Carpenter Connection

Miracle Mountain Ranch 2014 Edition 1 Dear friends and family: Unless you are reading this letter from a different country, you have probably experienced a harsh winter like we have. What a blessing to see the snow melting and the weather warming. While teaching a Servant Leadership class recently, I was again challenged from Phil. 2:3-5. Paul is talking about esteeming others better than ourselves. This is displayed not only by our actions, but also through our thoughts. Do I place others higher than myself in my thoughts? Christ displayed this constantly in His interaction with others and, ultimately, displayed it through His death on the cross. Verse 5 says, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. What can we do this coming spring and summer to have this mind of Christ? We need to be capitalizing on each opportunity that we have to allow Gods love to flow through us and minister to those around us.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:3-5 KJV

APPRENTICES: As our apprentices continue to grow in wisdom and character, we are looking forward to what God has in store for them. God has placed Caleb (left) in the horse barn and Matt (right) in programming. Their exact summer position will be determined by spring break. Both of them had great ministry opportunities during a recent S.A.L.T. (Servant Attitude Leadership Training) retreat. There were over 30 high schoolers attending. This is a total immersion into the apprentice program for the attendees. The boys were both stretched beyond what they believed they could bear and blessed beyond what they could imagine. Please pray that the decisions made by both apprentices and S.A.L.T. attendees will bear fruit in the weeks and months ahead. What a blessing to witness Gods hand at work in these young peoples lives! FAMILY: With Jeff Carpenters health continuing to strengthen, Mark hasnt had to make as many trips to Meadville. Shari continues to homeschool Katelyn, Lindsey, and James. She also continues to help in the Ranch store during retreats and keeps the library up-to-date for the apprentices, and hosts various

visitors passing through. She is also hoping to have the time to help Mark this summer in organizing the shop office and the painting crews. Jacob and Ashley continue to live and work near Butler, PA. Alissa continues to work at the Corry Memorial Hospital and is in a serious relationship with Tim Rega, a Ranch staff member. Josh now lives with relatives and works various jobs in the area. Katie recently started a job at Dairy Queen in Youngsville. Katie, Lindsey, and James play sports for Warren County Christian School. Mark, Josh, and Katie will be going on the Mexico mission trip again this spring. They are really looking forward to sharing the gospel with the Pima Indians. They are still in need of financial support for this trip, if you feel God leading. OPERATIONS: The harsh winter has definitely kept the firewood crews very busy. With the low temperatures, we have certainly burned through more wood than normal. But God has continued to supply free wood for us to process. Adam Marshall, a past apprentice from PA, joined the operations staff recently and has been a huge blessing. The crews have continued to work on the livery shed paddocks. The Operations Headquarters has been such a blessing as we have been able to work on multiple projects inside throughout the winter. Work has continued on central restrooms with exterior completion expected for our Open House on Memorial Day. Camp enrollment is up and, if finances are available, we may need to try to complete some of the housing above central restrooms before summer. Plans have been finalized for Critter Corral with work being scheduled for when the weather breaks. We also hope to work on repairs to Mustangers within the next year. And, of course, there is always painting to be done and many maintenance projects. Thank you all for your continued prayers and financial support. We could not serve here without all of you. You are all a blessing and we pray God will continue to bless each of you. Please feel free to come and visit us at the Ranch. We would love to show you around and enjoy some special time with you! In His Service, Mark, Shari, Alissa, Josh, Katie, Lindsey and James Brian PRAISE AND PRAYER REQUESTS: Praise for continued growth of apprentices! Prayer for apprentices as they look towards summer positions. Praise that Jeff Carpenter is continuing to heal from his heart transplant! Prayer for reconstruction of barns. Praise for Gods continued leading as the ministry grows! Prayer for finances for Mark, Josh, and Katie to go to Mexico April 12-28. Praise for Katies new job to help her save for college! All gifts are tax deductible and can be made out to MMR, designated for us, and sent to the Ranch at 101 Rodeo Drive, Spring Creek, PA 16436. Gifts can also be made on-line through the Ranchs website at mmrm.org. Contact Information: Mark & Shari Carpenter 3351 Eldred Hill Road Spring Creek, PA 16436 (814) 665-6084 marksharicarpenter@yahoo.com

SAVE THE DATE: Memorial Day 2014: Open House & 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Ranch!!