Normally, I like to know exactly where we are heading and what accommodations are arranged...but this time we didn't know how long the memorial barbecue would last so we left our evening plans open-ended. The day was pleasant for travelling and so we figured we could get as far as Meadow Lake and find a hotel.
Grace had suggested the Super 8 in Meadow Lake, so after a Tim Horton's stop in P.A., we headed northwest. The area around Melfort/James Smith was bush and farmland. Somewhere between Melfort and P.A., a transition happens and the landscape becomes evergreen forest. Beautiful!
Driving through the tall, dark evergreens and the light, spring-green of the deciduous trees, was like a bit of heaven. Even though after a while I as a southern Saskatchewan prairie girl began to feel claustrophobic in the shadow of the trees, Walter was in his glory; he loves the bush and forest landscapes.
Our next connection on this weekend tour was in Loon Lake to meet Joni-our Healing Hearts missionary, and her new fiance! As we made our way to Meadow Lake, we texted Joni to set up our schedule for Monday. It was the long weekend, Victoria Day, and she did not have to work at her usual mail run for Canada Post, so she and Greg would meet us in Meadow Lake for lunch. Sounded perfect.
We drove into Meadow Lake through the First Nation reserve right next to the town, and felt very much like we were in the north! Pedestrians were walking along the highway, a couple of dogs wandered and sniffed the ditches for tasty morsels. It was a lazy Sunday evening and the sun was not even setting yet as we rolled in around 9 pm.
The Super 8 was on the other highway coming into town from the south, so we eventually found it and checked in to a room. We collapsed on the beds, Walter reaching for the remote and me thinking about eating. The barbecued bologna had worn off and I wanted a snack and a drink.
Its funny to think that Meadow Lake has a McDonalds, but I guess civilization has pushed north in Canada. Sixty years ago, this had been the headquarters for Northern Canada Evangelical Mission, only accessible by dirt or gravel road. The many missionaries would be sent from this point into even more remote, often fly-in or winter-road only, communities to share the Gospel. Now, I strolled across the paved highway at a pedestrian crossing to order fast-food to eat in front of cable television back in an air-conditioned hotel room.
The next morning, we checked out at 11 am but had an hour to kill before Greg and Joni arrived for our lunch date. We drove around, finding a couple churches, schools and various businesses in the downtown main street. Even though it was a holiday, the "Door of Hope" drop-in centre was open and apparently serving lunch. Joni texted us to say the restaurant they had suggested was actually closed so where should we eat? Walter laughed and said the drop-in centre and just then Joni texted with the same idea! Missionaries have a weird sense of humour!
We had a great time visiting and getting to know Joni's fiance, then made plans to drive to Greg's family farm to check out some old cars. Apparently Greg's dad collected cars, boats, buses, machinery of all kinds...40 minutes later we were wandering the rutted lanes of their salvage yard, just outside Loon Lake.
Our plans that evening were to tag along with them to a barbecue celebrating Melissa's bible college graduation. Melissa interned through another mission organization, Interact, in the Native Fellowship there. I helped Joni bake and ice some cupcakes for the meal and got to hear how things were going in ministry and her recent exciting personal life! She had been one of the most natural and effective missionaries, growing up in Loon Lake and knowing the culture and most of the families on the reserve. It is always a treat to hang out with Joni and hear her heart for the people.
The barbecue was at the home of some of the youth Joni and Melissa spend a lot of time with. We brought out our lawn chairs and shared in the festivities. The youth girls had a gift and card for Melissa and made a small presentation of it. The evening was a wonderful time of visiting and just being part of the celebration. It was neat to see how Melissa had become friends of this family and a special part of their lives in just a few short months.
Joni dragged us away from the bbq to see the awesome sunset at Jumbo Beach. It was absolutely breathtaking over the glassy lake. We even saw an otter swimming back and forth in front of the beach. Walter took some amazing photographs.
The next morning, Joni had to go on her mail run, so Walter and I walked around Loon Lake. Honestly, it didn't take long, but we enjoyed the exercise in the warm May sunshine. I forgot to tell you about our accommodations in Loon Lake: a senior's nursing home guest suite! Actually, Joni rents a suite there, as well as Melissa. If the senior's home becomes full, they would have to move out and give priority to real seniors! So we had a little kitchen and fixed our own coffee and breakfast before venturing out on our walk.
After Joni was back from work, about mid-afternoon, she drove us around the neighbouring Makwa Sageigan First Nation. We drove around the town site, the school and band office, even a new building which housed a work-out facility. The houses were built along rutted roads, in a village formation. Some of the homes were more spread out and typical of reservation-style planning but we didn't go that far. Then we toured the "new town site" where newer homes and slightly less-rutted roads had been developed. It was encouraging to see some development and improvements on the reservation. The current chief was someone Joni knew from highschool days, so a younger and somewhat progressive man in leadership.
On our way back into town, Joni pulled over to show us the "Canyon", a fairly deep creek bed that wound around through the reserve. The water flow was low, as earlier in the spring, a beaver dam had backed things up and it was blasted open. The spring run-off flowed through earlier so now it was low and not quite as spectacular as usual. Still a cool highlight of our tour!
We headed back to Joni's to prepare food for a Christian music band that was ministering in the town Rec Centre this evening. A local church was sponsoring the band as an outreach to youth, so Joni was to prepare a meal for them. We cut up meat, made a sweet and sour sauce, prepared a salad and husked corn. Others were at the Rec Centre setting up and listening to the band's sound check. Quite the excitement for a small town!
It was a Christian rock concert complete with fog machine, lights and loud volume! Walter and I felt our age but were so encouraged to see some local youth and a few Christians from the churches in the community. Hanging out with Joni is never dull!
The next morning, we took Joni & Melissa out for breakfast at the Golf Course, just opened for the season. The missionary with Interact, Dick, was there with some of the First Nations members of their fellowship and we joined them. It was sweet to share in the ministry and seek to encourage them in their faithfulness to the Lord.
We hugged good-bye in the parking lot, assuring Joni of our prayers and our commitment to her and Greg as a mission family. Another chapter in the adventures of ministry with Walter and Cindy...
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