When Nick and Nancy Wiggins packed their bags for Kerrville this fall, they didn’t know exactly what awaited them, only that God was calling them to serve.
The couple, married for 34 years, left their longtime home in Tyler to volunteer as site coordinators with Texans on Mission, dedicating six months to help flood survivors rebuild their homes and lives.
Nick, who had worked for two decades at Pine Cove Christian Camp, felt led to make a change. His last day on the job was Aug. 15. Two days later, while sitting in a rehab center with Nancy’s mother, he received a phone call that would change everything – an invitation to serve with Texans on Mission.
“It was absolutely perfect timing,” Nick said. “I didn’t know what was next, but I knew God was closing one door and opening another.”
An obedient yes
Before heading to Kerrville, the Wigginses needed to find a place to stay for six months. They didn’t own an RV, but while praying about it, a friend called unexpectedly and offered to loan them his RV for as long as they needed it.
“We knew that was God,” Nancy said. “It was one of those moments where obedience comes first, and He provides the rest.”
The couple arrived in Kerrville on Sept. 10 to take on the newly formed role of site coordinators – a job that hadn’t existed before.
“We were building the plane as we were flying it,” Nick said with a laugh.
Learning while leading
At first, the Wigginses weren’t sure what “site coordination” really meant. They quickly discovered it involved managing volunteers, organizing construction projects, and communicating updates – all while learning the Texans on Mission system from the ground up.
“There were so many moving parts,” Nick said. “We were trying to figure out what was needed, how to make it work and how to pass it on to whoever comes next.”
The experience hasn’t been easy. Both admit there were days when the workload felt overwhelming.
“If you had talked to me yesterday, I wouldn’t have been able to talk,” Nick said. “It was that hard. But today’s a good day. It’s worth it.”
Building skills and community
Despite the challenges, the Wigginses have found joy in watching volunteers grow. They’ve worked with everyone from college students to retirees. Most of the volunteers came without construction experience.
“Our first team was a group of 13 college girls and eight guys,” Nancy said. “At first we thought, what are we going to do with college students? But they were amazing. By the second day, they were hanging sheetrock and proud of what they’d learned.”
Nick said teaching volunteers basic skills like measuring and cutting drywall often became moments of connection and confidence.
“It’s not just about the work,” he said. “It’s about people discovering they can do something they didn’t know they could.”
Hope restored
Beyond construction, the couple has witnessed emotional restoration among both homeowners and volunteers.
Nick recalled a homeowner in Center Point who told him, “I had lost hope in humanity. But after what I’ve seen, I’ve regained it.” Another man from Hunt shared a similar story after volunteers rebuilt his home.
“These are people who’ve lost everything,” Nick said. “To be part of helping them see hope again, that’s the heart of it.”
For Nancy, the reward has come in quieter moments, like watching a homeowner’s joy grow as cabinets were installed in her rebuilt kitchen.
“You can hear the excitement in their voices,” she said. “It’s going to be a great day when they finally move back in.”
Looking ahead
As they near the halfway point of their commitment, the Wigginses are focused on documenting what they’ve learned to help future site coordinators continue the work.
“It’s not about us,” Nancy said. “We want to hand off something sustainable so the next people can pick up where we left off.”
Though they don’t know where God will lead them next, both agree the experience has deepened their faith and their marriage.
“This is the best we’ve ever had it,” Nick said. “We’re working side by side, depending on each other and on God. It’s hard work, but absolutely worth it.”
