By Chesney Hearst, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – American pastor, Renee Elliot Murdoch, remains hospitalized but slowly shows signs of improvement after an assault on Friday October 26th. Originally admitted to Hospital Miguel Couto, she was transferred to Copa D’or hospital in Copacabana on the morning of Saturday, October 27th and has remained there since.
A medical bulletin released by the Zona Sul (South Zone) hospital on Thursday, stated that Murdoch can now breath without the aide of a respirator and demonstrates understanding of communication stimuli. Murdoch, with the help of a physical therapist, was also able to stand for several minutes.
Mother of four and co-pastor with her husband, Phillip Murdoch, of Light to the Nations, Renee Murdoch suffered head trauma when a homeless man later identified as Alexandre Luiz de Oliveira Francesco, 38, reportedly struck Murdoch with a 1.10 meter wooden stick during her jog in Rio’s (Zona Oeste) West Zone neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca last Friday morning.
Phillip Murdoch continues to post daily video and text updates about his wife’s condition on the Light to the Nations website. Saying on Thursday, November 1st, ” Today was the best day yet. It’s the sixth day that Renee has been here. She has opened her eyes.”
On Friday, November 2nd, Renee continued to show signs of recovery. She spoke but not clearly. Phillip posted, “Yesterday we prayed that we would have communication, today we have communication. The day before yesterday we prayed that she would open her eyes, and she opened her eyes. So every step of the way we’re able to get another miracle and so let’s keep praying.”
Globo reported Thursday that a prayer event will be held for Renee this Sunday, November 4th at 7PM at the Niteroi Light to the Nations church, located on Rua Gavião Peixoto 383, Icaraí.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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