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for July, 2008.
By admin
Dear Praying Friends,
We are taking advantage of our “computer man’s” (Doug Porter) visit here at the hospital & having him take a brief update home with him to put on our website. I am right at John’s side, so in a moment I am going to ask him what he wants to say.
All I have to say is that I feel badly that there has been a lot of “one-way communication” these days. I love to write emails, but because of the situation, it just has not been possible to answer everything. Please be assured that ALL of the emails that we received, I read aloud to John. Many of them made us cry together and touched our hearts deeply. The Scriptures shared were truly up-lifting and all of you have been used by God to encourage us during this time.
Also, we want to thank each person for the cards, letters, & gifts that you gave to us. We read each word as well and once again, they were a great blessing to us. As for the gifts… We tried hard to keep up with thank you notes, but there may have been a few that have “slipped by.” We appreciate each one so much.
John asked me to up date you on the following:
John came through his surgery well. His fourth & fifth vertebrae were fused together to stabilize his condition, and it looks as if it did just that. Today John sat up in a chair for one hour! That was huge progress & we are so thankful!
Please pray for Josh. Today is his 20th birthday, as most of you know & we called him today. He is doing well, and we are thankful. Lord willing he will be coming back to the US on Saturday, August 6th.
Pray for John’s mother, Frances, as well. She has plans to come back to the US to help out with our family needs at this time.
Jerrod, Jonna, & Jeanne are doing well. They keep trading off helping out at the hospital. They are being troopers, and continue to pray for them.
Here is John’s message:
I Cor. 15:34 is the verse our family has chosen for our life verse. “Awake to righteousness & sin not, for some have not the knowledge of God, I speak this to your shame.” Your prayers & God’s hands have been keeping us together. Keep praying!
Sincerely in Christ
John, Bev & family
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By admin
I talked to Pastor Pat tonight. He said John is back out of ICU but still requests for no visitors. John still has the same abilities as before so there was no loss of feeling or control which is a answer to prayer. Pastor said John had a very tiring day today. I will be bringing up the messages from the guestbook tomorrow and should have another update and will have all the new address added to the mailing list.
- Doug
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By admin
I was informed yesterday afternoon that John’s surgery was successful. They attached a plastic spinal column to allow stabilization and to keep the area from deteriorating. He was put back in ICU for at least 24 hours. Praise God for a successful surgery and pray for it to cause more healing.
- Doug Porter
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By admin
News Article and Video from WHO TV 13 in Des Moines, Iowa:
Iowa Missionary Recovering
Des Moines, July 28th, 2005 -An Iowa missionary continues to recover after being shot multiple times in Brazil. John Leonard just got out of intensive care this week. He nearly died after being shot in the arm and the mouth back on July 3. The closest hospital was an hour away, and then it took six days before he could get on a plane and fly home to Iowa.
“After the service I went out and the guy said whose Pastor John I said ‘That’s me, how you doing?’ He shot me, I can’t put a face to him - I’ve tried to.” It only took a second for John Leonard’s life to change. He was shot at least two times. One bullet fractured his arm. The other went into his mouth and injured his spinal cord. “I praise the lord for the prayers that everyone’s been sending out for us, for our family, for the men who did this to me because I’ve forgiven them” Leonard told Channel 13.
John has been a missionary in Brazil for 20 years. He and his wife worked in a small fishing village. They started churches and government housing projects, doing whatever they could to make life better for the people who live there. “It’s a real dark place, about an hour away on a dirt road to the nearest hospital. A lot of prostitution. A lot of drugs,” says Leonard. He and his wife were making big changes in the small village and that, he believes is what led to the shooting. “I don’t have any enemies. I would say the only person that would have done this is one of the drug lords.”
Dr. Gary Anderson is the president of Baptist Mid-Missions in Ohio. He says there are 1,000 missionaries in 55 countries, and few ever experience this kind of danger. “In my 18 years I’ve taken four calls of missionaries being shot, but none like this we really. We have no indication that John was doing anything except what he was called to do. We know of no fault with what John was doing.”
