Newton, TX (RV) – Jan. 12-17, 2026

The Newton RV unit consists of Fred Miller, Project Director from Harrisonburg Virginia, Margaret Upton, Office Manager, and Clark Upton from Hillsboro, OR, Ben  Newcomer from Harrisonburg, VA, Bonnie Jaeger and Todd Jaeger from Idaho.

Week one started with project #2 on Towana and Perry’s home. Damage was caused by flooding and affected the flooring, drywall and bathrooms. Work began in the two bedrooms fixing drywall and putting down subflooring. Also, work on plumbing on the water heater and bathrooms. Progress was made on the drywall with hopes of painting next week. Plumbing work for the bathroom and hot water heater were started and new tub/shower were purchased to install when plumbing is finished.

The owners are usually onsite and stay in their car during the workday. They are very appreciative of our efforts.

We ended our week sharing a meal of chili and cornbread and cake for dessert and then playing a game of Sky Jo in the office trailer.

The group went to church this Sunday at 1^st Baptist in Newton and then shared an outing of lunch at Smitty’s barbeque. While there, an elderly lady fell and our staff assisted her and her husband. Later to find out that They previously lived in Goshen Indiana and were familiar with Mennonites. Also, as we left the restaurant another woman came up and said she comes to the restaurant every Sunday and had previously seen MDS volunteers and was wondering because she hadn’t seen any in a while. We explained the timing and presence of when MDS is in the area and told her we would be around until the beginning of April so she would probably see volunteers again this winter at Smitty’s.