Archive for the ‘Prayer Request’ Category

•*•.¸¸¸.•*• Joyous News! •*•.¸¸¸.•*•

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Saturday, March 24th, 2012

Judah Cole Humphreys was born to Deryk and Ivy on February 16, 2012 – Isaiah and Emery are completely thrilled!

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!

With love and thanksgiving,

Peter and Leah at Still Waters

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January and February News from Still Waters!

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Saturday, March 24th, 2012
 

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

 An added benefit will be getting to see Max & Zuly, along with Naomi and Vania!

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!

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❂More summer excitement!❂

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Monday, September 26th, 2011

This was the scene in our backyard when the first cement truck came to pour the footing for the anchor wall by the pond.2011 first pour -retaining wallWhat’s the reason for all this activity? Well, just a slight problem with a crumbling retaining wall that is supposed to hold the septic tank back from sliding out where it doesn’t belong! The red arrow below is pointing to the corner of the tank where the wall has eroded. 2011 side of septic tank So far, the footer for the anchor wall has been poured. We THANK GOD for the generous couple who felt God’s leading to make this possible, and for the wonderful group of students and staff from the New Tribes Mission training centre who came to help. Here are some of them…a great team! We’re so grateful to Ernest Jones (NTMC Staff) for arranging this, and everyone enjoyed the wonderful snacks Tina Jones brought! 2011 wall team God wasn’t finished providing for the project, however! Bob and Darlene Sheets came all the way from Oregon to encourage us in our ministry and lend a much-needed helping hand for a couple of weeks! We had such a refreshing time with them, and even got in some sight-seeing.  Thanks for EVERYTHING, Bob and Darlene! bob and darlene at the table Other friends took many hours out of their work day to help, as well – we think we know some of the world’s hardest workers! baans helwig work  ted and joke Now the anchor wall forms are in place and ready to be filled – if the weather holds, the cement truck will pull in early this afternoon to finish off this first part of the job. We sure appreciate everyone’s help, and the oversight Eric Esau (NTMC Staff) has provided for this part of the project.   2011 wall ready to pourAfter the wall is poured, there will be a mandatory 28 day curing period, after which Peter will begin backfilling the anchor wall with rocks for added stability. Then the first 3-foot wall will be established several feet behind the anchor wall, using retaining wall blocks – oh YEAH! God provided for those, too!! We can’t wait to see the finished product. HURRAY! retaining wall block Ultimately, there will be 2 three-foot walls put in, in order to achieve the level required to support the septic tank. Please pray that the tank will remain stable until the project is finished – and winter is always just around the corner here in Canada! Thanks for praying. senegal flagOne more prayer request – Peter felt so honored recently to receive an invitation from the NTM team working in Senegal, who has asked him to come and be their speaker in April of 2012. We are praying about this possibility right now – thanks for joining us. We thank God for each of you and hope your summer has been fruitful, as well. Okay, it’s fall already—it’s just hard for me to let go of summer!pl much smallerLeah and Peter (I’ll post again later today to let you know how things went!)

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♪ ♬ Summer Songs of Praise! ♪ ♬

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Leah and I are so blessed! We recently celebrated our 35th anniversary, and thank God every day for each other and for the ministry God has given us. You bless and encourage us through your faithful prayers and incredible gifts, and once in a while, by visiting us at Still Waters!

 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.

Deryk, Ivy, Isaiah and Emery Humphreys

 Deryk, Ivy, Isaiah and Emery Humphreys

 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.

Papa and Isaiah spend some time together.

 Papa and Isaiah spend some time together!

Isaiah and Emery with Nana the morning she had to leave - sadness!

 Isaiah and Emery with Nana the morning she had to leave – sadness!

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.

Cherry mixes the thin set – Daddy’s helper again!

Cherry mixes the thin set – Daddy’s helper again!

 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!

