It is a sad day when you can't take the word of another.  Remember the days when deals were sealed with a handshake - not 150 pieces of paper that repeat the same thing 5x.  What happened to those days - seems like all good things come to an end.  Don't feel shame for trying to give someone a second or even a third chance.  You did right by the big guy upstairs (regardless of what name you label him with) and you will be paid in the end by good graces.