Winter in Zapata, TX

Winter in Zapata, Texas.

We arrived in Zapata in the middle of October where we had an RV site reserved at Lakefront Lodge & RV Park. Setting up camp and settling into what would be our new home for the next 6 months was our first priority.




It did not take long to realize that we were in a very different place. The flora and fauna were different than anywhere we had lived before. The weather was different. The people were different.

Our campsite

We found ourselves as a minority in a very Mexican community. Some other Winter Texans told us to think of it as being in northern Mexico but with Texas license plates. It took a few months to acclimate to the culture and all the differences, but we soon came to enjoy it very much. I’ll explain how much in my next blog.

From the local paper

Darlene and I met one of the church members and received a tour of the community and the Abiding Savior building. With the help of our neighbors in the campground we cleaned the church facilities and got ready to have our first service on November 3rd, All Saints Sunday. 10 of us worshiped together on that first day and went out to lunch afterwards. It was a great start to a new ministry.




As the days and weeks passed more of our winter Texan congregation showed up in Zapata from Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, Colorado, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Alberta Canada. As the congregation grew, members talked about the new pastor and new folks joined the worshiping family. In January pretty much everyone who was coming south had arrived we had 42 in worship.

The church sponsored a chili lunch, women’s Valentine lunch, and a BIG “Bazaar.” The Abiding Savior worshiping community was happy, friendly and family-like. It was a great winter. THEN Covid-19 happened.

As it did for all of us, Covid-19 changed everything in Zapata and at Abiding Savior; the way we lived, shopped, interacted, and worshiped.

But we carried on. We observed Holy Week and Easter services as best we could. God’s grace and Jesus’ victory over death was celebrated.

As is the customary practice of Winter Texans, in late March and early April, the urge to return home takes over. The RVs in the campground disappear and church attendance dwindles. In Zapata, the temperatures also are on the rise. Some folks from higher elevations or latitudes will stay in Zapata through April and some even into June waiting for things to warm up at home and melt the snow.




Because of the Covid-19 pandemic more people stayed longer than is usual. Therefore, we had services (our legal and hygienic variety) until the end April. Then the Millers were free and eager to begin Mosey’n down the road for the summer. But first we had a couple projects to finish up. Check our next post for the details.