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for July, 2008.
By admin
We have many things to be thankful for, and let me share some of them with you briefly. John’s infection seems to be very much in control now–fevers have definitely subsided and all is on the “up and up” now…so much that we were moved back to “rehab” yesterday, and John is right at this moment having his “PT-(physical therapy)session. He is very happy to be back down here and is really working hard at doing what his therapists ask, even though it is very difficult for him. They are working especially with his right arm and have hopes that he will some day be able to get enough motion in it to feed himself..e.tc. He is also on the “tilt table” trying to get him used to sitting up so that soon he will be able to stay for long periods of time in his wheelchair. He continues to surprise the therapists with his progress and determination.
John’s mother, Frances, arrived here in the U.S. last week and has plans to help out with our children–just basically “looking after” them for this period of time while we are here in Rehab. We are asking that you pray, however, as surgery has been scheduled for tomorrow to removed a growth that she has on her thyroid. We are praying that the operation will go well and that no further treatment will be required. Others have graciously offered to help out with the kids for the days that she will be in the hospital and at home recovering. Please pray specifically for the health needs that Frances has at this time. She is a very up-beat person, as many of you know, and is handling this situation extremely well.
Josh was released from the hospital on Monday, for which we are thankful. The doctors are keeping a close eye on him, but he seems to be doing well. He is staying with “Grandma Frances” and the rest of the family in the home of Pastor and Mrs. Norman Hoag that has wonderfully been supplied for us to stay in for one month while they are gone. We are thankful to the Lord for His provision and to the Hoags for this act of kindness for our family. Continue to pray for JOsh’s health needs–specifically, his need to eat right so that his strength can be regained.
I cannot close without sharing something very special that happened EARLY this morning…a direct answer to many of your prayers. I will just simply record what I wrote in my journal, and please excuse the mistakes since it was early when it was written:
August 24, 2005–It is 2:10 a.m. and neither John or I are able to sleep. Why? We are excited!!! John just finished asking our nurse, “Jean,” if she was born again…if she remembered a time when she had accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, and she began to tell us that there were several experiences that she had had in life that were very “good.” Then John explained how Jesus had told Nicodemus that he HAD to be born again–not go back into her mother’s womb, but be spiritually born again. He told her he had done it when he wasw six years old and asked if she ever had. She said she couldn’t say that she had. He said, “Would you like to be sure that you have eternal life in heaven with God?” She said, “Sure!!” He said, would you want to pray and accept Jesus right now? And once again, she said, “Sure!” After her prayer, John said, “Now you KNOW that you have been saved–you have been born again!” We rejoiced together for a minute, and then John said to her, “Do you know that if I wouldn’t have been hurt, I would’ve never been here in this hospital, and we would’ve never even met, and you may have been lost forever!” Then she said, as tears came to her eyes, “John, you’r gonna make me cry!” Then the tears came to all of us and John told her that the angels in heaven were rejoicing over her salvation. She then promised us that she would go with us to church at Saylorville Baptist as soon as she could.
Prayer warriors, THANK YOU for your prayers!! God is just beginning to do great and mighty things through this difficult time in our lives. We love each one of you and would like to individually give our personal word of thanks to each one if it was possible. God has given us this web-site for which we are grateful, and we will be keeping in touch with you through this for now, letting you know of more wonderful things that He is going to do.
Sincerely in Christ,
John and Bev Leonard
By admin
John has not been able to continue rehabilitation, because of a persistent
fever caused by infection in his body. Last night the doctors think they
have located the source of the infection. This has been the first apparent
set-back after more than one month of constant advances in John’s recovery.
But we rest assured that God is still in control.
Jim Leonard
By admin
I wish I could write to each of you who have sent notes, phoned, and prayed
for us. Because I’ve been caring for John 24 hours a day I just have not
been able to do so. Thank you for your patience in this matter.
I would like to thank each of you for all that you have done to encourage
our family. Your PRAYERS have meant so much! Be assured that God is
answering. Let me share just a few of those answers in this small “log of
miracles” that have happened since July 3rd.
July 3rd - I was told that John was OK, but if he was tranferred from the
public hospital to another better hospital there in Macei� he may not live.
He made the transfer, and he lived.
July 8th - I was told that John was “still stable”, but that there was a
good chance he may not be ab le to make the long trip from Brazil to Des
Moines, IA. HE MADE IT from Brazil to Des Moines (3 stops and three
transfers, one from ambulance to plane, one between planes, and another from
plane to ambulance), and he lived.
July 9th - The doctors at Iowa Methodist analyzed John’s condition and told
us that they were not sure if he would live through the night. HE MADE IT
through the night.
July 10th - A doctor told me that John’s ventilator was very likely
permanent, as he would never be able to get off of it. Seven days later he
was off of the ventilator for good, and breathing on his own.
July 12th - We were told John was paralyzed from the neck down. A few days
later John moved his right arm some, and has involuntary movements in his
legs.
All of the nurses and doctors have been “amazed” over and over again with
the quick progress John has made. We are “amazed” as well, but not at John
– just at our Amazing God, Who has placed His hand on John’s life in a very
special way during this time. Why has this happened. We know that God can
do what He wants to when He wants to, but we believe that many times He
waits to bless His people until they ask. And that is exactly what you all
have done. You have stormed heaven on John’s behalf. You have asked and we
have received. Thank you so much.
Please don’t quit praying yet. God is still not through with working in
John’s life.
Beverly Leonard
By admin
We just got word that John had to return out of Rehab to the “North 5″ wing
of Iowa Methodist Hospital because of a reocurring fever caused by infection
in his body. This may seem like a set back in his progress, but it is all
in God’s time table. Remember the words of our Lord in Luke 18:1, “Men
should always pray and not give up.”
