Laredo, Texas Missions Trip: Odd Jobs

Hi all! No, I'm not dead...I just realized that I never did finish updating ya'll about my missions trip. I've been incredibly busy with schoolwork that I never did on my trip and with the holidays. So, here is a much delayed update. Here are pictures of all the jobs that we did the week of the Camp Meeting.

 It all started on Monday with Mrs. Zupan, Miss Nancy and I painting the pews. 

The pews are all stored outside and the birds like living in the roof of the Tabernacle so the white pews get repainted everytime they are used. 

 Our main job at the mission was in the kitchen. I helped Mrs. Waldrop, Sister Tammy and all the other ladies cook the meals for the guys. We had a ton of fun cooking together. 

 All of us ladies (except Mrs. Zupan who is behind the camera): 

Mrs. Waldrop, Sister Tammy, Miss Nancy, Me, Sister Charlene, Keari, Brandi, Kyla and Paxton

Then before and after the camp meeting, we cleaned the Shepherd's Inn and the Dorms. 

I will finish updating from my trip and my surprise birthday party this week.

Laredo, Texas Missions Trip: Rio Grande Missionary Helps Tour

Sorry that it's taken so long for me to post more pics and stories from my missions trip. I finally have a new computer cord! Now I have the power to give y'all a little picture tour of the mission.
Back in 2000, Brother Waldrop started building on the land that was the future home of Rio Grande Mission Help Center. Now all the buildings, except for one, that were in Brother Waldrop's vision of the compound are all standing because of God's grace and the many, many volunteers that have helped build the compound. Here are some pics of the compound. Enjoy!

The Gate 

The Dining Hall 

The Shepherd's Inn 

This inn has 11 rooms that are furnished with one big bed and 2 or 3 twin size beds. This is where they put up the people that come to the Jubilation and others that need a place to stay.

Here's the inside to one of the rooms.

The Dorms

Here's the inside of the girl's dorm.

The Open Tabernacle
This is where we had all the Jubilation Camp Meetings.

Brother and Mrs. Waldrop's House

The Trailer House

And last but certainly not least, Our House.
This is where I lived for eight days while at the mission.

 This was my corner of the living room.
The door behind my bed is another bedroom that has never been finished so we just partitioned off part of the living room and made it into "my room."

 Our Kitchen

 Our Living Room

This is the view from the front door.
(And yes, that is three cases of vanilla. And no, Mrs. Zupan and I didn't buy it all for ourselves.)

And...these were our next door neighbors.

Again, I apologize for how long it has taken me to blog about my missions trip. Now that I have a computer cord, I will, Lord willing, be doing at least 2 or 3 more posts from my trip. So keep checking back!

Laredo, Texas Missions Trip: Jubilation Camp Meeting: Monday

Monday morning Mrs. Zupan, Miss Nancy and I spent the morning doing the last minute cleaning in the Shepherd's Inn and the Dorms before the speakers started coming for the meetings. Then around 5:00 that evening, the three of us helped make supper. We had taco salads and brownies with sweet tea and unsweetened tea to drink. There weren't any services tonight, it was just a meet 'n greet to get to know everybody.

For many years whenever the Wings as Eagles Ministry takes a work crew to go work on a church or minister somewhere, before every meal they sing the song He Paid A Debt.

He paid a debt He did not owe, 

I owed a debt I could not pay. 

I needed someone to wash my sins away. 

And now I sing a brand new song, 

"Amazing grace" the whole day long. 

Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

It's just amazing to think that Jesus Christ was willing to pay the price for MY sin! Why would a perfect, amazing God be willing to send His only Son to die on the cross for such a wretched sinner as I? I will never be able to wrap my little little brain around why He would love me so much! My "good works" aren't any better than filthy rags! We serve a wonderful God!

Laredo, Texas Missions Trip: 3-Day Ride Down

Hey y'all!! Sorry it has taken me awhile to update my blog. I got home last Saturday and my room looked like my luggage exploded. But now I've finally had time to start updating the blog with stories and lessons from my wonderful trip. I had a ton of fun with all the people down in Laredo and I learned a lot from the sessions. There just isn't anything like Southern Hospitality. So I will start the stories and lessons with the trip down.

