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
September 2024
Dear Friends and Family,
Our summer camp season has come to a close and we are so thankful for the busyness of summer and all of the wonderful opportunities to serve. But also thankful for the rest the next couple of weeks provide. Just a few weeks ago our 2023-2024 class of students graduated! It was a sweet time of fellowshipping with their families, but also sad to see dear friends go. However it is so exciting to see them go out into their worlds and live out what they have been learning!
We had around 1,200 ranchers roll through our doors through-out the duration of summer camps this summer. It was so wonderful to hear the bunkhouses, dining hall, game fields, and barns full of laughter and excitement. By the end of summer, there were 76 salvation decisions made by ranchers, as well as many more believers recommit their lives to the Lord. Our God is so awesome!
Josh had a busy summer running the 6 weeks of wilderness camp that we offer. For 2 of the weeks, they have Base Camp, staying out in the woods on Ranch property. Learning woodcraft, firebuilding, shelter building, and many other wilderness survival skills. This summer Josh was able to incorporate raft building into their adventures and was able to utilize one of the ponds on the Conklins property, land that the ranch recently purchased from neighbors and longtime friends of the ranch. It was super neat to see the ponds be utilized and the guys jump (sometime literally) into the task at hand! One week was a paintball focused summer camp called Marker Madness. While Josh was overseeing the Wilderness Camp program he took more of an observation (and camp cook) position for Marker Madness, to learn what all goes on during the camp. The third and final camp that is offered is called Absolute Bearing. During this camp, the guys get to go on a 1 day canoe trip down the Allegheny River, a day of hiking and exploring, and then an overnight canoe camp trip on the Kinzua Reservoir. Josh, while enjoying all of the camps, had a special love for this camp. He was able to use his white water kayaking knowledge to impart some helpful water safety to the guys. This camp they spend most nights not on ranch property, camping at the Buck-a-loons park as well as other campgrounds along the way.
Rachel also was busy with vaulting this summer. She was blessed to have 2 full time summer staff helping her in vaulting. Her sister, Makayla, was able to come up for several weeks to help as well. Between cooking for BTR (breakfast trail rides) and vaulting as well as playing the mandolin and singing for chapels, her days were long and busy. She also had the awesome opportunity to mentor 3 of the girl summer staff in the barn. Meeting with them once a week to build relationships with them as well as encourage them in goals they made for themselves at the beginning of the summer. She also led a meeting time with all the girl barn summer staff one night a week, during which they shared a snack, time of fellowship, prayer, sometimes singing as well.
As we move forward we are excited for the many retreats and events this fall. This week, a new class will come in for their 11 month program. We are praying that the Lord is preparing their hearts as they prepare to come as well as the Lord is preparing us as staff to serve and disciple them once they arrive. Our roles, as we move into this next School of Discipleship year, are different from during the summer and vary largely from day to day. We are so excited to see what the Lord has planned for us! Thank you for your prayers and support of us as we serve here!
School of Discipleship 2024 – 2025:
We have the opportunity to be co-advisors with Adam and Chelsea Marshall this year. Every week on Tuesday evenings we will meet together with our students Gregory and Titus to share supper as well as have intentional time to disciple and encourage them in their walk with the Lord!
Prayer Requests:
- Incoming S.O.D students
- Our role in discipling and building relationships with the incoming students
Praises:
- Successful summer camp season.
- Josh’s house has continued to be rented out.
– Josh + Rachel
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 by clicking the button below.
Thank you!