Judah and big sister, Emery

I (Leah) was able to visit them for a couple of weeks and enjoy some warmer weather, too.

Deryk and Ivy, Isaiah and Emery Humphreys

We were praising God that Judah did not have to have the predicted surgery, but was pronounced to be completely fine instead! It was so wonderful to be with them – we sure miss all of our children and wish they lived closer, but we are proud of how each of them follows God. 

Last month we asked you to pray about Peter’s upcoming trip to West Africa. He is going to be speaking there, and our God has completely provided for me to accompany him! Yeehaw!!

It has been four years since a winter flash flood cut through the berm next to the dam and drained the pond here at Still Waters. Since that time we have been working to acquire two permits to restore the pond to pre-flood conditions. We are thankful for the first permit that was issued last year, enabling us to commence work on the retaining wall to the side of the pond. Hopefully, by the end of this summer, that phase of the project will be completed. We praise God for supplying the materials through His generous people. 

Flood damage

Recently, our second permit request was handed off to another environmental agency, and we have had to start the application process all over again. Please pray that God would give us patience and wisdom as we continue to ask permission to repair the lower dam. Our prayer is that God would move in the hearts of officials to allow this reconstruction so the pond can be restored. From the first moment we saw this property, we envisioned the still waters of the pond adding that special touch to this quiet, restful setting, and our missionary colleagues being refreshed as God reminded them of His faithful promises. 

 We are so blessed to be able to minister to God’s servants here, and in so doing, help strengthen the team that is reaching a lost world for Christ. Thank you for being our partners in this effort! We will write again upon our return from Africa, and are grateful for your prayers during our journey. We’re praying for you, too!

Peter and Leah at Still Waters

Lights at Still Waters

During our quiet Christmas at Still Waters in 2011, Leah and I began to plan for the next year – all the while knowing that while we may plan, God will direct the outcome! That’s just fine with us – we are His.

Now we are already well into February of 2012, and once again, we find ourselves sitting by the fire and going over our plans. We would love to have you join us in prayer about these requests: 

Deryk & Ivy Humphreys; Emery, Isaiah

• Leah will be traveling to Texas soon to help Deryk & Ivy as they are expecting this month. Their son may be undergoing surgery right after birth – please pray for him and for Ivy in all of this. Leah will enjoy some wonderful Nana time!  
• I am invited to speak at a missionary get-togethers in West Africa this April – what a great opportunity! Please pray that Leah will be able to come with me to minister to the missionary women there.
•  Pray that we’d be able to complete the retaining wall project this summer (thus safely anchoring the septic system). 
• Thank you for always remembering our ‘missionary care’ ministry here at Still Waters! Pray that God would continue teaching our hearts as we share His truth and prepare materials for others to use in their shepherding ministries.  

In July of this year we hope to finally visit Shaun and Melanie and family in Paraguay.   They continue to work with the Nivaclé tribal people and are into the Bible Lesson preparation phase.

Michayla and her Nivacle friend

We would also plan to travel out to the tribal area we worked in for many years as we haven’t seen our Manjúi friends since 2006.

Seth, Rylan, and Nivacle friends

We love and appreciate each of you, and are honored to pray for you. We also thank God for your sacrificial giving and fervent prayers for us!

 Our family and children also bless us – several times they have flown us here and there to be with them, and it’s always a memory-making time.

 Recently, we visited Deryk and Ivy and their family – how we enjoyed hanging out with them, playing with Emery and Isaiah, and dreaming of the new little one to come! It was so special and encouraging.

I flew on to visit with Cherry and her family as they settled back into their home. It needed some repair, and Dan and Cherry had asked if I’d come and put in a new tile floor for them.

 Oh yeah, we had fun! It was just an amazing and wonderful visit, and though this ol’ guy left there pretty worn out, I was thrilled with all we accomplished together – just like old times!

Dan has received an early promotion (no surprise), as he continues to serve his country, and he is in the process of fitting into a new position. Cherry starts med school today! It has been a long and interesting journey to this point, but Dan and Cherry continue to move forward in obedience. They would appreciate your prayers!

Leah and I are both back home at Still Waters. We’ve been asking God together with you for years that He would make a way for us to get a permit for the broken down retaining wall to the side of the septic system. Well, the exciting news is that after quite a complicated process (and even some indication that we wouldn’t be given a permit), WE NOW HAVE IT IN HAND!  

 Retaining wall by the pond

This wall is critical to holding the septic tank in place and controlling erosion. I’m already at work (and have had some great help!) to begin preparing the site for reconstruction. We will be able to get started as soon as we have the materials: concrete, rebar, landscaping blocks and some forming materials. The permit is good for one year (though much of that time will be winter when the work can’t move ahead for obvious reasons!)

Please pray that the Lord would expedite this project and provide us with the strength, wisdom, materials, and help necessary to get this big job crossed off of the list. The miracle tractor God provided has already been hard at work in this preparatory process, and we can’t wait to see what He has in mind for the rest of the summer!

Praise God with us for the provision of this permit! It is the first of two permits we need in order to return the water to the pond since it was damaged by flooding in January of 2009.

We hope you are having a wonderful summer with your family and friends, and, as always, our hearts are full of gratitude to you as you lift up God’s work here in prayer. He is still changing hearts and lives through the promises and principles of the Word, and comforting His beloved people as they serve and worship Him.

