April 3, 2007

Last night (4/3/07) we went to the strip clubs, and it was amazing. I'm still in awe of what God does in these clubs even after all of these years. I'm speechless but will send a lengthy email anyway. :)

Only God can do something like this. His unfailing love knows no boundaries.

We had 119 bags containing a cross necklace, tract, invitation/directions to church, a pen with a number to call for prayer, and chocolate candy. Thanks to Uncle Dave and to Lena for providing encouraging cards to place in each bag. The girls from Ireland and Sweden made a safety pin with beads for each girl and attached a scripture "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made". These were handed to the girls separately so that we could tell them it was "made especially for you". The girls were quite touched and several put the pin on their bra strap immediately. Many put the necklaces on, too.

Again, we had a large team so we split into two groups. I am immensely grateful to God for providing such a wonderful team who truly minister God's love to everyone they come in contact with. They are an amazing team. It's awesome to see God work in and through each one of them. Every team member has a unique call/ministry, and God always has the right one at the right place at the right time. Maggie, a first-timer who is from Ireland and is pregnant, was a big hit with the girls. They all wanted to rub her belly. We use whatever bait we have handy. :)

Here are some highlights from last night:

Group 1

Club1 - The djay said his teenage step-daughter is becoming involved in a gang. He's talked to her at length, but she's not listening right now. He said she needs a lot of prayer. He also feels the club is where God wants him to be so he can protect the girls. He went on to explain his reasoning. He said he's broken up 2 fights in the past couple of weeks where a new girl could have been seriously hurt if he wasn't there.

In the parking lot, my dad talked to the parking lot attendants. They said, "Why are you parking on the far side of the parking lot? The ladies don't need to walk so far. Park up front. Churches get the front row by the door!"

As Amanda was leaving the club, a man asked for a bag. She gave him one. Then he asked what the bag was for and what we were doing. She explained that we were a church, and we give these bags to the girls to let them know we love them and are praying for them. His countenance changed as he responded, "Oh."

Club2 - Anne got to talk to Keri (the one who cuts herself). Keri was touched (bawling) that Anne and the ladies remembered her and her birthday. Kristal was a new girl who had heard about us. She was glad to receive a bag but couldn't understand why we do this. Many girls at various clubs commented how they weren't used to receiving "something for nothing."

Club3 - This is the club that rarely lets us in. There were only 14 bags left. Before the ladies could get out of the van, 3 girls were at the door wanting to talk and to receive bags. The ladies talked with them and prayed for them in the parking lot. When they went into the club, the manager apologized and said they couldn't go in because they had "special guests" inside. The girls saw the ladies at the door and came running to the door and were waving at the ladies. The manager physically pushed the girls back from the door and barred them from coming into the cashier area. The ladies had to leave bags at the door. That's right, there were enough bags for all the ladies. He knows when a sparrow falls...

Group 2 highlights:

We went back to the club where the girls were expecting us. The cashier was different so she didn't know us but told us to go on in. We were able to go throughout the club. We spent probably 20-30 minutes in the dressing room talking to the ladies. The manager came in and whispered in my ear to go to the front door. I didn't know if we were being kicked out or what so I tried to gather everyone up. The girls were in various conversations, and the manager came back a 2nd time and asked me to move to the front door. He said he would bring the girls to us. Go, God! We spent probably another 20 minutes or so at the door while Karen talked to Victoria again. Victoria is the one who thinks she has cervical cancer. When we finally left the club, the manager was standing outside. He thanked us for coming in. We thanked him for letting us in.

The 2nd club was extremely busy. They wouldn't let us in, but we were able to leave bags with 4 girls at the front door.

The last club was basically ours. We were given full access to everything. The girls were very receptive. Many told us they were Christians. The house mother (Robyn) is a former dancer who became a Christian. She felt God calling her back into the clubs. She initially refused because she didn't want any part of that life again. God kept nudging her. She finally gave in and started working as the house mother. She's led one dancer (Paula) to the Lord, and now Paula works in a booth in the club and is no longer dancing. She looks out for the girls. Both Paula and Robyn have a very sweet spirit about them. Both thanked us profusely for coming in. Robyn said it encourages her every time we come in. She encourages us as well.

The manager, Josiah, pulled me to the side and asked me, "Is it a sin for me to work here?" I told him that was between him and God because the Word doesn't explicitly say "Thou shalt not work in a club." He said, "Doesn't it say something about a body and a temple?" "Yes, it does. It says your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. So that means you shouldn't be abusing your body with drugs, alcohol and tobacco. But it goes further than that. Eating too much food or eating unhealthy food is bad for your temple. And working out too much and using steroids is abusing your temple." He responded, "That's it! Thank you so much. You've answered my question." I'm not sure how/what I answered it, but okay...

One of the dancers was preparing to do a stage dance. She asked us to watch her. That request was a first for us. We watched. The first dance was with her clothes on. As she started the 2nd dance and began removing her clothes, it was time to go. We said our goodbyes to everyone and left. Again, managers, dancers and bouncers thanked us for coming in.

Many of the girls were new and said they wanted a different job. I told them we had recruiters who could help them. Many expressed an interest. Several expressed an interest in attending church this Sunday -- especially since it's Easter.

Here are some of the names of people we contacted last night:

Katerina (Kat), Victoria, Donna, Jamie - just moved here 2 weeks ago from Ohio, Blake - 4 months pregnant & will need a different job soon; Chasity, Hailey - not in contact with her family, has a son and custody issues; Keri, Kristal, Chloe - She wants to go to college for interior design, has a 13 yr old son, knows where the church is located; Robyn (house mother) and Paula; Josiah, Elissa, Sara - was raised in church, Rachel - working to get money for college, Devon - who is a Baptist (she volunteered this info first thing), Blade, Blake, Geri.

If you think about it, please pray for one or all of the people we contacted last night.

As always, I'm grateful for your encouraging words, prayers, donations of gift bag items and financial support. It truly is a group effort.