ANGELS FROM THE ANGEL LADY

Martha Biggs from Moundridge, Kansas, is known as the "Angel Lady" to many people in her area. Whenever she hears of or meets someone who needs encouragement, she sends or gives them an angel. Martha suffered from a stroke in 2000, at the age of 55. Three years later, in 2003 she underwent surgery for ovarian cancer, known as the "silent killer". The surgery removed a football-sized tumor from her body after which she completed six very strong and hard chemo therapy treatment regimens. Martha survived. Sadly, in June 2010, lung cancer took the life of her twin sister, ten minutes older than Martha. "I needed her more than she needed me," confides Martha. As an act of encouragement during her recovery from surgery, Martha's husband, Verlan, gave her angels. Those angels from Verlan initiated the beginning of an angel ministry which Martha faithfully continues today. "The good Lord always puts people in front of me who need the encouragement of an angel," says Martha. When asked whether she provides a particular kind of angel, she indicates that, "It's whatever angel I can find; angel pens, key rings, or whatever the stores have. It's harder and harder to find angels. They're not making as many angels any more."

Perhaps other readers will be inspired by Martha's angel ministry.

• Pray for Martha as she continues to live with the results of her stroke, cancer and the chemo treatments.
• Pray a blessing on Martha's angel ministry as she offers this ministry of hope and encouragement to people who are struggling and need encouragement.

FAMILY LOSES EVERYTHING IN DEVASTATING FIRE.

The Fehr family of Vanderhoof, British Columbia, left home early on Friday, July 8, to face the challenges of a "normal" day. They could not possibly imagine that by 9:30 AM, they would receive a call that their beautiful rural home was totally destroyed by fire.  Tom, Dana and their two boys Luke (9), Kyle (2) and daughter, Alex (8) lost everything in the fire, except each other. The fire's cause remains undetermined. Thankfully, no one was injured. Living in a hotel for several days after the fire, the Fehr family was fortunate to find a home to rent in the town of Vanderhoof and moved in on July 12.   They are grateful for the wonderful support from neighbours, one family who themselves experienced a devastating fire a few years ago, and knows fully the trauma of such an event. "Our church community, The Gospel Chapel in Vanderhoof, is also providing wonderful support for us," says Tom. Please pray for the Fehr family as they face the many challenging decisions of coming months in rebuilding. Pray also for the children, Kyle, Alex and Luke as they process their childhood trauma of losing their home.

Fehr Home Before Fire

Ferh Home in Ruins after Fire

SUDDEN LOSS OF A HUSBAND

While speaking on the phone with Lazaro, her husband of twenty-five years, he suffered a massive fatal heart attack.  In the conversation, they were discussing a possible move to another state. The shock of this January 4 event has deeply impacted Kathy Piedra of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.  Lazaro, aged 46, had his own mobile pressure washing business and was working on a site out of town when the heart attack occurred. Kathy, a staff trainer with a large life insurance company, continues to struggle with the implications of Lazaro's death. "I have been dealing with his company business and trying to multi-task way over my head," says Kathy. "It has been very difficult trying to maintain the life style I was accustomed to, so I spoke to my children and we decided it was best to sell our home. It would not be the same in this house without him," writes Kathy in an email. Unfortunately, an effort to sell the family home by auction on the weekend of July 9^th received no bids. A great disappointment.  Committed to sell the home, Kathy now needs to make some "next step" decisions. Meanwhile Kathy and her 22 year old son live with her daughter near Elizabethtown. Another son is serving with the Air Force in Afghanistan. Many readers have experienced a similar loss and will want to pray for Kathy and her family;

• as they struggle to find renewed wholeness, following the grief and loss of a dear husband and father, and
• as they make critical decisions related to the future.

CERVICAL CANCER STRIKES YOUNG MOTHER OF SIX

On June 29, Jennifer Buchheit was diagnosed with a golf size cancerous tumor attached to her cervix.  A major concern of Jennifer and her husband Chad was the size and rapid growth of the tumor.  It was not present when her youngest daughter was born nine months ago.  A PET (positron emission tomography) scan indicates the cancer has not spread beyond her cervix.  Jennifer is undergoing surgery (hysterectomy) on Wednesday, July 20.  Husband Chad writes, "To all my family, friends, prayer warriors and business related colleagues, please pray that the doctors will not find anymore cancerous tissue beyond that (shown on the scan).   Pray there will be no need for radiation or chemo."  Jennifer, aged 35 and Chad (39) have six children including four daughters who remain at home; Arrianna (17), Banca (11), Celsea (4) and Cameron (9 months).  Chad works for the Alliance Insurance Agency in Missouri.   

STAFF MEMBER'S MOTHER UNDERGOES SURGERY

We invite readers to remember Tammy Pfaff and her mother Karen who underwent a mastectomy on July 13 for breast cancer. After surgery, there were complications with low blood pressure and bleeding which required further surgery. Thankfully, the bleeding was stopped and her blood pressure improved.  Karen was able to return to her New Hamburg, Ontario home on July 17 and is doing well. Tammy is a long term employee in the finance department at MAX Canada. Please keep Karen and Tammy and the rest of the Pfaff family in your prayers. Sadly, Grant Pfaff, husband and father, died suddenly of a heart attack in August 2010, leaving the family without his strong and significant support during Karen's current struggle with cancer.

IN A PAKISTANI PRISON

MAX Canada member Timothy Gowing requests prayer for his nephew Nathaniel Barnett and Hillary Barnett of Scarborough, Ontario, who find themselves in prison in Pakistan for an alleged visa violation. In early June, Nathaniel and Hillary entered Pakistan on a one month visa as part of an independent mission trip. In his training to be a nurse, Nathaniel wanted to offer aid where it was greatly needed. On two occasions during June, the couple applied for a visa extension, allowing them to stay to the end of July. Although authorities acted on neither of the extension applications, when their current visa expired on July 4, both were immediately imprisoned. They are now waiting for the courts to clear and free them so they can return home. Pray for Nathaniel and Hillary as they move through a very challenging and frightening process to regain their freedom.

CONDOLENCES

UPDATE:

Wandalyn MacFarlane: In our May email, we requested prayer for 42 year old Wandalyn MacFarlane and her family. On May 2, Wandalyn experienced a major stroke caused by bleeding in her brain. In a recent conversation, husband Scott indicated that Wandalyn has been back home for the past month and is able to resume most of her life's activities. She continues to struggle with memory, particularly to remember names, and has lost much of her peripheral vision, which means she is not permitted to drive. We give thanks for Wandalyn's recovery to date and invite readers to continue to pray for her, husband Scott, and their six children.