After six days John was flown from Brazil and rushed to Methodist hospital, where he’s been for the last month. His friend Pat Members keeps daily tabs on John’s condition as well as the whole Leonard family. “He’s very tender hes very grateful to be alive to be able to give glory to God for what has happened to him,” Members said. His family waits around the clock for any good news that their dad will pull through what happened.
John is making progress. He’s now breathing on his own and has feeling in his upper body. He has a long road ahead and even with everything he’s faced, John says he’d still consider going back to that little village in Brazil. “If the Lord gives me strength if he wants me to go down there I’ll go.”
The Saylorville Baptist Church is the supporting church for the Leonard family. They are offering meals and supporting family and they are also looking for a place for the family to live. John has surgery tomorrow to try to stabilize his spine.
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By admin
News article from the Gazeta de Alagoas:
Original Portuguese (English Translation Below)
Dos EUA, John envia mensagem aos fiéis
Pastor John, da UTI: “Perdôo quem fez isso comigo”
Da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, o pastor John enviou, com exclusividade à Gazeta, a seguinte mensagem: “Não tenho a menor idéia de por que alguém quis tirar a minha vida! Seja quem for, perdôo de todo o meu coração! Faço isso porque aprendi na Palavra de Deus em Mateus 5:44 Eu, porém, vos digo: amai a vossos inimigos, bendizei os que vos maldizem, fazei bem aos que vos odeiam e orai pelos que vos maltratam e vos perseguem.
Essa capacidade que tenho para perdoar, não vem de mim, mas daquele que morreu na cruz para pagar o preço do nosso pecado. Romanos 3:23 Porque o salário do pecado é a morte, mas o dom gratuito de Deus é a vida eterna, por Cristo Jesus, nosso Senhor. Entrega a tua vida a Cristo! Pede que Ele pague o preço do teu pecado! Estou no Brasil desde criança, não para fazer mal às pessoas, mas para pregar o Evangelho daquele que me salvou, pagando o preço do meu pecado”. ###
Missionário já consegue falar e no futuro vai poder dirigir
O estado de saúde do pastor John David Leonard, 45 anos, continua melhorando. Em contato direto com o pastor Aureliano Colaço, em Alagoas, o irmão da vítima, também pastor, Jim Leonard, falou das esperanças que a família nutre na América do Norte, enquanto acompanha a recuperação do missionário que já consegue articular algumas palavras. “Os médicos aqui dos Estados Unidos já nos falaram que John poderá, no futuro, andar de cadeira de rodas e dirigir um carro adaptado para quem tem o seu problema”, comemora.
O pastor John foi atingido por quatro tiros de pistola 380, no dia 3 de julho, por volta das 20h, em frente à Igreja Batista que construiu há cerca de 3 anos, no município de Coqueiro Seco. Uma das balas ficou alojada em seu maxilar e só na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva dos Estados Unidos foi retirada. “John mexe voluntariamente o braço direito, porém o esquerdo foi fraturado por uma bala e ainda não pode ser movimentado”, afirmou o pastor Jim Leonard.
De Maceió, o pastor John seguiu em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Aérea, no último dia 8, para os Estados Unidos, num vôo que durou cerca de 18 horas.Infecção nos pulmões
Uma infecção nos pulmões do pastor John David é a maior preocupação dos médicos. Só depois que ela for tratada e seu braço esquerdo for recuperado, uma cirurgia na quarta vértebra de sua coluna poderá ser feita. Apesar do problema, o pastor Jim Leonard garante: “John continua respirando sem ajuda de aparelhos”. O pastor também começou a articular algumas palavras, segundo o pastor Aureliano Colaço que responde ainda pela Igreja Batista do loteamento Canaã, no Tabuleiro do Martins.
