he went through their initiation ceremony. out of having a knife thrown at him or getting beaten up by 5 of the toughest gang members he chose getting beaten up and wasn't able to move for 10 days!
he was in the mau maus. they origin from NYC in the Bronx.
it's Nicky Cruz who's story is in the book 'run baby run'
at a funfair
Nicky Cruz was involved in gang activities for about three years during the late 1950s. He was a member of the Mau Maus, a violent gang in New York City. His life took a dramatic turn when he encountered a preacher, which ultimately led him to leave the gang and pursue a life dedicated to helping others.
Nicky Cruz left the Mau Maus gang in 1964 after a transformative experience during a Christian revival meeting. He felt a calling to change his life and ultimately became an evangelist, sharing his story and helping others find faith. His departure marked a significant turning point in his life, leading him away from gang violence and toward a mission of outreach and redemption.
They called themselves the "Mau maus" after another group.
Nicky as a child was brutally abused by his parents his mum was a devil worshiper and his father was a witch doctorWhen he was about 16 his mother and father sent him to live with his older brother, who was married. He moved out of his brothers place just 2 months after, then he was holding people at knife point just to get money to pay his rent.Soon after he joined the vicious gang, called the Mau Maus, the leader was killed, then the deputy leader was taken to jail. The Gang decided that it was time Nicky was in charge, so they made him leader.27 people we killed by the Mau Maus while Nicky was in the gang!!
Nicky as a child was brutally abused by his parents his mum was a devil worshiper and his father was a witch doctorWhen he was about 16 his mother and father sent him to live with his older brother, who was married. He moved out of his brothers place just 2 months after, then he was holding people at knife point just to get money to pay his rent.Soon after he joined the vicious gang, called the Mau Maus, the leader was killed, then the deputy leader was taken to jail. The Gang decided that it was time Nicky was in charge, so they made him leader.27 people we killed by the Mau Maus while Nicky was in the gang!!
They wore black jackets with a crimson double M stitched on the back.
Shortly after Cruz's ascension to leader of the gang, David Wilkerson was preaching in the neighbourhood when Cruz encountered him. The preacher told Cruz that Jesus loved him and would never stop loving him. A shocked Cruz responded by slapping Wilkerson and threatening to kill him. Wilkerson looked Cruz in the face and said that he could cut Wilkerson into a thousand pieces, but every piece would still say Jesus loves him. Wilkerson said that no one can kill love, and that God is love. That afternoon the preacher showed up at the Mau-Mau's headquarters to repeat his message, and was slapped again by Cruz. Wilkerson just smiled, and then prayed for Nicky. Two weeks later, Wilkerson had an evangelistic meeting in the neighbourhood. When Cruz heard about it, he decided to go and teach the preacher a "lesson" and, with some of the members of his gang, he headed for the boxing arena where the rally was being held, on a bus sent specially by Wilkerson. According to Cruz, when he arrived at the arena, he felt guilty about the things that he had done and started to pray. Wilkerson preached, and then asked the Mau-Mauls to take up a collection. Nicky sprang to his feet and led a group of the gang through the crowd insisting on people giving money. Going backstage, he saw an exit, but was struck by the fact that someone had actually trusted him. He gave the money to Wilkerson on stage. Later, Wilkerson gave an altar call, and many gang members responded. Wilkerson prayed with Cruz, and Cruz asked God to forgive him. The following day Cruz and some of the gang members who converted went to the police and turned in all of their bricks, handguns and knives, shocking the police officers in the station. They said that if they had seen the group approaching, they probably would have shot them down. Cruz began to study the Bible and went to Bible College. He became a preacher and returned to his old neighborhood where he preached and persuaded some of the Mau-Mauls to accept Jesus, including the gang's new leader, Israel Narvaez. By- Hannah Year- 7
Nicky was 16. Nicky's personal story of his life is called "Run Baby Run". David Wilkerson's story is much better known, and is called "The Cross and the Switchblade". Both are wonderful stories of God's redemptive work, and what love can do.
David Wilkerson. His live was forever touched by the words of Wilkerson after Nicky Cruz threatened to kill the preacher. David told Nicky "You can cut me up in a million pieces and lay them in the street," Wilkerson replied. "Every piece would still say I love you."