Kind of an unusual Tuesday I woke up this morning not looking forward to it. When I got to Vaux Jr. High school to tutor, they were giving California Achievement tests first and second hours, so I decided to stop by Nathaniel's again and visit the homes of James Williams and James Clarke, some of the hard headed little 7th graders I tutor.

Had a long talk with Nathaniel's grandmother he was over at his sister's helping her with funeral arrangements because her husband accidentally shot their little boy while cleaning a gun. She seems nice, but the way she attempts to discipline Li’l Man is by not letting him wear his good clothes to school, depriving him of material extras (like a motor bike), and making him jealous of the smaller kids. This little baby boy has a fish aquarium! Also, as a means of discipline, she tells him that she doesn't care.

"He's thirteen he's got to learn to make it on his own," she said, and concluded, "He's just a sweet, bad little boy."

I kept James Williams for 2 hours today he still doesn't have his sounds down, but is improving slowly. He's a cute little kid

I had a big group at Mrs. Reddy's today for Bible Club. Paul, Warren Henderson's cousin, came. Then there were Rochelle and Althea Reddy, Endira Jordan, and two other little girls and a boy. Also, Myrie Reddy, who doesn't live with his mother, and Lee Lee Ruffin came up from downstairs and brought three friends. It has been a difficult place to have Bible study in. Mrs. Reddy is a little paranoid her phone has been disconnected "because the phone company and all these politicians" are plotting against her. Her appearance is run down, and the furniture in the house (not much) is falling down. She has little control over the girls she'll scream at them, but they don't pay much attention to her. I think she's had some problems getting along with the neighbors (they're all part of the conspiracy). But, in spite of all that, she's quite a community minded person, not the apathetic, disinterested type. Her one son, Herbie, has done quite well for himself. He's a Christian in fact, he bicycled across
the country with Taylor University's Wandering Wheels group, He's 16, goes to Ben Franklin High School, and comes to Bible study at 20th street

Anyway, back to today's club. They really enjoyed playing the Bible verse Concentration game and everyone remembered the verse! They also loved the grab bag. I'm really impressed with Althea. At first she seemed so backward. But she can remember the verses well, she answers question (i.e., "Jesus died for us so we wouldn't have to die"), she's improved in Bible drilling, is more disciplined, and reads better!

I didn't see Warren today, because he was on a field trip. Warren lives right around the corner from Mrs. Reddy's on Wylie. He used to go to Mrs. Reddy's club last year, when Wanda Smith was teaching it. He was one of her best pupils; but unfortunately Mrs. Reddy accused him of stealing some money, so she didn't want him to come back and Warren's mother wouldn't let him go back. She asked if I could have a private session with him every Tuesday after the Reddy's. So I've been having an individual Bible study and tutoring reading session with him.

I had a huge club at 20th Street tonight too. Barbara Maxey and Michelle Noland and some of their friends came. They're teenage girls who really need the Lord before they follow in the steps of their sisters and get pregnant. Through one of Barbara's questions, I was able to present the gospel clearly: she asked that if Jesus came to die for us, but that He was killed before He could ask to take our place. I was able to explain that Jesus and His Father had it all planned out in Heaven before He came; that was His purpose for coming. Then I pointed out that He doesn't force us to accept Him. We have the freedom of choice. "The Sacrifice of Isaac" lesson that Barb designed and had us put together after staff meeting really lent itself. Avis, Jo Jo's little sister was there. Laverne and Charlene went with Barb and gave their testimonies in a church this week!

Ronnie was actually nice to me today! He came into the office where I was sitting on the couch, draped himself over the arm of the sofa, propped his slender, but surprisingly solid body against my shoulder, slipped his arm behind my back, unloosed my hair and started scratching my head gently
and pushing my hair all in my face, and burying his face in my hair. That's sooo relaxing! He went swimming tonight, came home starving (no supper), grabbed some cookies and kool aid, and then rode with me and Barb to Broad Street. He rides with his knee against my leg and uses my shoulder as an armrest. That kid is something else. Took him 45 minutes to get to school yesterday, because he was walking with Gina. He has a mop bucket full of dirty water, and a mop that's been in his room all week because he won't take time to dump it. He never carries a key because he's always late and in a hurry and doesn't know where it is!

As we were riding down 19th street, he said, "Someone smoking a reefer right on the steps!"

"How can you tell it's a reefer?" Barb asked interestedly.

"I got good eyesight," he responded promptly. "Besides, I'm a very educated young man.

“I hope you educate yourself in some other way besides the way for the street - after all, you aren't going to want to stay there all your life," I said ruefully.

"That just comes natural," Ronnie said, speaking of his knowledge of the street.

Frosty taught me a good lesson tonight! I was just getting ready to leave, went to the office to get my purse and it wasn't there. I went upstairs. It wasn't there. It wasn't in the Bible study room. By this time I was a little uptight. I went back into the office saying, "Oh, well, it only took me six months to get my driver’s permit, and that's only the third wallet I've lost since I worked here!"

Frostie let me carry on and look around the office for a while.

Then he said quietly, "I'm not going to hide it for you again."

With that, he pulled my purse out of the filing cabinet and said, "You left it in that room,” pointing it where John has Bible study with all the little boys).

I was properly reproved!

Love is giving people what they need. If they need affection, give it to them; if they need firm discipline to correct wrong attitudes and behavior, give it to them; if they need a band aid for a cut, give it to them; if they need food, give it to them; if they need the Lord, let them sense, see, and meet Him in you.