We will live the light that shone in them

One year after losing three colleagues in a devastating road accident, OM’s REACH training team in Ghana is acknowledging God’s comfort through sorrow and reflecting on how the experience has deepened their faith.

On their way to a medical outreach over the Easter weekend in April 2025, 16 mission workers and course participants were travelling in a public bus which overturned in rainy conditions. Ten passengers died in the crash, three of whom were from the REACH team: staff members Heather Dillon (67) from Jamaica and Hannah Bunduka (31) from Sierra Leone, plus John Japol (27), a Ghanaian participant on the training.

The only member of the group not to sustain injuries was a four-month-old baby, who became a symbol of hope for the survivors in the days following the tragedy.

Richard Asiamah, the director overseeing the REACH discipleship initiative, recalls: “We had studied the theology of suffering just the week before and talked about our assurance of salvation. John Japol told the class he was certain that if he were to die, he would be in heaven. We were all impressed to hear how confident he was — but we had not imagined it would become so real so soon.”

Richard and his wife, Stephanie, had joined their team for the three-day trip, which forms part of the practical ministry training on the course. The Asiamahs had swapped seats with another passenger in order to sit together as a family. Both Richard and Stephanie sustained fractures and bruising in the crash, but their baby, Kaiden, was unharmed; cradled against his mother in a sling. The man across the aisle, who had given them his seat, did not survive.

The team identified more profoundly with the themes of Easter that weekend: the bitterness of suffering and emptiness of loss — but also the hope found in Christ’s resurrection and ultimate promise of life beyond death for all who believe in Jesus as Saviour.

Paul Nyama, who leads OM’s work across Ghana, relocated immediately to the REACH base to support his staff who were hospitalised and handle formalities. “The Body of Christ rallied around OM in Ghana, and other evangelical missions let us know we were not alone,” he says. “Remarkably, all the participants wanted to continue with their discipleship training. We took a two-week break so they could receive very helpful trauma counselling, provided through the Bible Society of Ghana.”

As they continued learning and wrestling with weighty questions, the 11 remaining students from various different African nations formed strong bonds and matured in their faith. Their leaders saw them work together well as they took on more responsibility and served in practical ministry among tribespeople. In a poignant touch when they graduated from the course, their certificates were presented by Rev Solomon Japol — elder brother of John, their colleague who had passed away in the crash.

The graduates are still on their journey of healing as they serve with their churches. Some are considering joining OM in full-time mission. Their course director, Richard Asiamah, has been working through physical recovery after badly breaking his shoulder, as well as spiritual recovery:

“After the accident, I reflected on many things. Did I sin? Did I make a wrong decision as leader to book that bus journey? Jesus told us when we follow Him, we will suffer for it. In Africa, leadership is honour. After this, I saw how fragile man is and it has made me humble myself more.”

“I struggled with the why — why did they have to die, why didn’t we?” says Stephanie. “We wrestle with the sovereignty of God and the goodness of God in that. I wasn’t even supposed to be on the bus… but I had the sense that I needed to go through this and suffer some pain, because as a family doing ministry that God has called us to, if it had just been Richard on the bus and not me, it would have been harder for me to support my husband well.

“Richard had to go through this as a leader. We use the analogy that if you want to get stronger muscles, you have to carry heavier weights. It’s hard for us to understand the loss of key, capable members of our training team. For us to grow and learn, this is the weight God is having us carry — but He was with us on that bus, through the whole thing. He is not happy that we’re having to suffer all of this, but He will strengthen us.”

In a memorial service on the anniversary of the crash, Stephanie told the congregation, “We are standing here as testimony to God’s grace.” She is now expecting twins. “We move forward trusting what God has in store for us and for our children,” she says, “If we had died, these babies I’m carrying wouldn’t have life: what will He do in their lives?”

Paul Nyama paid tribute to the three individuals on the anniversary of their passing: “Each has left an indelible mark of love, courage and Christ’s light. 

“Hannah epitomised ‘let your light shine’. Wherever she went, life just came there. Her capacity to love everyone was immense with her joyful, selfless heart and how ready she was to serve at any given time.

“Heather represented a mature Christian example whose dedication inspired us all. She listened and when she spoke, she added value. She encouraged each person to use their sphere of influence for the purposes of the Kingdom.

“John, for the brief time we knew him, also touched many lives with his graceful personality and passion to do exploits for the Lord with sincerity of heart. He wanted to go back to his village – a place of idol worship — to share Jesus there. We pray for God to move in that place and for the community to be impacted.

“The way we can honour them is to live the light that they represented.”