Yacob Aga Ollie was among the first missionaries sent by the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church (KHC) into the Sudan. He was serving at the Yabus Sudan Interior Church Secondary School when he fell ill with cerebral malaria on October 24. He was promoted to heaven at 9 a.m. on October 25, 2010. Yacob was Ethiopia’s first foreign missionary to die on foreign soil.

Yacob is survived by his wife, Tibarek Wondemu, who followed her husband into harm’s way. Yacob and Tibarek arrived in Sudan as newlyweds and worked four years with the people of Thiangrial, Atar, and Yabus.

Yacob and Tibarek endured extreme and life-threatening situations in Sudan. Twice inter-ethnic warfare forced their evacuation. They were protected and cared for by local Sudanese, but in other instances were caught in full-pitched battles when they had to hide in unlikely places like a latrine. They were shot at. They lost their belongings when their home was burnt to the ground. They were disappointed when an attack closed the new teacher training school SIM initiated. But God saved and sustained them. They kept a clear focus on their commitment to Sudanese people.

Yacob was part of the team that initiated the Basic Education Learning Centers in Thiangrial and Atar. The Lord blessed and people embraced the gospel, grew in faith, started churches, and graduated with a grade eight education from the adult learning centers.

“Yacob was obeying Jesus’ final commands when he died,” writes Chris Crowder, SIM Sudan Director. “He was making disciples. He left his home and his family to serve in Sudan. His church in Ethiopia is saddened but rejoicing.”

The evening after Yacob died, Tibarek and SIM’s Sudan Deputy Director, Tohru Inoue, flew to Addis Ababa with his body. They were received at the airport by Kale Heywet Church leaders and believers.

Early in the morning of October 27, church and SIM leaders held a memorial service at the KHC central office in Addis Ababa. Then six vehicles left for Yacob’s home area with the casket and mourners. By the time they reached their destination, people stood at attention along the road as a convoy of 20 cars accompanied Yacob’s body.

Upon arrival in Kera, Soddu, the casket was opened before church leaders; then the family privately said good-bye to Yacob. His body was moved under a tent where Tibarek received condolences from over 500 people. People from the whole of Wolaita and beyond gathered for the burial, too many people to mention. Music from six choirs began the celebration which was led by Workneh Dawit. Ato Kurse Shefano spoke with testimonies given by others. Ato Labiso (Bolloso Hibret’s spiritual father to Yacob) and Easyas Shudo gave prayers. An email from an Ethiopian missionary in Pakistan was read aloud and the people wept.

Tibarek shared, “Yakob had clear plans for ministry, do you?” She challenged attendees to use their time for the Lord. Many were motivated, and people called Yacob a hero of the faith.

The eternal results have already started. A memorial was held in Sudan among students, Christians, and many other residents of Yabus. In Ethiopia, numerous leaders have called for renewed focus and are actively looking to replace Yacob. Dr. Waita reports that his home church have stopped crying and collected 3000 birr for mission. Twelve people have joined the body of Christ because they embraced the gospel at Yacob’s memorial service at his birthplace on November 1.

“As we mourn his passing, we are energized and galvanized to continue making disciples in Sudan,” says Tohru Inoue, SIM’s Sudan Deputy Director. “We will miss Yacob and Tibarek, but we thank God for their lives.”

The Yacob Aga Memorial Fund has been established by the Kale Heywet Church. The fund will: 1) support Yacob’s family, 2) fund the work where Yacob served in Sudan, 3) train new missionaries, 4) provide further education for Tibarek Wondemu, his widow. She is now enrolled in the missions school in Durami, Ethiopia, her career in missions very much alive.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day. 2 Timothy 4:7

Read Yacob and Tibarek's personal account of surviving an attack on their mission base: Attack on Atar.