PASSION AND CALLING TO SERVE THE POOR

MAX Canada members, Colin and Christy Zacharias, from Martensville, Saskatchewan are passionate about volunteering and serving the poor. This passion, combined with their

Photo - courtesy of World Vision

musical gifts and Colin's gift and interest in videography has found a serendipitous outlet in their service as "Destination Life Change" (DLC) volunteers promoting child sponsorship and the work of World Vision. As part of their DLC role, they visited Zambia in May, 2010. "We found our passion," writes Christy. " It was an amazing chance to use the specific gifts we have to educate people about how child sponsorship works." In November they will be traveling to Malawi to meet and video children and their families who have been sponsored by families from their community in Saskatchewan. On their return they will provide DVDs to sponsor families and promote the work of World Vision through speaking engagements and personal blogs. For more information about their work, visit their blogs: www.zchristy.wordpress.com; www.zacolin.wordpress.com or read a World Vision article about their Zambian mission; https://communities.worldvision.ca/Kalomo/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=72

As they prepare for their November mission, Colin & Christy invite the prayers of the MAX community:

• "Pray for our health, safety, sleep and protection in our travels."
• "Pray for sensitivity to the people we meet and for the ability to convey honestly what we see and experience."
• Pray also for their two children Kyle (15) and Cole (11) who will remain behind, staying with parents and friends.

PRAYING FOR ADOPTION OF HAITIAN CHILD

"This past year has been an amazing journey with the Lord," write Micah and Angie Thieszen, MAX members from Goshen, Indiana. Feeling an ongoing tug to consider adopting a Haitian child, the Thieszen family has moved ahead in faith and are waiting for their fourth child, a girl under the age of five, from Rivers of Hope Creche, a small mountainside orphanage located about an hour from Port-Au-Prince. "We have decided to name her Nora, meaning a light and a woman of honor," writes Angie. Nora will be a sister to bio children Lily, Tobias and Quinn. To organize the funding for the adoption which could be in excess of $25,000, the Thieszen family is working with Lifesong for Orphans ( www.lifesongfororphans.org ). The family is also supported by their church community, Maple City Chapel in Goshen, Indiana. They request prayer:

• For a miraculously smooth and quick adoption journey.
• Patience as they await the arrival of Nora.
• For Nora as she is nurtured in Haiti.

The Thieszens would welcome the support of others who have moved through such an adoption process or want to support the family at angie_thieszen@hotmail.com .

TEACHER/MOTHER REQUESTS PRAYER

Julie Gerber's symptoms first began in late July. After undergoing numerous tests, she was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), a virus closely associated with mononucleosis. Effects from the virus usually last up to four months and if not treated properly can also lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. Thankfully, Julie is again able to do some light housework but still tires very easily.  Both Julie and husband Jeff are teachers within the Waterloo Regional school system in Ontario.

Julie asks for prayer:

• For the return of her strength and energy. 
• For wisdom to know when she will have sufficient strength to return to work.

A DIFFICULT SUMMER, A SAD PROGNOSIS

Please pray for MAX members Lois and Lloyd Miller. "This present summer of 2011 has been a very hard one," writes Lois.  A persistent cough, pain and shortness of breath, which began in July for Lloyd was diagnosed as stage 4 lung cancer.  After experiencing the side-effects of prescribed chemotherapy, the family decided more chemo would only make life more miserable for Lloyd. "Today, after a third hospitalization and more problems, we are settled at home with the help of Hospice," says Lois.   Since retirement 10 years ago, the Millers have spent summers in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to be closer to their daughters, spouses, and 7 grandchildren.  They attend Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. Winters are spent in Sarasota, Florida where they have resided for 24 years and attend Bay Shore Mennonite Church. Writes Lois, "We are so grateful for our Christian family and friends who are lifting us up to the throne of grace.  Please pray that God would give us His healing, strength, peace and comfort in this difficult time. It's very difficult to wrap our minds around all that has happened in such a short time.  The prognosis is not good." We honour the Millers' request for prayer, reciprocating their great faithfulness over the years as prayer partners for this monthly Support Network email. We invite our readers to join this mutual ministry of prayer.

UPDATE:

Mike Pickup (November 2010)

Mike is in his 11th month since receiving a liver transplant. While the transplant was a success, Mike has had a difficult year with numerous complications.   His wife Vicky moved to an apartment in London, 2.5 hours distant from their home, to devote her full time to nurse Mike back to health. She writes, "We are hoping his kidneys will reawaken. There have been many challenges but things seem to be on track. If they can get Mike off the tracheotomy ventilator, he can get out of ICU." Mike can now walk with assistance and is up to 146 lbs, after dropping below 120. Because his swallowing muscles have been damaged, he has a semi-permanent feed tube and continues to work with physiotherapy to strengthen his swallowing, with the hope that someday he will eat and drink on his own again. Vicky writes further, "God's blessings have kept him going. Thanks for all the prayers. Mike is getting stronger." Mike is the stepfather of Tracy Jackman, an accountant at MAX Canada