[Dean Kauffman (in blue) with riding-mate Wilbur Miller] 

"On July 19th I left Logansport, Indiana along with 31 other bikers with our end goal being Kalona, Iowa, 415 miles away.  Our purpose for the ride was to raise money for Rosedale Mennonite Missions, the mission Agency of the Conservative Mennonite Conference with headquarters in Rosedale, Ohio.  The bikers were from Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, New Mexico, Maryland, Ohio & Turkey.  When I started the trip I knew two other people.  One of the highlights for me was getting to know the other bikers, and at the end of the ride we felt like one big family, all on the same mission.  There was one missionary biker who was home from Turkey on a short visit who biked with us as well.  He & I rode together a couple of days & I was able to understand a little more of what living in Turkey is like when you are so far away from family & friends.  It was a growing experience, listening to him share how he lives the message of Jesus in a non Christian environment.  We reached our destination in five days.  Our longest one day ride was 125 miles.  We rode through strong head winds, 80 miles of continuous rain, and the hilly terrain of Illinois & Iowa.  This 5 day ride was a highlight of my summer and raised $33,000 for Rosedale Mennonite Missions.  I was grateful to take advantage of the MAX benefit encouraging employees to utilize Mutual Aid Time." 

 

We give thanks for Dean, other MAX staff and all within the MAX membership who offer so unselfishly of themselves in various forms of service and volunteerism.  
 
ILLNESS AND DEATH WITHIN THE MAX ENTERPRISE
Recent months have been difficult for the MAX family due to cancer in the lives of a number of staff members and/or their families.  This always causes burden, stress and too frequently leads to death.  We ask you to remember three families and the MAX related offices impacted in the following stories.
 
DIANNE DAWSON  (1951 - 2009)
We mourn the death of Dianne Dawson, Claims Manager and member of the Leadership Team at MAX Canada starting in September of 2002.   In early December, 2007,  Dianne went on long term leave in her struggle with Colon Cancer which so pre-maturely took her life on August 17, 2009.  She will be deeply missed by her husband Lorne, her adult daughter Leslie and her extended family.  The Funeral service for Dianne was held August 19 at the Church of the Holy Saviour (Anglican) in Waterloo, ON.  A significant number of MAX Canada staff were able to attend her funeral, signifying their respect for Dianne and condolences to her family.  Pray for the family as they move through their journey of grief and loss.
 
DAVE DROZ
Dave Droz, manager at Menno Services Inc. in Kalona, Iowa and more recently an employee of the MutualAid eXchange (MAX) Enterprise, was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1996.  In addition to several surgeries, he has undergone chemo therapy and radiation treatments.  Approximately a year ago it was discovered the cancer had spread to other organs.  Due to health deterioration, Dave resigned his position with MAX on September 1 and made the decision not to pursue further treatment.   Recently Dave was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospital with breathing difficulties and a significant blood clot was discovered in his heart and lung area.  A required tracheotomy prevented the use of blood thinners for the clot.  He has been transferred to his home where he is surrounded by the loving care and support of his family while he is receiving hospice care.  The family reports that Dave's faith is strong because he knows that "death is the birth of eternity with Jesus".  Wife Joette comments that she believes God has been training their children for this for years since they both work in the medical field and are a great support in Dave's care.  Please pray for Dave and his family; Joette and their adult children Kim and Derrick during this difficult time, waiting for Dave's full eternal healing and restoration.  
 
NANCY KOEHN
Bob Koehn is head of the Koehn Insurance Agency in Cordell, Oklahoma and an agent for MAX.  Bob's wife Nancy has been battling with ovarian cancer for two years and has decided, after all the chemo and transfusions, that her quality of life is such that there is no point in continuing with further treatment.  She is receiving hospice care at home.  Due to the pain and discomfort it causes, Nancy has been unable to receive any nourishment for several weeks and now weighs less than 100 pounds.  Bob and Nancy are members of the Cordell Mennonite Church in Cordell, OK.  They have no children.  Nancy's career has been as a school counselor.  She has received many visitors since her decision to terminate further treatment.  Her faith has remained strong.  She tells people that she knows heaven is her home and she is now ready to go there.  The Koehn family solicits prayer from the MAX Support Network as they face Nancy's imminent transition to her eternal home in the coming days.