August 8, 2006
Last night (8/8/06) we went to the strip clubs, and again it was amazing! I had the privilege of serving with the Ireland team. They are part of a ministry that is focused on discipling young people. The leader, Barry, is old friends with Mike Comiskey and that is how we were able to meet them. Barry and his wife, Wendy, have 4 young ladies on their team. These ladies are beautiful both inside and out, and we were concerned about taking them into the clubs because they are young and beautiful. We prayed, and God took care of that. In addition to the team from Ireland, Debe, Mike, Wes and my parents were able to join us and provide additional help. We took 70 gift bags and still ran out before we made it to all of the clubs!
As usual, we started out with prayer and asked God to protect the team, to remove all fear, and to provide "God moments". With a sense of excitement, we headed to the first club.
Upon our arrival, the bouncer/parking lot attendant came out to meet us. I believe his name is Philip, and he is James' brother. James is the bouncer who has the alcohol problem and is interested in getting help but not just yet. James no longer works at this club, but is back at the 2nd club we go to -- which he was previously fired from because of his drinking problem. More about that later. Philip asked my mom if we were taking the girls into the club. She said, "Yes, we are." He told her he didn't think it was a good idea and kept trying to convince her the girls didn't belong in there. My mom told him it would be okay. He reluctantly said "okay." We went into the club and immediately the Ireland team went to the girls and began handing out bags and talking to them. The team was full of light and joy, and people were drawn to them. One of the bartenders gave us money. We went into the dressing room and talked with some of the girls. We used our girls' Irish accent as "bait" to get people to engage in conversation. The dancers were interested in how they were liking America, Texas, etc. Everyone was full of smiles.
As we came out of the club, Wes was still talking to Philip. Philip asked prayer for his "girl" (wife), Amy Milton. Wes gave Philip a card and a book to give to James because James is working the day shift at the 2nd club, and we wouldn't be able to see him. We told Philip we were praying for all of his family. He thanked us. Before we headed to the 2nd club, I asked the girls if they were okay and if they were ready to go on. I really didn't need to ask because their faces said it all -- YES!!!!
At the 2nd club, our friendly valet parker was there and gave us primo parking in front of the club. He was glad to see us and talked to the guys while we were in the club. Actually, I was talking to a new girl, Holly, out in the parking lot. She said she was new in town, and this is her first week at the club. I told her we loved her and are praying for her. She thanked me and walked down the street. I turned around, and the girls were already in the club. As I stepped inside the club, the cashier asked me for a card. She said someone had been asking how to get in touch with us. I gave her a card and went on in the club. When I stepped in, I looked to my left and there was the team from Ireland praying with a dancer at the bar. Farther down the bar, another group was talking to another dancer and just beyond them another group was talking to yet another couple of dancers. Too cool!!! About that time, the manager came up to me and asked if he could speak with me privately. I motioned for my mom to follow as he took me to the back near the dressing room. He unlocked a door and invited me in. My mom had not followed me so I was alone with him and the owner, Khan. Khan asked me how I was and invited me to take a seat on the couch. Thoughts of being executed ran through my mind as I sat on the couch in front of Khan's desk.
Khan said he had an employee with a drinking problem and thought we knew him. I said, "Yes, James. We heard he was back here."
"Yes, I hired him back because I believe he is salvageable. As part of his employment, I am making him go to some type of alcohol counseling service. I know you can help. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, sir. We have several ministries we work with, and we are just waiting for James to say he's ready to change."
"Well, I am going to make him call you. He needs help, and I know you can help him. AA is okay, but I know you guys are really what he needs. You are religious and that's what it takes. I run a clean club here. We don't date the dancers. If anyone does, they are fired." I told him that I appreciated him and his management staff allowing us to come in to the clubs, and that his managers/bouncers had been nothing but kind to us. He asked me for a card so that James can call. I gave him Joe Williams' card because Joe and I had previously talked, and Joe said he would be willing to talk to James and feel him out so he would know which program to put James into. Khan gave me his card and put his cell number on it. I also gave him my "need prayer?" card and cell number. I told him we would be in touch with him and/or James. He thanked me and said if we ever want a coke, bottled water or anything to just ask his managers, and they will get us whatever we want. I thanked him and told him we would be praying about his left hand that he had hurt. He thanked me, and I was ushered out of his office. When I got back onto the main floor, all of my team was gone! They were outside! I told them I was okay and we would talk about "the visit" later. We headed to the next club.
The 3rd club was kind of slow. We got to see the owner, Homey, and talk to him for a bit. One of the dancers asked for prayer so the girls took her outside and prayed for her. Debbie connected with Denise again who said she wants to come to church. We are trying to arrange a ride for her. She lives around Gulf Bank and Antoine.
We only had 7 bags left as we headed to the last club. We asked the cashier if we could go in. He radioed management who finally came to the front. He said he could only let us into the dressing room. He escorted us into the dressing room where some type of security guard/bouncer stood by as we talked to Scarlet. Scarlet said this was her first night to dance. She was kind of surprised to see a group of ladies in the dressing room with her. The manager stood just outside the dressing room until we finished talking, and then allowed us to walk back through the club and outside.
As we were debriefing back at the church, Debe said, "Did you realize that all but one of the girls were fully clothed tonite? And the only one who wasn't was on stage performing a dance." All of the other stage dancers still had their clothes on while we were there. I hadn't thought about it until she mentioned it. Isn't that cool????!!!!! That was definitely a first! God was protecting our girls.
Please pray for all of the people with whom we came in contact last night. Here are some of their names and requests:
Khan - hurt hand; Philip & Amy; Brianna - the girls prayed with her; Carrie, Scarlet, Holly, Elizabeth, Delicious, the girl who just returned from Germany, Denise, Divine, and James. Another girl is having a hard time and may lose her house this week.
I believe we had several "God moments" last night. I'm glad I could be a part of His search and rescue team. We took pictures, and hopefully either Mike and/or I will be sending those out later. Thanks for your prayers. We definitely could feel them last night.