NTM

We are back in Canada from our long trip to the States!

Seeing people, of course, was the highlight of our trip: some of our kids and grandkids, several members of Leah’s family and so many of our friends. We also really enjoyed the beautiful scenery, much warmer weather, and lovely nectarine blossoms at the France Ranch! Peter got to meet members of Leah’s family he had only heard of. Farther down the road, this was about all we could see of the Golden Gate Bridge!  We even made some new friends – like Jeff Willis, Corpus Christi Fire Chief  and his wife and family. Peter went on some interesting ride-alongs with Jeff!.(also shown – Eric, Zachery, and Leah Hendrix – Cherry and Dan’s kids).  We came home to Isaiah Humphreys’ first birthday party, and snow! Thank you for praying us safely home. We are back at work again, and love the ministry God has given us here.  We are excited to see who God will send to Still Waters next, and appreciate and thank Him every day for your faithful partnership.

Love, Peter and Leah

After a wonderful week of vacation in Minnesota (thanks to generous relatives in Iowa) we are back at Still Waters, refreshed and ready for work once more. Peter and Kiki enjoyed finding new fishing spots, and Leah got to hang out with the Jongewaard grandchildren, as well enjoying photographing beautiful sunsets and sand art. (click on any photo for a larger version) Thank you for joining us in prayer for these matters which are on our hearts:
1. Our son Shaun and his family have been living with us for the past month, in preparation for their return to Paraguay (and second term of service). Their plane tickets were just cancelled and they’ve been issued new ones for August 7th. This means that they miss an important conference in Paraguay, but we are thrilled to have them here for two more weeks! Pray that they will get much-needed rest during this time of waiting.

2. Over the last few years of preparing the property and the loft apartment for this ministry, God has done miracles that have left us breathless! He has also stretched our faith in every area, and we want that (well, sometimes it doesn’t feel like our favorite thing)! God continues to change our hearts and minds and deepen our love for Him and dependence on Him. We have both gladly worked part-time to help with the costs of reconstruction and expenses that come with maintaining a property, and have been the recipients of generous encouragement from you, His people, along the way.

Because of a large gift from a couple in California, all the actual reconstruction of the loft has been paid for.

Praise God!

This leaves the following to be purchased:

a) a washer and dryer (the closet and fixtures are in place!)

b) a couple of reclining loveseats for the living room and glider rockers by the fireplace.

The trim company says they will have the last four pieces to us by the first week in August, and that their bill will reflect the huge delays they’ve experienced in production (our cost will be less!) Most of the trim has already been fitted.

3. We are asking the Lord for a truck to replace the old van we’ve used for hauling firewood and pulling cedars out of the woods for sale (a forest advisor marked trees for cutting that were too cramped together). Thanks for praying about this with us!

4. We came home to the news that a supporting church will no longer be helping us financially, as we are no longer directly involved in a cross-cultural ministry. This church has lovingly and generously comprised a large part of our support for many years, and we praise God for them and their vision to see tribal people reached with the gospel.

Our promised support level now stands well under the minimum amount necessary monthly for running the Still Waters ministry. SPECIFIC INFORMATION

This is no surprise to God, of course, and we are waiting on Him for His perfect plan. Pray that our hearts and minds will be stayed on Him only, and full of peace. Every day we thank God for your generous support in this day and age of rising costs that we know you face as well, and ask Him to pour out His blessings on you and give you the desires of your heart.

Thank you for praying for us as we enter this new phase of our ministry in the fall (furniture or no furniture!) and begin to receive couples who are needing care and/or training in shepherding for their field ministry. Pray for our NTMC leadership as they guide folks to this ministry, as well. We are excited to see how God will use His Word through our lives, to encourage and strengthen dear folks who are serving Him in foreign lands.

Your partners,

Peter and Leah Humphreys

This shirt says: I LOVE it when MY WIFE lets me go hunting…I couldn’t resist getting it for Peter

Of course Peter isn’t complaining about the cold weather, but he’s building a fire for me right now

Here’s a little family update!

Deryk and Ivy Humphreys, with Emery and Isaiah, are soon headed for a month of Jungle Camp. Right now, they are building their ‘jungle’ home and clay oven, getting ready for roughing it this summer. This is a valuable part of the training for missionary candidates, who come out the other side with a new confidence in what they can do.While they build their house of poles and plastic, I enjoy watching the kids now and then!And, we are all enjoying Isaiah’s crop of hair

When Peter and I went through the jungle camp part of the training back in 1977, probably the hardest aspect for us was no running water, fresh fruit or ice. But for the students of today, it could be that leaving behind their computers and instant communication capabilities will be even harder. Thanks for keeping them in your prayers.

Here at Still Waters we have recently installed a lovely new fridge in the loft, and have finally received the baseboard trim. That work is in progress! Also, it’s the time of year to bring in firewood for when the cold season starts up again. Hmm…first, we’ll have a nice hot season, right?

Recently we were able to visit Cherry and Dan Hendrix and children in Texas, and Peter got to hold their new little Kayleigh for the first time.What a wonderful break it was to be with them – Peter helped Dan landscape the back yard and get a sprinkler system in, and I got to spend time with Cherry and the kiddies.

Shaun, Melanie and their kids are off traveling these days, and will be moving in with us not long after they return. Their home leave is coming to an end, and they’ve been preparing to return to their ministry in Paraguay. In our next letter, we’ll share a little more about what they are looking forward to, and have some recent pictures for you, as well.

Dan and Kiki Jongewaard flew up from Iowa for a few days’ visit recently, and it was such a relaxing and special time.

Praise God for giving us great times with our kids and for their enthusiastic help in the work here! We are praying that we would be able to see Max and Zuly some day soon, as well (our heart-adopted son and family).

Pray also that God would give us and our leadership team wisdom in coordinating guests to Still Waters this Fall. It’s thrilling to look back and see what He has done to make such an amazingly lovely and restful place for His people who come to be reminded of Truth.

May God give you and yours a wonderful summer, filled with good memories. Thank you for your prayers, gifts, and loving letters that encourage us so much as we continue in the work God has laid on our hearts.

Your grateful partners,

Peter and Leah Humphreys

Isaiah was born on March 21, 2008, weighing in at 10 pounds He has a thick head of hair already!

Please continue to pray for Deryk and Ivy as they raise Isaiah and Emery and finish their third year of missionary training.

Excitement is building here at Still Waters as we check the last few things off our list.

Just as we were writing this, God provided for a beautiful new fridge and most of the funds for a washer & dryer. Late last year, God laid it on a family’s heart to give all that was lacking to finish up construction inside the loft; now just some living room furniture is needed. Amazing!

Other very special news came from the Manjúi tribe, where we worked in Paraguay.At the request of the church leaders there, all the translated books of the Bible were put into one book, instead of in book-lets. The leaders also requested that the book be presented to the tribe and that they all get together for a celebration. This occurred just last month; missionaries from all over Paraguay drove out for the dedication. How we wish we could have been there! During the celebration, one of the things the church leaders shared with their people is how important it is to read God’s Word daily in order to know how to please Him. Pictured here is our old friend La’eenis, a former shaman who has put his trust in Jesus Christ alone.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers, and for sending so many encouraging notes and gifts! Your partnership is a hug from God

Peter and Leah Humphreys