Newton, TX (RV) – Feb. 22 – 28, 2026

It was another beautiful weather week in southeast Texas; however it was quite cold during the first half of the week.  Many of us had our furnaces running overnight and heaters turned on in the Office Trailer during devotions.  It did warm up nicely at the end of the week and for the weekend.

On Monday, Todd, Bonnie, Margaret, Clark and Billy finished the ramp at the Wilkes’ home.  They completed final trim touch up and cleaning.  The house blessing for the Wilkes’ was held on Wednesday, February 25^th with many friends and family attending, including representatives from the Long-Term Recovery Group. It is always a happy time when we can finish a house and have a house blessing for the homeowners.  MDS volunteers presented home owners Tawana and Perry with a beautiful wall hanging and a Bible which they all signed.  Todd made a wooden cross for the homeowners to hang in their prayer closet. As usual, it was a very meaningful day full of happiness and joy.

The rest of the week the team continued working at Karen J’s house.  Cindy, Karen F., Steve and Billy worked on wall repair, then Cindy Karen F. and Steve installed drywall.  Steve and Billy installed front wall supports for the drywall.  Billy and Margaret continued drywall prep in room #1 on some walls and Margaret cleaned, then painted the other walls in room #1. Bonnie, Todd and Pete continued installation of the shower and Norm worked on plumbing repairs and installed pipe insulation.  The team made a lot of progress this week at Karen J’s.

As usual, our team enjoyed being together in more casual settings over the weekend.  Friday, we enjoyed lunch at Dane’s Crawfish and More.  Billy was really looking forward to having crawfish.  Unfortunately, after arriving we learned it was not being served until much later in the day. Game night was held Saturday night when we had fun playing Sky Jo and eating snacks.  On Sunday we attended Jasper Cowboy Church where we witnessed several baptisms and child dedications.  For lunch we traveled to MVP’s restaurant where everyone had a delicious meal.  Sunday afternoon the ladies got together and made fabric stars, craft led by Karen! It was a fun way to end the weekend!

Submitted by Loretta for the Newton RV Team- Peter, Bonnie and Todd, Margaret and Clark, Cindy and Steve, Karen and Norm, and Sandi and Billy