Entry mosaic

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

 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,

Signature 2011

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*¨*Rejoicings from the Igloo*¨*

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Sunday, May 29th, 2011
pic 3THE SNOW IS GONE! Wow! After living most of our adult lives in a very hot, arid climate, Leah and I are so fascinated and amazed by distinct and regularly changing seasons here in Ontario. Lately, as spring has finally muscled her way to a knock-out victory over winter, I have been considering many of the parallels between seasonal cycles and spiritual growth cycles. 
      We have lived long enough to be able to look back and reflect on the various “spiritual seasons” we have gone through. (more…)
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(¯`’•.¸ Tiny Wonders in March¸.•’´¯)

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Sunday, May 29th, 2011

*’”*:•.¦:-:•.-:¦:-March 14, 2011-:¦:-• -:¦-•:*’”*

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

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!Gabe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

 

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 and vania
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!
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Please pray for Paul and Kathleen Humphreys!

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Paul and Kathleen

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.

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Summer at Still Waters!

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Still Waters

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 – Gregg and Kathleen Bowcockand 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!

Peter and Jason get the insulated windows in!

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 :)

Peter and Leah

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Recovering from Surgery!

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Thank you for keeping us in prayer these days as we’ve been anticipating Peter’s shoulder surgery – now the wait is over!

The surgery took place yesterday at 1:30 p.m., and I was able to bring him home by about 9 p.m. last night. Peter was in surgery for about 3-1/2 hours. This was quite a bit longer than the surgeon had anticipated; he said he found ‘other work’ to do while he was in there. We should find out all about that when he goes in for a check-up in six weeks (meanwhile, he’ll be seeing a physiotherapist and also our family doctor).

After a pretty good night of rest, Peter woke up with such a sore throat that he could hardly eat or drink. We phoned the surgeon’s office, and they recommended a visit to the ER.

We are just back from there, and have antibiotics on board now for the infection. Evidently there was some trauma from the tube down his throat during surgery, causing damage to his throat and uvula.

Thank you for praying for Peter during this time of rest and special care of his shoulder (don’t lift! don’t pull! don’t work!)

We appreciate you all! We want to let you know that God is answering prayer, and has brought several new supporters onto the team! This is a great encouragement to us. We’ve also been truly heartened by your affirmation, and the reminders that it is God who began this ministry: He will carry it through.

We love you and thank God for you!
Leah, for Peter, too.
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What’s going on at Still Waters these days?

Posted by Peter and Leah Humphreys on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

Dearest Friends!

In late 2009, Leah and I met with our leadership team here in Durham and then communicated with a meetsmall group of you, asking that you pray regarding the future of our ministry here at Still Waters. Specifically, we shared that, due to a steady decrease in our monthly support, we were facing some tough decisions. We know that many of you pray for us regularly, and we appreciate your communication with us and all the encouragement and guidance you supply.

After a month of waiting on the Lord for His direction, we would like to share with you what we see as our next step of faith. Our dependency is on God, and our hearts are at rest in Him despite the uncertainties. Even though we don’t yet know what the Lord is going to do in 2010, we sense that He is leading us to continue to walk on the same ministry path He directed us to since returning from Paraguay nearly six years ago. questionmark

What will it take to continue? We are asking God to raise up a new generation of partners who will commit, by faith, to joining with us in this ministry of tending to the needs of career missionaries. For the past 32 years, we have been blessed to partner with dear friends who sacrificed for years to see our ministry carried out. Many of these friends have finished their earthly race and have now gone to be with the Lord. These realities mean that more ministry partners are needed to step into the gap.

In the short term, Leah has begun teaching part-time, while I carry on with the bulk of the work here at Still Waters. teach We are thankful for the provision of work for Leah, and will continue with this plan until God redirects us. Our desire in the long term is to be completely available as a couple to care for those who God sends our way – whether it be couples who come to stay, or ongoing help given by phone or email to those who can’t get here right now. surgeon

On January 21st, I will be having reconstructive surgery on my left shoulder and have been given strict instructions by the doctor to lay low while the shoulder heals. During the recovery time, I look forward to studying, writing materials on biblical shepherding, and continuing to meet with and care for those God has entrusted to us at this time. Please pray that God would refresh and encourage these dear ministers of the Gospel through Leah and me.

Many people groups around the world are still waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus for the first time, and our mitribalssion is to care for those who have given their lives to spread the Gospel message, but need a season of encouragement, hope, and reminders of truth. We would love to hear from you if you have any questions about God’s work here at Still Waters.

Thanks again to each of you who are praying for us and are already a firm part of our support foundation. We are excited to see what God does this year and look forward to sharing each answer to prayer with you!

For His glory,

Pete and Leah

Peter and Leah Humphreys



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