October 12, 2007
Last Friday night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained a chip & dip tray, Christian reading material, an encouraging scripture, a special prayer card for them (Thanks, Amanda!), a card with a phone number in case they want prayer, invitations to church, and chocolate candy.
Here are some highlights of conversations from the girls at the first club:
"Even though I don't believe the same way you do, it's okay. I appreciate what you're doing."
"It's amazing that you come in here."
"You're not afraid to come back here (in the dressing room)."
"Why do you do this? (explanation given that we love them and are praying for them) Oh, that's cool. Thanks!" (Asked by a girl who was sitting with a male customer.)
"I'm Catholic. I can't take a bag."
"A local church is in here??? Wow."
The 90-year old cook gave us $20 because he believes in what we're doing and wanted to show his appreciation.
Now for the big, big, big, big, big highlight. I hope I can sit to type this out. I'll probably start doing the happy dance in the middle:
Kevin didn't look like he was in a good mood. I asked him what was wrong. He said he needed to talk to me and took me in to the foyer/cashier area. He started telling me about this family in the Houston area who owns a lot of businesses, including an ice house. He knows the grandson, and they bought some property and are going to build a really cool restaurant with a sand volleyball court, a wading pool so that you can wade up to the bar, and then have a 2-tier restaurant that overlooks the pool and volleyball court. Long story short, they want Kevin to run the ice house and when the restaurant is complete, they want him to take it over! They want to groom him to take the grandson's place in running these types of businesses. They are concerned about his background, but they know he can make them money. Kevin said, "I'm getting out of the business! It's an answer to prayer!" Okay, I'm squealing and doing the happy dance. AGAIN! If you remember a couple of years ago when we visited Kevin in the hospital after he was shot in the face by one of his regular patrons, you will remember he told me & Wes he would never leave this business because this was all he knows. BUT GOD.... Kevin is thrilled he is finally get out of the business. There are a few kinks (salary negotiations) to work out so please pray that all goes well, and Kevin can finally get out of this business after 20+ years.
I asked Kevin if I could pray for him. He said "no, now's not a good time", but then he changed his mind and said I could pray if I made it quick. He made the whole team join hands with him in the foyer, and we prayed for him. Kevin is so excited about this opportunity that opened up for him. He said, "I have chicken flesh!" (meaning goose bumps). We did, too!
I asked Kevin if we could keep coming to his club after he's gone. He gave me a look and said, "That would take ANOTHER prayer."
At the next club, things weren't quite as exciting. A new manager wouldn't let us in. Wouldn't let us leave gift bags. In fact, any bags we gave to the girls as they were coming in the club, he made them return to us. In short, he was a jerk. But he needs Jesus, too. So we pray.
The whole team is ecstatic about Kevin just saying the words "I'm getting out of the business! It's an answer to prayer!" I squealed and did the "happy dance" in the foyer of the strip club and again at church yesterday when I told the above story to our congregation. I can hardly contain myself. God is Faithful.
Thanks for your prayers and contributions!
Piercing the Darkness,
Drenda
P.S. Next outreach is Tuesday, 10/30