Newton, TX – RV – Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2025

This week is a bittersweet week – over half of our group is leaving this weekend with our volunteer service at Newton TX ending.  Vernon and Mary, Tom and Lori, Lynn and Darlene, and Ed and Ruth will be saying good-bye.  We have made new friendships, renewed old friendships and have worked and fellowshipped together – what a great experience.

On Tuesday, Ivan and Cheryl arrived from Manitoba to begin their term of service – Cheryl will serve as the new Office Manager for the month of March.  The other four couples will be arriving this weekend, bringing the group of volunteers to 16.

Work was finished at the Minter home on Tuesday with final touches of replacing doorknobs, installing trim, doorstops and kickplates.  Tuesday afternoon we had a house blessing for Ms. Minter.  She was all smiles as she showed the group through her home, telling us how she planned to reclaim the space that has been renovated.

Many of the volunteers spent most of the week at the Wright home.  They replaced the kitchen and back bedroom windows and the siding on two of the outside walls.  The outside walls were cleaned, and painting was started.  Renovation of the bathroom began with replacing the subfloor and flooring, as well as the toilet and vanity.  Drains and vents were cleared, and construction began on the ramp to the front porch.

Ed, Vernon and Duane began work at the Gonzalez home on Wednesday.    Shut off valves were installed for the kitchen and bathroom – it took several trips to the hardware store to find the right valves!!  A section of the kitchen wall was removed to access the plumbing.   Kitchen cabinets were installed, and drywall was removed in the bathroom.

We ordered pizza for our Thursday night potluck meal – everyone brought side dishes and Ed and Ruth were persuaded to make home-made ice cream again – butter pecan this time!   Friday morning, Lynn and Darlene left for home and the rest of the volunteers enjoyed breakfast together in Jasper.  On Saturday morning, the last three current volunteer couples will be on their way home, and by Saturday night four new couples will have arrived to take up the work of restoring homes in the Newton TX area.

Ruth for the Newton TX RV Volunteers – Duane & Jean, Lynn & Darlene, Dave & Karen, Vernon & Mary, Tom & Lori, Bill & Sandi, Ivan & Cheryl and Ed & Ruth