THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A SON
We ask our readers to remember Dianne and Jake Dyck of Steinbach Manitoba whose son Tyler died suddenly on Sunday, October 4. In his mid-twenties, Tyler was employed in a promising career with Manitoba Hydro. Mother, Dianne, is the office manager at Harvest Insurance Agency in Steinbach, one of the agencies that sells for MAX Canada. The funeral was held at the family's congregation, Steinbach Mennonite Church on Friday, October 9.
- Let's keep Jake and Dianne in our prayers as they mourn the death of their dear son.
- Pray also for the management and staff at Harvest Insurance Agency as they surround Dianne and her family with care and compassion.
- Finally, pray for their congregation and the pastoral team as they walk with the Dyck family in their journey through grief.
A LIFE REMEMBERED
Please remember Allen Schroeder, a MAX Staff Producer from the Mountain Lake, Minnesota office, along with his family, as they celebrate the life of his mother, 85 year-old Jean Schroeder who passed away on October 5. The funeral in memory of her life was held at her church, Bethel Mennonite in Mountain Lake. Says Allen "We celebrate our mother's eternal wholeness with Christ after a lifetime struggle with health problems and disabilities! Blessed be the Lord, she is so deserving of perfect healing and wholeness."
PRESIDENT EXPERIENCES DEBILITATING BACK PAIN
I invite Support Network readers to remember David Wine, President and CEO of the MAX Enterprises in your prayers as he struggles with chronic severe and at times debilitating back pain. The severity increased during a recent visit to Colorado requiring an ambulance to transport him to a mountain hospital on October 10th. "I made it home on Monday with lots of meds and rest," says Dave. David is undergoing further tests, an MRI and consultation with doctors to determine a plan of action for relief and healing. Please pray for Dave and wife Sharon as he seeks relief and healing in the midst of a very busy schedule, providing leadership to the MAX Enterprise during a very crucial time in its history.
SHARE FUND SUPPORTS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT
Steve, Diana and Chris Music, from First Brethren Church, North Manchester, Indiana, are recipients of a grant from the MutualAid eXchange (MAX) Share Fund. Chris is going through a bone marrow transplant because of a pre-Leukemic condition. He went through chemo treatments for leukemia in the fall of 2004, the beginning of his senior year. The family is going through some major renovations of their residence so that when Chris comes home it will be a safer environment for his delicate immune system. Prayer concerns are that there will be no infections, no rejection of the new bone marrow, and that this will be the cure Chris has been waiting for. We give thanks that MAX is able to join the congregation in offering support in such situations through the Mutual Aid Ministries Share Fund.
RECENT UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS SUPPORT NETWORK EMAILS:
Dave Droz (September 16)
As reported in the September email, Dave Droz, manager of Menno Services Inc. and a MAX employee in Kalona Iowa, made the decision not to accept further treatment for his incurable thyroid cancer. He chose to spend his last days at home surrounded by family, receiving hospice care. Dave passed away on the morning of October 1. His funeral was held on October 4 at the Wellman Mennonite Church with burial in the church's cemetery. Let's remember Dave's family; wife Joette and their adult children, Kim and Derrick as well as his colleagues in the Kalona offices as they celebrate the memory of Dave's life and mourn his death.
Nancy Koehn (September 16)
Bob Koehn, head of the Koehn Insurance Agency in Cordell, Oklahoma, whose wife Nancy battled ovarian cancer for two years, reports that Nancy "went home to be with her savior, Sept 26 at 8:00 a.m." She had been without food or water for 28 days. The funeral was held at the school auditorium in Cordell. The Nancy Koehn Education Scholarship Fund has been established in her memory to honour Nancy's career as a school counselor. May our prayers go with Bob and the family as they grieve their loss but celebrate Nancy's release from her pain and suffering to eternal wholeness.
Jim Schapansky (August 25/08, November 12/08 & February 13/09)
Thank you for the prayers of our readers on behalf of Jim Schapansky of Niverville, Manitoba. Jim continues to struggle with a cancerous brain tumour, first diagnosed in July 2008. His sister, Valerie Bellknap, a MAX agent in Kansas, shares the following update.
"During the past few months, there has been a decline in Jim's health; greater fatigue, more left-sided weakness, and some changes in speech. A recent MRI confirmed the tumor is growing again. With the support of our family, Jim has decided to discontinue his chemo treatments. Thankfully, Jim has no pain. Please pray for Jim that he can find strength for each day and maintain his great sense of humour. Pray also for our family as we support Jim in the best way possible."
We have heard your loving request, Valerie.
CELEBRATING NEW APPOINTMENT AT MAX CANADA
MAX Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Wagler to the position of Executive Manager of MAX Canada. "This move signifies a major step in the maturation, growth and development of MAX Canada, providing much greater autonomy to the Canadian operation," says David Wine, MAX President and CEO.
Tim is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario. Since 1993 he has been involved in an accounting partnership in New Hamburg, Ontario. Tim has served on the MAX Board of Directors since 2004 and as chairman of MAX since 2006.
Tim and his wife Cheryl live in New Hamburg and have four children, aged seven to twelve. They are charter members of Living Water Community Christian Fellowship in New Hamburg, where Tim is heavily involved in leadership. Tim also serves in leadership positions with Mennonite Church Eastern Canada.
"Tim not only brings a strong set of skills and leadership to this role, but also an incredible depth and knowledge of the history and operations of MAX, as well as being deeply committed to the church," says Nelson Scheifele, who since 1999 provided leadership in the formation of MAX Canada and is currently moving towards retirement. Plans are that Tim will commence his new role at the beginning of January.
Tim Wagler, 2009
Creating and Sustaining