Death is Not Dying: Rachel Barkey’s Story

After four and a half years of vigilantly fighting breast cancer, Rachel Barkey, a 37-year-old wife and mother of two was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Rachel’s story is not unlike what thousands of women around the world have experienced. A diagnosis that changes a woman’s life and inevitably takes from her what we consider to be most precious.

But for Rachel the essence of life is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that’s why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying.

Watch Rachel share her story of trusting God in the face of death. “Cancer does not define me,” she says. “Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus.”

Rachel went home to her Lord on July 2, 2009 at 37 years of age.

I had the joy of corresponding with Rachel through email in the fall of ’08 and early this year (prior to the diagnosis of terminal cancer). She contacted me because she was burdened to see her church engage in caring for orphans and helping families with the cost of adoption. She was a great encouragement to me that what we are doing is important and there is a great need in Canada. Though I didn’t know her well (and I didn’t know any of her history or future with cancer), what came through our emails and phone calls was a passion for Jesus, a love for the local church, and a desire to see the church change the world! Those were the things that defined her.

What a legacy she has left!

Visit Rachel’s Website