Akelo Ojwato Passed Away

Akelo Ojwato died Thursday October 14, 2010.  She was well known by Mary-Kelo. She died peacefully at her home with her close relatives by her side. A Celebration of Life service for Mary-Kelo, evangelist, was celebrated October 15, 2010 at Akwaya Jwøk (the Church she planted for her ministry). Her soul rests at the right hand of our Lord in heaven. Relatives and friends who mourn the loss of Mary-Kelo must draw near our Lord savior Jesus Christ.

Akelo Ojwato ( Mary-Kelo)

Evangelist Mary-Kelo was born (no recorded of her birthdate) in Angela village, Jor Woreda, Gambella Ethiopia, to her father, Ojwato and mother Cham. During her teenage years in Gambella the opportunity for school was not available, but Mary-Kelo got a chance to be taught how to read and write by the Presbyterian missionaries of the 1960’s.  Mary-Kelo was a member of the Presbyterian Mission Church, now called East Gambella Bethel Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. She enjoyed worshiping Jesus Christ and reading the Bible. She was in Akobo, Sudan, where she met the Presbyterian missionaries of the 1960’s. After she came back from Sudan, she settled in Akado/Pokwo and ministered Gospel with missionaries. Member of her family said: "Mary-Kelo loved God since she was reborn. She also enjoyed meeting and sharing stories of Christ with everyone she met. She always told good stories and was also the first Anywak Christian committed lady”. She will be missed greatly by her family and everyone who knew her. 

Evangelist Mary-Kelo came to Akado/Pokwo during the missionaries’ era. She composed many Anywak Christian hymns called "Obeere and Agwage" She won many Anywaks souls to Christ specially women through her ministry. She also ministered a lot in the church. Made women to weave Lul Anywaae and made beats especially togn  uude (Ostrich eggs) for sale to bring income to the church. She planted a Church in Abol/Akwaya Jwok where she moved after missionaries left.

Evangelist Mary-Kelo is survived by her grandchildren; Ariet Okweyi Didumo of Mankato, Minnesota and Cham Okweyi Didumo of Denver, Colorado,  both whom are residing in the U.S.A. These children are Agud Oletho's children. Agud is the sister of Pastor Okwier Oletho who was the first victim of Anywaks' massacre in 2003 in Gambella, Ethiopia. Evangelist Mary-Kelo will live on through her hard working and the lives she has touched.

If anyone would like to donate some money to revitalize her Church, Akwaya Jwøk (the Church she planted for her ministry) and continue her Lul weavers industry, the money may be sent to East Gambella Bethel Synod of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Ethiopia.