Os fiéis, no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos, fazem correntes de oração, pedindo pela saúde do pastor. Um site na Internet (http://www.prayforjohn.com/ - reze por John) traz informações, em inglês, sobre a sua recuperação. A delegada Jeovânia Falcão, que comanda as investigações sobre o atentado, acredita que em breve o pastor John vai poder colaborar com a polícia. CS
From the USA, John send a message to the faithful
Pastor John, from the ICU: “I forgive who did this to me”
From the Intensive Care Unit 
Pastor John sent, exclusively to the Gazeta, the following message: “I don’t have the slightest idea of why somebody wanted to take my life! Whoever it is, I forgive them with all my heart! I do this because I learned in God’s Word in Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
This ability to forgive does not come from me, but from He who died on the cross to pay the price for our sin. Romans 3:23 says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Give your life to Christ! Ask and He will pay the price for your sin! I have been in Brazil since a child, not to harm people, but to preach the Gospel of the One who saved me, paying the price for my sin.”. ###
Missionry is able to speak and in the future may be able to drive
The condition of pastor John David Leonard, 45 years old, continues to improve. In direct contact with pastor Aureliano Colaço, in Alagoas, the victims brother, also a pastor, Jim Leonard, spoke of the hope that the family nutures in the United States, as they accompany the recovery of the missionary who is now speaking some words. “The doctors in the United States have said that John could, in the future, ride in a wheel chair, and drive a car adapted for one who has his limitations.”
Pastor John was hit by four bullets from a 380 pistol on July 3, around 8:00 p.m. in front of the church he built about 3 hears ago, in the town of Coqueiro Seco. One of the bullets was lodged in his jaw and was removed in the Intensive Care Unit. “John voluntarily moves his right arm, but the left arm was fractured by a bullet, so it cannot be moved yet,” said pastor Jim Leonard.
From Maceió, Pastor John was lifted in a flying ambulance on July 8 to the United States, in a flight which lasted aproximately 18 hours.”
Lung Infection
An infection in Pastor John’s lungs is the greatest concern of the doctors. Only after this is cared for will they care for the left arm and have surgery on the fourth vertebrae. Despite the problem, pastor Jim Leonard assures us: “John continues to breath without the aid of equipment.” The pastor also began to articulate some words, according to pastor Aureliano Colaço who pastors the Baptist Church in the Canaã Development of the Tabuleiro do Martins.
The faithful, in Brazil and in the United States, are making prayer chains, asking for the recovery of the pastor. An internet site (http://www.prayforjohn.com/) brings English updates about his recovery. The chief of police Jeovânia Falcão, who heads up the investigation for this attempt, believes that very soon pastor John will be able to collaborate with the police. CS
If you would like to be added to the mailing list send an email to MailingList@PrayforJohn.com
By admin
I went to the hospital tonight to bring the newest messages to John and found was moved to a regular room right before we all got there. He said it made him very tired. Although, not so tired that he couldn’t witness to a nurse that just walked in. Between John and Pastor Pat she left the room with some things to think about, a track and a future chat with John. It was awesome to see him set himself aside to tell of Christ.
I also was informed of a surgery John will be having Thursday called cervical reconstruction. Basically this is a surgery not to cause more use of the limbs but to sustain what is there now. It is to stop the deterioration of the spine.
Here are some new prayer requests gathered from tonight:
1. John’s surgery Thursday. Pray for no further damage and pray for quick recovery and healing.
2. Pray for the Pastors, realtors, home owners, John & Bev, and many others involved in choosing a new home for them. Wisdom, connections, both simple and large decisions, financing and everything that comes with moving, starting school, and all of it added to the current situation.
3. John’s recovery from moving rooms.
4. No new info on Josh, continue previous requests.
5. “The work” in Brasil.
6. Opportunities for John and others to witness to hospital staff.
One last bit of information. PLEASE, NO VISITORS OR CALLS AT THIS TIME. This comes from John’s own mouth. He is not ready and they are overwhelmed with other things right now. The best way to communicate is by using the “leave a message for John” link on the PrayforJohn.com website. All messages get straight to John and Bev and I am assured all are read.
