VIDALIA, La. &045; The view from the Ropers’ front porch is always different.

Some days, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Other days, it’s the vast expanse of the Texas prairies.

For a few weeks this winter, the Ropers will wake up each morning to the mighty waters of the Mississippi River.

&uot;We travel all over the U.S.,&uot; said the Rev. Ron Roper, doing some chores around his family’s 40-foot RV on a breezy weekend afternoon. &uot;From north to south and east to west.&uot;

Ron, a musician and minister, has been taking his show on the road on and off for two decades. Three years ago, he found a replacement pastor for his Camby, Ore., church and pulled up the stakes for good, taking with him his wife, Lilly, daughter, Veronica, son, Joseph, and a black Labrador mix named Scooter.

&uot;Buildings are nice and all, but it’s about folk,&uot; he said. &uot;Ministry is about people.&uot;

During the warmer months, the Ropers drive around the northwest, stopping for one week here, two weeks there. When the weather gets cold, they head south.

Along the way, Ron spreads the good word, preaching and playing music wherever he finds a need.

&uot;I go to places where I think I can help folks,&uot; he said.

The Ropers admit that living on the road isn’t always easy.

Veronica misses having her own room, and Lilly said she doesn’t always get enough privacy.

&uot;It’s not for everyone,&uot; Ron said.

But there are benefits, to be sure.

With the constant change of scenery, it’s hard to get bored.

&uot;Most of the time it’s fun,&uot; Veronica said. &uot;You get to see everything Š all the places Š all the people.&uot;

Living in such a limited space, Lilly said, has made a family that was already close even closer.

&uot;It’s not a house,&uot; Lilly said of the RV. &uot;At the same time, it’s still home.&uot;