WIFE/MOTHER DIES WHILE TRAVELLING ON BIRTHDAY

We invite readers to keep the Abram Peters family from Aylmer, Ontario, in your thoughts and prayers.  While visiting her brother in Belize with her husband Abram, Tina Peters suffered a totally unexpected massive stroke on April 17^th, the day of her 57^th birthday.  She was rushed to a local Belize hospital where she received the basic care to sustain her vitals.  "On Tuesday, April 19 she underwent early morning surgery to try and relieve the pressure in her head, with some success," writes daughter-in-law Eva Peters.  Uncomfortable with the costs and care she was receiving, the family quickly made arrangements to have her airlifted home to Ontario.  On the April 21^st flight, Tina required resuscitation interventions and the flight made an emergency landing in New Orleans where Tina passed away.  Now the family required an undertaker to embalm the body before she could be brought home.  Tina's funeral was held on Easter Monday, April 25 at the Reinland Fellowship Mennonite Church in Aylmer.

Unfortunately, Abram and Tina were traveling without medical insurance.  According to daughter-in-law, Eva, "This was totally uncharacteristic of them.  We cannot understand why, on this occasion, our mother did not arrange for medical insurance."  The costs of medical care, flights and undertakers amounted to tens of thousands of dollars.  We give thanks for a supportive local community which quickly rallied to assist the family with costs by setting up a trust account at the Aylmer branch of the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union.  In partnership with the Aylmer Evangelical Mennonite Mission Congregation, where two of the Peters children are members, MAX provided a Mutual Aid Ministries Share fund  grant to assist.  Pray for the Peters family as they move through the grief and trauma of losing a wife, mother and grandmother in this way.  Pray particularly for Abram as he grieves the loss of a spouse in such a traumatic way.  Pray also for the family's financial wholeness as they deal with the costs of bringing Tina home to her final resting place.

LOSS OF BARN A SETBACK FOR FARM OPERATION

Losing a major part of one's farming operation is always a traumatic and devastating experience.  Such was the experience of Jake and Marina Doerkson of Jamar Poultry Farms near Niverville, Manitoba, on April 8 when fire destroyed an 11,000 square foot poultry barn on their property.  The fire, believed caused by an electrical wire, destroyed 14,600 new layer hens which had just been received a month earlier.  They were just reaching the peak of their laying cycle. 

The Doerksen's have seven children aged six to 21. The two oldest, daughters Lianna and Whitney  took major responsibility for the operations of the barn.  They were particularly "hard hit" by the loss.  Nevertheless, in spite of this major loss and setback, Mr. Doerksen exhibits much thanksgiving and optimism.

• "We give thanks to God that no one was hurt in the fire," says Jake. 
• Jake further is thankful for and praises the effective work of Doug Friesen, the adjuster appointed by MAX Canada.
• "Our neighbours and church community, the Niverville Chortitzer Mennonite Church, have been very supportive," indicates Jake.
• He adds "We appreciated the personal visit by Paul Burns, MAX Canada's Underwriting Manager, who came to support us during a visit to the Province."

The Doerksens are eager to get back into operation and hope to have the barn rebuilt and be fully operational again by November.  Please pray for the Doerksen family as they make the many decisions needed over the next several months. 

STROKE INCAPACITATES YOUNG MOTHER

On May 2, forty-two year old Wandalyn Macfarlane was incapacitated by a stroke caused by bleeding in her brain.  Wandalyn and husband Scott Macfarlane from Stoney Creek, Ontario, MAX insured members, have six children, ranging in age from 11 and up.  Five of the children remain at  home and are doing well.  The children obviously miss their mother, who remains in hospital with no current indication of when she can return home.  Scott indicates that "she has difficulty communicating and shows signs of confusion in knowing names and remembering facts and the chronology of events."  The people at Nash Road Gospel Hall in Stoney Creek, the Macfarlane's church community, have been very supportive of the family throughout this challenging time.  We give thanks for them.  When asked how our readers can best pray for them, Scott had two requests:

• "Pray that we can be open to God's will for our family."
• "If it is God's will," adds Scott, "We would very much like to have Wandalyn restored to us."

ELECTION VICTORY MARRED BY SUDDEN DEATH

Our thoughts and prayers are with Harold Albrecht and his three children, Gavin, Benj and Arja and their families at the very sudden and tragic death of Betty Albrecht.  On the same evening as Harold's third election victory on May 2, as a Member of Canada's Parliament for the Kitchener-Conestoga riding in southern Ontario, Betty suffered a sudden severe headache and collapsed.  She was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and died two days later on May 4.  Before launching his political career in 2006, Harold was a successful dentist and subsequently a church planter in Kitchener.  Betty was the heart and soul of the Kitchener Brethren in Christ 1999 Pathway Community Church planting initiative Harold pastored and where they have remained members.  Betty also served for many years as Secretary for the Canadian Conference of  the Brethren in Christ Church and as Treasurer of the Rosebank Brethren in Christ congregation.  Funeral Services for Betty were held on Sunday, May 8, Mothers Day.  Pray for healing for the Albrecht family and particularly for Harold as he adjusts to the reality of returning to Ottawa as a member of parliament without the strong support of his wife and soul mate of 39 years.

REMEMBER THOSE IMPACTED BY NATURE'S FURY

The last several weeks have seen much havoc created across Canada and the United states by highly unusual weather patterns and floods.  Please pray for those impacted by floods along the Mississippi River, the horrendous tornadoes that impacted much of the southern US, the unprecedented flooding in Manitoba Canada and the many people who have experienced flood damage or lost homes and farms.  We pray also for the many families who have lost homes to wild fires in Slave Lake, Northern Alberta.  May God grant them all a persistent spirit and courage as they begin their long journeys to restored wholeness.  Give thanks for and pray for the many civic and public officials, emergency crews and the thousands of volunteers and others who work tirelessly to provide relief, comfort and support to those impacted.