Josh and Rachel Snyder

Josh and Rachel Snyder grew up going to summer camp as well as serving as volunteers and on summer staff in many different positions. Rachel attended the School of Discipleship from 2019-2021. Upon graduating she joined us on staff in the Operations Department in the fall of 2021. She assists with daily water testing for the state, projects around the shop, and working alongside students. Josh returned to serve during the summers as a counselor in 2022 and as program staff in 2023. He is now serving in the Programming Department with various construction projects, housekeeping maintenance, retreats, and teaching welding to the shop students.

Josh and Rachel Snyder’s Newsletter

Spring 2025

Hello Friends and Family,

Spring has begun here, the trees are budding, and the grass is growing and green. Just a few days ago, we sent out horses to pasture for the first time this spring, which is always a wonderful sight and sound. We are thankful for the spring season, with summer just around the corner. As I write this, only 5 weeks until our summer staff arrive and training begins!

On Sunday (April 27th), Josh and I returned from the Mexico missions trip. While we still feel like we are recovering, we were SO blessed by our time there! We left the ranch on April 12th, following the “big purple bus,” as we call it. We had the opportunity to drive a pick-up truck that was being donated to the pastor we work with in Babicora. The drive to El Paso, TX, was broken up into 3 days. The vehicles ran well, with only a small hiccup with the pick-up truck on the last day. The issue was resolved relatively quickly with some new parts. On Tuesday (April 15th), we crossed the border into Mexico. We traveled most of the day to the first stop, Rio Chico. Wednesday and Thursday, were spent working on various projects in Rio Chico,as well as a crew working in a nearby village, 40 Casas, drilling a well.

Josh and I worked at the mission compound, pouring concrete sidewalks around a building that will be used as a sanctuary for church services. A few people worked on painting projects. The well drilling crew ran into a few challenges and, in the end, were unable to drill until they hit water. While it was disappointing, as we would love to be able to provide water to this village. We are praying for the Lord’s wisdom on how to proceed. On Friday, we drove from Rio Chico to Babicora. This is always a fun drive as the last 20 miles take 2 1/2 hours due to the condition of the road! Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday, we worked in Babicora. On Sunday, we joined their church service, which is always so neat to experience, even if we don’t know what all is being said due to the language barrier. We were blessed to have an interpreter with us. In addition, a few members of our team could speak fluent Spanish.

Our big projects in Babicora were ladies meetings in the morning and a kids’ program each afternoon. We had approximately 40 ladies from the village attend; they did a different craft each day, enjoyed fellowship, and had a short devotional. We were also able to give away 475 pairs of shoes that had been donated by various people and churches. The kids’ program had 38 kids attend and was full of playing games, crafts, drawing with chalk, hearing a lesson from God’s Word, and laughing and smiling! It is always so neat to interact with the kids, even when we struggle to communicate, their joy to just spend time with us is contagious. Another work project we had in Babicora was working on the guest house that is next to the pastor’s house. Our team started this house a few years ago while there, and has made progress each year. We were framing the second story this year and finishing laying the block on the side room. Little did we know that Josh’s ability to weld would come in handy. One way the Lord had so perfectly planned our going on the trip. Josh ended up welding all day, every workday, to frame the house, as all of the framing was done with metal. By the last day, we were able to get one side of the roofing metal on, but ran out of daylight to finish the other side. It was AMAZING progress in a short amount of time.

On Wednesday, we, with sad hearts, left Babicora to head back to the US. Our travels were smooth, and crossing the border went pretty well. It always takes a while waiting in the lines, but we had limited issues, which was a blessing. Over the next 4 days, we made our trek back to the ranch. We were able to stop at White Sands National Park and the Great Sand Dunes. Both of which were beautiful and made for a nice break from riding the bus. The truck that Josh and I drove down was left in El Paso to be imported into Mexico. We had a few issues with the bus on our travels back, but were not greatly slowed down. We arrived back home around 8 p.m. Sunday. It was so sweet to be back home, but also so thankful for all the people we met, friendships we built, work we were able to bless those around us with, and the provision of the Lord in all of it.

Now we are back and jumping back into the swing of things, preparing for many spring retreats as well as summer camp. Rachel is heading up the summer camp vaulting program again this year, which she is excited for as always! Josh will be serving in various roles within the programming department. This month’s weekends are full of Father-Daughter Retreat, Horse Lovers Retreat, Father-Son Retreat, Open House on Memorial Day (which we would love for you to visit us during), TPS camp, and then rolling into Staff Training and Summer Camp! The to-do list seems endless, but each day we are thankful to be able to work and accomplish tasks!

School of Discipleship 2024-2025

Gregory and Titus are doing well. They are nearing the end of their schooling time and transition into their summer positions in a few weeks. Gregory will be working as a wrangler, taking out trail rides of kids. Titus will be in the media department, capturing summer camps through photos.

Praises:

• Safe return from Mexico and a blessed time there!

Prayers:

• Wisdom as they figure out the best course of action at the well site in Mexico.
• Preparing for summer. Our hearts, the incoming summer staff, and the ranchers would be opened and prepared for what the Lord has in store.

Supporting Us:

If you are interested in becoming one of our supporters, here are a few things to know: 100% of your gifts are given to us and are tax-deductible.
Checks can be made out to Miracle Mountain Ranch and have ‘Josh + Rachel Snyder’ on the memo line and mailed to Miracle Mountain Ranch
101 Rodeo Dr., Spring Creek, PA 16436. There is also a direct withdrawal option from your checking account. This can be set up by contacting
the ranch office at (814-664-7673). More information can be found at the ranch website by clicking the button below.