September 4, 2007

Last night (9/4/07) we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained a small purse, candy, a tract, a card with a phone number for prayer, invitations to church, a scripture card (Thanks, Lena!) and chocolate candy.

The first club had a new security guard (Steve) whom Wes stayed in the parking lot and talked with. There was also a new manager named Wes. He didn't even ask us who we were or what we were doing. The usual night manager is no longer there. He's a schoolteacher and only works during the summer months. There were a lot of girls in this club. Most of them we didn't recognize. The bartender greeted me with a hug. I told him he might not want a bag this time because it had girly stuff in it. He said, "I always want your bags. You guys are awesome!" Many times last night, at various clubs, we were told how much they appreciate us and our gifts. Pamela asked for healing and for finances so that she can quit dancing. She's been dancing since December 06. Nya asked for finances and help with relationships. The cashier said she had started the book, "Redeeming Love", but hadn't finished it yet. She said she prefers reading "Cosmopolitan" magazine. We gave a couple of "Redeeming Love" books out.

The cashier at the 2nd club said she had only read the first 3 chapters because she had been busy. She closed on a house earlier this week and was closing on one today. She's still on track to go full-time into the real estate business at the end of this year. Go, God! She's really excited. There were no men in this club other than the employees. Girls were just sitting around not doing much.

At the first modeling studio, Roxie greeted us at the door. She asked where my mom was. She said she's known my mom for four years. They originally met when Roxie was working at the other modeling studio we go to. Roxie is 24 yrs old, has a 5 yr old, a 20 month old and a 5 mo old, and she attends school. She said only her mother and boyfriend know she works there. She was raised Catholic and wants to go back to church but says, "It would feel funny. The last time I was in church was for a funeral. I felt funny being there." We encouraged her to go to church anyway. Yes, it will feel funny at first, but it's okay. I asked if she had read the book. She said she started it but had trouble reading it. She asked her mom for help. Her mom started helping her with it, and now her mom wants to read the book when Roxie is finished. She asked if it was a true story. I explained to her that it is based on a true story from the Bible. We told her that Hosea (the main male character in the book) is like Jesus and he keeps taking Angel (symbol of the rest of us) back even though she doesn't want him or realize she needs him, but he keeps pursuing her with unfailing love. She said she wants to bring her kids to church. I told her Spring 1st has an excellent children's program, and the kids would love it. We talked for quite some time. She said the other girls who work there like us, but they don't know how to talk to us because they are embarrassed because they don't have on clothes. Roxie said, "I told them: It's okay. They won't judge you. Just talk to them." Roxie told us she wanted to pray sometimes when she's at home but felt funny about it. I told her to talk to God just like she had been talking to us. We had a very good, long conversation with her. It was like she didn't want us to leave. Please keep Roxie in your prayers. She's hungry.

At the next modeling studio (where Roxie used to work), there was a new girl. She didn't know what to think of us. There was another girl standing outside of the full nude club. Amanda gave her a bag. She hugged her and told the guys that were standing around that we always bring nice gifts to them. She said they really like us (too bad their management won't let us beyond the cashier's desk). We gave bags to three other girls who were parked in cars (waiting for their shift?).

At the last club Victoria came up to us and asked about Karen (one of the girls from Ireland). She said she didn't get to say goodbye to her. I told her that I had just heard that Karen was coming back to Houston. She was excited to know that. She said she had to go dance but wanted to talk to us afterwards. We waited around and talked to several of the girls. Jamie was back. She's going home to Ohio for a few days to visit her family. I gave her "Redeeming Love" to read on the plane. When Victoria came off the stage, she came over and talked to us a little bit. She said she was shy and wanted to talk but really couldn't while she was there. We gave her our numbers to call. She said she might call. I asked if she was the one who had the medical issues (ovarian cancer, I believe).

She looked at me with a look of shock and said, "How did you know?"
"Karen told me."
"She did? Oh, that's so sweet. Why did she tell you?"
"Because she wanted people praying for you. There are a lot of people praying for your health and for you. There are a lot of people who care about you."

She teared up and thanked us.

That was pretty much it. I was disappointed that the girls weren't running up to us and raving about the book, but it just shows how much the enemy has them bound up. He will put all sorts of distractions in their path to keep them from reading or from understanding. But God is bigger. The scales will fall from their eyes one day, and they will be able to read and see God's love for them.

Last Friday night, 8/31, we went to Kevin's club and another club. Kevin said that Stacie (his ex-wife) didn't show up for court and is in a crack house in Nacogdoches. He showed me the list of girls working and said, "I have 16-17 girls on this list. You would have a better chance of turning any one of them around than the last two I sent you." He was pretty disgusted with Stacie. He's getting counseling for his son because of what Stacie chose to do.

Janet, the bartender, said her husband has been having nightmares where the devil is on his back. Janet said, "I told him, 'That's not good dream. You need to get to church!'" She said she and her kids were coming to church on Sunday. She said she wanted her husband to come but didn't know if he would.

Kevin said Renee was dancing at the club down the street. He asked if we were going there. I said, "Yes, if the manager will let us in." "He'll let you in. He's a personal friend of mine. I'll call him now." We got the hook-up!

As we were getting in the van, Kevin came outside and yelled, "Richard is expecting you." Only God...I hope you are getting this scene: a strip club manager is calling another strip club manager to tell him to let the church ladies in his strip club! We were laughing all the way to the next club about that. Only God!

When we get to the club, an old man with a long, braided, gray ponytail is standing outside smoking a cigar. I ask if he is Richard. In his gravely voice he says he is, "but I can't let you in right now. I've got too much going on. I have shift change. I appreciate what you're doing. The girls really appreciate you, but I just can't let you in. I'll let you leave the bags on the cashier's desk and Shanna will deliver the bags to the girls." I told him that would be fine, and we appreciate him letting us give the bags to the girls. He kept telling us he appreciates what we're doing, but...

We went next door to the 3rd modeling studio. They said they were the cleaning crew and no one else was around. They said to come back around 8p. We did. The girl sounded like the same person as the "cleaning crew", but she took the bags this time. Not as friendly as last month. Must have been a slow day. There was a handwritten sign on the wall that said, "Girls work for tips only."

I truly appreciate Spring First and their funding of the "Redeeming Love" books. I am overwhelmed by the many people who read this newsletter and who donated money for the books. You guys are awesome! I am truly humbled that so many people care. Thank you.