Yesterday (Tuesday) I was able to join with 24 other YWAM locations around the world via Genesis along with several more via live-streaming to hear from YWAM co-founder Darlene Cunningham & son David.  Founder Loren was supposed to speak but was not feeling well so as Darlene put it "we got 2 Cunninghams for the price of 1".  Genesis is very basically a video-chat/video-conferencing system that we in YWAM use to meet with locations around the world. Our base, YWAM San Diego/Baja, use it to hold weekly meetings since we are all spread out over 4 different locations.  We also use this with our ONEVoice events where YWAM locations around the world get together and worship God all together, it is a GIANT Jam Session at the same time regardless of time zone, pretty amazing to be worshipping along-side of people in Switzerland, Brazil, Uganda, and many more places.  

Our Connect with the Cunninhams in Kona, Hawaii was amazing and there was so much wonderful information and opportunities that were discussed.  Here are some quotes from our recent Genesis Connect with Darlene & David (please excuse the randomness of these):

David Cunningham:  
Vision from Loren "glass of water with stones" stones are ministries of YWAM and they are being in stacked but still under the surface but now those stones are starting to break through the surface and those islands are bringing us more awareness and exposure to the world.  We need to be on our best behavior as eyes are on us more & more. 

The iPad is only good because of the apps on it, each app has a specific focus & goal but the iPad just holds them all together.  Social media we should have a whole new level of integrity of what & how we communicate and initiatives we put out.  Gossip is the same as witchcraft. 

Something that has been on my heart for a while now has been how we look at short-term missions.  I have read several articles about this topic recently as well as it coming up in random conversation.  Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe in short-term missions.  It is my passion and heart's desire that as many as possible experience missions in some way and short-term missions is perfect for that!

"Short-term missions is about partnering, not helping. We now have the privilege of coming alongside the people who God has called to love for the long haul. When we see our role as that of partner, an exchange of blessings occurs. We become givers and receivers rather then saviors. For this to be successful, we must find organizations that not only are established and committed to that particular community, but also organizations we can trust. The more you trust an organization, the more you truly can partner and celebrate all that God has done before you got there, is doing while you are there and will continue to do when you leave."  (taken from an article on youthworker.com found here.)