Volunteers Still Serving

From the home front

Jim and I are back at home in RI for the summer months, enjoying our second grand child, Benjamin James, born on June 18th to our son Ryan and his wife Mary. 

Benjamin James Cooney

Volunteers still serving

Cooneys, Mooks and Lindsay Drew

This past week we learned that Lindsay Drew, a former volunteer with us in Fiji, would be speaking at Generation Church in Narragansett RI, about her upcoming missions trip to Mali in West Africa. She’ll be working at a school for the deaf there for six months. Lindsay worked with us in Fiji for almost a year and a half as teacher, audiologist, hostel worker, and medical and dental care supervisor. (She wore those many hats very well!) Her sister Eliza volunteered as well, making similarly excellent contributions. Their mom Pam, a dental assistant, also came for a short visit, and cleaned and examined everyone’s teeth. 

Lindsay in Fiji

As we entered the church (which meets in the former Narragansett movie theater) on Sunday, we were greeted at the door by Pat Drumm, a long term supporter of the Fiji Deaf Ministry. We tried to slip in unnoticed, but were called to the front by Stephen Mook, pastor of the newly formed congregation. We had a time of prayer for Lindsay and her work in Mali, and also for the Fiji Deaf Ministry. Stephen Mook and his wife (also named Lindsay) volunteered with us in Fiji in 2009 for several months. Lindsay is a registered nurse, and took care of all the medical needs in the hostels and school, and also did workshops for the staff. She may have saved the life of one of our students by staying several nights with him in the hospital, making sure he received proper medical care for a head injury he suffered in a fall. 

Nurse Lindsay and Mosese

Stephen coaching tennis.

Stephen worked with the church youth group and also taught tennis, a new sport for most of
the students.


Stephen himself has an interesting story. We have known Stephen all of his life. He grew up in a Christian home, the second son of our pastor and his wife, but in his own words, “rebelled against God throughout his high school years”. Stephen and Lindsay met in high school, later married, and now have a two year old son named Jacob. Stephen’s conversion to Christ was dramatic and life changing. On Sunday, he spoke passionately of his desire to spread the good news of the Gospel, and guide people into a relationship with God.


We’ve had numerous volunteers over the years, who have enhanced the Fiji Deaf Ministry immensely. We are proud of Stephen and Lindsay Mook, and Lindsay Drew, as we see them continue to grow on their spiritual journeys and serve others for the kingdom of God.