Jon and Laurie Irons

 Communicating with three International Students from half way around the world on a Monday Morning has changed my perspective in the way to build relationships.  Let us be people of God's reflection as we share the truth of God's word to all peoples and nations of the world.  We can let Pandemics control us or we can take steps to overcome the obstacles that seem to be in our way. We also need to be willing to get out our usual comfort zones and step into the next thing God has for us. I appreciate these three young women and their commitment to be light in a country where little light shines yet is enough to draw all men to Him.  I am forever grateful for the relationships that God places before me. Please remember these three sweet daughters of God.

  English Corner - Fall Semester 2020 Learning English online Last week was the beginning of another semester with these awesome graduate students with UT - Dallas as we discuss the latest American English idioms and cultural topics such as Business practices, meeting new people, or learning how to understand how to watch American Football. These are just some of the many topics discussed while online as well as get to know each other better and find out how everyone's week has been. A few YWAM staff and other friends have been meeting on Fridays for several years now and have enjoyed getting to know these International students (mainly from China and Taiwan) who have come to America to study. Social distancing did not keep us from meeting and we continued to gather online, yet miss the opportunity to have an enjoyable Korean home-made meal together. Please pray with us this Fall Semester as more students join May, Isabell, Gary, Yummi, Lena, Charon and Harry in on the discussions,

or the Day after Yesterday The day is today and how one looks at it. With all the news that is being reported lately, it is the latter, but if it were up to me, I would want change my  way of thinking. Many songs have been written about the past, such as ‘Yesterday’ by Paul McCartney, who wrote a simple song of the choices made in the past and how we wish we could change those events that happened.   Maybe it is something we did, that we regret or something we wish we had said, but didn’t. I think many of us dwell in the past and want to continue to judge ourselves as to choices we wish we had to make better ones so we could have a better outcome in life.   We can’t change our past, but we can do our best to determine our future, as long as it is up to us. With all the events that are currently happening around the world and what the news media is talking about, it seems that most people are focusing on the ‘wrongs’ that people have done or to blame others for the ‘bad’ things that hav

In preparing the next generation of International Leaders, we continue to utilize the campus the Lord has blessed us with. The Globe, as this building is now referred to as,  is the beginning of Global Mission Center which will consist of several other buildings. The center will have a guest house, classrooms, and a resource library where students can come and learn more about how to impact their world for Jesus Christ. We have already made use of this building for classroom teachings as well as several meetings and social gatherings. 

Keeping relationships going as well with UT Dallas graduate students, as well as starting new ones, takes commitment. Each week, we get together and discuss a topic that the students suggest the week before. As you can see in this screen shot, one student had just woken up, but knew he did not want to miss what was going on.  He later took his cell phone with him to the bathroom; just to brush his teeth, thank goodness. And then proceed to leave his dorm to go get something to eat. That is truly a compliment for us that he would stay that committed.  How have your relationships been these past two months?

In the 1966 Italian epic Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, there is the climatic twenty minute scene where all three men are in a triangular stand off in a cemetery. In this particular scene, with all the changing camera angles and the compelling sound track, we see the determination on each man’s face as each is waiting to see who will finally get the gold. Having the faith and perseverance to endure through all this social distancing and change of focus is what God has been showing me. As an International Ministry that has a focus on reaching the world, several key leaders of Youth With a Mission (YWAM) have been using the current video chat tool (zoom) to communicate to us during this time, and to seek God's word for direction. Many of our 1,100 ministry locations world wide depend upon students,staff and volunteers locally and Worldwide to come be trained and then go out into the mission field to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. An

Curious Lilly I have always thought about getting another dog, and most of our past dogs have usually come to us as strays.  And like this little puppy, she has come to our neighborhood the same way.  Lilly has kept us busy, during the current 'social distancing' now enforced in our county. Because of her mix breeds, she is full of energy and speed that is impossible to keep up with and the constant curiosity of a child who wants to chew everything in sight. She also is learning to do her business outside and not in the house. When we first come to the revelation about the things of God, we usually come to Him full of energy, similar to this little puppy and we go at things at break neck speed. When we see things that God is doing, we have a constant curiosity much like a child, wanting to understand all that God is doing and showing us. And unfortunately we tend to "poop" on the places, people and things God has given us until he teaches us where and whom to do

What a great time we had together this winter getting to know some of the students who came from South Korea for our Korean Leadership Training school.  Fellowship over a meal is one way of 'breaking the ice' and allowing the students as well as us to relax and be ourselves.  Bringing cultures together is fairly easy when it is over a meal.  Sadly due to Covid -19, we were not able to see this school go on outreach, which was planned to go to Europe and tour the East Coast. With the currently the current situation, the students decided to return home early. Please be praying for these and the sixteen others as they return home to be with their families and loved ones. They will be truly missed.

We have to seize the moment when opportunities come our way. Much like these two pioneers, who in the near future, will take the gospel of Jesus Christ and be witnesses, even to the utter most ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8b) We have to be prepared at any time and in any season.  Teaching, Coaching, preparing International Leaders for is a full time job. Please be in prayer with us as we continue to do the work that God as directed us to do.