June 12, 2007
Last night (6/12/07) we went to the strip clubs and took toolboxes containing candy, a tract, scripture card (Thanks, Mrs. Lena!), prayer number card and invitations to church. It was a Father's Day gift, and everyone seemed to like it. We gave out approximately 100 toolboxes.
At the first club, Amanda approached my mom and told her this was her last night to work as a dancer. She was starting a new, non-dancing job today and wanted us to know and wanted to thank us. She said our gifts are making a difference. Amanda said every time she received one, she asked God to open doors so that she wouldn't have to dance anymore. She said her parents divorced when she was 14, she started dancing at 16 and here she is at 37 finally getting out. We rejoiced with her. Norma told her she needed to find a good church. Amanda told her she had been to our church twice and liked it. [Not sure which church she's been to, but it really doesn't matter. She liked it!]
The cashier at the second club told me she's hoping her day job will pick up so she can leave the business as well. She is a realtor and has been working in real estate for about a year.
The modeling studio was CLOSED! I guess the "enforcing" of the city ordinace worked. This modeling studio is located right across from a church. Houston has recently decided to start enforcing zoning ordinances for sexually-oriented businesses ("SOBs" -- legal term). There's lots of controversy (of course) and questions about how much enforcing will be done. This is the 2nd modeling studio that has closed during our 7 years of doing this ministry. Both closed without being picketed.
We stopped by an adult book store. The cashier was quite surprised he was receiving a free gift. He told us we could give the toolboxes to the customers. Amanda (team member -- not the dancer) approached a couple and said with her beautiful smile, "We're from the church. We have a gift for you. Happy Father's Day." They were stunned. They held the toolboxes out like they were hazardous material. It was HILARIOUS!
We stopped by another adult book store. The cashier couldn't believe we were giving him something for free. He allowed us to leave toolboxes for customers. Amanda explained to him that we are a church and wanted him to know we are praying for him. He said, "Oh. Okay."
By the time we got to the last club, we only had 19 toolboxes remaining. The valet saw us coming and went inside to get the manager. The regular manager wasn't there. He's very kind but asks us to stay at the door. He makes an announcement, and the girls come to us. The manager who greeted us was a lady. First time I've seen a female manager. She was very pretty and very kind. She asked what we were doing. I told her and asked if we could go in. She replied, "Yes, go on in. I can't believe you're a church and WANT to go in. Have at it!" She took a toolbox and left the area. We only made it to about half the club before we ran out of boxes. Norma approached a middle-aged man who was sitting with a dancer and told him, "I have a gift for you. Happy Father's Day!" He responded, "Is it a car bomb?" Norma with her sweet smile replied, "No, it's candy." Norma and my mother are the elder members of our team. Both are "church ladies" from way back. It was cool to see Norma walking in front of the stage handing out toolboxes.
It was a fun night. For all of those who have asked me "do you ever have any success with this ministry?", the answer is YES! To me success is not only girls/guys leaving the SOBs, but about team members being willing to step out of their comfort zone. It's about team members who faithfully show up month after month without seeing any "success" that the world wants to see. Success to me is seeing God show up with team members and money and donated scripture cards and tracts. Do we want to see girls & guys leave the business? YES!!!! But there's so much more to it than that. It's about our hearts as well.
Please keep Amanda (the former dancer) in your prayers today. She is in orientation at her new job. Also, keep the cashiers in your prayers.
To the One who is able (& does) exceedingly, abundantly, above & beyond anything I could think or imagine...