We arrived in England on the 17th of September. It feels like such a long time ago. We decided at the last minute that it would probably be a better option if we camp down in the Isle of Wight cottage as we are still awaiting a final date for the completion of the sale. Our good friend and neighbour on the Island managed to get a small fridge, a couple of garden chairs and a table, and two mattresses for the bedroom. It’s been quite an adventure and God has provided for us in so many ways, down to the tiniest of details.
Our house-sitters Dave and Cristina came to look after the house and our pets. Dave is Dutch, and Cristina is Portuguese. They have two children and are an adorable family. They don’t know Jesus yet, but they all got a touch from Him around the table over dinner, and there were many tears as we shared our testimony and the goodness of God. Dave suffers from back problems, but God touched him, and his pain went from 10 to 5. He said he felt a lot more mobility and also felt free.
My visit to the GP went well. She sent me for blood tests, especially a test that would show enlargement of the heart. I had an ECG to check out my heart, and after falling flat on my chest a few weeks back, I’ve been referred to the breast clinic to see if there had been any damage done there. I received five-star treatment everywhere I went. The staff were so kind to me, and the appointments came quite speedily, considering that friends and family had told me about people they know that are waiting for other things through the NHS.
I saw the top consultant surgeon at the breast clinic, and he has already booked me for surgery (removal of cysts) at the end of this month. I couldn’t believe it! One would normally have to wait months but not God’s princess 🙂 The surgeon wants to be sure about the cysts as my mother had breast cancer.
The upshot of the blood tests and ECG was good. No problems with the heart. So they are referring me to the respiratory clinic, and I’m just waiting for a chest X-ray. So, all is well there.
I wish I could say the same about the cottage. The ceiling in the kitchen is leaking, and the rain is endless, although we have had some sunshine. The buyer has already decided to have a new roof fitted, but we still need to stop these leaks as we want to leave it in the best condition for her.
We have had many blessings and also some hard things to deal with here. The lockdown is more draconian than what we experience in Portugal and has effected our mental health at times. But worse than all of this one of our dear friends passed away. He was only 59. He leaves his precious wife, seven children and five grandchildren and another expected soon. They became very dear to us and were part of the missionary community in Kyrgyzstan. We have since been close friends and visited them Stateside in the past.
After losing our friend, the leaky roof and other things going wrong, we were desperate. Chris was the most desperate I have seen him in 32 years. Everything seemed hopeless. We prayed, we cried; we cried out to God, knowing that He would come through, knowing that there would be a breakthrough. We couldn’t bring our friend back who was now flying his Cessna plane in heaven, we couldn’t stop the rain, but God…..He sent an angel in the form our friend Tim from the local Anglican church. Tim is 83 years old, and he came dressed for action at 9:00 pm that night. He got on the roof armed with knee pads and bright lights, and together with Chris painted a sealant on.
I want to say that’s the end of the leaky roof, but it isn’t. We still have wranglings with the buyers’ solicitor, but we also have peace. God gave us the cottage as an inheritance from Chris’ uncle, and He knows what we need to do with it.
Thank you for your continued prayers, for those that have generously donated finances to us and for all your kind support. We are so grateful for your love, to those who have emailed and inquired after my health. Thank You! Linda and Chris