Jim
By admin
It is Friday evening, August 12, and we have some updates for our faithful
praying friends out there. It has been 40 days since John was shot, and we
rejoice with all God has done during this time. Julie and I were able to
house sit for some friends from Saylorville Baptist for the week, which
allowed us to look after Jerrod, Jonna, and Jeanie. We also had Jonathas,
Josuah’s friend who accompanied him from Brazil, for a couple of days.
Joshua did arrive on Tuesday afternoon and was admitted to the Iowa
Methodist Hospital for an evaluation of his medical condition. His ankle
and wrist have healed quite well, but his hip still has a ways to go. At
this time the doctors and case manager have thought it best to keep him
close to the hospital for rehabilitation. Joshua’s goal is to begin Bible
College, so please pray that God would direct his steps to make this
possible. Joshua is in Powell Wing, Room 375.
Since John was moved to rehabilitation he has been exhausted from the
exercises and movement; but this is good. Their current goal is to get him
to where he can stay sitting up in a wheel chair, then get him to where he
can participate in a transfer from bed to chair. Since his left upper arm
is still broken, this does limit his rehabilitation. Also, this week he has
had to deal with a urinary infection and some painful ports that were
inserted under his right arm, which have slowed down his rehabilitation.
Please continue to pray for John’s full recovery.
John is in Powell, Room 472. He & Bev are able to receive some company, but
it would be best if you called before coming, since they have a rather full
schedule with rehab. His room telephone is (515) 241-6741. The nurse
station’s number is (515) 241-6741. They can still receive notes and cards
through the www.iowahealth.org under “Patients and Visitors” then “Send a
Patient Greeting”. Because Doug Porter is in Brazil, any notes sent through
the www.prayforjohn.com page will not be delivered until they return.
Please continue to pray for the churches in Maceio; especially for the young
work in Coqueiro Seco, where John was when he was shot. We are still
seeking the Lord’s provision for a pastor to lead that young church.
Thanks for joining this great army of prayer warriors on behalf of God’s
servants, John & Bev Leonard.
By admin
We apologize for allowing a few days to go by with no updates on John Leonard’s progress. Doug and Brooke Porter are preparing for a short term Missions trip to Brazil, and we (Jim & Julie Leonard) are visiting supporting churches. But this should not in any way effect your prayers on behalf of John Leonard. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Yesterday John was moved to the rehabilitation wing of the Iowa Methodist Hospital where they will help him with exercise and occupational therapy to help him live as independently as possible in his condition. John still has some infection in his lungs, his jaws wired shut, and a tracheotomy in his throat. Other than a little movement in both upper arms, he is paralyzed from the neck down. We do praise the Lord that he is able to breath on his own and is able to speak. Please continue to pray that God would heal John’s body and restore the use of his hands and legs.
John has been able to receive a limited number of friends who have encouraged him in the Lord. Yesterday he was blessed by a visit from Pastor Roger Williams and his wife from Phoenix, AZ. We would encourage any who would like to visit John to please call before coming by, as he is not always able to receive guests
Joshua, John’s son who has been hospitalized in Brazil, should arrive this morning in Des Moines. He will be admitted to the same hospital where his father is for a medical evaluation of his present condition. Please pray for Joshua’s healing and for God’s leading in his life. For current updates on John and Joshua Leonard, please visit www.prayforjohn.com.
The church family from Saylorville Baptist has helped John and Bev find a home in Ankeny, IA, and are completely remodeling this home to fit their needs. A big thanks to Saylorville and Grandview Park Baptist Churches for lovingly providing meals for the family during this entire month.
More later. Please keep praying!
By admin
We apologize for allowing a few days to go by with no updates on John
Leonard’s progress. Doug and Brooke Porter are preparing for a short term
Missions trip to Brazil, and we (Jim & Julie Leonard) are visiting
supporting churches. But this should not in any way effect your prayers on
behalf of John Leonard. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Yesterday John was moved to the rehabilitation wing of the Iowa Methodist
Hospital where they will help him with exercise and occupational therapy to
help him live as independently as possible in his condition. John still has
some infection in his lungs, his jaws wired shut, and a tracheotomy in his
throat. Other than a little movement in both upper arms, he is paralyzed
from the neck down. We do praise the Lord that he is able to breath on his
own and is able to speak. Please continue to pray that God would heal
John’s body and restore the use of his hands and legs.
John has been able to receive a limited number of friends who have
encouraged him in the Lord. Yesterday he was blessed by a visit from Pastor
Roger Williams and his wife from Phoenix, AZ. We would encourage any who
would like to visit John to please call before coming by, as he is not
always able to receive guests
Joshua, John’s son who has been hospitalized in Brazil, should arrive this
morning in Des Moines. He will be admitted to the same hospital where his
father is for a medical evaluation of his present condition. Please pray
for Joshua’s healing and for God’s leading in his life. For current updates
on John and Joshua Leonard, please visit www.prayforjohn.com.
The church family from Saylorville Baptist has helped John and Bev find a
home in Ankeny, IA, and are completely remodeling this home to fit their
needs. A big thanks to Saylorville and Grandview Park Baptist Churches for
lovingly providing meals for the family during this entire month.
More later. Please keep praying!
By admin
Video of friends singing to Joshua at a surprise 20th birthday party:
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By admin
Joshua’s friend, Jonathas, with whom he is staying in Brazil, just send me this video and pictures of friends giving him a surprise birthday party.
Joshua’s Brazilian mom, Marlécia, tells me that Joshua was brought back to their home last week, and has been in much better spirits, especially after speaking with his mom and dad on the phone this weekend. Wednesday the doctors will take his body cast off and re-evaluate his medical condition.
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