While Matt Rampey and I had lunch at Panera, I caught a glimpse of a man sitting in our area with a cardboard sign sticking out of his backpack. After Matt left, I struck up a conversation with him. His name is Pat (on the right). Later, his friend Robert (left) came in and joined us. This is their incredible story…

Robert and Pat were long-time friends and street buddies. They panhandled intersections together and had seen each other through tough times of addictions and loss. But late one night Robert and Pat got into an argument. Each man misunderstood the other and both men thought the other was challenging their honor. Argument turned into shouting, shouting turned into pushing, and pushing led to Pat landing a solid punch. “C’mon man, give me your best shot!” Pat tempted. So Robert swung wildly and landed an awkward hit to the side of Pat’s neck. This caught Pat off guard and almost funny, till he felt something warm… He pulled his hand away from his neck and saw blood. He looked up and saw Robert waving a knife in the air. He looked back at his friend incredulously and walked himself to 7-11 to call for an ambulance.

Since that night, Pat has forgiven his friend, got him out on bail and parol, and has requested the restraining order be lifted. Pray for Robert… He has sentencing soon. Pat is planning to be there and testify to his forgiveness and as a character witness for Robert. They are still good friends and even want to do business and ministry together. Oh yeah, they’re both born-again, Bible-believing Christians.