We left Thursday, October 9th at 7 am. We spent the first night in St. Joseph, Missouri. Friday morning we got up bright and early and headed for Texas. Around 11:30/12:00, we had to stop and pay toll and our VSC, trac-off, and check engine lights came on, we were about 100 miles from Oklahoma City. Mrs. Zupan called the Toyota dealership in Ladysmith and the guy said that it might just be our gas cap (if it's loose, it will set the VSC light off because it is leaking air). We stopped at the Toyota dealership in Oklahoma City to see if they could just quick check it out...they wouldn't be able to look at it for at least another 2-3 hours. We couldn't wait that long so Toyota sent us over to Pep Boys and they ran the free diagnostic test. That came back as what they thought was one part but they wouldn't be sure until they did the other diagnostic test which cost $50 and if it was that part they would have to order it and that would be about $600. They said that the van was still drive-able and it wouldn't affect anything except for our gas mileage. So Mr. Zupan decided that we would keep going. This whole thing set us back about 45 minutes to an hour. Just as we got into Texas, those three lights went out! We were shocked! We couldn't figure out what was going on because normally the lights don't go off until the problem is fixed. Mrs. Zupan made the comment, "I wonder what God is protecting/keeping us from." That night we stayed in Jacksboro, Texas. When we got to the hotel, the parking lot was a mess and there was hail on the ground. When the Zupans went in to pay for our room, the receptionist said that they had just a horrible storm about 45 minutes before with hail, rain, and 100 mph winds...there were vehicles being blown across the road and everything, our room door had leaves plastered up on it from the storm. If the Lord hadn't turned the lights on in our vehicle, we would've been driving right through that storm and who knows what damage would've been done to our vehicle. God's protection over our lives is just awesome!!

This is the hotel in Jacksboro where we stayed. 

You can see all the leaves in the parking lot from the storm.  

 If I remember right, this was in Mineral Wells. 

 Some of the beautiful scenery in Texas. 

Isn't God's creation just absolutely gorgeous!?!

This morning Mr. Zupan had me read Psalm 91. Verses fourteen and fifteen stuck out to me, especially after we got to Jacksboro and heard about the storm. They read, "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him." Just to think that because we, as Christians, love the Lord He honours us is just mind blowing and uncomprehendible. Why would God honour a poor wretched sinner as I just because I do something as simple as love Him?

We serve an AWESOME God!!!

I Can't Believe It Is Finally Here!!!

I can't believe that my missions trip is finally here! It feels like I have been waiting for forever and then all of the sudden, BOOM, it's time to pack up and leave! I am so excited for this wonderful opportunity that God has given me to go and serve down at the Rio Grande Missionary Helps. I can't wait to share all that God teaches me and all the pictures that I'll have once I get back.

Cookies baked. 

 Everything all packed and ready to go. 

P.S. I'm not taking my computer with me so my blog will be quiet for the next 2 1/2 weeks but once I get back I am planning on updating it with all the pictures and stories from my trip. 

See ya in a couple weeks! 

~Ruby James Mikula

Lord Let Me Serve

People are longing to learn of the Saviour; 

Children are growing, not knowing He cares.

 Lord, let me tell them about your compassion. 

Lord, where can I be used? 

Lord let me serve. 

Lord let me follow. 

Give me a place and a purpose to fill. 

Teach me to serve:

Teach me to follow, 

Use me to do Your will.

Lord let me serve, 

Wherever You need me. 

Make me a vessel,

Through which You can flow

Give me a mission,

A place of fulfillment

Lord, where can I be used? 

Lord, let me serve, 

Lord let me follow.

Give me a place and a purpose to fill. 

Teach me to serve:

Teach me to follow.

Use me to do your will. 

Ready and willing to give You my talent. 

Show me the task and I'll serve You today. 

Give me a passoion to work for Your glory 

Lord, where can I be used? 

Lord let me serve, 

Lord let me follow. 

Give me a place and a purpose to fill. 

Teach me to serve: 

Teach me to follow. 

Use me to do your will.

Mom and I sang this song at church this morning. As we sang, I just thought about the words and the commitment that I was making as I sang them. As I prepare to go on my missions trip, I have thought a lot about the people that I will come in contact with and what I will be doing. More often than not when we think of a missions trip, our first thought is of going overseas to the jungles of Africa or some other place with exotic animals and people but in real life, our first missionary is our Pastor. 

This morning Brother Grant Friese spoke on the issues that are often in churches and how they can be settled by just realizing three things: 1)Our common DNA - in Christ, 2)The compassion from Christ for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and 3)Our hospitality that we need to have amongst our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we really think on these three things and live them out, then there is no need for all the issues that Fundamental Baptist Churches often have.

Then this evening, Brother Bob Winter spoke on the Good Samaritan. In the parable, the Good Samaritan could've just passed by on the other side of the road like the Priest and the Levite did but no, he had compassion on the guy and bound his wounds, took him to an inn, and took care of him. He had compassion on him even though he was a Jew! 

I have had many people ask me why I'm going on a missions trip. The whole reason for me going to Laredo on this missions trip is because I have compassion on the unsaved and my brothers and sisters in Christ! Because of this compassion, I want to minister to them and alongside of them. I can't wait to see what all the Lord has me to do and what all He will teach me. 

