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Disaster Description

Newton is in eastern Texas near the Louisiana border 100 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and 75 miles north east of Houston . Hurricane Rita hit this area in 2005 with high winds downing many trees and ripping off roofs. Many people evacuated this area when the storm came through however the majority have returned.

Almost three years later you won’t find too much visible damage but a few families are still removed from their homes. This area has the lowest per capita income in all of the Texas counties. The major industry in this area is lumbering due to the abundance of pine forests.

MDS Response
MDS has helped with clean-up directly after the storm and built three houses last winter. Since learning about additional needs, MDS is returning to rebuild and repair more homes.

This RV based project is located at the First United Methodist Church in Newton. This church has opened up some of its facilities for MDS to use during the project this fall and winter. In addition to the RV program and the regular project, several clients have been selected to be recipients of homes through the Partnership Home Program.

In Newton, MDS is working in cooperation with Second Hope Homes of East Texas and the Deep East Texas Council of Government.. To see additional photos of the homes built through the partnership with Second Hope Homes, click on the link below. 

Second Hope Homes of East Texas

Website for Methodist Church that is hosting MDS in Newton:

First United Methodist Church

OJ Darrel and Dana working on Edger s deck

OJ, Darrel and Dana work on Edger's deck.

Ms-Linda s-family-and-us- 3

Ms. Linda's family and the MDS RV volunteers.

MDS-RV-ville

The MDS RV village in Newton.

Ivan-completed-Ms-Emma s-ne

Ivan completed Ms. Emma's new kitchen.

The-landscapers

The landscapers at work.

Newton-MDSers-helping-the-R

Newton volunteers help the RV volunteers on their project.

Ms-Emma-with-her-new-cupboa

Miss Emma and her new cupboards.

Jerry-and-Ivan

Jerry and Ivan discuss the details.

Front-porch-construction

Front porch construction.

Nancy -Betty -and-Teena-pai

Nancy, Betty and Teena painting siding.

House-wrapping

House wrapping.

Jerry-enjoying-his-house-co

Client Jerry, enjoying his house construction.

Mosley-House-Dedication

Volunteers and new homeowners dedicate the house.

Volunteers and clients in front of the finished house

Volunteers and new homeowners on the porch of the new home in Newton.

Moseleys with quilt at dedication

The new homeowners are presented with a quilted wall hanging.

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Newton RV

Mennonite Disaster Service
c/o First United Methodist Church
308 High St.
Newton, TX 75966

Mailing Address:
PO Box 272
Newton, TX 75966

Project Directors: Frank and Irene Goertzen
Tel: (717) 368-8494
Fax:
newtonrv(at)mds.mennonite.net

Project Start Date: January 2007

Volunteer Status: This project is closed.

Volunteers to Date: 50

Jobs Started: 6

Jobs Completed: 6

Project Schedule

Project is closed.

For more information on the RV program, contact Don and Marilyn Buller, RV Program Coordinators (US Volunteers) at mdsrv(at)mds.mennonite.net ckearsley(at)mds.mennonite.netor Evelyn Peters-Rojas (Canadian Volunteers) at epetersroja(at)mds.mennonite.net or (866) 261-1274 (toll free).

Volunteer Information:
Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in Newton.

Newton RV Program Information

fileadmin/Resources/the_MDS_Hitchhikers_Guide_to_Volunteering_Web.pdf