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Bryan and I are moved to continuous prayers of mercy of your news. Be strong. We have so many dear memories of you both – your babies are so precious.

Much love, Bryan & Stacey Wilson

Your family has blessed our lives regularly and in many ways. We want now to be there for you. Please know our hearts and prayers are with you as we petition God on your behalf.
Love, Deb, Jim and John Wilson, UCM

I transferred to UCM because I heard you inspired folks with your words. Well, you did inspire me and I was saddened to hear of the accident. I am praying for you to one day come back and walk back into our lives once again. I am praying for you and your family. sincerely, Marlies and little Alyssa.

I am sorry to hear of the accident. I have not seen you since HS time flys. Thoughts and prayer are with you and your family. Keep fighting! Kristen (Weidner) Jackson

Steve has inspired me and many others and will surely continue to do so. My friends and I are praying for him, his wife, and his children as he begins this phase of his ministry to, and through, others.
In prayer, Steven Muncy

Pastor Steve, you have really helped me in growing as Christian. Attending UCM sunday service is a must for me since you became our pastor…I never feel sleepy whenever you talk /speak in front of the church during our sunday service. You have to know how much you are loved, admired and treasured….I will always include you, Michelle, yes your beautiful wife , your 3 beautiful children and your relatives in my prayers….women's group also prays diligently for you and your family….from Carolyn Ngo

Dearest Michelle,
The thought that came to my mind this morning as I was reading your posts is that of running a marathon. You and Steve have been training for this marathon ahead of you by being faithful in trusting God with the small things in your everyday life. Now He is asking you to trust Him that you will be able to complete this journey. Wfhen you begin training for a marathon and you are out of breath before completing the first mile your faith falters and questions how you will ever complete 26 miles. As you continue training each day becomes a bit easier and you are able to go a bit farther. Before you know it you have completed 3,5,10,15 and your faith begins to soar. In the actual race there may be a time when you hit the wall and feel you can not go on. This is the time when you look to your fans on the sideline who are encouraging you. Before you know it you have broken through the wall. You cannot complete a marathon without taking care of yourself in the process. Your friends and family are the hydration and energy bars you need to sustain yourself for the long journey. Ask for what you need and lean on them (the God within them) when your own strength falters. Many are praying for you here. May the strength of God enfold you and sustain you.
Linda Toothman (Theron's mom)

Every time Auden prays for the food he prayers for Steve. I love to see his simple strong faith in God to heal.

love,
deborah

Hi there, Steve & Michelle,
Thanks for doing the postings… keeps us praying in the right direction! My kids are even praying for you! I love seeing their simple faith in the BIG God. They don't care what medical convention says, as they just know that God is BIG and can do anything He pleases.
Lots of love, Christine for the Chappell family

Wow! God is quickly answering prayers. As we hear more and more about the huge goals Steve is reaching each day the more I pour my heart out to God. We serve such an amazing God! We will be on our knees with you tomorrow during Steve's surgery. Praise the Lord for the incredible things he is doing!

Your boys haven't been forgotten either. After teaching them in Sunday School for the past year, I feel like I can understand a bit of what each boy is probably going through. They are being lifted up as well.

Blessings upon blessings to you and your loved ones Michelle!

In Christ,
Valerie Bunting

That is beautiful!

Dear Michelle, Steve and boys,
You are in our prayers constantly, thank you for keeping us up to date. As I have been praying I have been reminded of our trip to Israel. Steve gave an inspiring talk at the very place where David fought Goliath. As I hold the stones I pray that our prayers may be the ammunition that sustains and overcomes.
With much love,
Harriet, Alan, Becky, Kate (and little Charlie), and Mairi.

Dear Steve Michelle and boys,
God be with you through this trying time. We pray for pain management and peace of mind for Steve. We received word through Jim and Marty S. this morning (24-June). Our prayers are comming to you from Steinach, Austria as we are in our Ministry of Hospitality for the pilgrims attending the Oberammergau Passion Play. We do the same in Jerusalem.
We shall pray for you constantly until you are back on your feet once again.
Love you all,
Willis & Emily Gould
wgould@columbus.rr.com

P.S. to my earlier message, Steve. I rarely use the computer, much to the frustration of my family – but now am glued to your site, as I feel I'm being privileged with wonderful “sermons” from all your worldwide friends! It's as if you don't actually need to be in a pulpit right now, for your loving friends and family are doing it right now! THANK YOU.

Ann Metzgar

Dear Steve,
We haven't seen each other in years, but my parents always send updates of your various locations and ministries learned from Christmas cards, visits from your folks, etc. Please know that my Atlanta family and I will be adding you, Michelle, the boys, your medical staff to our prayers. Asheville is a place whose beauty and hospitality has provided healing to many. We will trust that you are now a member of that long line.
Also, I will send blessings your way for having been the occasion to get my mom on the internet. When I switched over to the Guestbook page to write a note to you all, I saw her own note to you, immediately below. And you'll also chuckle at the generational differences when I tell you that I learned of your site just now when my dad sent a note saying that I should “go to this site”, b/c it was a “really neat ministry tool that I should know about.” I figured maybe it was a new or more explicitly Christian version of CaringBridge. But, nope, “that would be a blog, Dad. I imagine you've heard of them.” (And I trust that both the elder Metzgars will know that I mean no disrespect mentioning either of these things, especially since Mom confessed herself!)
With prayers for rest, courage, strength, trust, healing….
Debbie Metzgar Shew

Dear Michelle — thank you for your updates — they are good for our souls as well as our prayers. Sleep well and deeply.

