Rainbow, Rabbit and Reserve Land!

 Day 5: Tuesday August 14, 2012

Rainy morning. We were just about to grab continental breakfast at the motel when my boss called and said he was in Saskatoon; he wondered if we’d like to meet him for breakfast. I said of course but then realized we weren’t packed up and ready to go, and he had to be at the airport for 9ish to pick up the other teachers...I thanked him anyway and said that we’d see him at the Patch upon arrival. Within a few minutes of the phone call, there was a knock at the door and I opened it to find my boss standing there. It really startled me but it was nice to meet him and he came in to make sure we knew the best route to Patuanak. Mom and I left in the rain and I was proud yet a little nervous to be navigating around the “big streets” of Saskatoon. I missed a turn and thankfully the GPS got me back to where I needed to be...had a close call on the highway but the Lord in His mercy allowed me to find Mom and we got out of Saskatoon unharmed. It helped a lot that she called me and always made sure she had her eye on me. It was weird to start thinking about how much she’s helped me to come this far, how she’s always been there for me...but in just a short time, she would be dropping me off at my new and very unfamiliar home. This particular morning, the reality of the situation was starting to hit me. Maybe it was exhaustion, the rain or the scary driving situation - but I broke a little bit. I shed a few tears but before long, I was filled with peace and joy once again. God played the perfect songs on the radio and we drove toward Battleford. 

The more Northern we got, the more excited and peaceful I felt...it was a strange combination. We arrived in Battleford to gas up and buy some groceries. I was thrilled because many of the stores/restaurants/conveniences are the same as in North Bay. I felt so comfortable there. The man working at the gas station had an intimidating appearance but he noticed my All Tribes staff shirt and said “you are a sister!” and I was EXTREMELY encouraged to have met another believer. I explained that I was moving up North to teach in Patuanak and he said... “ah, the true north strong and free.” This made me realize, I’m experiencing more of Canada - very different from what I’m used to. My boss was texting me to check in with us and to see where we were at. He drove by us at No Frills - freaked me out, but also awesome! We were stopped on the side of the road to make a phone call once and he drove by us again!

We gassed up in Beauford, about an hour away from my house. My boss (we’ll call him “Al” for the purpose of this blog) welcomed me to English River First Nation. The grocery store is SUPER nice and I had full cell service at this location! Al said that in his years of being here, first year that a Mother moves her daughter in to teach...so I thought... “oh, that makes me feel kind of silly” but then I thought about it some more...and that makes me feel VERY loved and privileged - I have the best Mom. and I appreciate her SO MUCH for coming to help me settle in. Al was teasing her and asked if she came to checkout the Dene men, or if it was simply because she was worried about me. :) I think it's simply because she's THE BEST.

Mom led the way and we convoyed with Al and the other new teachers down a looooong bumpy, rough, gravel road. Just before turning onto this “Patuanak Highway,” I saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky and it was a sweet reminder of God’s many perfect promises to me. It was on this gravel road that I saw the first wildlife that wasn’t a bird and that wasn’t something dead - we saw a rabbit! Actually, we almost all hit the rabbit... Mom was a champ to take a car down that road...and I’m VERY thankful to have a 4 wheel drive SUV. We were going 80 to be safe and Al said that it should be driven on at 120! Crazy. Apparently I’ll be doing 120 on it before long.

We arrived in Patuanak and saw the school - SO beautiful! I’m sure that I love it partly because I’m so partial to red - the ceiling beams are beautiful and the classrooms are HUGE. It was so bizarre to see my classroom....it is well-stocked with a lot of furniture and supplies. I was chatting with my new friend Chester, from Southern Ontario - also a first year teacher and I came close to crying tears of joy when I learned that the Grade 1 teacher is right across the hallway from me and she’s been teaching for 10+ years - she says I can ask her questions anytime. I really appreciate her already! Al showed us the “bridge to nowhere” - it really is more beautiful than it sounds. The bridge goes over the head of the Churchill river system! I was so happy that Mom could experience this with me. I can’t possibly describe every detail of what will go on this year...but yesterday felt quite adventurous to say the least.

A few initial observations about my new community: fourwheelers, kids & dogs -everywhere! A lot of friendly people have greeted me and I feel quite safe! Mom and I started moving stuff in and there were several kids meeting me and wanting to help. My heart was SUPER encouraged by this, but it was also so strange for me - because in Ontario, we really are discouraged from interacting with our students outside of the school. I met one little girl who will be in my class and she was telling me the names of the other boys and girls. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything so it was a perfect gift that the kids stopped in to say hello. God used that to remind me WHY I am here. For the first night, Mom and I went to stay in the “temporary teacher house” since it had internet and beds. I updated Facebook to let people know we made it safely and then Mom and I crashed on a bunk bed. I felt sad as we were going to sleep, knowing I’d have to say bye to her the next morning...but I’m SO thankful for the 5 full days we had together. Now that I’m here, I cannot imagine coming all the way up here alone...and I’m SUPER blessed to have my dear friend Kathleen joining me soon.

Al, Chester & I on the bridge to nowhere!

sweet little neighbours who came to greet me!