Woldu Ghebremedin Zeweldi

Asmara in Eritrea. He was the third of ten children to Gebremedhin and Alem. He had

three brothers - Tsegay, Zekarias, Gebrehiwot - and six sisters - Zewdi, Letebrahen,

Mihiret, Kudusan, Tsigedera and Merhawit.

Since Woldu was a young boy, he loved riding bikes. He would ride for miles through

the mountains, to school and just for enjoyment. Many of the fond stories he shared with

his children, family and friends always included a bike adventure. As a teenager, he

attended Leul Mekonnen Secondary School in Asmara and although he struggled in the

beginning, he often said it was then I realized I was a better thinker than I was a farmer.

At 16, while Woldu was in highschool, his mother Alem died. It was the loss of his

mother that led him to vow to be compassionate and loving for the rest of his life.

Shortly after completing high school, Woldu joined the Eritrean Liberation Front in 1975.

Between 1975 and 1982, Woldu served as a nurse for the ELF. He always had an

interest in the medical field and his passion for helping others was realized during this

time. Due to growing political instability at the time, Woldu along with some of his

friends, many who remain friends even today, fled Eritrea to Sudan on foot in very

treacherous conditions. Many friends were lost along this journey. In hopes of a better

life, he used to tell his friends of his dream to resettle in Canada. Although made fun of,

he declared he would see the day.

While in Khartoum, he met Almaz, the love of his life. In 1984, Woldu married Almaz

and they have enjoyed 36 years together. Young and without much at the time, Woldu

held on to the dream of one day moving to Canada. On March 7th 1985, this dream was

realized. Upon arrival, they lived in London, Ontario for one year where they were

blessed with their first of six children, Senait. They moved to Toronto shortly after her

birth to be closer to friends and family.

In 1987, while Almaz was 6 months pregnant with their second child Samrawit, Woldu

became doctors thought was terminally ill. Just ten days after the birth of Samrawit,

Woldu underwent a surgery that doctors had informed had only a 10% chance of

survival. As he went into surgery with his nursing wife at home, family and friends

prepared for mourning. By the grace of God, he survived and this period of Woldu’s life

became the pinnacle moment of his testimony and a story so often told by those who

know him. One nurse he met while he was hospitalized shared Psalms 91 with him. He

frequently recalled how much comfort and faith this verse gave him during that time.

Shortly after being discharged from the hospital, Woldu purchased a new bike, despite

doctors orders to stay home and avoid working for the years to come. Riding through

Toronto, his good friend Gebrehiwot spotted him while driving. In anger and worry over

his frail health, he pulled over, confiscated Woldu’s bike and drove him home. In true

Woldu fashion, he went out the next day and purchased another bike.

For the years to follow, his health was monitored closely. He graduated with honours

from George Brown College, and had two more children, Eden and Abel. After Abel’s

birth, Woldu’s health worsened again and he was given the prognosis of only two more

years to live. Expecting to say his final goodbyes to family, he travelled to Eritrea in

1992. The two year prognosis turned into 29 additional years. He had two more

children, Sarah and Isaac, and was given the opportunity to make the best decision of

his life.

In 1995, Almaz and Woldu met Pastor Zekharyas Balay who led them to the Lord. With

the guidance and support of Pastor Zekharyas, Woldu found the hope he was looking

for - Jesus Christ. He devoted much of his time to reading and meditating on the word of

God. His life was forever changed.

Since 1995, he made it his mission to preach the gospel to all those around him. He

actively served at Mulu Wongel Church, commonly known as Donlands Church, and

later Berhan Semay Church of Toronto. He visited people in hospitals, jails and in their

homes - boldly sharing the word of God without any hesitation or reservation. From this

time on, he devoted himself to serving the Lord as a preacher, counselor and an elder.

Anyone who knows Woldu knows how much he loves his children. He would readily

celebrate every milestone and accomplishment with as much fanfare as humanly

possible. If it wasn’t Christ he was talking about, it was a story about his kids or

grandkids. Beyond his children, he was a father to many people and affectionately

known as Baba Woldu.

Woldu is survived by his wife Almaz, his children Senait, Samrawit, Eden, Abel, Sarah,

Isaac and his three grandchildren - Mezan, Ariam and Wintana. He will be deeply and

dearly missed by his family both here and around the world. Woldu’s favourite verse is

fitting for this time.