I walked through customs without any interrogations. It's amazing how much the traveller's origin influences the process. Americans don't seem to be considered a threat to the UK, but travellers from Africa? Everyone's guard goes up. I suppose there's a good reason for this. The main thing is that I landed safely, and now I must find Jean Dawkins, a person I did not know, among a sea of faces. As I scanned the crowd, I noticed a very friendly lady with a big smile. She was holding a sign with the name 'LEARNE' on it. Could that possibly be 'LEONIE'? Yes, she was looking for me! I later learned that she was dyslexic. Jean and her friend Mary picked me up from Gatwick.

 

I referred to them as my two angels and felt I could trust them with my life. It suddenly struck me during the ride that I didn’t know where Jean lived or where we were heading. Was there perhaps a Vineyard there? She informed me we were going to Southend-on-Sea and handed me a map book. I had no idea where it was in England, as I had never even heard of the place. I knew that my life was in God’s hands, and I had no idea why it was Southend-on-Sea.

 

I settled in at Jean’s home and was introduced to her husband, Gordon. She shared the tragic news that two of her children had died from cancerous tumours—one at 20 and the other at 5. How painful that must have been! She later told me she had written a book about losing two children, despite her dyslexia. She's an amazing woman.

The next day, after some sightseeing, Jean asked if I would join her and Gordon for a prayer meeting that evening. It was at a small Church of England village church located on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea. I assumed this was the church where Jean and Gordon attended.

 

I was still so jet-lagged that I could barely keep my eyes open. All I remember from that evening was that they were praying for a married couple. I had a clear vision of a man and wife wrapped tightly in long, thorny briars, unable to move or get free. But amidst the briars, there were beautiful red roses. I didn't fully understand it, but I knew it was meant for the couple they were praying for. The roses among the briars represented a beauty that would emerge. Similar to the blood drops on Jesus’ head. It would bring glory to God in the end.

 

Oh dear! I was so jet-lagged! I’m not sure if any of that made sense, but I had to leave it at that.