It's so delicious out tonight cool and airy!

Today was my last day at Penn. Elaine and I read the tract comic book Somebody goofed and I focused pretty much on comprehension. It was also a good chance to witness! She reads a little more confidently, gets more big words, and attends school faithfully. She still will just clam up and be rather uncooperative if she comes across something she doesn't know and can't figure out. Then you just have to be gentle, patient, and persistent.

I talked to Mrs. Young for quite a while afterwards She's frustrated because attendance has dropped tremendously (almost half), and many other teachers are just giving the kids that do come a play hour. Then she has to hassle with girls who don't want to work.

"I just feel guilty taking the taxpayers' money and not doing anything!" she said.

Got Frostie's, Ronnie's, and Greg's photo albums today. See, a while back I got this inspiration. I’ve been so worried about the impact of the summer schedule – mostly Barb not being there- on our twentieth street guys. I thought that if I give them each an album and gave them copies of pictures from our trip and various events, least our memories will be there with them.

We had a good time at 23rd and Diamond tonight. Annie makes those 12 and 13 year old boys just love the story of Amy Carmichael. And she makes practical applications from it so well.

Jim, our 17 year old summer staff fellow from New York is surprisingly good with the kids. "Look," he tells them matter of factly. "You've had all day to play around. Now can't you be serious for half an hour? You have to play around now?"

Another time when some kids came up to distract, he said, "Hey! We're tryin' to pray!" The kids all bowed their heads!

He got a chance to talk with this rather striking youth who hadn't been too serious so far. This kid has light skin, and blond hair with the texture and curl of a black person's hair. He has grey eyes. Then after VBS this slender 13 year old came over and sat casually by Jim on the rail around the lawn and started talking about kinds of things the gang problem, and being a Christian.

The Valley's the worst gang for gang warring in the city the police say. Chris, the guy we talked to the other night walked all around us, but avoided us. Lord, draw him to talk to us if he needs to.