ORLANDO, Fla. -- "Honesty is the best policy" is hard for some people who struggle with their own personal demons. But one homeless man took a chance to be honest, and a pastor returned that honesty with his own and offered him a place to stay.
- Man asked pastor for a drink but didn't expect the response
- Pastor: 'We need to be rescuing people because they are in trouble'
- Bruce and his wife are now being housed at the church
The story began outside the Harvest Bank Church when Bruce asked Pastor Glendy Hamilton a question.
"What did I say to him? Honestly, I asked the pastor if he could buy me something to drink," recalled Bruce.
Hamilton's answer was not what Bruce expected.
"I said, 'I am going to be honest -- I am not going to give you money to buy a drink,'" remembered the pastor.
Instead, Hamilton took time to get to know Bruce and then offered something much more valuable than a drink.
"He offered me a place to stay," Bruce said.
That place to stay was inside the church on South Parramore Avenue. Some would see that as a risky choice to trust a man with demons, even if he is honest.
"The Scripture, which is my guide, says, 'Every opportunity you have to do good, do good,' " Hamilton said.
The church nursery became a small home for Bruce and his wife.
"Yes, this is where I am sleeping right now," Bruce answered when asked whether the room is where he slept, as he pointed out a bed, some books and a kitchen.
And, just a few steps away, a place to reflect inside the church.
Hamilton said it is all about helping people, even if there is no money involved.
"God always pays the check," Hamilton said. "We need to be rescuing people because they are in trouble."
It's an honest price to pay for a place to call home.
"He didn't have to do it. For that I am truly grateful," Bruce said.