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!

I’ll be grinning in my sleep all night long! Pete

 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,

      We have lived long enough to be able to look back and reflect on the various “spiritual seasons” we have gone through.

      There were times when it felt like the winter would never end and God seemed so far away. At other times we have enjoyed the rich and satisfying experience of growth!

      During the “summer” times, the flowers are so fragrant and the color so vivid! Everything screams “Life!” and fellowship with the Creator is very sweet and intimate. What we also see, in retrospect, is that our loving Father has been with us through both winters and summers, and has sovereignly arranged these seasons to accomplish His purposes in our lives. We thank and praise Him for walking with us through each season and understand that He is committed to our training.

     Among the many things that we are thankful for is the amazing privilege we have to support and care for others as they experience a myriad of life’s difficult challenges. Often we are blessed to have a front row seat to watch God at work in hearts and see spiritual dormancy give way to amazing growth. Our awesome God not only keeps the weather cycles in order but He also uses the tough seasons of life to grow us up and make us more like Jesus. 

Recently, we were blessed with a quick visit from my brother Paul, and his wife, Kathleen. Paul has been in a long battle with cancer, and it was healing for the whole family to have this special time with both of them. Praise God for the health Paul is experiencing now – and please continue to pray with us for his complete healing.

      Thank you for partnering with us as we serve our fellow missionaries here at Still Waters. We could not be available to care for these dear folks if it were not for your prayers, encouragement and support.

      We always thank God for you. 

Here are a few things for which we would appreciate your prayers:     

>>permits from various agencies to replace the retaining wall, clean out the pond and repair flood damage

    >>materials for various summer projects needing to be completed

           >>wisdom as we continue to care for and mentor several couples

                  >>continued health and safety

 We are praising God for our excellent health and energy to accomplish His plan for us here. Your interest and involvement in the Still Waters ministry is deeply appreciated – thank you so much for writing to encourage us, and for your prayers and gifts.

 We love you!

Pete and Leah Humphreys

Still Waters, May 28, 2011

 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

The journey home took about five hours; weariness had settled in by late afternoon when we pulled into Still Waters. And there, sitting in our driveway, was a pretty blue tractor.

Peter said, “There’s a tractor in our driveway.”

“Mhmm,” I responded brilliantly, struck speechless. Then we both started talking at once. “It’s probably a mistake – delivered to the wrong address!”

“Let’s call around and see if anyone knows anything!”

 No one knew a thing about the tractor in our driveway.

Then Peter said, “I think I know who to call!”

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In 2005, after having lived at Still Waters for about a year, I noticed that Peter kept saying, “We desperately need a tractor!” So I wrote that in my notebook, and began to pray about it. I told Peter that I was asking God to drive one in here someday, just for this ministry! We laughed. Peter and I continued to petition God for a tractor over the years (maybe Peter more than I, since he was doing all the physical labor)!

Then, one day, God put it on the hearts of a couple of His children to meet this need, and they obeyed. They drove that tractor with its brand new tires right onto Still Waters, giving it to us for this ministry!  

I haven’t seen Peter around much these last couple of days… 

God has provided - again! Jehovah Jireh.

           Our hearts have been so encouraged and blessed by the saints God has brought to Still Waters for rest, and an infusion of Truth. God has proven Himself ready to meet every need and to strengthen us daily, no matter how fiery the trial.

           Thank you once again, dearly beloved prayer partners and supporters! We count you among our blessings, and couldn’t wait to let you know of the latest wonderful thing God has done!

”Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits…”

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

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