SUDDEN ILLNESS STRIKES PASTOR
We share an urgent prayer request for Derek Bevan, a pastor at Church of the Nations in upstate New York.  Derek is in his early fifties and is a relative of Carl Litwiller, VP of Mutual Aid Ministries for MAX.  On March 9, Derek developed a sore throat which quickly escalated into a high fever.  Within the day he was rushed to the hospital and has been in intensive care ever since.  He has battled with kidney failure and severe respiratory problems.  On March 16, the illness was finally diagnosed as severe sepsis, although the cause of it is still unknown.  Severe sepsis occurs when the natural immune response to an infection goes into overdrive.  It is often fatal. While the family is very thankful that Derek is responding well to the antibiotics, they are also very aware that he has a long way to go to full recovery. During the past week Derek has wavered between life and death and the entire family is very grateful for the prayers of the faith community.     

• Please pray for Derek and his family as he struggles for regained health. 
• Pray for Derek's wife, Mary Jane as she is staying by Derek's side during this critical time.  Pray also for Derek's three children as they are playing an important role as caregivers.
• Pray for the medical team as they explore the correct treatment.
• Pray for Derek's congregation during an uncertain time when their caregiver is in need of support and care.

EVERYTHING LOST BUT SO MUCH GAINED
A Story of Wholeness Restored
In our February email we shared the unfortunate circumstances of Herman and Mirabell Krahn who with their three children lost everything they owned in a fire that destroyed their rented home near Aylmer, Ontario.  The had no insurance.  Herman and Mirabell share a story of thanksgiving and praise for what has happened since that fateful night of January 21.  In spite of what was an enormous loss at the time, they have experienced restoration, both physically and spiritually, through the generosity they have received from church and community.  In a recent conversation Herman was exuberant.   "We have been tremendously blessed and grown so much spiritually through this event," says Herman.   "I don't know where we would be if we were not grounded in the church and the Christian Community.  People from the Christian and larger community were so generous."  One of the elementary schools raised $700 for the family in addition to providing clothes and other goods.  The Krahns have been able to find another home to rent for at least a year in Aylmer.  The churches and community have provided them with everything they need.  "There is so much goodness in the community.  We're learning how to give from people in this community",  adds Herman.

• Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for a generous community ready to rally around a family in need.
• Give thanks for a faith community that is so faithfully walking with this family during their time of need.
• Let us also be thankful for a family who could receive assistance graciously and grow spiritually and with thanksgiving through an event that could have led to despair and bitterness.  Give thanks for wholeness restored.

• 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.