May 13, 2008

Last night we went to the strip clubs and gave gift bags to the dancers. The gift bags contained basically the same items as last Friday night's bags: homemade Mother's Day cards (always a hit with the girls), along with the keychain gift, reading material, encouraging scripture, invitation to church, phone number for prayer, a book entitled "Encouraging Words for Women" by Darlene Sala (Thank you Barbour Publishing for this generous donation!) and chocolate candy.

Here are the highlights:

Almost every place was very busy -- except for the "modeling studio" where Roxie works. We got to chat with Roxie for a long time. Her 1-year old son has ulcers in the back of his throat. Please pray for his healing. She said business is slow lately. We are praying that this downturn will spur her to look for non-sexually-oriented type of work. Her friends and her boyfriend want her to get out of the business, but she is scared. It's all she knows. She's very bright, articulate and has great people skills.

One of the other clubs let us leave the gifts with the cashier. As I was walking off, one of the dancers came running up squealing, "I want my bag! I want my bag! I want my bag!" She grabbed it and ran back in to the club area.

A djay told me the new manager was questioning who we are. He said, "I told him you guys are okay and have been coming here as long as I've worked here. How long have you been coming?" "Eight years." "Yep, you were here when I got here."

Two guys stopped my mother in one of the clubs and told her they were truckers from Davenport, Iowa and were only there because they were staying in the motel next door and saw the sign that said "Restaurant and Bar" so they only came in to get some food. They didn't know it was a strip club. Guess they didn't notice the pole, stage and scantily clad women. :) We gave them bags to take home to their wives.

God is at work. Thanks for your prayer, support and encouraging words. You guys are awesome!

Piercing the Darkness,
Drenda