1. Through mother tongue translation discipleship becomes the story of a people. Although most people who attend our trainings are conversant in english, it’s not easy to connect to the human heart in a secondary language. YLI is all about the work that God does in our hearts, so we set off on a multi-year project to translate the vital truth of intimacy with God, Love Evangelism and Spiritual Multiplication into the heart languages of our leaders. Ash witnessed the impact of this at a Basic Training in Wa, Ghana, where Intern Barnabas (below) led a training of 30 people in his local Waali language using Waali student workbooks. It was incredibly fun to see the engagement, excitement and joy as the young people responded enthusiastically in Waali to what they were hearing in Waali.
2. We looked back and found that we’ve actually completed 42 YLI Clean Water & Living Water projects since 2010! The communities we have served with water each have a population of at least 500 which means YLI has helped provide a healthy source of water to more than 21,000 people over the last 15 years! Below are photos of some YLI water projects over the years. From water collection systems where drilling was not feasible, to basic hand-pump boreholes, to mechanized and solar systems with multiple access points, we have always striven to give each community a bespoke water solution that would meet their unique needs. YLI projects have been possible because we have donors who understand that discipleship is not solely an intellectual endeavor, and sustainable because of YLI disciples investing in the communities and pointing to Jesus, the Living Water.
3. Our newest team of Interns in Ghana and Nigeria are increasingly owning the work of making disciples in their own distinct cultural communities. In June, Ash is traveling to Ghana for the third time this year where he will be joined by Peter Iliya, our lead Coach in Nigeria. They will criss-cross the north to all twelve 2025 water projects, and then travel several hours more by road to Kpemale for a Basic Discipleship Training and to Nakpanduri where Ash will lead a retreat for the Coaches and Interns. Nakpanduri is the home of Joel Jakpali, who has been an Intern with YLI for the last three years, and has helped lead trainings around Ghana as part of our team. We are excited to now come alongside Joel and support his personal discipleship work in his hometown.
4. YLI’s Nigeria team continues to send down roots in Plateau State. Here in the USA we only hear about Plateau State in reports of many terror attacks on Christians. That is very real, but by no means the entire picture. Incredible ministry is happening in this region of Nigeria. A significant amount of YLI’s ministry to Plateau State is in Jenta, a large slum in the city of Jos. Several of our leaders, like Peter, Ajiji, Andrew and Martha grew up and still live in Jenta. Please pray for them as they continue to announce the Kingdom and make disciples in Jenta, Jos, Plateau State, and Nasarawa State. Below are some recent photos of their ministry in Jenta.
and finally… #5! YLI is in a season of great fruitfulness and we need to grow our team. Yes, that means we’re hiring! We are praying that God leads us to two disciples of Jesus who have a strong love for Jesus, commitment to the Great Commission, passion for disciple-making, and a desire to serve cross-culturally in mission. if you know of anyone who would like to join our team, please contact ashz@youngleadersint.org.
youngleadersinternational.org 