The Cooney Family – Hessel Church

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Tom & Mary Cooney
Mark & Maggie

199 Magnolia Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407

cooneylike @gmail.com

Serving with CAM International in Santa Rosa

Tom and Mary Cooney are reaching out to one of California’s biggest mission fields. Tom travels around the West Coast as regional director for CAM International - mission to spanish speakers. He meets with the other Hispanic pastors in Santa Rosa, and participates in combined outreach efforts. The Cooneys lead evangelistic bible studies and Sunday School. Mary leads and prepares bible studies, mentors women and teaches Spanish in a non-christian setting.

Letters

Cooney Update July 2008

Sometimes I sit down to write a letter and am defeated by the sheer dullness of what I have to report. And sometimes I sit down and am defeated by the massive amounts of information to share!! So, please picture me "weary, but pursuing"!!

We went to Guatemala for two weeks in June- Maggie's High School graduation trip. Her first time back in four years. It was a good chance for all of us to re-connect, take care of business and make ongoing contacts. Tom was asked many times, "Are you coming back?" His answer, "I would go back in a heartbeat, but the need for workers is far greater in California." Just so. It's amazing to see what God is doing. Tom could place 5 hispanic pastors today- if they were only available! So many hispanic congregations sprouting up, so many looking for leadership and training. Truly we are seeing the harvest as plentiful, and the laborors few. There is so much to do.

Our little group at Hessel Church is growing "despite us" we like to say. Adults come to our spanish speaking class, while their children attend the english sunday school classes. Simultaneous translation is offered during the worship service for those who wish for it. We have begun using a Through the Bible sunday school material, and each week it is amazing to see how God uses His word to meet needs we had no idea existed! Eduardo, Cristian, Debbie, Crispin and Terry are a few that would appreciate your prayers for them.

I have had the privilege of mentoring several women as well as writing and teaching bible studies. We did a 5 week series on prayer in January, and I taught The Letters to the Seven Churches this spring. Romans is on the docket for next year, and the Lord is helping me put together a study that will enhance the ladies time in the word, rather than get in the way!

Libni and Katia DeLeon have taken on the pastorate in Windsor, and God is working. Pray for their ongoing relationship with the hosting Anglo church, [read: salary] and the continuing transition and balance of ministries for the leadership. I have enjoyed being a mentor for Katia, as she has taken hold of ministry with both hands.

We just finished our Western Regional Fellowship Retreat, which we held at a hotel in Sacramento this year. Tom has been privileged to be the regional coordinator, and is blessed to work with such wonderful people! Part of his job description is to visit each of them in their homes...a task he does not find too burdensome!!

Our son Mark got married in May- a glorious, happy celebration. We could not even imagine a better daughter-in-law!! They are going to Bible school and working at a christian pre-school at their church in Reno. They have a cute little apartment, and two kittens!

Tom is aware that he "ought" to write these updates- but as he is so busy with People-to-People activities- We will not burden him with guilt! He loves to get phone calls and is happy to answer any questions you might have. Call him at 415-305-5805. That number will find him anywhere in the world! J

Let me just say- we are indebted to all of you who pray so faithfully for us, sometimes we feel as if we could fall flat on our faces- we are so humbled, and so privileged to see God working. Thank you.

I don't have very good pictures of the wedding, but will try and attach a couple so you can see. People keep promising to send me copies...but you know how that is.

Here is a link to a page with a few more pictures if you're interested.

http://groups.msn.com/cooneyfamily/june2008.msnw?Page=2

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May the Lord bless you and keep you-
Mary