Setting the stage

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Sean

This post is from Sean, following up on the last post from Mike.

Last night at 10:00pm EST Mike received a call from Harborview officially confirming Steve’s admittance. As Mike alluded to, there have been heroic efforts behind the scenes by many to make this possible. This confirmation of admittance is a huge relief and answer to prayer for both Steve and Michelle.

They come to Seattle grateful for how the larger community has already begun preparing for their arrival; they know they will be  supported through this next season.

Over the last 10 days (has it only been 10 days?) I’ve received many emails from people all over the world, offering to help; offering to visit; and offering to donate funds.

Thank you.

Following are a few practical details to respond to those offers, and to help set the stage for Steve and Michelle’s arrival.

VOLUNTEERS:
If you are interested in providing volunteer help for the Ruetschles, please send email to steve.volunteer@gmail.com. Let us know what you’d like to provide, and include your contact info. We will compile a database of resources to draw from as needed, and while we may not be able to respond to every offer we’ll use this database as a local resource network.

FUNDS
Thank you to all those who have already emailed asking to financially contribute.

A Special Needs Trust is being set up as I type. It will take approximately one week to put everything into place, at which time we will announce several methods of contributing.

It is hard to accurately articulate the life-altering nature of a quadriplegic injury… however the extraordinary outpouring of support and love from so many around the world already demonstrates that each of you in your heart can empathize with the pain, dislocation, and need that exists.

As you continue to support Steve and Michelle in prayer; as you continue to offer your encouraging words; please also stay tuned for ways you can help strengthen their healing journey by also meeting the tangible, physical needs that will arise.

VISITS
We all know that community support–your presence–will play a major part of Steve’s rehabilitation. However in these first several weeks, we are asking that people please respect the space the family needs to enter and adjust into the rhythm and focus of intentional rehabilitation work.

I would kindly ask that visitors please not show up at Harborview unannounced. This is not at all to dissuade anyone from their desire to connect with Steve and Michelle. We simply want to manage this process as best as possible so Steve and Michelle are not overwhelmed with a flood of visitors.

So for now, please give the family time to adjust and establish a rhythm, and if you have any special visitation requests, send email to steve.volunteer@gmail.com.

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  • http://twitter.com/pragmaticideal Pragmatic idealist

    Good news and Godspeed!

  • Greg and Susan Lehman

    Steve, Michelle, and family…we have been praying since we first found out about the accident. I think I often take prayer for granted…just me needing to get off my chest what God already knows. But in times of really feeling need, like I sense although so far removed from your lives, it becomes the very air you breath, so tangible you can taste it, so strong you can feel it, so real that it is all you know for sure-that God hears and knows and cares and has not left us in our moments of pain. It is like a washing of peace to the soul, a baptism into rededication and belief in the Truth and His love for us. How unfathomable it still it is for me. You have people literally all around the world praying for you literally around the clock; and yet God thinks more of you and His powerful thoughts are perfectly attuned to your hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit-the God that made all of creation right down to your own beating hearts…which continue to beat b/c He loves you.
    So, we will be praying for the long haul, us for you, our kids for your kids, and for your families. It was in your basement after all Steve, that Rudy Sheptalk? Challenged me by asking how big was my God? The older I get, the bigger He gets. Love and hugs b/c of His grace and love,
    Susan and Greg Lehman…and Ellie and Zach

    PS I am always encouraged and humbled at Job 38-42:6. Who's your daddy!!! (said with soul)
    And also I noticed that after this great time of struggle and deepening relationship with God that Job experienced, in vs. 42:12 it says, “The Lord blessed the later part of Job's life more than the former part.”
    I pray this for you as well.

  • Mark Mohrlang

    I will be praying for the journey for sure… and looking forward with anticipation at getting to see the both of you face-to-face (once you're all settled in). You guys have been faith inspiring. Thank you and I have a whole lotta love for the Ruetschles!

  • Naomi Diaz

    Thank God for all the wonderful blessings to Pastor Stever & the family. It is amazing how HE is the Operations Manager who sees to it that everything is well in place. To Pastor Steve, we continue to pray for you in that journey to Harborview. I am sure our God will have more miracles there as HE continues to surprise everyone. We pray for the doctors, nurses, therapists and every allied medical professional in and around Pastor Steve's case. Again, we will all be surprised as to how HE will manifest more miracles. May God's name be PRAISED. Thank you Pastor Steve for your continued inspiration to all. Glory to God.