Just A Sinner Saved By Grace

If you could see what I once was
If you could go with me
Back to where I started from
Then I know you would see

A miracle of love that took me
In it's sweet embrace
And made me what I am today
Just an old sinner... saved by grace

I'm just a sinner saved by grace
When I stood condemned to death
He took my place

Now I live and breathe in freedom
With each breath of life I take
Loved and forgiven, backed with a living
I'm just a sinner saved by grace
How could I boast on anything
I've ever seen or done?
How could I dare to claim as mine
The victories God has won?
Where would I be
Had God not brought me
Gently to this place?
I'm here to say I'm nothing
But a sinner saved by grace

I'm just a sinner saved by grace
When I stood condemned to death
He took my place

Now I grow and breathe in freedom
With each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgiven backed with a living
I'm just a sinner saved by grace
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
With each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgiven backed with a living
I'm just a sinner saved by grace

Brother Grant Friese sang this song in church this morning. The message of the song is so powerful. To just sit and realize that that's all I am! A sinner saved by the grace of God!!!  If it weren't for Christ, we would have and be nothing! 

It really hit me this morning, why would God be willing to send this wretched sinner saved by grace on a missions trip? If it weren't for Christ, His leading and the support from my family, friends, and church family,  I wouldn't be going on this missions trip! I am so blessed! This morning my home church took up a free will offering for my trip; through that and a couple other people, the Lord provided 95% of the money that I needed for my trip. I am still in awe that God would be so gracious to this sinner saved by grace. I just want to thank all those that have supported me financially or through prayer. I can't wait to see what He has in store for me on this missions trip!!

Missions Trip

As many of you have heard, I am going on a missions trip in October. I am leaving October 8 and getting back on the 25^th. I will be going down to Rio Grande Missionary Help in Laredo, Texas with  Mr. & Mrs. Jack Zupan. Rio Grande Missionary Help was built to spread the Gospel into Nuevo Laredo. Now with all the drug rings and violence in Mexico, they no longer take groups over the border but they continue to spread the Gospel right there in Laredo. Laredo’s population is made up of 98% Spanish speaking Hispanic people which makes the streets of Laredo look much like the streets in Mexico. Some of the many ways that they spread the Gospel in Laredo among the Spanish speaking people is through the local market in downtown Laredo, gate to gate visitation, open air films, and tract distribution.

Every spring and fall they do what they call a Jubilation Camp Meeting. Many families, missionaries, and mission groups go down to Laredo for these wonderful weeks. Each week starts off with an ice cream social Monday night. Then from Tuesday to Thursday, we have several preaching sessions with many different pastors and missionaries that go to the Jubilation.  While I am down there, I will be helping with the cooking and cleaning at the Mission and then I will also be providing some special music for the services along with doing some odd jobs like painting and such.

I am extremely excited for this wonderful opportunity that God has given me to go and serve at Rio Grande Missionary Help. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me.  

Vacation Part 2: Alexandria, MN

On the way home, we stayed in Alexandria, MN and we went to the Runestone History Museum. Then on the way home we stopped at Nelson's ice cream in Stillwater for a snack. We had a ton of fun just hanging out as a family.

 The Kensington Runestone 

 An old violin. 

 An old pipe organ.

 

 An Idian Flapper Dress that the women would wear for special occasions. 

 Old Box Grand Piano 

My love for old instruments was shown during our vacation. 

 An old-fashioned wheelchair. 

Thank the Lord for wheelchairs with padded cushions. 

 Irma 

 This is the foot size of the 27 foot Ole compared to my tiny feet. 

 Who's related to this cute little Ecuadorian princess? 

That's right...this girl! 

 Viking Ship 

 Steam Tractor 

 John Deere Tractor 

 Blacksmith's Shop

 Jimmy & his favorite weapon...the cannon 

 I don't know that I would trust her with a cannon. 

 Covered wagon 

27 foot tall Ole

Vacation Part 1: Jamestown, ND

This summer, my family and I went out to North Dakota for my cousin's wedding and on our way home we stopped at Jamestown, ND and Alexandria, MN to do some sightseeing. Our first stop was Jamestown, ND. We went to the National Buffalo Museum where the albino buffalo lives and then we went to the History Museum where Louis L'Amour grew up and lived. (That was the real reason why we went to Jamestown.) Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!

 Feeding the buffalo. 

 All five of us in front of the biggest buffalo in the world. 

 Mommy, Daddy & the buffalo

 The horses that pulled the stagecoach 

 Mom & Dad on the stagecoach 

 Us 3 kids 

 My Daddy! 

 Uh oh...what did they do? 

 "I'm free! I'm free!"

 Jamestown, ND

 The real reason why we went.  

 Proof that we were in Louis L'Amour's writing shack!

 Irma with the stuffed buffalo at the National Buffalo Museum. 

 In the old schoolhouse. 

The daily schedule.