- Douglas Porter
If you would like to be added to the mailing list send an email to MailingList@PrayforJohn.com
By admin
Here is the video from Saturday night at about 10:00pm CST:
There are no specific updates that I know of from today from John or family but there is an update about his church in Brasil. I had a friend from church read it to me due to it was written in Portuguese. She said that it was from a pastor, I am assuming from a church John planted. He talked about going out on visitation to about 13 people or families and that about 8 rededicate themselves to God. He also talked about “the work” is continuing and will never stop. I will try to get it translated better later, you can read it in Portuguese in the “leave a message for John” section.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list send an email to MailingList@PrayforJohn.com
By admin
Jim is gone for about 10 days so Bev and I (Doug) will be keeping you updated. We (my wife and I) stopped by the hospital to bring a stack of messages down for John. Bev happened to come out quick and we gave her the messages and told her about the e-Cards for Josh. She said John was feeling very tired the past few days and that they were just waiting for his fever to come down and then he could be moved to a normal room. She said when he is ready she would have me come down to video a message to everyone.
Later I found my phone had some missed calls and after listening to voicemails, found out that Bev and Pastor Pat had tried to call. I guess John was ready to make the video now. When we got there a family member took us back to John’s room. My wife and I had been preparing ourselves for what John may look like as we hadn’t seen him since VBS a few weeks before. I was amazed to see how well he looked. He has to talk with his mouth wired shut but he does a great job. He looks very young because, if you know John and his brothers, they all look young for their age, but John now looks like he has braces due to his mouth wired shut. A lot that he said was very personal but I will share two things with you. One is he told us that he still doesn’t remember anything. Pastor was talking to him about when they got him here to Des Moines and he was in a coma and the doctors didn’t know if he was going to live. John said he doesn’t remember anything. He also said that he knew he had two options, either go crazy, or turn to God for strength. You can tell it is God that is in control. John says he has been very humbled through all of this and that he prays hard to be able to preach again. The video will be available tomorrow after the church sees it due to it is directed towards the people of Saylorville Baptist Church.
Now to the actual update. John received a new Trach today which has helped his ability to talk. He said he feels much better now. In his own words he called the old Trach, 1800’s style from Brazil. He told me the story of it all but I felt bad keeping him up so late. As soon as he is able, I know I will be up a lot visiting him. He had Bev play one of his favorite songs tonight and he kept telling me stories. He even prayed for me and my wife before we left. We finally left but told him we would come again soon with more of everyone’s messages.
Prayer requests I feel are important:
1. Continue prayers involving healing of John in all ways but specifically for the fever to go away.
2. Pray for John. He is praying that he won’t become a burden to his wife and family. God is really teaching him he needs others and to allow them to serve him.
3. Josh’s healing and plans for coming to the US.
4. Future plans for the family as in schooling, home, and general plans for their life.
5. That John will preach again.
6. For his churchs still in Brazil and “the work”
7. Bev, that God continues to strengthen her and guide her.
- Douglas Porter
P.S. I want to thank the very first donator to the site. I used it to remove the ads from the “Leave a message for John” section also know as the guestbook. Thank You.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list send an email to MailingList@PrayforJohn.com
By admin
Online eCards are now available via the website
PrayforJohn.com or you can click on the image or link below. His Birthday is July 31st and he will be turning 20! I will also pass on this information about Josh from Jim:
Joshua has a laptop with him, though it is not connected to the internet. His friend Jonathas, whose parents are caring for Joshua, has a desk top with internet access. He has agreed to copy cards, letters, website, whatever onto a CD and take it for Joshua’s viewing on his laptop.
Sending snail mail cards to Brazil might not be effective at this point. Mail can take from 10 - 20 days to arrive. By that time Joshua will probably be up here. If somebody really wants to send Joshua a greeting in this way perhaps they could send it to an address here (Saylorville?), and it would be waiting for Josh on the day of his arrival.
If you would like to send an actual physical card via snail mail (post office) you can send them to the Leonard’s home church:
Joshua Leonard
c/o Saylorville Baptist Church
6429 NW 6th Dr
Des Moines, IA 50313
Send an e-Birthday Card to Josh
- Douglas Porter
If you would like to be added to the mailing list send an email to MailingList@PrayforJohn.com
By admin
Jim sent me these pictures today to add to the site:
Josh in body cast
Josh with friend Eder
Josh with Marlécia, his Brazilian “Mom” who is responsible for his care.
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