New Trach

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

Birthday Card For Joshua

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

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Picture - Josh (John's Son) in body cast

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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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.

Video - Updates from Saylorville Baptist Church, July 17th, 2005

Here is the video from this past Sunday service, July 17, 2005, from John's home church, Saylorville Baptist, in Des Moines, Iowa:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

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Leonard Prayer Note

Dear Prayer Partners,

Tonight God brought to John's mind the verse in Psalm 56:8 which reads: "put thou my tears into thy bottle..." He said "that's me, and my bottle is filled with tears of happiness." When I asked him what it was that made him most happy, he answered: "Everything!" Indeed, we can only rejoice in everything God has done and is doing through this trial of our faith.

"Everything" certainly includes all of you who are joined in prayer before God in behalf of John, his family, and their churches in Brazil. "Everything" also includes each of you who have sent notes of encouragement to John and Bev. We read them all out loud and praise God for you all.

After consulting with Joshua's doctors in Brazil, the family which has been carring for him, and with Joshua himself, we have decided it best for Joshua to remain in Brazil for a couple more weeks to gain more strength and recuperate from his most recent hip surgery. Joshua is surrounded by the church family and youth group who love him and are seeing that he is properly cared for. This means that he will be celebrating his 20th birthday in Brazil, just before joining his family in Des Moines. I wish we could figure out a way to blast him with hundreds of birthday greetings from all around the world. Maybe Doug Porter can come up with an idea?

Today for the first time John's doctors gave us an indication that he is winning the battle against the infections. They said that soon he will be ready to move from the ICU to the trauma wing of the hospital.

God is faithful. May all the glory be to Him.

Jim Leonard

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Happy Anniversary

Doug,

I know this is not your intention for this blog, but our family did want you to know how much we appreciate what you and Brooke did for us tonight: You shared your second wedding anniversary with us by bringing that special supper to our family in the ICU waiting room. Brooke, you have become an awesome cook; and Doug, your work on this prayforjohn web page is just incredible. May God bless you both with many happy years together, as you serve Him. We love you guys.

Jim & Julie, for all of us Leonards

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My Personal Visit to the Hospital

Today my wife and I went to the hospital to bring dinner to the Leonard Family. My wife brought beef enchiladas which went over very well. There were about 10 people there eating, mostly children, John's brother Jim, Jim's wife and their oldest sister. On the way to the hospital I called Pastor Pat Nemmers to get instructions on where to bring the food. While on the phone he informed me that John started talking today. I guess John had some strong meds yesterday and it wore him out so he was very tired and sleeping most of today. He is now moving all of his limbs but it is still limited. Unfortunately the doctors never expected John to be able to move, so when he was shot in the arm they didn't work at getting it to heal; as in it was never set into place correctly. Judging by how Jim described it, there is about a 1" to 2" section shattered in the arm. It is only being held into place with a plastic brace at this time.

Jim can now post directly to this site and if you are on the mailing list it will come straight to you automatically without me having to touch anything. This way you will get faster and more accurate up to date information.

I contemplated as to if I should write tonight as Jim will probably tell you all of this but I wanted you to hear from an outside source (outside the family) just how everyone is doing. Jim's wife said all the kids were doing great and getting along and just having great fun together. There is an area for them to play in the children's hospital attached to the hospital. They have crafts and things for them to do. Jim and Julie seem to be doing well and continue to visit their supporting churches here in the Midwest on the weekends. Bev came out of the CCU (critial care unit) right before we left and said hi and also seemed to be doing well. You can really tell Christian families apart from the other families in the room in a crisis situation. Of course I was only there for about an hour but I could tell God's hand is surely on this family. I'm sure it is a great testimony to the staff and other visitor and patients.

Josh will be waiting a while to come home due to his situation. The only way to get him home was to take off the full body cast, fly him here (at least a 9 hour flight) and then put it back on. The doctors said it could be a cause for more surgery so they have decided to let him heal more in Brazil. Jim said he is surrounded by youth and church members and is safe. It would probably be very difficult for them both to be here now and there still isn't a place for him here yet. We all agreed God's timing is perfect and He knows best.

Jim also confirmed that John is talking. I think to myself that no matter what, now John will have his voice to preach again. If John is up to it we may have a message from him soon. From what I understand, The bullet entered in his right cheek area but Jim says it is appears totally healed from the outside.

John also was able to see the website today and we brought him all the updated messages from everyone. Jim assured me every one is read. I told Jim about the offering taken up for John and I could tell his heart was blessed. He said that John is already talking about a powered wheel chair and lift van. Jim told him it might be a little too soon for that. If you know John, you know he's ready to be out of there and getting back to "the work".

Besides other prayer requests I would mention to pray for John's ability to talk and for him to be able to witness to the staff at the hospital. I'm sure there's a lot he's had to say since he's been there and soon he will have that chance. Oh, I asked Jim if John has any memory of the shooting, so far he does not. In some ways that could be a good thing. There are a few things I will keep for Jim to say as I don't want to invade family privacy.

I still have video from service this past Sunday I am waiting to upload. Also look forward to a calendar that will not only show upcoming events like Josh's arrival date, but past events and time lines of John's story and progression.

All information is just from memory from visiting today so I appolgize if any info is wrong and Jim please correct me.

-Doug

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Leonard Prayer Note

Dear Prayer Partners,

It is Monday, July 18th in the evening, and we do want to update you on John Leonard's condition so that you can continue upholding him and his family in prayer.

