NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

Leah and I are excited to share with you some great things that God is doing for and through His ministry here at Still Waters!

Three months have now passed since we asked you to pray that we would have wisdom regarding the future of our ministry (our concern had to do with declining support and the corresponding monthly deficits). We know that many of you were praying, and several encouraged us by writing and calling – thanks! Our Heavenly Father has used His Word and His people to encourage us, and we feel confident that He is leading us to continue on in this work by faith.

Early in January of this year, we began to ask God to provide for His work by raising up twenty new financial partners by the end of 2010. After two months, God has already added nine contributors to our support team! We are so thankful for all God is doing and we want to encourage each of you with that news – we serve an awesome God.

Also, we have been deeply blessed to watch God at work in the hearts of those we care for. Two couples we have been privileged to serve recently are on their way back to the mission field with encouraged hearts. Praise God for all He does to restore and refresh his children!

The recovery of my shoulder since surgery in January has progressed well. The surgeon and the physiotherapist are pleased! I’m still not allowed onto the basketball court, but they assure me that time is coming.

We love and appreciate each one of you beyond our ability to express. Thank you for partnering with us and making it possible for Leah and me to invest our lives in the global spread of His glorious gospel in this way. We are thrilled to hear continual reports from around the world of tribal people coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus: one day we’ll get to meet these dear brothers and sisters and worship the King together. What a day that will be!

For His glory,

Pete and Leah

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1

This is a beautiful time of year in Canada, and it’s a little bit surprising that we have not been crunching around on snow yet! Yes, that’s a big blessing.

Peter has been busy with the usual outdoor tasks that he fits in around the caring ministry that God has entrusted to us. It continues to bless and encourage our hearts to have His people stay in the Loft and enjoy its comforts, while having the opportunity to be reminded of freeing truths from the Word.

Much time is also spent studying, and praying for those who need comforting and encouraging. Keeping in touch by email and phone with those who have come through (or can’t travel to Still Waters) is part of the ministry that we both enjoy.

For now, we have no kids and grandkids living close by, and this has been difficult to get used to. How precious it is to be able to communicate freely with them because of present day technology. That’s a big blessing!

You, dear ones, who pray for us and give sacrificially each month, are firmly implanted on our blessing list. We thank God for you.  We have some urgent prayer requests for our ongoing ministry here at Still Waters that we will be sharing with you soon.

In the midst of your busyness today, know that you are prayed for and loved!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! and warm blessings from our house to yours.

(Click on pictures to enlarge them!)

#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

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 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