JonandLaurieIrons

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.

If you’re anything like me, goal-setting and actually seeing the goal through to its end is two different things all together. There are a lot of good goal-setting ideas we have had and we mean well at first, but they’re also easy to get tired of. One of the things I’ve wanted to do this year is to set better goals and write down all of my one year goals … and then rank the top 5. Then, I ask myself 4 follow-up questions for each goal. I write this down in a journal (and on my computer for easy reference) so I can access it quickly. Here are the 4 follow-up questions as well as a few of my own personal goals for the coming year :-) Why do you want to accomplish this goal? What is the pain you will feel if you don’t accomplish this goal? What is the pleasure you’ll get from accomplishing this goal? How will accomplishing this goal contribute to others? #1. Make exercise and healthy eating part of my lifestyle A year ago this past August, I had a scare that turned out to b