aid, translations of Resumé, license, all legal papers, German classes etc. We translated all mail while teaching them how to separate the rubbish and the do’s and don’ts of the culture! Chica, our dog, enjoyed the walks with them. When they left for their own apartment, it was as if our sons left home!

We are happy to say that GF played a big role in both of them finding a job, an apartment and assistance in adjusting faster into Germany. Almost all furnishings and household goods were sponsored! What a blessing!