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Meet our
missionary
...
Vikki Lukasewich
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In Vikki's teen years she
could never have imagined the course her life would take, even though she
did grow up in a God-fearing home. In fact, Vikki and her sister attended
Sunday school, and Sunday morning church was a strict ritual. And she
prayed nightly.
Still, when her younger sister
came to know the Lord, Vikki, thinking she already was a Christian, mocked
her sister saying, "I'm not going to be one of those evangelicals!"
One evening Vikki attended
Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton with her mom and sister, at the
invitation of (now NCEM missionary) friend Doris Erickson. The message was
on "end times."
Shortly after that, on October
23, 1973, while she was praying, Vikki simply asked the Lord to "be
in control" of her life.
Continuing on with attending
Beulah Alliance after giving her heart to the Lord, Vikki began to learn
about missions. She read biographies and she met several missionaries in
person.
It was on a Bible study night
that Vikki met Art Tarry (one of our Mission's cofounders). That night
stands out to her as the beginning of her journey with NCEM.
Vikki graduated from Peace
River Bible Institute, then went on NMTC (NCEM's summer program) and was
placed in the Yukon with none other than Doris Erickson! After this
experience Vikki returned to her job with the City of Edmonton.
Over the next many weeks,
though, she wrestled with the idea of getting personally involved in
missions. She spent much time in God's Word and prayer. The need of lost
souls kept coming back to Vikki's heart.
As a result, Vikki began her
missionary service with NCEM in 1981, and was assigned with Doris to the
Yukon community of Carmacks, followed by a posting in Carcross. For 18
years now, they have been stationed in Chilliwack, BC.
"Having the opportunity
to live in the Yukon and learn a slower pace of life, compared to Edmonton
where I spent my growing up years, was an eye-opener for me," says
Vikki.
And now serving among First Nations in
southern BC, Vikki adds, "Had I not been exposed to another culture,
I may never have realized that these people have the same hurts as we do.
I've had the privilege of making some wonderful friendships."
Click here to meet more of our
missionaries
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