The heat is a little bit like hell here in the asphalt jungle. There's no let up. Even at night you sweat; and when you wake up, you're covered with it. And there's no place you can go to get away from it. Except for a cold shower or the water plugs people uncap until the police come around and shut them back off.

You just bake and bake in a cement oven.

We heard two officers from gang control at Susquehanna this morning for summer staff training. One guy was white, and one was Puerto Rican. They shared very honestly. It was an eye opener into a policeman's problems and point of view. They have to badmouth the kids because that's the only way the kids will listen and get off the corner if the cop uses a few swear words, and calls them names. They think he's mean and tough, and they'll respect him and do what he says.

The men seem to have a real sympathy, or concern for kids but their methods! They're tough. If they see a bunch of young kids trying to start a corner, they'll take them in and work them over, enough to take them off the streets for a couple of days. After that happens, the kids aren't too eager to get into gangs. A kid will only get 6 to 18 months for a homicide and then he's back on the streets, a big hero in all the younger kids' eyes because he's been at Camp Hill.

Frostie is really hitting it off good with Ronnie's little kitten much more than with his first cat. That's because he's learned to be gentle and consistently kind. The kitten will run to him; he spent a good five minutes playing with it gently. He derives a great deal of pleasure and pride when animals respond positively to him. Barb says that pets are good because the boys learn more about themselves and others trust and relationships. She said Ronnie's learning to take care of something even when he doesn't feel like it, which is something he needs to learn.

We had a good VBS at 23rd and Diamond tonight. Lots and lots of kids. James was there (Ronnie's brother), but didn't come. A lot of older kids that had been drinking came around afterwards. They just couldn't believe that we didn't smoke, drink, or do dope. One 19 year old guy asked us what we did for fun. He said he always hooked up with God at night and asked Him to forgive the wrong things held done but he had to look out for his own life during the day.

Pam got a beautiful chance to witness to Chris, a 16 year old guy fresh out of jail, and a runner of the Valley gang. Chris came on first as a scoffer, "Teen Haven huh! I don't mess with that!"

But he didn’t leave, and as Pam started witnessing sincerely and enthusiastically from her heart, he really listened and caught on that this is something you do by faith and not on your own. He was a little high, but I think the Lord was really dealing with him. He says he's not worried about quitting the gang for Jesus he'd do it. Lord, really draw him to yourself don't let Satan block.

You know, the officers this morning held out no hope for any gang kid over 10, 11, or 12. He personally believed they couldn't be helped. But Jesus Christ can help them.

Ronnie's family moved to 21st and Norris with Brother's family. They're living on the second floor of a store front row house. There's no store in it and all the windows in their apartment are broken out. My heart is burdened for Frances, Ronnie's mother, and 15 year old Clara, his aunt, and James, Tasha, Antoinette, and the other little girls. I'd love to see the Lord really reach down and transform Frances' heart and give her hope and strength to face each day without a bottle and short-lived relationships.

Brother, who is Ronnie's age, is quiet and reads a lot. John led him to the Lord this winter in a Bible study James too. Brother seems to be a peace maker. It's strange how some kids grow up and turn out; you'd think that the terrible conditions they grew up in wouldn't bring out those qualities.

After Frostie had finished petting the kitten, he looked at me really seriously and said, "Jeanne, can I beat you up?"

"No.”

"Why not?"

"It's too hot." I was perishing in an armchair, in front of a window, with a pepsi. He came over grinning and got me in a smash hug grip.

"Aaaaaaaaaa! C'mon, Frostie, it's too hot, man!"

He merely switched positions and put his face against my face and neck.

"Frostie," I complained, "I'm too hot and sweaty!"

"Stop crying," he commanded.

"Who's crying I'm sweating," I informed him.

He let go and left saying in self satisfaction, "I always beat Jeanne up."

That kid.

That's one difference between the boys. Ronnie usually shows his affection on the fringes and Frostie about knocks you down. You feel you've just been hit by a tornado and you're not sure whether you lost or won but you definitely feel more awake!