A marathon trip (at a sprint)!

Posted byAsh ZookPosted inUncategorized

This is a brief report from my third trip to Ghana in 2025. In short, I attended a discipleship follow-up training in one part of northern Ghana, took a three day road trip to inspect 12 new water projects, and then drove to Ghana’s far upper east corner to join some YLI leaders who, due to an ongoing tribal conflict, had not led a YLI’s Basic Training there for 15 years.

Ash with the Kassapoe chief on June 7, 2025.

What a trip!

It is always an honor to meet the chief of a village or community. Most of the African chiefs I’ve encountered over the years are not Christians, but every single one has had a sincere father’s love and concern for their people, and have been incredibly grateful for the work of Christians to alleviate their suffering. 

Last month I sent you a photo of brownish-yellow sludge which was the only thing to drink in Kassapoe. YLI donors stepped up so we could provide not just one, but two hand pumps for this particularly large community. Kassapoe is so remote that very few people even know they exist, but the Creator of the Universe knows them, sees them and loves them.

And thanks to disciples of Jesus, Kassapoe knows of the true God who knows them.

Kassapoe’s water in April, and then filling up our water bottles on June 7
Discipleship follow up in Bunjai
We attended a first time ever “tri-lingual” YLI discipleship gathering led in English, Twi and Konkomba languages by YLI Coach Constant Adzomani! 
12 water projects, 10 villages, 3 days
We traversed northern Ghana with David Babatifu (the best water contractor), Oswin (YLI project manager), Peter (YLI Coach from Nigeria), and George, my long-time driver and assistant in Ghana. 
YLI Basic Training in Nakpanduri
We traveled north to Joel Jakpuri and a new group of young disciples who are committed to reaching their community for Jesus.  Ongoing tension and violence has prevented us from visiting since 2007, so it was great to be back!

Thank you all for making it possible for us to continue investing in the ministry of young disciples in West Africa. Your generosity also allowed me to invite Peter Iliya, our Coach in Nigeria, to join me on this trip and spend some valuable time in ministry together. 

YLI’s work is growing faster than ever, and I find that I am spending more and more time just trying to keep up with all that God is doing. Please continue praying for us as a team, that God will give us wisdom to discern all that He would have us do to empower young leaders to reach their world. 

Grace and peace to all of you,

On the road with Silas, Oswin, Peter, and Elvis and Barnabas in the third row.
Video of people in Kimmoateek fetching water from their new mechanized borehole and storage system.
YLI Basic discipleship training in Nakpanduri, Upper East of Ghana.
I love to see this. YLI leaders of different ethnicities, languages and nations, like Peter, Mordeciah, Elvis and Barnabas grow close in friendship during their time as Interns and Coaches. The lifelong fruit of this is immeasurable!

2 thoughts on “A marathon trip (at a sprint)!”

  1. All glory to Jesus! May the lord sustain all that he’s doing through YLI! Blessings🙏🏽

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