June 24, 2008

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers, managers, dj, bouncers and parking attendants. Last week I received a call from Roxie who said she was no longer working at the modeling studio. I was ecstatic until she said she moved to a different modeling studio. We discussed meeting for lunch or dinner some weekend. She was open to that.

Highlights from last night:

Rick, a manager, is retiring this week and moving to Austin to do real estate. Go, God! He thanked us for all that we do. I thanked him for being so kind to us through the years. We shook hands, and I wished him luck in his new endeavor.

There was a girl in the parking lot as we walked into the first club. She hollered out the window to my mom and Tammy, "Hey, I'm so glad to see you! We thought you forgot about us. We thought you just left us and were never coming back. It's been so long since we've seen you!" Tammy and Mom assured her we hadn't forgotten them.

Amber, a new waitress, requested prayer for her boyfriend, Justin, who is in jail. She's a leasing agent, and this is a temporary position for her. Laurie told her, "Jesus loves you just the way you are -- right where you are." Amber teared up and looked away.

When we walked into one club, a new bouncer was sitting by the cashier. He whispered to my mother, "Are y'all Christians?" "Yes." "I am, too." He only wanted the candy out of the bag.

While Amanda and I were talking to 2 girls at the "modeling studio", a customer came in. As he was coming in, Christina (who was WASTED) asked for prayer. Amanda grabbed her hands and started praying as the customer slowly walked along the back wall and up to the window. The girl I was talking to asked for "blessed water" for her house. I told her I would bring some for her next time. (I had some bottled water in the van. Maybe we should have prayed over that and brought it back in. I just thought of that.) After Amanda prayed for Christina, Christina asked for a cross necklace because she lost hers. "I feel protected when I wear the cross."

"Jesus is with you. He'll protect you," Amanda replied.

Then the girl turned to the customer and tried to get his business. That part was very sad.

Kevin is no longer working at the bar/grill. His last day was this past Saturday. We're trying to find out where he is. We pray doors will open for him that aren't related to the adult entertainment business.

We prepared 120 bags and were 10 short. It was an extremely busy night. It was a good night. As we were coming out of the first club, a group of 3-5 men were walking up to the door. The look on their faces was priceless. We can only imagine what they were thinking...we got a good laugh.

As always, I thank you for your encouraging words, gifts and prayers. We couldn't do this without you! I also want to thank Charlesetta for interviewing me about this ministry. We had a great conversation.

Piercing the Darkness,
Drenda and the PTD Team