Merring rolls her own cigarettes, smoking one after the other. Her mother has had nine children and only three are alive. Merring's youngest brother died just two weeks ago. A young missionary came five years ago to live in the Signapan Basin but only managed to convert two families in three years. Merring's family was one of the two. Discouraged, and declaring the Tau't Batu too "hard-headed," the missionary left. (Tau't Batu)