Acerca de
NEWSLETTER
stories from the ranch
01
Welcome Brandey
02
03
Construction Update
04
05
A Glimpse of the Future
05
Statistics
06
Beautiful Freedom Study
07
Prayer Circle
08
Finding Freedom on the Fairway
09
Upcoming Events
10
How You Can Help
Welcome Brandey
FALL 2024
When I first heard Finding Freedom Ranch's vision of providing a beautiful place where young girls could escape to be surrounded by God's creation while receiving treatment for an eating disorder, the passage that immediately came to mind was,
“Look at the birds of the air; they
do not sow or reap or store away
in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not
much more valuable than they?
Can any one of you by worrying
add a single hour to your life?”
Matthew 6:26-27
If God can create and care for all the creatures of the world and orchestrate the miraculous changing of seasons, who am I to question His plans for my life and His longing for me to thrive? Jesus tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
As we all continue to navigate an undoubtedly broken world, there is so much comfort in these truths!
Few things remind me of how articulate and faithful our Father is than when I’m surrounded by the vibrant colors and textures of a flower garden, interacting and building relationships with powerful yet gentle equine giants, or sharing a warm nourishing meal around a table with His children who hurt like me. What better way for Find Freedom Ranch’s mission to heal the heart of an eating disorder with the mind of Christ, than through these healing experiences? It’s a unique and wholesome approach to mental health treatment that I just had to be a part of!
My name is Brandey Schurr and in June I joined Finding Freedom Ranch as the Program Director. After working in mental health for over 12 years and having my own fair share of struggles, it is an honor and privilege to be a part of such a valuable resource for our community. It is my prayer that every person who steps foot on the ranch sees and feels the Holy Spirit in a tangible way, and I sincerely thank each of you for being a part of it!
In awe and admiration of His faithfulness,
Brandey Schurr
Program Director
Finding Freedom Ranch
HEALING THE HEART OF AN EATING DISORDER WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST.
Construction Update
Land Development September 18, 2024
Finding Freedom Ranch has seen the Lord at work this past summer. In April, our building project for the Lodge began when Al Talsma did the surveys and staked out the building. On April 15, Cherry Valley Excavating dug the footings for the Lodge. On that same day Synergy Concrete formed up the footings, poured the concrete, and formed the foundation walls. On April 16, Synergy Concrete poured the foundation walls. A few days later Cherry Valley Excavating backfilled the building. On April 25 and 26, the underground plumbing and underground duct work was installed by Anything Plumbing and Hulst Heating and Cooling. On May 15, the radiant floor heat tube was installed and on May 16, the building floor was poured by In’t Hout Concrete. In mid-July the lumber package arrived for the Lodge.
On July 19, Eagles Nest Construction began building and framing. On August 1, Haverdink Roofing installed roof shingles. Throughout August and September the wiring was installed by H&K Electric. The concrete floors were polished by Burgess Concrete. Exterior porches were poured by VerBurg Concrete. Site grading and topsoil was spread across the site by Oetman Excavating. That brings us to mid-September, so much has been accomplished this past summer. We at FFR are so grateful to all who were involved in the construction. We really feel God’s leading in this endeavor and wait on God’s timing when this building will be used to minister young girls who are struggling.
“All glory be to Christ our King.”
- Fred Hulst
April 15, 2024​
Footings dug
April 16, 2024​
Foundation poured
May 15-16, 2024​
Underground work installed, concrete poured
July 19, 2024
Framing began
August 1, 2024​
Shingles are installed
September 2024
Wiring, floors polished, top soil spread
FINDINGFREEDOMRANCH
A Glimpse of the Future
We are thrilled to share with you a collection of renderings giving us
an exciting glimpse of what’s to come at Finding Freedom Ranch!
THE "STABLES"
To be nestled alongside the pasture for our horses.
THE "LODGE"
Designed to house activities, support groups and administrative offices.
Eating Disorder
Statistics
It is for all these reasons that we fight to rescue young women battling eating disorders.
We invite you to come alongside us as
we work to heal the heart of an eating
disorder with the mind of Christ.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA STATISTICS
Anorexia Prevalence
It is estimated that 1.0% to 4.2% of women
have suffered from anorexia in their lifetime.
Anorexia Mortality Rates
Anorexia has the highest fatality rate
of any mental illness.
