Suddenly, the rain came down in such a torrent that I couldn’t see from the garage back to the house. It was deafening. Then, the power went out. Not too long after, it got really quiet and the skies began to lighten up again. Our corded phone rang and it was my son Deryk, calling from his work site about an hour away. “You guys okay? We heard on the radio that there were tornadoes in Durham!”

I turned on my transistor radio to hear the latest news. Tornadoes in Durham! I got in my truck and headed into town – just a few kilometers away – to see if I could help out.

That night we washed up in the stream just like real missionaries But electricity and water were soon restored, and the clean-up and repair in town has begun.

Please be praying for the students and teachers at the missions’ training camp Academy, where the children of staff and missionary candidates go to school. They will be using offices and other buildings while the Academy is being repaired.

Travel, rainy days, speaking opportunities, repair and insulation work, study, more rain, extra time with our grandkids, and even a few surprises!

For several years we’ve been asking God for His plan for an efficient way to process firewood (a big job for Peter each year to make sure we have enough for 8-9 cold months).

God has provided a brand new firewood splitter through a generous giver.

Hurray! Hurray!! Hurray!!!

Deryk and Ivy have been staying at Still Waters while they’ve been waiting on God’s direction, since graduating from missions’ training. A move to Texas is their next step of faith – please keep them in your prayers.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for praying for us and for sharing your gifts with our ministry. We’ll write more soon!

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

#1 During the summer of 2009 we need to replace a 60′ X 14′ wooden retaining wall that prevents the septic tank from sliding into the pond. This project is urgent and initial estimates put the final cost at around $12,000. We will be using concrete and retaining wall blocks that will make the wall permanent. We are also asking the Lord to send us volunteers to help with this heavy work!

Wow! That’s a big request. Not long after we began working on a permit to start this project…

#2 …we were hit hard by a flash flood which did a lot of damage to the dam at the west end of the pond (in December of 2008). Before restoring the pond to its pre-flood condition we will need to repair the dam and fill in the berm that was washed away. Hopefully this project can also be completed during the summer of 2009.

#3 We are trusting the Lord for a piece of equipment (backhoe) that will assist us in being time efficient with development and maintenance demands here at Still Waters (snow removal, landscaping, pond and trail maintenance, etc.) Something mid-sized and used (but not worn out) would cost around $25,000.

#4 Leah and I are going to be on the road from January 30 till the first week of April visiting family, supporters, and churches – we’d appreciate your prayers for our travels, and that God would raise up new partners in the stead of those who have experienced changes in their finances, and also those who have gone to be with the Lord. Our prayer is that we will be a blessing, and bring glory and honor to God during our long journey.

#5 Our Headquarters has recently provided us with an updated recommended minimum monthly support amount. Currently, our monthly deficit is $1730 USD.

Thank you for praying with us

regarding these needs.

Some of you pray often for our health, ministry, and financial needs and we are grateful to you every day! 

(Click on any photo to enlarge!)

I (Leah) am smiling because it really has been warm here recently – imagine…a warm day in Canada in November!

After weeks of admiring lovely red and brown leaves came days of raking them off the grass – just in time for the first snowfall (last month!) While Peter was performing this necessary duty, along with bringing in piles of firewood, fixing our wood-burning stove, and then shingling the leaky roof (thanks to help from students at the missionary training camp), I was preparing for six speaking opportunities and was happy not to have rain dripping in on me. In the midst of this all, Peter was also preparing for speaking engagements!

One special ladies’ event I spoke at several times was held way up north in Blind River, Ontario – we were blessed by truly gorgeous scenery as well as great fellowship with God’s people.

It’s good to be back home again after our travels. We are again reminded of how refreshing this place is to us and will continue to be to folks who stop by to revive their hearts and renew their minds.

We see Still Waters as a sacred trust from God through each of you, and always desire to be good stewards in our service for Him every day.

PRAISE NOTE! Two wonderful answers to prayer: God has provided a new washer and dryer for the loft, as well as a 1999 Dodge truck for hauling firewood and working around the place – we are grateful to Him for these blessings!

Another special encouragement came in the form of a visit from friends and supporters all the way from California – it was a real ‘lift’ for us. We are looking forward to more visitors this month.

Early in spring of 2009, we are planning a trip by road to visit churches and supporters between here and California, so we can share the work of Still Waters in groups big or small! Please keep praying with us for additional partners for this work – our hearts overflow with gratitude as we see God continue to provide for His ministry through you, His people. 

Peter has upcoming surgery on his left shoulder for which we don’t have a firm date yet – this will obviously impact when our travels begin in the New Year. I think that being on the road is a good place for him to heal, away from all the irresistible work here at Still Waters!

We are deeply thankful for your generous giving, and your prayers for our ministry. 

Peter and Leah Humphreys

pete_humphreys@ntm.org

***********************************************************

 Throughout the global missions community, there has been a long history of missionaries leaving their field of service because they are overwhelmed by unmet spiritual and emotional needs.

Still Waters exists primarily to provide restorative care to New Tribes Mission leaders, including mentoring them in Biblical shepherding principles. 

    The specific intention is to see these leaders return to the field refreshed and better equipped to minister to the missionaries they serve. 

    As the number of effective shepherds increases,
we believe there will be a corresponding reduction
in the number of missionaries who must return
home to get the help they need. "…so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:4

Below are some items we’d like to get for the Loft apartment, and also our support level report..

Costs include the 13% tax paid on each purchase.

1. $950 A good quality reclining loveseat
2. $520 A good quality matching recliner
3. $220 Large area rug
4. $1200 Washer and gas dryer

As of January 2009, all of these but the rug have been provided by God through you!!!

$2175 ($1730 USD) is still needed for our monthly ministry support. This includes paying for utilities, groceries and supplies for the loft, as well as our personal living and ministry expenses.

If the Lord lays any of these needs on your heart, you can give by clicking on GIVE ONLINE SECURELY in the left upper section of this page, or send your gift to one of the following addresses. Either way, you will be sent a tax deductible receipt! This includes business donations, which are tax-deductible, as well.

In the USA:

New Tribes Mission

1000 E. First St.

Sanford, FL 32771

In CANADA:

New Tribes Mission

Box 707

Durham, Ontario

N0G 1R0

Thank you!

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

A little more trim, a few appliances and furniture, and the Still Waters’ Loft will be ready to be used!

We thank God for sending in the funds to finish the inside of the loft, and we’re excited to see Him provide a fridge, washer and dryer, and some couches and chairs.

After that, our focus will be on carpeting the entrance stairway, and getting the rest of the siding on the back of the building.

Thanks for praying, and for your encouraging notes and gifts.

Please also be in prayer for our daughter-in-law, Ivy Humphreys, as she gets ready to deliver their son (she’s about a week “overdue”!)