Tests confirmed an outbreak of Ebola near WHM’s team in Bundibugyo, Uganda on Thursday, November 29, 2007. The epidemic peaked during the first half of December, and was declared officially over on February 19, 2008. One of the 37 who died during the outbreak was dear friend and partner in WHM’s ministry in Uganda, Dr. Jonah Kule. The following is a tribute to his memory and ministry among us:

There’s just one road to Bundibugyo; a nameless dirt track of narrow switchbacks, winding through dense forest and flanked by the Semliki Valley below, and the Mountains of the Moon above. It’s a difficult road, but it was the road to Jonah’s home, a place and people he was courageously committed to—for Jonah had already counted the cost.

In a place where most young doctors would consider a medical degree their ticket out, Jonah saw an opportunity to make a difference. At a time when most men would be afraid of a mysterious, life-threatening illness, Jonah moved toward the danger to care for those he loved.

Dr. Jonah Kule died from the Ebola virus on December 4, but he had given up his life long before that—to his Savior, Jesus, and to the calling He described in John 12, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.” (John 12:24-25 NLT)

In many ways Jonah was a ‘first son’ of World Harvest Mission, having learned about Jesus many years ago through some of WHM’s first missionaries in Uganda.

Jonah had always wanted to be a doctor. As a child, he watched women with obstructed labor die on the 50-mile trek to Fort Portal because there were no doctors in Bundibugyo Hospital. However, due to limited educational and financial resources in Bundibugyo, Jonah was not able to go right on to medical school. He had to settle instead for a medical assistant’s diploma, and took a job in Bundibugyo Hospital.

But his dreams persisted, and several years later, after marrying Melen and starting a family, he began applying to Makerere University’s Mature Entry Scheme—repeatedly. When he finally got in, there was yet another problem: tuition.

Meanwhile, WHM Team Leaders Drs. Scott and Jennifer Myhre had come to know Jonah in the early ’90s when, as a relatively new believer, he became involved in the team’s community health outreach. On the Myhre’s recommendation, many supporters gave generously to meet Jonah’s tuition needs.

Jonah became an exemplary doctor, a man of integrity who stood against corruption. Jennifer reflected on Jonah’s character and contribution saying, “He refused to charge patients extra fees for his services, even though that is widely practiced in government hospitals. He was completely trustworthy with his responsibilities and resources. He was a leader who knew how to motivate, listen, draw consensus. He was not afraid. He knew that God was the one who provided his opportunities, and he had a strong sense of his duty to serve.”

A few days after Jonah’s death, Jennifer noticed, “Whenever we speak of him again to someone who cared about him, the tears come freely. We have seen some men here cry like we never saw men cry before. I think Jonah was perceived as a resource, a gift, to the whole district. Everyone feels bereaved and robbed of their man, their doctor, the one they could trust and count on.”

In late October, when Jonah first went to investigate the “mystery illness,” Jennifer remembers him slinging on his backpack as he got on his motorcycle, saying “If I die, I die.” To have known this man was to know that he was living for something bigger, for something beyond what this life could give—or take—from him. This was true right to the end.

Just moments before dying, Jonah said, “I am going to die now. And I pray that no one should ever have to die of this disease again.” Even as his life was slipping away, he was thinking of others.

Jonah’s course was difficult, but he kept to it. He fought the good fight. He kept the faith, and will be remembered as a hero, whose life was poured out so that others might live. Though he no longer lives in the flesh, he gives still—through the lives he saved and touched along the way that will never be the same.

Thank you to the many donors who contributed to the Africa Response Fund and enabled WHM to care for needs related to the Ebola outbreak. If you’d like to help with the needs of Melen and the Kule children, please visit the Jonah Kule Family Care Fund; to assist in training more leaders for the future of Bundibugyo, visit the Dr. Jonah Memorial Leadership Development Fund.