A LETTER FROM BECKY LEAU

Sun, Dec 14, 2008 11:30pm

Dearest Friends,

Warmest aloha to all of you! This is Becky writing. I wanted to, first of all, extend my deepest gratitude for all of the prayers and the overwhelming show of support we've received in the last couple of days from so many friends all over the world. Justin is not out of the woods yet, but he's fighting hard. However slow the progress, the doctors are encouraged by his development today and we are too.

The medical team still doesn't know the exact nature of his ailment. We do know it is most likely an infection he picked up in Western Samoa while attending the Leadership Training School just a few weeks ago. The infection attacked his heart, and on Friday night led to cardiac arrest.

Enock and others have helped us keep our friends and family informed, by posting medical report summaries via email and on the web, and those will continue. But tonight I wanted to say a few things myself, to give you some of my thoughts, and ultimately to request that you continue to stand with us in prayer for Justin's life.

The truth of the matter is that 48 hours ago, shortly after Justin was admitted to to the Kona Hospital, the doctor in charge was not sure if Justin would make it through the night. His heart had stopped for at least 10 minutes (possibly longer), and we were told that from a medical perspective the results would likely be devastating and long-lasting. I have no words to explain the feelings that came over me at that moment.

So this is where we are at the moment. In the struggle. And it's a great struggle. By faith we see the triumph ahead, but this does not diminish the present anguish over my beautiful Justin, whose life seems so fragile right now. Every minute that I am awake I choose to place my confidence in God; there is no one else that can deliver us.

Today the doctors diminished the sedation, and Justin seems more responsive. His cardiologist is impressed by how his heart has remained steady the last 24 hours, maintaining good blood pressure. He was being given insulin to control his blood sugar levels, but that is no longer needed. All of these are good signs, and we thank God for them. But everything points to a very slow recovery ahead. The big milestone is coming up tomorrow night, as some of the test results come back and another assessment is made about his general responsiveness. Only then will we be able to hear with more certainty about the nature of the infection, which will help identifying the proper treatment.

Many of you have asked about possible impairment to brain function. This is one of the biggest concerns for us and for the doctors as well. But we know that we serve the God of the Impossible; He is the God of Miracles. And we're asking him for nothing shy of a miracle. As his sons and daughters we're agreeing together for supernatural healing. We're leaning forward on this one, and in our hearts EXPECTING GOD TO SHOW HIS POWER IN JUSTIN'S LIFE, BRINGING FULL HEALING.

Here's my plea to you. As your week begins, most of you will have very full schedules. Would you, even while tending to all your commitments, CONTINUE TO PRAY WITH US? I cannot tell you how helpful your prayers have been, and the only thing I can say right now is: Let's not stop! They truly have sustained Jason and I. And Justin!

Loren and Darlene Cunningham came to the hospital tonight (Sunday). As they prayed for Justin their sense was that this was part of Justin's pursuit and discovery of his own calling. We have received other words about deliverance "coming in the morning"; others sense a strong spiritual struggle going on. We know the Lord has his hand on this boy, and Justin's heart has always been for God.

My Justin is a quiet warrior; but a warrior nonetheless. So far this is the battle of his life, and he is fighting as hard as he can. Let us continue to join him in prayer.

Much aloha and God bless,

Becky Leau