Most of us are blessed with families, friends and faith communities who surround us with emotional support and prayer when difficult or tragic times arise. The MAX Support Network is a broader community of care from across North America that also under-girds, often from a great distance but with no less sincerity. With this in mind, we invite our MAX Support Network friends to uphold three families facing difficult and trying times.
An Untimely Death
The first is the family of Carl Weaver from the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. On Saturday, May 17, Carl fell approximately six feet off a ladder, striking his head and breaking some ribs. His wife Wilma took him to the hospital where he was admitted for what was assumed to be routine care and convalescence. Carl, aged 54, appeared to be recovering fine through Tuesday evening when he walked Wilma to the elevator. However, on Wednesday bleeding developed deep in his brain and he went into seizures and a coma. On Thursday he was taken off life support and died. Carl's funeral was held on Monday, May 26 at Petra Fellowship Church in New Holland, PA. Let us remember Wilma and their four children, Korey, Keri, Petru and Ioanna, as well as the extended family, as they grieve this sudden and unanticipated tragic loss of a husband, father and family member. Joe Snavely, a MAX agent from Pennsylvania, is a brother-in-law.
Multiplied Losses
Also remember Dewey and Minnie Koehn, MAX members whose home was destroyed in the Greensburg, Kansas tornado of 2007. They are just a few weeks from moving into their rebuilt home. Their anticipation, however, has been severely dampened by a more important concern on their hearts and minds. Their daughter, 47 year old Nancy Koehn, developed complications as the result of a heart attack eight years ago. Today she is in the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, too weak to receive a heart pump or a heart transplant - her only options for life at this time. The Koehn family has placed Nancy in God's hands. Nancy has also submitted herself to God's will. Please lift this family up in prayer! The Koehns are members of the Greensburg Mennonite Church - which was also destroyed in the 2007 tornado.
A Daughter Mourned
MAX members, Helmut and Irma Harder of Winnipeg request prayer support in light of the recent death of their daughter Marilee. After a brief illness, Marilee passed away unexpectedly on April 11 at 36 years of age. While the cause of death has not yet been determined, it appears that a flu virus reeked havoc on her vital organs. Besides her parents, Marilee leaves to mourn her 11 year old son, Jonathan, and her brothers Bryan (spouse Cheryl Pauls) and Randy (fiance Libid Zyla). Professionally, she was a much appreciated health care worker in the Intensive Care Unit of Grace Hospital (Winnipeg). Marilee was a member of the Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church where the funeral service took place on April 16.
A Thanksgiving
We also celebrate the miracle of healing for Ozias Burkhart who, in July 2007, was diagnosed with a tumour in his forehead putting pressure on his brain creating stroke-like symptoms. Oz underwent surgery and extensive radiation treatment over the past year. During a May 22nd doctor's appointment, Oz was given the great news that an MRI done in early May indicated he is out of danger of any re-growth of the tumour or "tentacles" growing from it. We celebrate that Oz can resume a normal life requiring only periodic checks and MRIs to ensure continuing health. Oz and Alice received generous caring support from their faith community, Community Mennonite in Drayton, Ontario. They also want to thank the MAX Support Network community for their thoughts and prayers. |
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How can you assist the MAX Support Network Ministries?
- Insuring with MAX. Remember, Mutual Aid Ministries is supported by an annual tithe from the insurance operations.
- Encourage others of like mind to place their insurance (home, farm, church and business) with MAX. Remember, the more successful MAX insurance operations become, the more effective Mutual Aid Ministries can be.
- Share a story or prayer request with the MAX Support Network Ministries for consideration in an upcoming email. Remember, we must have people's permission to use their stories. Send stories or prayer requests to supportnetwork@maxwholeness.com.
- Make a contribution to the MAX Canada Share Fund, Inc. or the MAX Share Fund, Inc. Call 877-770-7729, ext. 202 (Canada) or 877-971-6300 (U.S.) for more details.
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We thank you for your support and commitment to the MAX Support Network Ministry and the other Mutual Aid Ministries programs. Please let us know of others who would like to join the Support Network Ministry email distribution list by sending their email address, with their permission of course, to supportnetwork@maxwholeness.com.
Sincerely, |
Nelson Scheifele For the MAX Mutual Aid Ministries Team |
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Creating and Sustaining