Matthew & Marisa Hungerford
Matthew Hungerford grew up at the Ranch, where he spent many of his summers working as a Wrangler and as a counselor. After graduating high school, Matthew attended Ethnos Bible Institute (New Tribes Bible Institute), where he received his associates in Biblical Studies. He came on staff in 2019 and serves in our Barn assisting our Equine Director with everyday work projects, horse training, and student education. Marisa graduated from the School of Discipleship in 2019 and there went on to graduate with her BSN in Nursing in 2022. She helps with retreats and will be working in town as a nurse this winter.
In the Life of the Hungerfords
January 2024
Happy New Year!! It is hard to believe that January is over and February is about to start. This past year has been busy but in the best way possible with many new and exciting changes! Matthew and I will be welcoming our first child!!! IT’S a GIRL!!! She is due this March and we could not be more excited!! God has blessed us so much and we ask for prayer as we learn to be parents to this beautiful little girl. We also moved into a new home and are advisors with the Marshall’s this year.
As our family starts to grow my (Marisa’s) job will be changing. Currently I work as an ER nurse at St. Vincent’s up in Erie, but when baby girl comes I will be leaving that position and becoming a stay at home mom. I am so excited! As much as I love my current job, being a mom who is around for her children is so much more important to me.
Matthew has been busy getting the barns and horses ready for winter. One of the bigger projects this fall into winter has been bird proofing the barns by making sure the eves have no holes in them and all doors close as they ought to. He has also been busy cleaning pens, winterizing drinkers, and making shelving units for the barn in addition to his normal workload.
This year we also had the opportunity to work an english horse show together this fall. Matthew dragged all the arenas and ran the gate, essentially making sure all riders and horses were where they were supposed to be and keeping everyone on schedule. I helped run everything that occurred outside the arena. Seeing all the ways God has continued to provide opportunities for us both to grow in our skills.
We are also co advisors to two girl students with the Marshalls this year which has been so much fun and a great learning opportunity as we get to know the students better. Chelsea and I were able to take the girls out for lunch this past grading day and just spend some quality time together talking as just girls. The hope is to do this a few more times before graduation.
Recently God has been teaching both of us about patiently waiting on the Lord. This season has been full of waiting, waiting to move, waiting to see if plans will work out, and so much more. When we have to wait on the Lord we tend to think about the circumstances and the people. We tend to think we are waiting on them when in reality we are waiting on God and His perfect timing. We would like to be able to say that both of us are now great at patiently waiting but the truth is we are not and still have loads more to learn. But our God is faithful and will continue the work He has started in us.
Thank you for all your continued prayer and support, it is greatly appreciated. Please pray for wisdom and God’s provision as we prepare to parent and parent baby girl. For protection and safety as we both work and for our ability to pour into the students this year.
Merry Christmas and God bless!!
Matthew, Marisa, and baby girl
All staff members at Miracle Mountain Ranch live on mission support. As we look forward to what the future holds for our family, our financial needs are changing. We are currently seeking individuals and Churches who are interested in joining in our ministry at the Ranch through financial support.
We are currently at just over 75% of our ideal support level of $2,000 a month. We are asking that you would prayerfully consider coming alongside us in this ministry.
For more information, you can contact us at or you can give online directly by using the button below.