Update from Bev

Guess what John was doing last evening (Thursday, Sept. 1)? He was busy preparing a sermon to be preached this coming Sunday! Actually, the sermon will not be preached "live," but rather video-taped by one of his cousins who will be attending the large family reunion at his aunt's home near Adel, IA. Earlier in the week, he was not feeling so well, and he had told me that he didn't think he was going to be able to do it. But then suddenly late Monday night, the outline of the message "came" to him, and he asked me to get up and write it down in a notebook. From that, he has been able to gather his thoughts, and hopefully, with the help of a few "cue cards," he will be "preaching" for the first time since July 3rd. Please thank the Lord with us that John still has his voice and a clear mind so that he can continue proclaiming God's Word, and most importantly the salvation message to the lost.

John has made quite a lot of progress lately...the greatest being the removing of his "trach" from his throat. He is now able to cough up his own secretions, which has made life much easier. Talking is not so difficult now, and swallowing his food and drink is also a "breeze" compared to before. We are thinking that he may be able to get off of the feeding tube perhaps this weekend if he can keep his calorie count up. This morning was his first "self-feeding" therapy. They are working with him to see if this will be possible. Without the use of his hands, it is "tricky," but they have a brace that makes things easier. His motorized wheel-chair is on order and they are saying he should have it sometime next week. Continue thanking the Lord for the progress that has been made.

Another huge highlight of John's week was that on Monday evening, he received a very special phone call from a very special person...guess who?...Joni Eareckson Tada!!! She had somehow gotten word about what had happened to John earlier and had made contact with us to let us know that when John felt up to it, she would give him a personal phone call. Well...she kept her word, and what a blessing it was for him to hear her voice! Their up-lifting, positive, and hopeful conversation was ended by her singing the hymn "God Will Take Care of You." We both were able to hear it, since we had her on the "speaker phone," and naturally, neither one of us could contain the tears as she began to softly and gently sing the words, "Be not dismayed, what'er betide..." What a testimony she has been to many (literally all over the world!), and what an encouragement she was to us! We wanted to be sure and let you folks, our prayer warriors, know about this wonderful blessing that God placed in our path. He is so good to us!

John's mother, Frances, had surgery, and unfortunately, the tumor was malignant. However, the doctors seem quite confident that all of the cancer was contained in the thyroid, which was completely removed. She has good and bad moments, since they cannot give her any medication for the first couple of weeks, but seems to be recovering slowly. She is still managing to stay with our children and I think they are all kind of taking care of each other! She has had some extra help from her sisters, and others. We praise the Lord for God's timing, since she was able to do this surgery here in the U.S. rather than in Brazil. We know His ways are perfect. Continue to pray, since she does have one more test coming up in about a week which will let us know for sure if the cancer has spread or not.

Jerrod (11th grade) Jonna, (9th) and Jeanne (7th) are into full swing with their schooling. They are at three separate schools in Ankeny, but that doesn't seem to bother them too much. Other than Jeanne still not being able to get her locker open, things are going Ok, I guess. At least Grandma hasn't received any "bad notes" from teachers or anything as of yet. Josh continues to recover at home and is looking into schooling opportunities. Please don't forget to pray for each of our children. They are being real "troopers," to say the least!!

We must close for now. My goal is to write weekly up-dates from now on. Pray also that the Lord will make this possible.

We love you, and appreciate so much your prayers on our behalf!!!!! THANK YOU, PRAYER TEAM--WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT YOU!?!

Sincerely in Christ,
John and Bev Leonard and family