Amy Ekisa Newnham
Obituary
Amy Ekisa arrived in this world on 4th December 2005. She spent the first few months of her life at Sanyu Babies Home in Kampala, where she was met by her parents Mark & Sarah in March 2006. It was with great joy that she was adopted and officially became a Newnham in September 2010.
Initially drawn to her big brown eyes, easy going nature and gentle spirit, she grew into the most beautiful girl, inside and out.
From an early age Amy loved music and dancing, she had a rhythm that she clearly inherited from her African background and not us! Amy developed a love for books and reading early on. She loved listening to and telling stories. Her brain was full to the brim with creative ideas that she was just bursting to put down on paper, and this love of literature continued all the way through her school life as she studied English Literature for A-level.
Amy began her school life at Rainbow International in Kampala, where she spent most of her primary school years. Our lives as missionaries with MAF led us to leave Kampala and move to Liberia when Amy was 10. Then again, we moved to Kenya in 2020. Amy, along with her siblings willingly and graciously accepted the upheaval that transitions bring.
She approached learning with enthusiasm, always putting in 100% effort whether in the classroom, or playing for the school football or swim team. Amy has been described by many as kind, patient, gentle and genuine. She enjoyed the company of others and was at her happiest when playing or chatting with friends, her infectious laugh being heard from far away. She was fiercely loyal to both her friends and siblings and always stood up for those on the ‘margins’ and included everyone.
The greatest delight for us as parents was to watch her grow in her knowledge of and love for Jesus. Amy accepted Jesus as her Saviour when she was 5 years old and we have watched that faith grow.
Amy’s teenage years were not always easy, as we moved countries amidst a Covid pandemic and as she grappled with issues of identity and self esteem. She tackled life’s challenges with determination and we proudly celebrated with her as she completed her GCSE’s and A-levels. We watched with pride as she achieved what she needed to get a place on the course of her choice at Keele University. Her goal was to use a degree in Psychology and Counselling to help young people through the challenges in their lives…continuing in her way to put others first and care for them.
Amy began her studies at Keele in September 2024. She was building new friendships both with her flat mates and with others she connected with on her course and in the Afro-Caribbean Society. Her new independent life in the UK had it’s challenges but in the ‘hard’ things she was leaning into Jesus deeper, sharing her faith with her friends and had decided several months ago she wanted to be baptised. Kenya was ‘home’ and she wanted family around for this big celebration. Plans were being made to be baptised during this Christmas visit to Kenya…
That was not to be as God had an even bigger celebration planned in heaven. Amy’s illness was short and she battled hard to stay with us. Though we do not understand God’s reasons for taking Amy home so soon, we trust in His promises and the hope that we have through Christ Jesus, that we will celebrate with her one day.
Amy we love you, and though our hearts ache from the hole left in our lives we rest in the peace from God that passes beyond all understanding.
Gallery
Memory wall
Today, as you gather with family and friends to celebrate Amy’s life and say goodbye to your beloved daughter and sister, we remember her with joyful hearts. Her bright smile and caring spirit touched so many lives, and she was a cherished part of both your family and the MAF community in Liberia.
We can only imagine how deeply you miss her. Please know that we have been thinking of you and holding you in our prayers, asking for comfort and peace in this time of immense grief. Though we had hoped to join you today, it was not possible—but our hearts are with you.
With these memories, we send you our love and prayers. May God be your strength and comfort, and may He grant you hope beyond the sorrow, beyond the grief, and beyond the grave.
In loving memory and with our sincere condolences.
Emil and Margrit
There are no adequate words to express the loss you are in. We ache with you and the wider family, and many friends who were impacted by Amy's beautiful life. May each of you find comfort in knowing Amy is with Jesus. Keep looking out for each other, it's a long convoluted journey, and pain hits you when you least expect it. May God draw you closer to himself, and comfort you in your grief.
With much love.
Grace and Simon
Like us all, she had her struggles with the challenges of living in an imperfect world and with our imperfect selves. But she faced these challenges with courage and determination.
She drew friends to herself and the impact of that friendship proffered will not be easily forgotten by those who knew her for years or those who only enjoyed it for a few short weeks or months.
I am sad that the separation from Amy by thousands of miles and the so brief periods of contact have not allowed me to know my grandaughter more intimately or in such depth, but glad that she is now beside the One who promised to prepare a place for her so that she could be where He is. And Amy is because He Is.
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