Leonard Prayer Note

Dear Prayer Partners,

It is Thursday evening, July 21, and we continue to ask you to uphold John Leonard in your prayers as he recovers from the attempt on his life two and a half weeks ago. I am sitting by John's bedside, chatting with him as I write this note.

John is still in the Intensive Care Unit because of a persistent fever from an unidentified source. Yesterday the doctors gave us the first indication that the anti-biotics are working to combat the dangerous infections he has, and that the pneumonia was clearing up. As soon as this fever is under control John will be moved to the rehabilitation wing of the hospital.

Since Tuesday John has been able to speak with his own voice, which is a huge blessing, yet he tires quickly and only gets a few words out now and then. But the prospects of him being able to preach God's Word again excites us all. Even in the hospital room he and the family have had
numerous opportunities to share the Gospel. Today we were able to witness to a Muslim immigrant from Bosnia who came in to clean the room.

Yesterday I called the Chief Investigator who is working on the investigation for the shooting in Brazil. We were assured that they are working night and day, have made good headway in the case, and that perhaps by next week they would have something solid to tell us. John is beginning to recollect a few details from the early moments immediately following the
shooting, but has no idea who the gunmen were, nor why somebody would have ordered this.

John and Beverly are beginning to consider the options for the family's housing needs for the upcoming semester, as well as the schooling needs for Jerrod, Jonna, and Jeanie. We know that God will provide these needs as He has proven Himself faithful time and again.

This weekend Naomi will be returning to her home in Tennessee and we will be leaving for a ten day trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin. Beverly's parents and sister will be coming up from Kansas to spend some time with the family in Des Moines. We praise the Lord for family and friends who have surrounded this family during this special time.

Please pray:
- For healing from the fever, and that John would regain full use of his arms and legs
- For our witness even while in the hospital
- For the repentance and salvation of the gunmen and those who ordered this shooting.
- For God's provision of housing and schooling for the Leonard family
- For Joshua, as he continues to recover in Brazil

Thank you for being a part of this great army of prayer warriors who are glorifying God with what He is doing in and through John Leonard.

Jim & Julie Leonard

John and Bev's home church has created a web page where current news and updates are being posted. It is www.prayforjohn.com You can write John a greeting at www.iowahealth.org. Click on the "Patient and Visitors" link and you will find an option to "Send a Patient Greeting." John is at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center.