MAX CANADA STAFF MEMBER SERVES IN NICARAGUA
During the first two weeks of February, Paul Burns, Underwriting Manager for MAX Canada, joined a nineteen member team from his Brethren in Christ denomination to help build a church and provide a children's ministry in Rama, Nicaragua.  Rama is a port town located at the mouth of three rivers on the Eastern coast of Nicaragua.
 
This was Paul's first "missions trip" experience and first such cross-cultural experience.  "I had some apprehensions before I left," says Paul.  "Why was God calling me to go?  What was in store for me? I came to Nicaragua with clean new work boots. In a few days they were well marked up.  I knew that would happen.  What I did not realize is how, in a short time, my heart would be indelibly marked as well.  My eyes were opened wide through this incredible experience, working with a group of phenomenal people and meeting wonderful people from a sister church in Nicaragua.  I was truly blessed."  
 
Give thanks for people who are willing to take vacation time, leave family and the comforts of the familiar to serve in a cross-cultural context.  Pray also for the people whose lives they touched, particularly an 18 year old woman and new mother whose decision to become a Christian resulted in her being rejected by her family.  She is now living with an aunt.  
 
MAX supported Paul in this ministry experience through its policy of providing employees with up to five paid days annually to do volunteer service work locally or further afield. Paul and his family are part of the Westheights Brethren in Christ congregation in Kitchener, Ontario.  
 
SUDDEN OUTBREAK OF PAINFUL BLISTERS
 Joan Yoder Miller of Goshen, Indiana, the spouse of MAX staffer Lloyd, had a sudden outbreak of very painful blisters beginning with 20 blisters inside her mouth which, over several days continued to develop over hands, legs and feet -- over 100 in all.  It was five days before pain management efforts were successful.  A biopsy resulted in a Sweets Syndrome diagnosis which sometimes is an indicator of other issues.  More testing is being done to determine what other medical problems might be present.  Pray for Joan; for relief from pain, clarity of cause, and the capacity to accept test results with grace and serenity.
 
LONG TIME DIRECTOR AND MAX SUPPORTER SUFFERS STROKE
Seventy-four year old Ozias (Oz) Burkhart, long time Mennonite Aid Union Director and subsequently a MAX Canada agent for several years, has been hospitalized with a stroke.  When Oz was having difficulty maintaining his balance on the morning of March 4, the family took him to emergency where a "progressive stroke" was diagnosed.  On March 15, Oz was moved from Grand River Hospital to Freeport, a rehabilitative hospital in Kitchener, for intensive therapy for the paralysis on his right side and slurred speech.  To this point he has done well and the prognosis is good for substantial recovery. This episode follows, but to date has not been linked to, the removal of a malignant brain tumour in August 2007.  Pray for Oz as he faces another health challenge.  Pray also for his wife Alice and their children as they walk through this time of uncertainty with hope and perseverance for recovered wholeness. Alice reports that Oz's best therapy occurs "when the children make him laugh until tears run down his cheeks."  Give thanks for the encouragement and support of family, friends and the Burkhart's congregation, Community Mennonite in Drayton, Ontario.
 
UPDATES
Denny Fox (see Feb 16, 2010) from Cuyahoga, Ohio, had delicate surgery on February 1 to remove an invasive tumor from his spinal column, leaving him with no feeling from his waist down.  We are delighted to report that Denny is now home while undergoing outpatient physical therapy 3 days a week.  While considerable numbness remains in his lower extremities, he is now able to walk with the use of a cane.  It is with thanksgiving that he reports his pain is greatly reduced and manageable without any medications.  Denny indicates that the staff at Edwin Shaw Rehab Institute in Cuyahoga have been amazed at the speed of his recovery and are very optimistic that he will regain greater mobility and feeling in the weeks and months ahead.  In a recent email Denny writes, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all of the prayers, cards and calls.  I have truly felt the power of God's Spirit working through my life and my body during the last several weeks.  There have been times when I have been amazed at the feeling of strength I have gained through the prayers of my friends."  We invite readers to continue to keep Denny in their prayers as he undergoes the lengthy rehabilitative process towards recovery and wholeness.
 
Marcia Stahl (see Feb. 16, 2010) from Pratt, Kansas, mother of Dawn Huff, senior accountant at MAX, experienced loss of vision and short term memory due to a stroke.  Dawn reports that her mother is having a remarkable recovery.  Although she will have some vision loss, she has gained considerable vision back, is working on her depth perception and training her eyes to search for missing parts.  The neurologist is still concerned about a second possible stroke and is waiting on the results from an MRI and a MRA.  Current plans are that Marcia will be permitted to go back to work on Easter Monday, but will not be allowed to drive for a while yet.  "Please thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers" writes daughter Dawn.  "The doctors are very impressed with her recovery.   She is in great spirits and can't wait to get back to teaching."
 
Frank & Helena Fehr (see January 18, 2010) from Prespatou in Northern British Columbia lost their home and contents in a house fire on New Years eve while they were visiting family in La Crete, Alberta.  In a recent phone conversation, Frank reported they are doing well.  Their living arrangement with Helena's sister is working well.  In a few weeks, when logging season in the area is over, they plan to begin rebuilding their home and hopefully take occupancy before the end of August.  They have been blessed with their sixth child, a boy, in mid February and now have four boys and two girls.  We give thanks for the tenacity and optimistic spirit of this young family and their supportive church community, as they deal so positively with a major upheaval.  They thank our readers for remembering them in prayer.