Let me introduce myself. My name is Herman Savoie. I was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in the first week of August 2006. This type of cancer is fast growing and non-operable. Most people die within 6 months after being diagnosed. Well as you can tell by this letter, I am still here. Now, this is a few words on the Gloves organization and the good people of Live Oak United Methodist Church in Watson. I first met some of the people from Gloves in December of 2006 when they came to assess my situation and the needs of my family which consisted of my 16 year old daughter and 80 year old mother. Within a week of the visit the guys delivered a truck load of firewood and stacked it in my wood shed. The floors in my home were bare plywood with no insulation. The guys took measurements of the areas to help insulate, carpet, and tile my home. In addition, within a week Gloves had hot meals delivered every Thursday all of which was good, home cooked, food. This is still going on even today. Then the action started on the flooring of our home and this was not a 1 day project. The floor work was done in the evenings after the guys had finished a hard day’s work at their regular jobs. They carpeted 3 rooms and vinyl tiled my kitchen and dining room. Within a few nights, these men had my whole trailer recarpeted and vinyled and I have had many compliments on how good everything looked. The difference in the temperature of our home has changed a lot as well. We were able to keep the warmth in from the wood burning in the fireplace which dropped our electric bill by at least 40%. Then I had a transmission leak on the truck and they sent me to Live Oak Auto Shop and repaired it at no cost to me. Gloves has helped our family in so many ways, not only in monetary ways but also in the ministering of Jesus. They have shown me how Jesus is Lord and Savior, he died for us, and the power of Jesus thru prayer. I have now gone on living 1 year longer than I should have. By the prayers of the people of Gloves and Live Oak Methodist Church and the power of Jesus, I am still here and praying myself every day. I want to thank everyone for the prayers, the meals, and the work they contributed for my family. I truly believe that if the Gloves organization had not helped me and my family, I do not know for sure if I would still be here. Words are not enough to thank everyone for their prayers and monetary help. The least I can do is let the people know that the help we have received has given me the strength and the life I needed to live in Jesus Christ. It is only by His miracle that I am still here and can still do the things I enjoy and are able to do. Thank You, Herman Savoie, August 14th, 2007 (Herman Passed on September 26, 2007)
Recently, I had the opportunity to help with a GLOVES project. I was under the impression that I would be doing some work. As it turned out, I mostly listened as the person whom we were serving shared briefly on many things about her life. Every once in a while, I would hear her laugh. But mostly, I heard sadness and negative comments. One comment which really touched my heart, however, was when she said; "No one besides the GLOVES Ministry has ever helped me." Much was shared with me that day. But mostly, I walked away with a greater appreciation of our ministry. We may not know what our gifts and talents are, whether they're big or small, but God knows. Let God surprise you by putting your unknown gifts to work for Him through the GLOVES ministry. He won't disappoint you. Gloves Volunteer
What GLOVES Means To Me.... Cooking for a terminal man I’ve never met. Giving an old bookcase a fresh coat of paint for a girl I’ve never met. Using a weed eater for the first time, to clean a woman’s yard, I’ve never met. Feeling humbled more than I could imagine. Feeling thankful beyond what I could ever hope for. Feeling not judgmental, but knowing forgiveness in a way I never known. Praying for peacefulness in someone’s home I’ve never met. Praying for joy in a heart I never knew. Praying for love in a home like they’ve never known. Feeling GOD’S presence becoming more evident, not only in the homes that I’ve prayed for, but in mine as well. This is what GLOVES means to me. No matter how much or how little I feel I can lend to a project, it’s always met with kindness, gladness, thankfulness, & GODLINESS. Pam, Gloves Volunteer
I was in dire need of having my roof repaired with no idea of how this would be done. After praying about this, my friend mentioned it to her husband, who is a pastor. He went to a meeting that same night and when he came home he said to his wife "here is Ms. Sheryn's answer" and handed her a Gloves Referral Form. God is so good! Not only was I blessed to have the roof repaired but, as a volunteer, I am being blessed every time I go out with the Gloves group. Ministering to others in whatever capacity is such an honor. Gloves is an awesome ministry!!! Sheryn, Gloves Volunteer
Although I know that my salvation is completely dependent on my faith in Jesus Christ, serving in the GLOVES ministry is an opportunity for me to show my gratitude to Jesus for what He's done for me. It's a practical way to use the gifts He has given me to "love one another”. I’m finding out that even when I have to get out of my comfort zone on some projects, that if I trust in Jesus, He will enable me and see me through. A recent recipient of assistance from GLOVES tearfully said that she still can't understand why someone would be willing to help her, a total stranger. That's Jesus' love in action, and I am blessed to be a part of this ministry. Gloves Volunteer
