I politely refused any breakfast or coffee before Carl and Laura were going to drive us to the Goose Bay Airport.  I still get somewhat nervous before flying...not that I am afraid of flying but just get anxious before a trip.  We said our good-byes inside the terminal, which was similar in size to Abbotsford Airport, with one carousel for luggage and a small lineup for security.  With only carry-on bags, we had a very simple screening and had an hour to wait at the gate for our flight. 
I was amazed at the variety of people waiting with us in the Goose Bay Airport.  We heard the regular Canadian English and the fun Labradorian/Newfoundland accent, as well.  There were also people of east Indian origin, Inuit folk and a man who we overheard was involved in First Nations politics (must have been Innu).  Several Filipino people were there and we had met a nurse from Jamaica at the church on Sunday.   Our friends told us the military base also hosts American and German folk for training exercises so there can be quite the international group at any one time.
Taxi and take-off to Halifax went smoothly and we dozed once we were up in the air.  It was a quick jaunt, then less than an hour before we boarded our next plane for Ottawa.  Air Canada milk runs, but the price is right!
The next leg of the journey was a little longer, so we ordered food and watched a movie.  I enjoyed the "Murder on the Orient Express" while Walter watched a comedy of some sort.  We landed in Ottawa to rain/overcast skies.  Too short of a time there to make any interesting observations but we found our gate quickly and were up in the air for the 16 minute flight to Montreal.  The flight attendants fairly splashed a cup of water on us before preparing for descent already!  This flight was full so it was worth Air Canada making such a run.
Finally we landed at our final destination for the day...we found the car rental area and picked up a sporty Hyundai Veloster Coupe.  We threw our bags in the trunk and sped out of the parking lot to head south to Stanstead, PQ.  Well, the signs were saying "Sortie" but we had some trouble finding the exit.  Ended up going out an "in" lane, so Walter quickly did a U-turn and we were finally heading out onto the freeway!  Then there was some construction on the spaghetti-like overpasses, but the trusty "Google Maps" lady led us through the maze and out towards Stanstead.
We found the address of our missionary couple, Martin and Naomi Tetreault, who have recently taken on the leadership of Kwayotage Day Camps. They are young, with four small children.  Two of the kids were sick, so only two of the healthy ones joined us for supper.  They spoke French predominately in their home, but we conversed in English.  What a sweet family!
The common theme we find in visiting the missionaries in the east of Canada or the far north, is that they are very independent and quite content to serve without tangling themselves in mission business.  They were happy to meet us and welcome us in their home.  They were curious to get to know us and hear what new things were developing in NCEM.  Of course their main concern was how would any changes affect them on the ground of their ministry to First Nations children in Quebec!  So we communicate the best we can the vision and direction for the future, while seeking to listen to their concerns and realities of ministry at grass roots level.  As the Tetreaults are working and living about five hours from where they do the Day Camp in July, they are considering how to grow and expand the camp ministry and wonder if they should go full-time and move closer, or remain part-time and continue the "tent-making" approach to mission work.  We pray along with them for wisdom to do what is best suited for them and their family...and there is always the financial side which is where the "faith" part of faith missions comes into play!
We left before 10 pm as Martin had work the next morning and Naomi had sick kiddos to nurse back to health!  Besides that, they had a cat and we couldn't stay overnight with our feline allergies. So we headed up the highway to find a hotel.  We googled and found an Econolodge in Granby, PQ about half-way back to Montreal.  More than adequate for the overnight and free breakfast needs we had.
We slept like logs - what does that really mean? - and anticipated a wonderful day off in the city of Montreal...

Surreal.
I have most likely used this word to describe my recent travel experiences.
I just can't express how I am feeling any other way as I gaze at the surrounding landscape and unfamiliar faces at the new communities we have visited in the past year.
Our latest travel adventure took us to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador.  We left Regina early Friday morning.  Air Canada took us to Toronto, Halifax and then Goose Bay.  Dark, starry skies and cold air greeted us as we descended the metal steps and walked across the tarmac of the small airport.  Our friends from Missionary Development Program (Class of 1990) greeted us and immediately whisked us to their cozy home about 15 minutes away.  After about a 12 hour travel day, I am always amazed at the energy that is revived when we visit with people. At least for a time.  We didn't argue when Carl and Laura suggested we all head to bed at 10 pm Atlantic time (it was only 8 pm back home).
The next morning Walter and Carl went to a Men's breakfast at their church, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.  The next thing I remember, I checked my phone and saw it was 10:30 am.  The guys would be coming back from breakfast and I was still in bed!  Boy, I must have needed those extra ZZZ's!  I got up, found a cup of coffee and hit the shower. 
Our next order of business was to drive up to Northwest River, a community about half an hour from Goose Bay, across a river (?).  This community was inhabited by Innu, Inuit, Metis and local Labradorians.  We had tea at friends of our hosts: a Metis man from Black Tickle who married a Dutch gal!  Very friendly folks.  Then we drove to a little gift shop to see if we could find some carvings or other souvenirs made by local people.  Walter found some "seals" made of seal skin and I purchased some Inuit Parka dolls.  For the kids, you know.
We crossed the bridge again and they showed us the Reserve "Shesheshie".  As in the city, huge snowbanks were evident everywhere, and all driveways had been blown out by snowblowers.  They'd had 11 feet of snow already this winter and even more was expected in March and April!  We saw the school, arena and band offices.  Similar and yet different from the prairie First Nations communities. 
Laura had a pot roast in the oven, so we headed back to their home.  We made another stop at a gift shop and Walter found a carving by an Inuit artist that caught his eye.  I found a "Tea Doll", made by the Innu people.  The story of the tea dolls is that whenever the people were on the move, everyone had to help by carrying items.  Little girls were given cloth dolls filled with loose tea.  They would use the tea as they journeyed, but the girls would still have a doll, that could be refilled and played with.  It is a nice story and cute momento of the trip.
After a tasty moose roast supper, complete with chocolate cake and strawberries, Carl built a fire in his backyard firepit.  With paths and a little area cleared in the yard, the snowbanks were taller than me!  From the back window, we couldn't even see the fire-just the glow. They had invited their pastor and his wife over to meet us, but it was cool with the wind blowing in the evening, so we stayed indoors with warm mugs of tea.
Sunday morning dawned sunny and cool again.  I helped Laura prepare a hearty soup for lunch; we left for church and picked up a young gal they knew who was in town for her Dad's medical trip to Goose Bay.  They were from a more distant reserve and so she was staying in a motel.
Walter preached on the "Great Commission" and encouraged the believers to reach out with the Gospel, even when doubts come.  The disciples doubted but Jesus still entrusted the ministry of His kingdom to them!
Stay tuned for more of our eastern excursion...