Winding through the narrow, tree-lined highway, we were beginning to recognize certain landmarks and specific turns in the road.  There were several country churches, painted white with black trim and shingled roofs, along the way that led to the TransCanada highway.  Setting our GPS to Merrill's address, we found our way into a new area of the city of Fredericton. More modern buildings and larger houses appeared as we navigated away from the main drag and downtown.  Some classic Victorian homes had been built over one hundred years ago along the Saint John River, with large sprawling lawns and mature trees.  Although the grass was green, the trees and shrubs were bare of leaves at this time of year. 

The computer-generated voice told us we had arrived at our destination - a multi-floor tiny apartment complex.  We pulled in to visitor parking, strode to the main doors and found Merrill's suite number in the directory.  He was down to greet us in no time and showed us around the common area.  Then he invited us up to check out his living space, having made extra effort to clean it just in case we wanted a tour!

On the second floor, we entered the door and could look straight out the sliding glass patio window.  I'm not good at measurements and dimensions, but it would be about 20 feet by 16 feet maybe?  The bathroom was through a door on the right, a small kitchen also to the right with small appliances and single sink.  A round table with two chairs was opposite the kitchen area on the left, with a couch and end table also on that wall.  Further down on the right was a wall with a desk, chair and TV mounted above that.  Then we were almost to the patio/balcony area, where an opaque floor to ceiling glass partition separated a queen sized bed.  Across from the bed was some built-in storage/closet unit.  By the time we followed Merrill around and turned back, less than two minutes had passed!

But it was just right for a bachelor and would be easy to keep clean and tidy.  We oo'd and aww'd as he had made mention of his housekeeping tasks that morning!

Then we jumped in to the truck to take Merrill out for the promised lunch.  Just as Venus, the First Nations woman wanted to get off the reserve to go out for a meal, Merrill took us back over that bridge to St. Mary's to the main complex.  Several vehicles were parked there and we walked in to a spacious building with casino/vlt's and some other administrative offices, besides a large licensed restaurant.  We were seated by a local waitress and offered beverages.  Then we opened the menus.

I wanted to be a bit adventurous so I ordered bison burger sliders.  And tea.  I don't remember what the guys ordered and that's okay - its not really about them lol!  The waitress brought our drinks and took our orders, while others began filling up the tables and booths.  A popular place!

We had a great visit with Merrill, finding out about his life and ministry in the Maritimes.  He started out volunteering at Arrowhead Native Bible Centre, then did a one year internship there.  Towards the end of his internship, he felt God nudging him to apply to be a full time missionary with NCEM!  More recently, he had moved to Fredericton to be closer to the reserve and help out with the kids, youth and young adults.  He works closely with Venus and the local believers at St. Mary's, helping them get some paperwork and other details together to open an official church.  As the Roman Catholic is the primary existing church there, those who would follow protestant beliefs wanted to establish something for the children and young people of the community.  And then it naturally led to the families being impacted by the ministry and a fellowship group meeting in homes.  Merrill helped give that extra push to formalize a church.

Sipping my tea from the glass carafe (shaped like a lightbulb with black plastic on the neck), I hadn't bothered to ask for a cup.  "Hey, Merrill, do I just drink out of the glass thingy?"  Merrill shrugged and said, "I guess so."  He and Walter were absorbed in their dialogue and I kept on sipping the King Cole brand tea (we usually have Red Rose or Tetley out west).  

The waitress brought our food and asked if we needed anything else.  She noticed I was drinking straight from the tea carafe and apologized profusely!  "I'm so sorry!  I forgot to bring you a cup.  My apologies!"  And she hustled away to bring me a mug.  Merrill, Walter and I about busted a gut!  It became a running joke during our visit.

Following lunch, Merrill directed us around the reserve, which we were getting somewhat familiar with, but it was different to see things through a young, new missionary who grew up very caucasian.  He pointed out where certain youth and families lived that he reached out to.  He shared some of the stories - many tragic - but some of how Jesus was making a difference in some lives.  

Merrill also took us to the "rez mall" where a grocery store and other businesses operated.  We entered a lovely gift store and I wanted to buy lots of items there that might be suitable for Christmas gifts.  But I refrained, knowing we had limited space in our luggage.  There was jewelry and crafts, mugs and t-shirts and lovely aboriginal print fleece blankets and jackets.  Very tough to resist temptation!

Then we drove to the Greens, which Merrill wasn't aware of, and we tried to do an interview with him, like we had done with Venus.  Again, cool and windy by the river, so we sat in the camp truck.  Very special for us to hear what God is doing across Canada and how different the missionaries and their approaches to ministry can be.  By late afternoon, we dropped Merrill off as he had other plans for the evening.  He teaches Introduction to Greek and some other seminary classes at two different Christian colleges in the area, as well a doing ministry.  

Before it got dark, we drove west and north towards Woodstock, NB, where we had booked a hotel for the night.  We had a visit with a veteran missionary couple and thought it wise not to backtrack to the camp just to go past Fredericton and beyond.  It was good to relax and get a good night's sleep.  Believe it or not, traveling, sitting and visiting is tiring work!  People ministry does drain a person's emotional and mental resources, so we wanted to pace ourselves.  

It was rainy so perfect for curling up in a cozy hotel room and sleep!