by Malcolm and Liz McGregor
15 February 2006
Tirongo came into our lives a few days after we arrived in Addis Ababa in July 1985. She was in high school and looking for part-time employment. Tirongo spoke little English but seemed willing to learn and had a beautiful smile! After finishing school, she took on more tasks in our home. Her carrot cake, cookies and lemon drizzle sponge became famous.

As our discipleship group grew, so, too, did our work load, and Tirongo became a vital part of the ministry team. Day after day, week after week, she fed many students who came through our home for Bible study and training. Each time we moved house, she moved with us. In all the years she was in our home she was faithful, serving everyone who crossed our doorstep with a smile. She knew what true servanthood was about, and everyone loved and respected her for it.

Raised in the Orthodox tradition of the church, Tirongo believed in God and quietly absorbed many discussions around the dining room table as we read and studied the Bible with students and as we prayed together. When we asked her if she would like to study the Bible in Amharic, she was ready. Abu, with Liz listening in, led her through the Gospel of Mark each week, and before long, Tirongo's belief in God became a personal faith in Jesus as her Saviour. From then on, it was a joy to watch her grow as a Christian.

We attended her baptism a few years later. She and her friend, Genet, faithfully studied the Scriptures and prayed together every week for many years. Her love for God impacted her family, and she took seriously her responsibility to share her faith with them and to care for their needs in practical ways.

When we left Ethiopia in 1996 to return to London to work in the UK Office, she came with us for three months. Tirongo and her friend, Genet, took on London with great enthusiasm--traffic, undergrounds, and charity shops were all great fun. When she returned to Ethiopia, she worked in the home of MAF missionaries, and there she met Meshresha, who works with the MAF team.

In 1998, Tirongo introduced us to Mesheshra—she wanted to be sure we approved before she married him! Liz returned to Addis Ababa for the wedding the next year. We enthusiastically followed the progress as they built their lovely little house. We will never forget the evening we spent with them in their new home just a few months ago as they praised God and expressed gratitude to so many who had helped them fulfill the simple dream of owning their own home.

Tirongo had become cook at the Fistula Hospital. From learning to wash dishes in our wee kitchen at Bingham Academy to being Catering Manager of the hospitals and clinics and a wonderful friend and colleague, Tirongo's life brought us, and all who met her, a huge amount of joy.

When Malcolm saw Tirongo in September, he learned that she had been ill with TB. She was feeling better and looked well but by mid-October was back in the hospital with suspected meningitis. She was very ill, but Liz was able to talk with her by phone. She wanted to know how all our family and friends were doing. Five days after the phone call, Tirongo passed away, 20 years after she came into our lives. Her funeral service was led by the discipleship group. (We are sure her cooking played a significant role in their faithfulness at Bible Study). It was beautiful, tear-filled and God-honouring.

Tirongo's death has affected us deeply. Yet her story is really His story—the reason Jesus came into the world—to redeem and transform individual lives, families, cultures, and nations. This is what being a missionary is about. There is no greater joy or privilege.