DEVASTATING DIAGNOSIS AT TIME OF FIRST CHILD'S BIRTH

David , Megan  and Madelynn (Maddi) Moeding of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, solicit our prayers.  David, aged 33, in training to do his first full Ironman Triathlon in November, experienced an escalation of fatigue, shortness of breath and nausea during the spring and summer.  A series of tests in early fall led to a devastating diagnosis for David; Non-Hodgkin's T-cell Stage 4 Lymphoma.  The diagnosis came just days before their first child and daughter, Maddi's birth.  The diagnosis resulted in a treatment regimen involving numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and potentially a bone marrow transplant.  Recently, doctors confirmed that the early rounds of chemo were not working as hoped .  "Plan B" treatment is in process, involving three days of highly intense chemotherapy that will stress David's immune system, putting him at high risk for infections and requiring lengthy hospitalization.  The Moeding's are praying for remission so that David is well enough to have the bone marrow transplant.  Megan writes in an email, "David's passion is doing triathlons.  It was disappointing to miss the [November] race.  However, he now sees his treatment as training for the biggest race he's ever done. This is helping him develop a plan and stay focused when times get tough.  Please keep your thoughts and prayers coming as they are greatly appreciated."  Readers may follow David's progress on his care page at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/daisysdaddy.   

• Pray for David as he faces this difficult and devastating struggle with Lymphoma.
• Remember Megan as she supports David during his treatment while also caring for their new daughter, Maddi.
• Offer a blessing to all those who are surrounding the Moeding family with support, errands and transportation during this very difficult time.

JAMAR POULTRY BUILDING RESTORED

On April 8, 2011, Jake and Marina Doerksen and family, owners of Jamar Poultry Farms near Niverville, Manitoba, experienced the devastating fire loss of a large 11,000 square foot poultry barn housing 14,600 laying hens, which were received just a month earlier.  Highly motivated to get back into operation as quickly as possible, the Doerksen family set a very ambitious goal to be back in full operation by November. With much hard work on the part of the family and excellent cooperation from all sectors involved, Jamar farms took possession of 17,600 new layer birds on November 8, precisely seven months after the fire loss. The birds are housed in a newly built barn with state of the art cages, egg sorting equipment and a dry manure management system. In a conversation of November 22, Jake celebrated the fact that the new laying hens were already at 70% of their full laying capacity. "The barn and all the new equipment is performing admirably," he reported. We celebrate the restoration of this MAX Canada member family's poultry operation and the restored livelihood and income it represents. We give thanks to the many people who so faithfully worked cooperatively to bring this transformational restoration together in only seven months. In an email, Mr. Doerksen expressed the same sentiments with these words, "Thank you very much to all the MAX insurance people involved and the hard work they put into it by getting me the insurance money so we could rebuild at this speed."

Jamar Poultry Barn, April 2011

New Jamar Poultry Barn, November 2011

MAX BOARDS TAKE VISIONARY STEP

In recent weeks, the MAX enterprise boards unanimously passed a visionary action by establishing a more stable funding base for the Mutual Aid Ministries (MAM) programs in the US and Canada. Effective January 1, 2012, MAX will contribute one percent of every premium dollar it collects to the Mutual Aid Ministries programs. This decision underlines the boards' strong belief that "without MAM, MAX is just another insurance company, and affirming that Mutual Aid Ministries is the heart of MAX". This commitment will provide a strong and reliable foundation for the growing work of Mutual Aid Ministries. David Wine, President & CEO of MAX, recommended this funding shift to the boards to move the organization to "a first fruits model of giving basis" for MAM, rather than the previous model based on fluctuating profits. This basis of funding will allow every MAX insured member to assist Mutual Aid Ministries when they submit their annual premium. MAM will continue to invite further charitable gifts from prayer partners and others, committing 100% of every contributed dollar to be used directly to assist people who meet the granting criteria of the Share Funds. Give thanks for this bold vision of the MAX administration and boards. The uniqueness of this action further differentiates MAX from other insurance organizations.

UPDATE

Lloyd Miller: (September 2011) Sadly, in July Lloyd Miller was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. After several hospitalizations Lloyd and the family chose not to follow the treatment route and moved him home in September to spend his remaining time with family with the help of hospice support. "Lloyd P. Miller, 77, went to be with his Lord on October 29, 2011." Born in an Amish family in Nappanee, Indiana, Lloyd is survived by his wife Lois (Barkey) Miller, two adult daughters and seven grandchildren. Lloyd performed alternative service with Mennonite Central Committee in Korea from 1957-1960,  graduated from Goshen College in 1965 and completed his MBA in 1986 at Indiana University, South Bend.  Since retirement ten years ago, Lloyd and Lois have lived in Harrisonburg (summers) and Sarasota (winters). They were great prayer partners for this monthly Support Network email. Lois is struggling with the thought of being alone and would appreciate knowing she is being supported by the prayers of her many friends on the Support Network.  Pray also for strength and courage as Lois deals with the many changes and transitions that go with losing a beloved spouse of 49 years. 

CONDOLENCES

Our sympathies are extended to MAX Canada controller, Cathy Bowman and her family on the death of her 81 year old mother, Suzanne Ross, on November 13, 2011. Suzanne and Doug, her husband and best friend of 58 years, raised three daughters in Tillsonburg, Ontario, where they were active and highly respected members of the community.   Pray for the family as they adjust to the loss of a beloved wife, dear mother, and grandmother of eight. Husband, Doug Ross resides at Nithview Home in New Hamburg, Ontario.