Ben and Stephanie Freeman
Benjamin grew up in Brazil and Stephanie comes from Oklahoma. Having met at the Ranch while Benjamin was a student (class of 03-05) and Stephanie (class of 99/01) was serving as the receptionist, they were married in 2005. A passion for ministry and discipleship led them back to the Ranch after 10 years of ministry as missionaries in Brazil. They have been a part of the staff team since 2015. Benjamin currently serves in the Equine Department and Stephanie is found helping out here and there, but mostly at home with their four daughters, Rebekah, Rachael, Esther, and Janessa.
Ben and Stephanie’s Newsletter
September 2024
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
Hello from the Freeman Family,
As summer comes to an end and we enter into fall, we were so blessed to go Portaging with Bens sister and family the end of August in Algonquin Canada. As we look back over all that has happened this year and forward to what will be happening in this next season, we see a Faithful God who has been lovingly guiding the events of our lives to accomplish His purposes through our living day to day and the many challenges that have come with it.
Early in the summer Stephanie and Janessa flew to Louisianna to help care for her mom in anticipated recovery from a knee replacement. As her quick 3-week trip drug into a long 5 weeks, the Lord taught us about abiding in Him as we worked through frustrations of health insurance postponing Mom’s surgery and major Delta flight cancellations; He began a process of pruning our wants and desires to His as He walked us through the emotional and mental strain of being separated from each other two weeks longer than anticipated. The Lord has taught all of us many lessons on the importance of His Word being such a part of our lives that it flows into how we think, act and speak to those we had the privilege of working with this summer.
It is a tremendous privilege and joy to serve at MMR for 9 years now! We saw over 70 professions of faith in Christ during the 8 weeks of camp. It is exciting to be a part of the maturing work God has done in the lives of the 25 students who graduated the end of August. And we look forward to working with the new group of 26 students coming into the School of Discipleship September 6th. With the variety of immediate family needs and a smaller class year, we will be taking a “break” from advising as a family this school year. We will continue to have students and staff down for fellowship and Benjamin has his plate very full with teaching the new class and has several Messages to prepare for each week for the month of September.
As we prepare for the rest of the year, challenges will continue to come! Stephanie and the girls will be going back to Louisiana Sept 8-25th to care for her mom who finally did have her knee surgery August 28th. The school year for the girls will begin while in Louisiana. We are anticipating a short trip to Brazil (beginning of October) to help Ben’s family with some transitions and travel needs for a brother. We have had more work on the family vehicle than we would like, have a major bathroom renovation that needs to happen, gutters need installed and we have found ourselves in desperate need of new couches since the current ones are fabric, falling apart and playing a major role in aggravating allergies. However, we are seeing in those challenges the hand of God teaching us to Abide in Him.
As always, we are very thankful for your prayers on our behalf and we are humbled by the way God continues to meet our financial needs through your generosity.
God bless and keep you,
The Freemans
