Short Update from Bev

Just a word of praise...We found out that one more nurse named Ruth accepted Christ as Savior just two nights ago. We had witnessed to her and given her a Gospel tract on Tuesday night explaining everything and she took it home,read it, and made her decision by herself. However, John asked if he could pray with her confirming her decision, and she had a desire to do just that. How we praise the Lord that He is truly working in many hearts and lives here in the hospital! We still do not fully understand all of the reasons why God decided to change our "mission field" from Coqueiro Seco, Alagoas, Brazil to Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines, IA, U.S.A., but He is making it more clear all of the time that this is exactly where He wants us to be. Of course, with our entire prayer support team praying for God to continue to use John's life right now, the unsaved "don't stand a chance" to reject God's Word and ways! We KNOW that God is using YOU dear ones and your prayers to help us to have the courage and strength to witness as we should. It actually has seemed that we have the easy part, since the ones we have spoken to seem to be already prepared to hear what we have to say. We know that is God working through the faithful, sincere, earnest prayers of God's people. Thank you so much for the part you have had in reaching the lost for Christ! Keep up the good work!

John is battling a bladder infection right now. This is the second one he has had, and this particular bacteria seemed to be a little more resistant than the other one he had before. They have changed the antibiotics three times now in the past four days. It looks like the two they have him on now are taking affect, and we are thankful. His appetite has increased, which is a real answer to prayer. He still has a little bit of a hard time with his power chair--not quite enough control in his arm to be able to run it like he wants. There is a chance that we may go to head controls for the time being until his right arm gets a little stronger. John gets frustrated at times, but he is very determined, so that helps him a lot in his therapies.

The kids are VERY happy in our "new" home. They enjoy so much having a place of their own that is comfortable, modern, and close to their school. The Lord keeps supplying for all of our needs...a used computer showed up last night which can be used especially for research on the internet and other school assignments. They seem to be enjoying school. The only thing we have received from the teachers so far was a "Way to Go" slip of paper which told us that "Jeanne is interacting well with all of the students and teachers" and is "very friendly." Of course, knowing Jeanne, this "friendliness" could later easily turn into borderline "irritation" at times (just ask her brothers and sister!!), but we are still thankful that it seems as if all the kids are doing pretty well at adjusting to their new life in the public schools. Once again...another answered prayer on your part and we thank you. Please continue to lift our kids (Jerrod-16, Jonna-14, Jeanne-12) up before the throne of grace. The school year has only begun...

Must end this for now. Time to get back and see how physical therapy is going for John.

Sincerely in Christ,
John, Bev and family

Update From Bev Leonard

Just a brief up-date on the latest here at the hospital and otherwise...We had an awesome weekend as Saylorville Baptist Church had an official "turning over of the keys to our home party" Sunday afternoon at 3:00! The entire time was very special, since there was a large crowd and lots of excitement in the air upon our arrival there in Ankeny. But the best part of all was the fact that John was able to attend!! This was a surprise to most, including our own children, so that was special to everyone. It was John's first time out since July 9th (the day he arrived here in the hospital from Brazil), so it seemed quite "strange" to him, but he did very well and enjoyed seeing our beautiful "new" home!! It looks, "feels" (and even smells!) brand new because of all of the work that the crew from Saylorville did to it, and we are so honored to be able to live in a such a lovely place. We would like to thank each one who participated in any way to make this house our home. We have already dedicated it totally to our Lord and have a sincere desire to use it for His glory.

John is making progress each day. Yesterday they came to take his "feeding tube" out. He was only on tube feedings at night, and now has gotten his caloric intake up enough to do away with that. His motorized wheelchair is in and he has been "driving it" around. Some days he gets a little frustrated, but he is able to us his right arm to help control it. The hardest part is the fact that he doesn't have hand control yet, but they are working with him to help him learn the best ways to steer it. He made both a right and left turn yesterday without much trouble, so we are thanking the Lord for the progress we have seen. The therapy team has given us the tentative "dismissal from the hospital date" of October 3rd. This was lots sooner than we had expected, so, prayer team...one more answer to your prayers!!! Thankyou!!

Josh changed seizure medicines and we are seeing if this will help out his appetite some. He had a doctor's appointment yesterday which told him he could be weaning himself away from his walker and using only a cane for a short period of time and then he should be fine walking on his own. Praise the Lord together with us for yet another answered prayer.

Frances (John's mother), went back to the doctor also this past week, and they seem to think she is doing OK. They do not feel that her cancer has spread to any other parts of her body, but rather, was totally contained in the surgically removed thyroid. She has periods of weakness, but is gradually building her strength up. Please continue to remember her in prayer.

Yesterday, we moved the final items from Pastor and Mrs. Norman Hoag's house up to our home in Ankeny, so she and all the kids are truly thankful to not be "living out of a suitcase" now! Once again, we would like to thank the Hoags so much for allowing us to live at their place while they were gone for one month.

We spoke with Adjane (Mauricio's wife) this past week, and she told us that souls are being saved in all of the works in Maceio and the Lord is truly working in hearts and lives. Since Pastor Lelo has arrived, many who had left the church previously have returned and are attending on a regular basis. Christians are being edified and are busy serving once again. Please remember in prayer not only Pastor Lelo and Mauricio (head deacon), but also Pastors Paulo and Lindoan, who are heading up the other works there. We are really excited to see what the Lord is doing and is going to continue to do in our absence.

Thank you again, prayer team, for your faithful prayers on our behalf! We love you!

Sincerely in Christ,
John, Bev, Josh, Jerrod, Jonna, and Jeanne Leonard

Welcome Home

Sunday, Sept. 11 2005
Article From WHO TV 13

He was shot multiple times while on a mission trip to Brazil earlier this year, this weekend, a true homecoming for Pastor John Leonard.

On Sunday, John Leonard got a first look at the new home he and his family will share when John gets out of the hospital next month. Dozens of people from John's church spent the past few weeks renovating this Ankeny home. They installed wider doorways, wheelchair ramps, they even did all the landscaping.

John says looking forward to sharing the new home with his family will make the final weeks of rehabilitation in the hospital go just that much faster.