On Saturday at noon the respirator was turned off until late in the night and John did quite well breathing on his own. On Sunday morning the respirator was turned off again, and they have not had to turn it back on since. John is still battling the serious infection in his lungs, which keeps his hospital room in isolation. He has shown some slight movements in all four of his limbs.

As you continue to pray for John, we would now ask you to pray more specifically for Joshua, John's 19 year old son who is in Brazil. You may recall that John had returned to Brazil from furlough just a few days before the shooting incident to arrange the details for Joshua's return to the United States for medical care. Last week Joshua had to undergo a second surgery to replace the pins in his hip which had come loose. Following the surgery the doctors put him in a plaster of paris body cast from his chest down to his toes forcing him to remain totally stretched out in bed. We have plans to have Joshua flown from Brazil to Des Moines this Friday on a commercial airline but with his present condition we are facing some logistical difficulties. We are waiting on God to show us how to proceed, and hope to have an answer by tomorrow. The family is also seeking the Lord's provision for the best accommodations for Joshua near the medical facility where he and his father will be cared for.

Last week we mentioned some concern about the safe keeping of the property in Coqueiro Sêco where the church is located as well as John and Bev's home. The caretaker of the property, Nenê, is a new believer and he was justifiably fearful for his life. He had witnessed the shooting and had gone to the police to testify of what he had seen. His wife, who is not yet a believer, was insisting that they leave immediately. Last week, after the initial panic had passed, Nenê agreed to stay on safeguarding the property. He stated: "Pr. John has done so much for us, we just couldn't let him down at this time when he most needs us." By the way, his stepfather is among those who received Jesus as Savior last Wednesday night.

This week we are asking the Lord to direct us to somebody who can move into Coqueiro Sêco to lead the congregation there. We feel this is important for the progress of this work and the spiritual growth of the new believers.

Please continue to pray:
- For victory over the MRSA staff and pseudomonas infections
- That John would regain full use of his arms and legs
- For Joshua's trip to Des Moines
- For Joshua's housing needs
- For the safety of "Nenê", the caretaker, and for his wife's salvation
- For God to give us somebody who could lead the congregation in Coqueiro Sêco.

Thank you so much for joining us before God's throne,

Jim & Julie Leonard

John and Bev's home church has created a web page where current news and updates are being posted and where you can find a link to send him a card. It is www.PrayforJohn.com

A Picture of John "Talking"

Bev thought people would like to see how John talks through the alphabet board.

Jim

July 18 update on John Leonard

News Article from Baptist Mid-Missions:

John Leonard arrived in Des Moines, Iowa, at approximately noon EST, on Saturday, July 9

Encouraging improvement amidst significant needs: John continues to battle infections, but his lungs are stronger and his respiration steadily improves. He underwent three-hour facial reconstruction surgery that included securing a plate in his chin to accelerate its healing. The medical personnel are cautious about long-term limb movement expectations, but family members rejoiced when John raised his right arm and moved his hand over the weekend.

The heart of a man of God is revealed: John communicates through the use of an acrylic spelling board in which he uses eye movements and blinks to spell words and to respond. Through this slow process, John authored a word of forgiveness to those who tried to take his life, and he asked that a particular pastor in Brazil take the statement to the two city newspapers. He also smiled for a picture to accompany this document.

Spiritual victory in Brazil: In Maceio, at the church in Coqueiro Seco where John was shot, an abundance of visitors attended prayer meeting last Wednesday (July 13). Some are people whom the Leonards witnessed to previously without response. For many it was their first time to attend a service at the church. The pastor leading the meeting preached a gospel message, and eight people received Jesus Christ as Savior. This report was shared with John and Bev Leonard, and they recognized each of the names. Everyone present in the hospital room, including John, openly wept tears of joy.

The Leonards’ oldest son, Joshua, continues to recuperate from his multiple fractures and surgery. Plans are in place for him to travel with a close family friend from Maceió, Brazil, to Des Moines on July 22.

The Leonards’ commissioning church, Saylorville Baptist Church, in Saylorville, Iowa, has created www.johnleonardinfo.blogspot.com to communicate current information.

For more information on John Leonard, see the July 7 news item BMM missionary John Leonard attacked by gunmen in Brazil

See also the prayer item for the Leonard family: Pray for the needs of wounded missionary John Leonard, his family, and church.

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More Answered Prayer

Tonight at church more info was released. Pastor Pat Nemmers announced that John was taken off the respirator and from what I've over heard reputable sources saying, John told the doctors to take him off. If you know John, that's no surprise. Praise God for answers to all your prayers. I will be uploading video tomorrow of our Sunday service including a few stories from Pastor Pat including the story of John moving his arm.

One more praise includes more people seeking Christ due to John situation. One message to John was shared in service today about a woman that hadn't been to church for a while, but wanted John to know she was praying for him and that she was touched by his forgiving heart. Please pray for her and others like her that are having their relationship with God questioned. Also, a reporter involved with John's story called Pastor Pat and Pastor was assuming he was calling for an update, he was really calling to set up a time to talk with Pastor about trials in his own life. Pastor's message spoke of how God uses even wickedness for his good. This is proof.

One last thing, I received an email late tonight from a church in the US that took up a love offering for the Leonards of $640 in their evening service. Another praise to God for providing for the Leonards.

- Doug

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