Sometimes the Lord sends the Maranatha family trials. These are times for the Lord's family to gather together and to ask the Lord for His wisdom, love, protection, guidance, grace, and strength.
Update from Mike Brill: March 26, 2010
Hi Everyone.
It’s been some time since my last update on Tim & Hannah, here’s what happening.
Tim, for the most part, is out of his wheelchair (unless he is tired or riding wheelies!) and is now on crutches. All the pins are out of his left foot (that was the one crushed in the accident) and now he wears a “boot” for protection. He still has a plate on his big toe bone, as that was the one that got smashed. The healing in the left foot has been miraculous, thanks to everyone who prayed. His right leg has not had such healing take place. The femur break is healing nicely, the lower two are moving much more slowly. If you would like a very specific prayer request, it would be that the blood supply would increase to that area and stimulate bone healing. His nerve damage is slowly recovering and he has physical therapy weekly. The last few weeks he has been able to play his guitar for our elderly ministry on Wednesday nights, that is a real blessing (if you’ve ever heard me sing without him, you’d experience the blessing also!). He has had an amazing recovery thus far, I have no doubt that it was brought upon through God’s people praying. Thank you many, many times over.
Hannah got her cast off! Praise the Lord. She had her pins removed two weeks ago, which left her with a short cast. Her left wrist had enough healing, so her cast is off! She now wears a wrist brace until her strength comes back. Hannah did manage to play her piano piece at WACS with her cast on and did a great job, all things considered. The damage to her knee will keep her off the soccer field for at least two more months. She really loves playing soccer and has a very powerful kick, so that is a hard one for her to deal with. Her cuts and bruises continue to heal nicely. She also has physical therapy weekly. Thank you for your prayers.
On a much lighter note, I have added Guatemalan coffee to our supply. If you’re a coffee lover, check out the web site (just click the link below). I guarantee it will be the freshest coffee you’ve ever had, because I roast the green coffee beans myself and ship it the same day. It will have a completely different flavor than any coffee you’ve tried, simply because it will be the freshest. If you would prefer to be taken off our coffee email list please let me know, I will not be offended and I certainly don’t want to be offensive.
I also have a very nice hospital type bed that I need to find a good home; otherwise it will end up in the scrap heap. It is a TRI-FLEX by Burke. It was over $8000 new, recently inspected, works great but it does need a mattress. If interested place call me @ 608-225-7184.
Blessings,
Mike
Update from Mike Brill: Feb. 24, 2010
Hi Everyone,
A number of folks have asked “how the kids are doing,” so I thought I’d give an update.
Yesterday we received the police report on the accident, there were a number of eye witnesses. The report states the other driver was swerving back and forth, ultimately on to the opposite shoulder then “jerked” his car back into his lane, striking Tim & Hannah. Tim hit his brakes, as there was a skid mark before the impact. Praise the Lord, that must have slowed them down some.
Tim has no memory of the accident! He has had two surgeries thus far and is “confined” to his wheelchair until his left foot and right leg are “weight bearing.” That is probably 3 to 4 weeks out yet, he can’t wait to walk again. Praise the Lord, shortly he will do just that. He has started physical therapy on his right leg to gain strength and range of motion. About the time that leg is getting its strength back, the cast on the left foot will come off and he will start therapy on it. Again, praise the Lord he has a foot to rehab. It was quite a blow when I first heard major concussion and minor brain damage! However, his mind is also doing very well, amazing. Consequently, I’m the only one struck with drain bamage in the family! Thank You Lord! Tim struggles as all his friends “just walk around” and he’s struck in a wheelchair, but he is also very thankful those friends have been so helpful. Pray for him, it’s a long road, but he is on the road!
Hannah has full memory of the accident, continue to pray for her (though she is doing very well). Hannah has had one surgery on her left wrist which she finds “confined” in a cast. When her cast comes off, she will start physical therapy. However, seeing her brother in therapy was too much for her to take, so she is joining him. Yesterday we saw the Sports Doctor at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee who showed us the results of the MRI, amazing. She has a “very unusual” torn MCL and LCL. The good news is she will not need surgery, as those ligaments, “heal themselves.” However, she will be fitted for a knee brace and join Tim in physical therapy. Whereas Tim is looking forward to walking, she is looking forward to playing soccer! Not so fast girl, more healing has to happen. Pray for her, she also has a long road of recovery.
Nancy & I are striving to get our lives “back on track” but it is proving harder than we thought. Obviously, were extremely thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ’s mercy so graciously given to us in sparing Tim & Hannah’s lives. We are also “overwhelmed” by the outpouring of love shown to us from folks all over the world, and thankful to all who have prayed. God is so good. Now we’re dealing with a new set of issues. Continued visits to doctors in Milwaukee (how thankful we are for all the monies & gas cards given), traveling back and forth to Utica school for Tim & Hannah (with the help of Leah, thanks!), physical therapists, astronomical medical bills ($36,000+ for the med flights alone), all the legal matters involved and lastly the mental, physical and spiritual issues! Those are all new to us, however, we know our Lord is Ever-present to help. Our dependence continues to be on Him.
Blessings,
Mike
Update from the Stratfords: February 13, 2010
Steve came to the end of his journey this morning around 11:20 a.m. We had just enjoyed hearing a passage of Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:50-57) read by Pastor Moore, and Pastor prayed for us both. As I was walking Pastor and his wife out, Steve’s sister went to watch Steve, as we’ve always had one of us watching over him. Ginny noticed that he was breathing funny, so we adjusted his position, and then determined that his time had come. We all got to express our love to him, and then I began to sing “It is Well,” and then Pastor closed with prayer as Steve began his new journey in Heaven. It was such a peaceful conclusion to his journey.
Plans will be finalized on Monday for friends to be received on Tuesday, February 16, from 4-8 p.m. at the Pederson Funeral Home at 213 Fifth Street in Watertown, Wisconsin. Additional visitation on Wednesday, from 10 to 11a.m. at the Fellowship Baptist Church, 605 Welsh Road, Watertown, Wisconsin, with his funeral service following at 11 a.m. with Pastor John Moore presiding. A luncheon will be served to those who wish to fellowship with the family immediately after the funeral service. A committal service will take place at the Oak Hill Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Resting and rejoicing in the Lord,
Steve and Cindy Stratford
P.S. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following charities or organizations at Steve’s final request:
Fellowship Baptist Church Accessibility Fund
605 Welsh Road
Watertown, WI 53098
920.261.1004
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Maranatha Baptist Bible College
Aquila/Priscilla Scholarship Fund
745 West Main Street
Watertown, WI 53094
920.261.2325 (John Davis, Development Director)
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Chris Elliott Fund
704 228th Ave NE #254
Sammamish, WA 98074
425.642.8364
www.chriselliottfund.org/content/news/press_room.asp
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American Brain Tumor Association
2720 River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60018
800.886.2282
www.abta.org
For those needing to make out-of-town hotel arrangements, the two hotels most used in town are Holiday Inn Express 920.262.1910 or Super 8 920.261.1188.