In this Support Network email, we are pleased to highlight some of the important work accomplished through MAX Mutual Aid Ministries Share Fund grants.  The Share Fund provides one time financial grants, in partnership with the faith community, during unexpected times of financial hardship caused by losses not covered by insurance.  The Share Fund is funded by tithes from MAX operations and gifts from staff, board members, suppliers and members. 

 

The stories below are illustrative of the work done with these funds.  By the end of June, twenty-six Share Fund grants were provided year-to-date, totaling close to $22,000 across Canada and the United States.  Has your congregation considered the Share Fund to restore persons or families experiencing an unanticipated financial burden or loss to wholeness?
 
SHARE FUND PROVIDES NEW ROOF FOR PARSONAGE
Iglesia Cristiana Menonita El Buen Pastor is located in Hatillo, Puerto Rico on the north coast of the island.  The roof of the congregation's parsonage, located next to the church, was in very poor condition.  Whenever it rained, the interior would inevitably get wet,  ruining the pastor's personal belongings.  The photos illustrate the problem very graphically. Neither the pastor nor the congregation had the financial resources to purchase the materials needed to make the repairs. 
The Deacons of the congregation submitted a request to the MAX Share Fund for assistance to repair the badly leaking roof of their parsonage.  The correspondence was channeled through Elizabeth Soto Albrecht from Lancaster, PA., whose parents attend this church .  The small rural church is  located in the middle of Puerto Rican dairy country.  Their pastor, Hector Lugo,  has served this church for over 30 years.  Congregational members supplied the labor for these urgently needed repairs while a $1,000 MAX Share Fund grant provided the resources to purchase the needed materials.  We give thanks for all our MAX members whose support helped provide a Share Fund grant to assist in delivering Mutual Aid to this struggling Puerto Rican congregation.
 
STRUGGLING TO REPAIR AN OLD HOME
While working in Hesston Kansas, Craig and Dena Schmidt rented out their old home in Goessel, Kansas so they could be closer to their work.  Eighteen months ago, Craig lost his job as a construction worker and Dena needed to quit her work due to health and stress issues.  With a very limited income they decided to sell their home in Goessel.  However, the 1900's era house, which was physically relocated in the 1920's and has survived two tornados since, received major "unbelievable" damage perpetrated by the renters over five years.  It required extensive work to bring it up to the government standard permitting them to place it on the market to sell.  They chose to move back into their home while repairing damages and bringing their old home to saleable standards which included, central heat and air, rewiring, extensive insulation, window replacement and a new roof.  A second loan, beyond their primary mortgage, was required.  With finances very tight, they sold one vehicle and lived in a gutted home with Dena cooking from a crock pot and using the washer and dryer as her sole counter space while Craig began repairs and upgrades.  A MAX Share Fund grant provided funds for roofing materials to stop leakage and allow them to continue to insure the premises.  Today Craig is again employed in construction in McPherson, Kansas, and Dena is working on an on-line computer job and home schooling their 13 year old son to save costs.  They live upstairs as they continue to upgrade their home as finances permit.  The Schmidts are grateful for the assistance of a Share Fund grant.  "I pray we all keep healthy so we can continue this work that God has placed upon us" says Dena.  They hope to have their home fully restored by spring or summer of 2012.  Please pray for the Schmidt family as they live through their current reality and discern their future.
 
GREAT INTEGRITY - THANK YOU
Okeene Mennonite Brethren Church, Okeene, Oklahoma, applied for a MAX Share Fund grant to assist an elderly man who desperately needed to do repairs to his house.  After the grant had been approved and issued, circumstances changed.  A letter from the congregation stated "We are returning the check that was sent for George.  His situation has changed and he is not living in the house.  The family has requested the check be returned as they will not be replacing the roof.  Thanks for your willingness to help out in this situation."   The integrity the congregation and family exhibited in returning the grant check to the MAX Share Fund is deeply appreciated.  Their generosity allowed the funds to be reallocated for someone else who is experiencing emergency financial need.  This is an illustration of the wonderful constituency MAX serves.  Thank you.
 
CONDOLENCES
Our condolences are extended to Tammy Pfaff, a member of the accounting team at MAX Canada, on the loss of her father.  Sixty-five year old Grant Pfaff of New Hamburg, Ontario, died suddenly on August 18 as the result of a heart attack.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tammy, her mother Karen, her two siblings Sheila and Jim and their families as they adjust to life without a very important person in their lives.  May God's healing power and the love and care of friends and community convert their present grief and sorrow to the wholeness of warm and fond memories of a wonderful father, husband, grandfather and friend.