This is the place to find the most updated information concerning Missionary John Leonard. Most recent post are written by the family themselves.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Praise and Prayer by Bev Leonard

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
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4 Comments:

Psalm 118:24 John and Bev...thank you for your e-mail and we rejoice with you that you are back in rehab and how our Lord is using you right there in the hospital. Praise the Lord for the nurse you were able to lead to our Lord. So happy to hear that Josh has been released from the hospital he is much in our prayers and thank you Bev. for keeping us updated. Praying for all of you and what a witness you are to all those at the hospital...I wonder who who will be led to the Lord next !!! Love, Bob and Phyllis

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, August 24, 2005 8:17:00 PM  

John and Bev, We rejoiced to hear of John's progress along with Josh. We tried to contact a few times but talked with people at the church. Several churches in the area have prayed for you and asked for updates.
What is the present situation of the churches in Maceio? Love you guys and know that the Lord doesn't make any mistakes. Give our regards to my dear brother Hoag. If you need us for anything please call: 540-639-1902
Russ and Judy Gordon

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, August 27, 2005 12:58:00 PM  

Olá! Escrevo do Jornal Gazeta de Alagoas, Maceió! Estamos acompanhando os progressos do Pastor John! A força que ele tem para viver impressiona e admira a todos por aqui. Tenho tido o privilégio de acompanhar também os trabalhos desenvolvidos por ele aqui em minha cidade, tão carente de boas ações. Dá para ver no olhar das crianças, seja no Graciliano Ramos ou em Coqueiro Seco, o carinho que ele deixou plantado e, com certeza, que vai dar muitos frutos... estão germinado com alegria!
Mando boa sorte por todos da redação! Estamos de perto, junto com a polícia, acompanhando as investigações. Estamos fazendo o nosso papel de cobrar respostas e informar a população que espera ansiosa por notícias do pastor! Agradeço ao pastor Aureliano e ao José Maurício que aqui têm nos mantido informados.
Gostaria de manter contato direto com vocês em nome de todos os maceioenses. Não vamos deixar o caso cair no esquecimento! Se possível, gostaria que mantivessem contato conosco. Deixo um grande abraço à família e aos amigos que aí alimentam com a amizade o coração do missionário! Torcemos e oramos pela recuperação, cada vez mais rápida, do pastor John!
Carla Serqueira
+55 82 4009 7754 - 4009 7761
carlaserqueira@hotmail.com

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, August 29, 2005 1:58:00 PM  

Dear John, Bev, Frances and family

We are praying for you all daily.
We are thankful that God has been using this what we called a tragedy to bring many folks to himself. When we look from the perspective of eternity things look quite different don't they.
Please know that you are in our hearts and in our prayers. Jim and Holly Brazelton.
P.S. We have not received a bloglet since Sept 25th have we somehow been taken off the list. I know more has come in because a lady at church gives me updates.
If so please reinstate us at jhbraz@sbcglobal.net Thank you

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, October 04, 2005 7:02:00 AM  

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