I woke up to the sound of rain pattering on the window.  My eyes peered at the digital numbers on the clock, and I wondered where I was.  Oh, right, in New Brunswick at a hotel...this happens to me when we're on the road a while.  I forget where I am!  

After a light breakfast, I took some time for my morning devotions and then we packed up to head for our next visit.  The hotel was just off the highway and in a few minutes we were on our way.  Soon we saw the signs to turn off onto a side road that led to the Dana's home in the country.  We learned we were mere kilometres from the Maine border.  Mark Dana is from the Penobscot tribe located primarily in the state of Maine and he married Ruth Anna, having met I believe at Three Hills, AB!  God has a way of leading people from anywhere on the globe to meet, marry and serve in His Kingdom's work.

We pulled in to the lovely acreage surrounded by trees, and noted the new house, garage and landscaping.  Five years before, we had visited here when only the foundation and framing had been completed on an unfinished yard.  The Dana's were living in their RV that summer until their house was ready for occupation. When they welcomed us in, we saw the fruit of their labours as we entered the open kitchen, living room and dining area.  A cozy wood stove stood against a wall and beyond that were the two bedrooms and bathroom.  It was a simple floor plan that Ruth Anna had designed and was very functional on one floor, no stairs, and lots of windows.

The Dana's had served in various locations, all in eastern Canada.  They also had been directors of the eastern field of NCEM, and had started the day camp/mobile camp known as Kwayotage in Quebec.  It was great to visit with them and hear the stories of their years of ministry.  We feel overwhelmed at times with the privilege of serving among such faithful missionaries, who have seen their share of challenges in ministry, who have raised their children in communities where they were not always accepted and their message of Christ's Gospel was not always well-received.  Currently, Mark is serving as chaplain for a local prison and they do visitation on local reserves.  With their family all grown and married with children of their own, they also consider "grandparenting" part of their ministry.  It was fun sharing in that new role ourselves as we are now grandparents, as well.

While eating moose meatballs, rice and veggies, and some Christmas baking for dessert, we shared in fellowship and updated them on some NCEM news, as well.  Sometimes the missionaries that live farther away from the main office can feel a bit isolated and far from the action.  We try to bring them news and information and updates on the other areas of the mission family and hopefully help them feel more connected.

Ruth Anna had a funeral to attend, and we spent some of the afternoon alone with Mark.  We reviewed his job description, talked more mission business and enjoyed the warmth of the woodstove while the rain continued.

By late afternoon, Ruth Anna returned and we visited a bit more before heading back to Fredericton.  What was the rush?  Venus and Merrill were hosting a soup and bannock supper with some of their young adults bible study group and we were invited. Although we knew it wouldn't be the end of the world to be a bit late, we didn't want to drive much in the dark. It was no fun driving through rain and meeting traffic headlights that look like stars!  Both Walter and I must be getting cataracts or something as night driving is becoming more difficult.

Back to the soup and bannock night...we arrived at Venus' apartment on the reserve and Merrill and a young Maliseet man named Niko were already there.  Right off, we noticed how different the culture of Maliseet were from the Cree or Saulteaux of the prairies. Niko stood and extended his hand, introducing himself and shaking our hands firmly.  We were used to young people being more quiet, shy, gentler hand shakes and no eye contact.  Niko seemed very outgoing and confident.  

Then three young ladies knocked and walked into Venus' place.  One was clearly the leader and did most of the talking.  One was quite shy, even by prairie standards and the third was friendly and responded to our questions.  We had fun as we shared the hamburger soup and fresh baked bannock, joking around as is the universal Indigenous language in Canada!  We could tell by looks on Venus and Merrill's faces that they felt real proud of their young people and so pleased that we could meet them.  It was pure joy to connect with the ones that our mission is all about.  

Alas, before the table was cleared and the board games were pulled out, Walter and I bid our farewells, and headed back for Arrowhead Native Bible Centre.  The next day we saw Facebook posts about them going to church together, then pictures at a local restaurant for lunch afterward.  How encouraging to us and to our missionaries to see young people wanting to fellowship together and worship the Lord!

We fell into bed that night, tired but happy with the connections we had made that day.  And the next day, Sunday, would be just as full!