With love and appreciation,

Our daughter Charissa (Kiki) and husband Dan announce the birth of… 

Gabriel Allan Jongewaard

March 14, 2011

8 lbs. 15 oz. - 22 inches long

Peter and I were able to be present at his birth and rejoice with them!

*’”*:•.¦:-:•.-:¦:-March 16, 2011-:¦:-• -:¦-•:*’”*

 Our (heart-adopted) son Max and his wife Zuly announce the birth of…

Vania Isabel Peña

March 16, 2011

9 lbs – 22.5 inches long

  Peter and I are longing to see this little one…a trip to Paraguay is hoped for next summer!

Naomi

loves to

cuddle

 her new

 sister!

Please pray for these families and all the adjustments they are facing.

P.S. That makes 12 grandkids for Nana and Papa Humphreys!

 Not long after God provided the amazing and unexpected gift of a TRACTOR for Still Waters, He put it on someone else’s heart to provide a SNOWBLOWER! Now, I really do feel bad for the thousands (millions?) of people who really despise the long winter months, and understand that clearing snow off of everything, every day, is a burden. This winter, I’m so thrilled to be able to clear our snow out in less than a fourth of the time it used to take me (and to help out a couple of other families, too) – praise God with us! 

In early October, Leah’s dad came for a visit, and, as always, a great deal of work was accomplished! Late in October, both of our boys and their families came to visit – Deryk and Ivy came all the way from Texas, and Shaun and Mel came back from Paraguay. It was wonderful to have them together for a short while, and then to have Shaun and Mel and family for a little while longer. They will complete their home assignment before going back to Paraguay in March for their third term of service.

 In November, Leah flew to Rhode Island for two weeks to care for Cher and Dan Hendrix’ four children as Cherry recovered from major surgery. It was very refreshing for her to have that special Nana time with them, and she had fun teaching them to make bread, as well!  

Over the years, God has comforted and encouraged us so faithfully, and we are continually blessed to be in this ‘caring’ ministry here at Still Waters. You may have become aware of recent accusations of abuse that have come from former boarding students (at an NTM facility in West Africa back in the ‘70’s and ’80’s). Leah and I have joined a specially-formed group that is working with those who are affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Please continue to pray for us – these are difficult issues that have to be taken care of swiftly and biblically, with repentance and reconciliation in focus.

 In a couple of weeks, three of our children and their families will be joining us for the Christmas Holidays (Cherry & Dan, Shaun & Mel, and Kiki and Dan)! While we all enjoy this incredible blessing, we will sure be missing those who can’t be here (Deryk & Ivy, as well as Max & Zuly and their families).

 Last year at this time, we were asking God if it was His intention for us to look for another ministry, as we were unable to manage the expenses that the Still Water’s ministry had accrued. We asked God for 20 more ministry partners, and He has provided 14 so far! This has been an incredible encouragement throughout 2010.

 We are blessed to be your partners here, and we thank God for each of you. May this Christmas season be filled with joy for you and your family as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Saviour, so many years ago.

 Peter and Leah

Please be praying for Peter’s brother Paul, who has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Paul is going through chemotherapy at this time, and Kathleen is taking care of him.

We are asking God for complete healing for Paul, and strength for both of them, and their children and families.

Psalm 22:26 “They who seek the Lord will praise Him.”

Leah and I are praising God for many answered prayers! Here are some things that we, together with you, have brought before our God in prayer:

• Request – Wisdom regarding the direction of the Still Waters ministry.

Answer – God has made it abundantly clear that He intends for us to continue on, by faith, and provide care for missionaries in crisis, and training for shepherds.

• Request – Provision for the accumulated deficit.

Answer – Since January, we have been able to meet our financial commitments each month and begin to address the deficit. God has laid it on the hearts of His people to help, and has given Leah enjoyable part-time work.

• Request – That God would raise up 20 additional supporting partners in 2010.

Answer – Halfway through 2010, 11 partners have joined the Still Waters team!

• Request – That God would continue to use our lives to encourage, guide and bless His messengers.

Answer – We have been so blessed to invest our lives in missionary colleagues who have responded to truth and God’s work in their hearts – and we praise Him for these and many other answered prayers! Thank you for standing with us through some difficult days!

We were blessed to enjoy a visit from Gregg and Kathleen (Rutledge) Bowcock, all the way from California. It was just fun to hang out with some of Leah’s family!

Summer is always busy as we attack the work that can only be done during this warmer time of year. Here are several of the projects that we hope to be working on from now until the snow returns:

Finish the last of the siding on the loft

Clean out pond and repair flood damage

Begin retaining wall to prevent septic tank from sliding into the pond

Bring in all the firewood that will be needed this winter!

Our top priority is caring for those who God brings to Still Waters. As we are able (have time and funds), we will be working on these summer projects, and are asking God for health, safety and wisdom. We’ll keep you updated as things get checked off our list!

Jason Walton, a missionary (and a long-time friend) on his way to Paraguay stayed for a week and helped me put in some insulated windows. It was great to get caught up on what’s happening in his life, and talk about Paraguay with him!

You can tell who we are even through the cement dust, right?!

Leah and I are grateful to our God for each of you and we value your friendship and encouragement.

We are keenly aware that our ministry would be impossible without the team that He has raised up to partner with us. May the Lord richly bless you for your faith, your sacrifices, and your faithfulness.

We are honored to serve our God together with you!

P.S. We celebrate our 34th anniversary on July 3rd

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.