A 20 year old store manager, a devout Christian, preached to the gun-toting man, who was there to steal cash from the store. Miss Goncalves remained calm and very collected as she spoke to the man. When he demanded money from the cash register, the young woman spoke of Jesus and told the robber that God wanted something better for him. She urged him to turn to God for help and to follow the right path, the path to Jesus. The man told her about his money problems, that he was going to be evicted if he didn't come up with $300.00. Again, the store manager suggested that he turn to God for help. At some point in the exchange, the 30-40 year old man told Goncalves that he was a Christian too and that he attended Calvary Chapel. That's when Goncalves recommended that he ask the church for help, or some of his friends. He didn't have to rob the store. He told her that he already asked some friends but nobody could help him. The robber kept apologizing to her, telling her that he was sorry. When Goncalves asked for sympathy, telling him that if he did steal the money, it would come out of her paycheck, he finally relented. He apologized again, turned and peacefully walked out the store, empty handed. As he headed for the door, the robber told her that the gun wasnt a real firearm, but an unloaded BB gun.
In the police interrogation, Goncalves told them that she had no ill feelings toward the man. She said that he was a desperate, lost person, not a bad person. Goncalves, a member of Assembly of God, in Pompano Beach, credits Jesus for foiling the robbery. She hopes that her preaching helped this man and that others will find strength and inspiration in the story.
Fortunately for Goncalves, her preaching touched the man's heart while he was in her presence. Unfortunately, it was short-lived. About two hours later, the same man entered a Payless shoe store in Fort Lauderdale and robbed them of the cash in the cash register. Broward Sheriff's Officers captured and arrested him soon after. As a matter of fact, while police were interrogating Goncalves, the robber was already in jail. WHy the change of heart?
Source: July 29, 2010|By Sofia Santana, Sun Sentinel
In the police interrogation, Goncalves told them that she had no ill feelings toward the man. She said that he was a desperate, lost person, not a bad person. Goncalves, a member of Assembly of God, in Pompano Beach, credits Jesus for foiling the robbery. She hopes that her preaching helped this man and that others will find strength and inspiration in the story.
Fortunately for Goncalves, her preaching touched the man's heart while he was in her presence. Unfortunately, it was short-lived. About two hours later, the same man entered a Payless shoe store in Fort Lauderdale and robbed them of the cash in the cash register. Broward Sheriff's Officers captured and arrested him soon after. As a matter of fact, while police were interrogating Goncalves, the robber was already in jail.
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