TO OUR DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
As the spring retreat season draws to a close and we eagerly prepare for the summer camp season, we are reminded again of God’s daily blessings - the sunshine and the rain, spring flowers, fresh breeze, and warmer temperatures. It is hard to believe that our first day of summer camp is just eight weeks away! Our annual open house is coming up on Memorial Day, May 31st, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We would love to see you there! It is a great time of food, fellowship, horse demonstrations, trail rides, face painting, and much more!
Baby Update
We are grateful that everything has gone well with the pregnancy and that, according to the sonogram, the baby looks like a healthy little girl. Her name will be Naomi Ruth and if her activity inside is any indication, it looks like we are in for an very busy little baby! We are counting down the weeks (less than 10 more to go!) until we can hold her in our arms.
Staff Changes
The last several months have been a time of refocusing and seeking the Lord as to the direction of this ministry. Our Executive Director, Lew Sterrett, resigned in March. God is leading him to focus on the Sermon on the Mount and Leaders by Heart Ministries. Ralph Magill is serving as interim Director until August, when Matt Cox will assume the role of Chief Executive Director. We are grateful for this time of transition, because it has caused us to re-evaluate God’s calling on our lives here and find renewed passion. After much prayer, we are confident that this is still the place God would have us serve. We are whole heartedly throwing ourselves into participating in the ever developing team of MMR staff!
Support Update
Because of the added expenses of the upcoming baby, loss of former supporters, and the increasing cost of living, we are required to raise an additional $950 a month in support (we are currently receiving around $1200 monthly). We greatly appreciate those of you who so generously give! God has stretched your money to meet our bills and expenses to date. If God should lead you to begin supporting us, please send your tax deductible gift with separate note indicating “Troester Support” to the address at the bottom.
Stephen’s Update & Recent Projects
These last few weeks and months have been filled and over flowing for me! Early in March our aging ‘92 E350 Ford School bus/ maintenance truck died. We were able to replace it with a ‘86 4x4 Chevy Military Ambulance. Slowly but surely I have been working on turning it into our new Maintenance Truck. I also have been put back on the Rafter K riding arena project trimming out the windows and doors, as well as helping to finish up the siding. Last week we were putting in the drainage system and I had fun playing in the dirt, driving dump trucks and the excavator!
The Lord has been stretching me in the areas of surrendering my understanding of life over to His sovereign plan. So often I become overwhelmed when I look at the scope of what needs accomplished ASAP or better yet yesterday. In these times God has been reminding me to be faithful to do the best of my ability with what I can. As well as to communicate clearly with my supervisors and coworkers to be sure that I am staying on track to work in harmony not discord.
Hilary’s Update
I am finishing the last final for my last class this week, and all the paperwork is in for my graduation from Thomas Edison State College in June with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. It has been a long haul, but God has been faithful. I get teary eyed when I think of all the “impossible” test and assignments He saw me through, the “insurmountable” school bill that He provided finances for, and the “no hope of ever finishing” attitudes I often fell into - then He graciously showed me the next step and helped me plod on. For the next 5 weeks I am teaching a Ladies Bible Study at our church based on the book “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer. I am rather intimidated to be leading it, but know that this is God’s way of stretching and growing me.
Traveling
God miraculously provided the finances to travel to two weddings in March (one in Alberta Canada, and the other in Binghamton, NY), both of apprentice alumni. What a privilege to participate in the celebration of God’s work in these couples’ lives! On Sunday, April 23, we head to Pittsburgh for a district conference for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Then we will fly out to Wisconsin to participate in the wedding of our brother, Nathanael, to Laura Riggs.
Apprentice Corner:
Jamie’s Update
I am going to be a counselor this summer and am very excited. I’m somewhat scared as well, but I know through the summer God is going to show me His strength through my weakness! We are also in our last month of school, studying “Love”. Already the Lord is opening my eyes and heart to learn new and wonderful things about His love!
Chelsea’s Update
The past few months have been an incredible learning experience. The biggest thing that God has been challenging me with is to trust Him; and that not trusting in Him affects everyone around me. My minor has been Food Service and we are getting ready to start in our summer positions; I’m excited to see what He will teach me through this experience. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this ministry.Praise Report:
-Hilary’s graduation
-Healthy pregnancy thus far
-Safety and provision in traveling
-Opportunities to serve in church
Prayer Requests:
- Safe and healthy delivery of Baby Naomi
- Wisdom and discernment in discipleship
- A full summer of 850 ranchers!
- $950 more monthly support
We are so grateful for your friendship and encouragement to us in our daily lives and in the ministry of Miracle Mountain Ranch. Your support, both prayerfully and financially, is one of the ways that God reminds us of His faithfulness and love. Thank you for allowing yourselves to be used of Him in our lives.
Because of who He is,
Stephen and Hilary Troester
Miracle Mountain Ranch
Stephen and Hilary Troester
101 Rodeo Drive
Spring Creek, PA 16436