It is estimated that 4% of individuals with
anorexia die from complications of the disease.
Access to Anorexia Treatment
Only one third of individuals struggling with anorexia nervosa in the United States obtain treatment.
BULIMIA NERVOSA STATISTICS
Bulimia Prevalence
It is estimated that up to 4% of females in the United States will have bulimia during their lifetime.
Bulimia Mortality Rates
3.9% of individuals with bulimia will die.
Access to Bulimia Treatment
Of those practicing bulimia, only 6% obtain treatment.
GENERAL STATISTICS ON EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are a daily struggle
for 10 million females in the United States.
Four out of ten individuals have either
personally experienced an eating disorder
or know someone who has.
STAY UP TO DATE
SUPPORT GROUP
BEAUTIFUL FREEDOM
Where do I go?
We will be meeting at West Michigan Wellness Group. They are located behind Corinth Reformed Church.
129 100th St SE, Byron Center, MI 49315
When does it start?
We will meet on Monday evenings starting September 30, 2024 - November 11, 2024 from 7:00-8:30 PM.
Who should attend?
All women! We welcome moms and daughters (advise age 12 and older). Friends and neighbors. Co-workers and fellow church members.
Prayer Circle
When we work, we work. When we pray, God works. - James Hudson Taylor
Do you feel a deep compassion for families struggling with eating disorders and do you appreciate how God moves His hand in response to prayer? FFR ministry has a place and a need for you. Once a month the FFR prayer team meets in the afternoon for a short hour of prayer for the needs of this ministry. Will you join us? Email Kim at prayers@findingfreedomranch.org if you are interested in learning more or if you have a specific prayer request that we can include in our conversation with God.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
FINDING FREEDOM ON THE FAIRWAY
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SATURDAY
AUGUST, 3
On August 3, we gathered as brothers and sisters in Christ at Orchard Hills Golf Course in fun and fellowship for the 2nd annual Finding Freedom Ranch golf outing. The Lord supplied us with another beautiful, slightly warm, but majestic day.
A lot of work goes into this outing and we hope everyone who attended had as much fun as we did that day. We could not do this event without the support of our sponsors and all who golfed that day, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Through their partnership in this event, we were able to raise $41,000 after expenses, to God be the glory! This money will go directly to our building project and will soon, through the grace of almighty God, be open and helping young girls to heal the heart of an eating disorder through the mind of Christ.
IT’S ALL ABOUT HIM!
- FFR Team
“Let the message of Christ dwell among
you richly... with gratitude in your hearts
to God. And whatever you do, whether in
word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him.”
Colossians 3:16-17
UPCOMING EVENTS
BURGESS BROTHERS & WILLIAMS FAMILY PRAISE GATHERING
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SAVE THE DATE
OCTOBER 19, 2024
Finding Freedom Ranch is hosting a praise gathering featuring the Burgess Brothers and Williams Family at 1st Byron CRC, 8541 Byron Center Ave SW, Byron Center, MI, on Saturday, October 19, at 7:00 PM.
Please join us for a special evening of praise and thanksgiving to celebrate God’s work through Finding Freedom Ranch. Tickets will not be for sale; instead, a freewill offering will be taken to support our building project.
WOMEN’S NIGHT
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SAVE THE DATE
MARCH 20, 2025
Save the date for March 20, 2025. Erin will be coming back to encourage us as women equipped with the freedom found in the finished work of Christ. More details to come.
How You Can Help
Learn how you can help at: www.findingfreedomranch.org
TALK
We encourage you to join us in spreading the story of Finding Freedom Ranch.
Tell others about what we’re doing now and are planning for the future.
Encourage any young women or moms you know who need support to reach out and join one of our groups.
Together, we can help others find freedom.
GIVE
Would you consider partnering with us as we turn our land into a place where freedom can be found?
Through one-time, recurring, planned giving and sponsorships, our dream of providing Michigan’s first faith-based in-patient eating disorder facility can come true.
Visit our website to learn more
about giving opportunities or contact :
Jen Huyser findingfreedomranchtreasurer@gmail.com
PRAY
In addition to our other support opportunities, we humbly ask for your prayers to cover all aspects of Finding Freedom Ranch.
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Pray that God is glorified through our work.
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Pray for those working on our land.
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Pray for the families we serve through our support groups.
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Pray for those affected by eating disorders who have yet to find the help they desperately need.