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Meet our missionaries ...
Ken & Vi Dafoe
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Though missions had been an early and ongoing interest, it wasn't
until 11 years ago that Ken and Vi Dafoe found themselves on the road to
full-time cross-cultural ministry.
Both had been influenced by their families towards a relationship
with the Lord at an early age. When he was six, Ken's family had moved
to Three Hills (AB) where his parents, as new Christians, attended
Prairie Bible Institute. They moved several times after that, finally
settling on the family farm in Ontario. Then Ken returned to Three Hills
to attend high school and Bible school. With the daily diet of missions
at PBI, Ken says, "I just accepted the fact that someday I would be a
missionary somewhere."
One summer Ken worked with the Canadian Sunday School Mission in
rural Alberta, and following his graduation CSSM sent him west of Olds
to teach Vacation Bible School and then stay on as pastor.
It was there that he met Vi, one of eight children from a Mennonite
farm family. "Ken had the choice of us three girls," says Vi, "but
I was the one he chose!"
It was in the secular work world, not in missions nor the pastorate,
however, where the Dafoes settled. Ken drove a city bus in Edmonton, and
was later employed as a truck serviceman. Though they didn't realize
it, through their ongoing personal contact with First Nations people,
God was preparing them for something more.
Referring to this period in their lives, Ken says, "I was too busy
either with work or family to consider joining a mission to Native
people." Vi adds, "I was always interested in missions, and we took
many missionaries into our home ... but I never even gave a thought to
being a missionary myself as I have always had health problems."
They raised four children of their own and had numerous others stay
with them for short or longer periods. Then, at age 60, after being laid
off from his work in Brooks (AB), Ken found himself at a crossroads. The
timing of a visit from then NCEM representatives, Harvey and Evie
Everett, was providential. Ken and Vi had already sold their home in
anticipation of a move. After summer ministry with the NMTC program, the
Dafoes joined NCEM in 1990.
"We were open to any assignment," they recall, "but were really
not prepared for Ft. McPherson, NWT." Arriving at the Mission's most
northerly station in December on an "endless road," they were
greeted with 24 hours of darkness, -40 temperatures, no firewood and a
broken water system. It was not an easy start, but they began ministry
and soon found many friends in the community.
After five years there, they moved to the Siksika Reserve east of
Calgary. Concerning these past 11 years they say, "It has had its
disappointments ... but we do have some very good friends." And lately
they have been very encouraged with the emerging Native church
leadership at Siksika.
Click here to meet more of
our
missionaries
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