We arrived in the USA on the 7th of April after a long, long journey with three suitcases, a cat and a dog.  We’re fortunate to be staying at our friends’ house that sits on their farm in the middle of the forest filled smokey mountains of Georgia. Other friends here also helped prepare the house, providing us with food items and even made sure the pets had all they needed.

 Unfortunately, the photos don’t really do it justice. But, it’s the perfect place to be on sabbatical, to rest and do something different. I (Linda) am enjoying writing a book. I don’t consider myself a writer but just want to put my life into a story for my children and grandchildren. So, we’re enjoying reading and walking together. It’s just so nice to be able to relax and unwind after years of living in a close community, living in a foreign culture, and working in a language that was difficult to learn.

The farewell in Portugal was sombre as with all the places we’ve lived in and had to say “goodbye!” It doesn’t get easier, but God is so kind and knows our hearts need his comfort at times like these.

God has provided all our needs since arriving here, especially in the precious friends we have here in Georgia and South Carolina. We are so blessed to feel loved and welcomed.

We have been here eight weeks now, and it’s not easy to find a house to buy or even rent in South Carolina. As much as we love where we are right now, it just won’t work when we start mobilisation after October. The mountain roads make other parts of the East coast less accessible, particularly in the wintertime.