Obituary of Makkwop P. Yamsat

Makkwop P. Yamsat (1981-2012) Makkwop Yamsat was born on October 15th 1981 to Rev. (Professor) Pandang Yamsat and Mrs Magdalene Yamsat at the Mercy Health Center in Dubuque IA, where his Nigerian parents were students at the Wartburg Seminary. Makkwop had birth complications and had major eight-hour long surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics when he was only two weeks old. Twenty-seven years later he went through another major surgery for a liver transplant in the same hospital in November 2008. Makkwop Yamsat attended the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN) Staff school in Bukuru and Nether Green Middle School in Sheffield, UK. He obtained his High School Diploma from the TCNN Staff Secondary School in Bukuru, Nigeria. He then proceeded to the Nigerian Film Institute in Jos Nigeria for a National Diploma (AA) in Motion Picture production. Thereafter, Makkwop went on to freelance with the BBC World Service Trust, Abuja, Nigeria for a year on a television series on HIV and Aids Awareness. There he showed his skill in photography. Makkwop is indeed an avid photographer, a lover of nature and has an eye for nature that is uncommon. Makkwop was a student at the Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, IA, for his Bachelor's degree in communication and photography in 2009. After a semester at the College, he could not continue due to health complications. Due to the complications, he continued to be in and out of hospital until he died on April 17, 2012 at the Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Makkwop is survived by his parents Rev (Prof) Pandang Yamsat and Mrs Magdalene Yamsat, his brother Ponsak Yamsat (Victoria) of Jos, Nigeria, sister Gambeer Gutip (Rinmak) of Jos, Nigeria, brother Naanma Yamsat of Amelia Virginia, his niece and his fiancée Martha Banda of Abuja, Nigeria; his maternal grandmother, many uncles, aunties and cousins and his family here in the USA, the Goshits (Sunday, Regina, Museyilnen, Nenkimwa, Palngji and Muengnenshime). Makkwop is a Christian. Makkwop was baptized as an infant at St Peter Lutheran Church, Dubuque in 1981 and confirmed at Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), Headquarters, Jos, after personally confessing Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1998. Makkwop lived a faithful Christian life in such a way that he impacted many lives, especially those of his age group and below. In Iowa City, he was a member of the Iowa City Church of Christ. Makkwop would be fondly remembered for his contagious laughter. He was happy in the midst of his trying moments in the hospital and at home. Makkwop loved his electronic gadgets. He was always with his Mac notebook, his cell phone, his iPod and his camera. He loved people. He kept in touch with all his friends and spoke with many of them in the hospital a few days before he died. Makkwop was in love with Psalms 23. On his death bed Makkwop declared "I will not die" and yes our son, brother, uncle, nephew and friend is not dead. For blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." Our loved one is resting in the bosom of the one who loved him and died for him and we shall one day meet to part no more. Funeral Services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the Iowa City Church of Christ, with burial to follow at the Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa.