Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 7 - The author describes how, as he contemplated possible ways to achieve his dream, he recalled an incident from his childhood in which his Biblically-defined faith enabled him to face down a bully and gain a reputation for toughness. This recollection, he writes, gave him courage to move his ministry further into the heart of gang-defined New York (Fort Greene, Brooklyn - see "Objects/Places"). His first attempt at street preaching ends with an arrest but no charges, but his second is more successful - again, the gangs are aware that he, too, has been in trouble with the police and are therefore respectful. As he begins preaching, his confidence grows, and eventually (and to his amazement), two gang leaders join him in prayer. Two others, however (especially Nicky, one of the leaders of the Mau Mau gang...