Participating in the Gloves ministry has indeed reminded me of the goodness in God's people. As a servant, I feel I get much more from the projects I participate in than those who we assist. Their willingness to allow us into their homes is amazing and I always appreciate the opportunity to trade stories and ideas with those I would not have known otherwise. An added bonus is the other volunteers you meet and get to work with. I am constantly surprised with the level of expertise and the amount of energy present at every project. It becomes contagious...you can't help but want to do more! Bobby, Gloves Volunteer
I was looking for a way to serve God when I heard about the GLOVES ministry. I knew, as soon as I heard about GLOVES, this was something I could do to help God here on Earth. As I help wire a light, tar a roof, fix a hole in the floor, I know I am physically helping someone to be in a better place in their life. I know as I am working with their place here on Earth, the Holy Spirit is working with their heart, Jesus is working on their place in Heaven, and God is pleased. As GLOVES members work on their place to live, we also try to work on the individual’s relationship with God. We are not there to brow beat them with the Bible but we let them know this is God’s work using our hands. I do not know what is in a person’s heart once we finish with their project, but you can see it in their eyes they know what is in our hearts. While doing these projects with other members of GLOVES I have grown as a believer. I love the people I have had the opportunity to work beside. This is more than a time of work it is also a time of fellowship with likeminded brothers and sisters in Christ. While helping with some of these projects and seeing what little some people have, the gratitude they express over some of the smallest things, makes me feel more grateful for all the blessings God has allowed me to "borrow" for a short time. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve God while working with GLOVES. ------- Kee, Gloves Volunteer
I've come to realize that helping others really helps to build myself. Being humble and serving the Lord makes me warm inside. I feel privileged to be a part of this ministry. ------- Gloves Volunteer
Even though I haven't been able to give as much of my time as I would like to Gloves, I love it! I love it because I feel closer to God while I work, think, and pray through each of the Gloves Missions I am involved with. I have also learned to count more of my blessings every day. And, I love getting to know my fellow workers and church members. Pamela, Gloves Volunteer
Upon finishing a Gloves project, I had the pleasure of praying privately with a young lady. It was just a simple prayer, but it brought tears to her eyes and touched her so greatly that someone would actually pray with her. This moved me in such a way to see the power of prayer working and has taught me to step out in faith and pray with others. Gloves Volunteer
Being involved in GLOVES has shown me how helping others brings me more blessing than I bring them. It is so rewarding to do something sheerly out of the goodness of my heart, expecting NOTHING in return, and the spiritual pay is amazing. I used to complain about wanting a newer house, one that is level and lower maintenance. After working on several projects, my family & I realize how fortunate we are to have a home that is so wonderful, and the imperfections have become minor in the great scheme of things. I am grateful to be a laborer in the great harvest! ------- Jan, Gloves Volunteer
Looking back at the pictures on the website and reliving the memories of the projects that have been accomplished, it is truly Amazing what God has done thru the people of this ministry! Lives are being changed in the families being served as well as the volunteers who are doing the serving. Throughout the Bible we are instructed on how to live our lives. Serving others is God’s will for each of us. For the first time in my life, I truly and wholeheartedly feel that I am doing God’s will. ------- Gloves Volunteer
I was blessed enough to help with the Boudreaux family last year. While I was a little unsure when we pulled onto their property just exactly what I had gotten myself into, I soon realized the importance of the task at hand. The cleaning and organizing we did was extensive and, at times, daunting. But the benefits and blessings I received from this family were too numerous to count. I found myself taken with the children and their ability to be so happy when they had so little. It really put a lot of things in perspective. My heart felt full when the mother told me she loved me as we all went to leave. It is easy to lose sight of what is important as we rush through our hectic lives. All it took was one day with this family to remind me of just how lucky I am and how much of a difference a small group of people who really care can make! ------- Heather, Gloves Volunteer
Every time I am able to participate in a project, I always end up feeling that I've received even more of a blessing from the experience than I could possibly have given. That's the beautiful way God works in a ministry like Gloves - He blesses both the "gift" and the giver. ------- Marci, Gloves Volunteer
