Gebru was one of the few foreign educated Ethiopians during Menelik II’s reign, and served the emperor and his successors in various positions ranging from diplomat and interpreter.
Gebru's father, (Ato[note 2] Desta) was unable to support his family, and entrusted his son to a relative named Webu, who was a major in Emperor Tewodros's army.
On the road to Debre Tabor, he accidentally came across a group of people travelling to Emperor Tewodros II court to receive assistance in provisions.
[3][5] Unable to return to Ethiopia after he finished his studies because of the Ethio-Egyptian hostilities, Gebru went to Württemberg to assist Dr. Johann Ludwig Krapf in the translation and revision of the Amharic bible.
About two years later, Martin Flad[note 9] and his colleagues, suggested that Gebru could return to Ethiopia and do missionary work among the Beta Israel.