Dear Steve,
I just heard of your accident and situation through a Linda Conley email. You have reinvented yourself so many times that you are like a chameleon. I know you will be able to regrow, rebuild, reinvent anything you set your mind to do. Please know that you have the love of many people behind you. I'll keep following your progress as you evolve back into yourself.

Love,
Sharon Rab

Steve
What an eventful 1st leg of your journey to recovery!
Our prayers continue for you. Get some rest because tomorrow is another day
God bless
Debbie Villari-Miller

When it is appropriate, it would be great to see update photos of Pastor Steve and the family. We miss you all dearly in UCM and a glimpse through photos would be such a gift. We praise God for all the blessings He's been pouring out on you through His people, and we are blessed by your steadfast faith in the midst of all the happenstances. We continue to pray for you all.

Jesse and Ima Morales (UCM, first service)

Hi Michelle, You and Steve and the boys are in my prayers. You are handling all of this with your usual inspiring grace. I am so glad you are “home.” What a wonderful community of family and friends you have! You are never far from my thoughts these days, I think of you and Steve often and look forward to your daily posts. Much love from California! Elizabeth

Dear Steve and Michelle,
From the beginning, when we first met you in Manila, I knew you would be changing the world. You are.
Laura Anderson

Dear Ruetschle Family,
We are thinking of you and keeping you all in our prayers.
Love, The Vernon-Biteau Family (Dayton, Ohio)

Steve…

God bless you and your family! I am thinking of you and keeping you all in my prayers.

Dear Michelle and Steve,
I am from India. I chanced to read about you this morning.A friend from Tokyo had forwarded the prayer request . Until yesterday i didnt know about you. As i went for a walk with my husband , i had this thought briefly crossing my mind ,not to take that moment for granted..as there are come families ,who are going through crazy situations that are immobilising. Now i believe it is God moving us to intercede for you across the continents. May God continue to keep you hoping and steer you through this stormy hour.
Monisha

Pastor Steve and Michelle, I am inspired by your graciousness and strong faith to God … to have the courage to hope and a firmed determination to make each passing day a better one. I will continue to pray for both of you and the kids… AAElliott of UCM Manila

Steve and Michelle,

I have been praying for and thinking of you all daily. I am so sad for the losses in all of this but am certain of God's ever present grace and mercy in the midst. Looking forward to the time when I can see you face to face. “The Lord is near.” Tim Snow

I am so inspired by the beautiful story that unfolds from this remarkable Ruetschle family. God is awesome and I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11- “I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord…”plans to give you hope and a future.”

Steve & Michelle,

I met you folks at one of Lyle George's pancake breakfasts, before you went to Manila. I'll be praying for you and your boys, for strength, peace, hope, and love.

Dear Steve~It’s Suzanne Chan Kohaya: I met you at Antioch (Single’s Group) and then with my Husband Dale at UPC. Will be praying for miraculous healing, support and peace. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

your family is lovely beyond words! I miss you all very much and wish I could give steve and michelle a big hugs! I thank God for holding you in the palm of his hand through out this time!!! I pray continued showers of blessings on you as you continue to improve and gain strength pastor steve! I love you all! He is SO pleased with you! ~Marli

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

I believe that God will answer our parayers =)

My husband and i are going to manila for a quick visit last 2 weeks of October- a much awaited trip.
Will be attending the UCM concert-pls know we will be thinking and praying for you .

dear Pastor Steve and Michelle

I just want to let you know that we are praying everyday for your immediate recovery.
we are looking forward to seeing you back at Union church. Jesus loves you and your
family. remember this song Because He lives i can face tomorrow Because He lives all
fear is gone and life is worth the living just because he lives.

Love and prayer

charito de Leon

hi ma’am this is emma nice seeing all of your pictures, hope to see you soon next year i really miss all of you.

hi , i was so blessed by how God has been healing pastor steve, me and my mom were just invited by her friend to watch the concert last night, my mom asked me if i wanna watch Gary V.’s concert, so I said yes, but i didn’t know that it was a benefit concert for pastor steve, I didn’t even know what happened to him. Cause I attend at CCF, but I felt so blessed to be there last night to witness how faithful God really is by using pastor steve. I know that this is just a test, molding pastor steve to be more and more like HIM , just like the story of JOB =) and I know God is using Him to show the world of HIS great love and faithfulness and that indeed He is our healer, I will continue praying for you and for your family, and I will tell more people about him and about your blog so that more people will be praying for him and for his quick recovery.