A healthy woman in her early 40s, an International Mission Board (IMB) missionary in Uganda, began feeling an intense, unexplainable exhaustion. With a full schedule, including planning her family’s stateside assignment, her oldest son Elijah’s move to the U.S. for college, and an upcoming family vacation to the U.K., she thought the fatigue was just from being overwhelmed.
But doctors discovered something far more serious—she had leukemia. The IMB’s medical team flew her to Kenya, where she was hospitalized and diagnosed. “Cancer is shocking, period,” she said. “But coming from complete health and in my early 40s, it was even crazier.”
This diagnosis sent her back to the U.S. for extensive treatment. Throughout the 18-month recovery, her goal was to return to Uganda, which she kept in her heart and prayers. Finally, declared cancer-free, she was cleared to return to the mission field.
Now, she’s back in Uganda, teaching church history at Uganda Baptist Seminary, serving as the school’s registrar, and working with the IMB’s field human resources team. Grateful for the IMB and Southern Baptists, she expressed her deep appreciation for the care and support she received during her treatment, which was funded through their faithful giving. She’ll never take that for granted.
Our church supports the ministry of Rebekah Lockhart when we give through the Cooperative Program.
Pray that the Lord would sustain Rebekah’s health and allow her to continue to faithfully serve the people of Uganda.