Second week in Fentress, TX

This is the debris we removed from the garage and residence last week and

we were able to hire a guy to pick up all the debris and get it out of our way.

The weather has improved so we are going to install "perlins" (1x4's) on the roof to attach the metal roof panels.

By the end of the day, we had installed about 1/4 of the roof in front. That evening, some other local volunteers installed about the same amount in the rear since we had already installed the perlins in that area.

Next day, we were expecting those volunteers again so we headed to the back to install the facia and soffit we painted last week.  Stel and Steve began installing the facia 

and then they added 2x4's for attaching the soffit,

and Sandy and the other Steve installed the soffit.

Vents were added by Sandy,

and Steve,

and Stel.

We found the original metal covers for the facia in the weeds in the backyard so we reinstalled it for added protection.

Yesterday, the other volunteers installed roof panels on the rest of the front but did not cut them to size so Stel and Steve are preparing to cut off the excess.

We were expecting the other volunteers again today but they did not show up so we all help install the final panel to the front.

Then Stel and Steve installed the last of the perlins in the rear

while Sandy and Steve made end caps out of some older metal pieces

and installed them.

The next two panels in the back go over 3 roof vents so there was a lot of measuring and cutting,

then Steve, Sandy, Stel and Steve put them into place.

 That's all we have time for this week.

On the weekend, besides the usual laundry and grocery shopping chores, we visited the Oil Museum in Luling, TX,

Took a drive in the country and visited this tourist cottage called the River Bluff Cabin along the side of the San Marcos River which is owned by a member of the Fentress UM Church.

Other weekend activities included repairing the screen door of the Church Pianist's house and repairing this flourescent light in the church.

Someone at the church posted this "Thank You" message in front of the church.  Nice to be appreciated.

See you next week.

Arrival in Fentress, TX

We have arrived at our next project and our host church is Fentress Community UMC.  It's a small church with a big heart and

our three rigs are parked in their yard..

One of their requests was to repair  the skirting on the church so Stel is working on the back and

Steve and Sandy are working on the side.  

 Despite how very small this congregation is (3 churches share 1 pastor who preaches in all 3 locations each Sunday) they are incredibly outreach oriented.

This home is the main focus for this project.  The roof has been repaired many times but Hurricane Harvey took off all the repair work and the interior has heavy water damage so that the lady can only live in one room.

Both the front and the back are leaking heavily and all the soffit and facia are missing in the rear.

We begin by tearing off loose tarpaper

and begin to install plastic to keep out rain which is forecast for the next week or so.

The plastic will protect the interior some while we wait for supplies and better weather to replace the roof.

:On the garage end in front, the soffit and facia are totally rotted out

so Steve and Steve tear out the damage

and Stel and Steve install new facia and framing and

Stel, Sandy and Steve cover the opening with new facia.

Steve and Sandy begin installing framing for new soffit and facia in the rear.

We got new material for the rear soffit and facia but with the rain

we moved to the back porch at the church where Steve, Steve and Stel cut new soffit

 

and Sandy and Stel painted it with primer after setting up inside the church hall.

Then Stel and Steve painted all the new soffit to match the house.

and painted the facia as well.

We also used our rain days for work around the church.  Sandy is cleaning in preparation for touch up painting.

and she paints scuff marks on the altar

with help from Steve.

The other Steve repairs wiring for the lighted cross and 

the first Steve planes a door so it will fit better.

Back at Lupy's house, the Fema workers had piled water damaged debris in the garage but never came back to haul it away.  Additional rains caused the drywall and insulation to further collapse into the mess

so we moved in to bag up the mess and get it out so that when the roof is replaced, interior repairs can begin.  Not only is it rainy, but it has become quite chilly, thus the coats and hats.

 The weekend is our time for touring the area.

This area was an oil boom town at one time and there are monuments to that era.

A nearby town hosts a "watermelon thumping" event annually and they paint their water tower to celebrate the event.

Hopefully, the weather next week will allow opportunity to get some roof installed on Lupy's house.  We'll keep you informed.