The Master Builder Creates a Servant's Heart

Doug Gibboney lives in the beautiful community of the Woodlands. He travels over forty miles every day to work in the inner city of Houston—often in rough neighborhoods—to a job that pays less than he earned when he was in his twenties. However, Gibboney is a believer in changing lives through hard work, so he works to provide for his new family.

 

Gibboney, a member of IFI group #24, is a superintendent of construction for Houston Habitat for Humanity. “I work there because of what we are doing,” Gibboney says sincerely. He works side by side with people building their own homes and the homes of their neighbors. “You're working with them building their own house,” says Gibboney. It is about relationships and building communities together.

 

While in prison, Gibboney was not idle. He started by helping men to learn how to read and write through the Help-Literacy Program. He attended college, and while at IFI, he participated in the community outreach program working at Habitat for Humanity—building homes for those in need and growing relationships that will last a lifetime.

 

When asked what helped him most to stay out of prison, Gibboney says, “I stay in touch with my mentor. We have not only become friends, we are like family. The mentoring relationship goes both ways and we help each other.”

 

Gibboney explains that he has never been very religious, but feels that God looks favorably at his actions. “He has rewarded me far better than I deserve,” he exclaims.

 

Gibboney has left prison a better man than when he arrived. He has used his time wisely, and possesses a servant’s heart, which he now shares with his community.

 

The examples exist to show that relationships are the most important part of all our lives. “It is what Jesus did,” says Gibboney. He is an inspiration to the men of IFI as well as a friend to those with whom he works to build their homes.