Last night (11/3/09)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took cupcakes to the girls. We had a lot of good conversations and prayed with several girls. One of the bartenders said it was slow earlier in the day, and she was wishing we would come in and talk to her. She wants us to come during the day, if possible. We'll see about making that happen.

We got to see James. He's looking good even though he was just released from the hospital after being treated for pneumonia. James said he's been praying -- something he doesn't normally do.

The club where James works gave us permission to bring Thanksgiving dinner to them on Thanksgiving evening. We're waiting on permission from another club to bring Thanksgiving dinner to them. I can't wait to spend Thanksgiving with the girls and the others who work in the clubs.

Drenda and the PTD team

Last night (10/27/09)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and modeling studios and took gift bags to the girls. The Crossing church in The Woodlands donated all of the items including the blue trick or treat pumpkins we used as bags. Each bag contained an ankle bracelet, encouraging scripture, invitation to church and chocolate candy.

We had a lot of time in almost every club to visit with the girls. One girl has been dancing for 8 years, has saved up a lot of money and says she doesn't know why she is still there. She said she doesn't know what else to do. Staci encouraged her to use her gifts and talents in a different industry.

One girl moved here from Ft. Worth to get away from her drug addict husband. She has 4 kids and is waitressing to support them.

Misty got an office job in another state and will be moving soon.

We will be taking Thanksgiving dinner to the girls on Thanksgiving day. Usually the clubs provide some type of meal, but we want to do that for them this year.

With colder weather approaching, we asked the girls if any of their kids need coats. Several stated they did. We will be collecting new and gently used coats for them.

We look forward to spending time with the girls on Thanksgiving. Several cried when we told them we want to spend Thanksgiving with them.

If you would like to donate food, clothes or money, please contact me at jesuslovesdancers@gmail.com. Piercing the Darkness is a non-profit 501(c)(3) ministry. Any contributions are considered charitable donations (tax deductions) by the IRS.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Piercing the Darkness,

Drenda and the PTD Team

Last night (9/8/09)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. We had a lot of interesting conversations and several requests to pray for their children. Below are a few highlights:

• Jada's sister overdosed and died 16 days ago. Her mom died one year ago and that's when another sister started cutting herself. She was interested in the Day of Decision flyers we had in the bags.
• A lawyer handed us his card and said if any of the girls needed legal help to give him a call. He didn't appear to be talking with any girls.
• The door girl called our recruiter friend who helped her with her resume.
• Monica's 3 month-old baby has several health problems including asthma and bronchitis.
• Ann Marie's house was burglarized several days in a row. She moved her 4 kids out for their safety but still has to pay the electric bill, etc. She wants to move back home.
• Ava has 3 kids (ages 2, 3, and 6 years) and says she's working on getting visas for them.
• Mr. Friendly no longer works at the club. We've had full access again the past 2 months since he's been gone.
• Melanie has been dancing for one week and says it isn't going well. She has 13 hours left to receive her Medical Assistant certification.
• Rosie, Melanie, Melanie's mother, and 2 guys are living together and things aren't going well. Rosie goes to Lakewood on Wednesday nights.
• One girl says she is working on her associate degree. She said she knows working there isn't the right thing and wants to get out when she can.
• Sandy's 3 month-old baby was taken 3 weeks ago by the baby's father who told Sandy she had to pay thousands of dollar to get the baby back. Sandy started dancing to get the money.
• Nyla has a court date because she broke probation.
• A door girl's best friend (who is a dancer) has advanced stage cervical cancer.
• Sheri is going to school to become a crime scene investigator.
• Jess said she had heard of the church ladies and was happy to finally meet us. When asked if we could pray for her, she replied, "You can pray for the other girls. They really need it. Things aren't so good for them. I have someone to take care of me."
• Lindsey is a believer and asked for prayer for guidance and faith.
• Casey's baby's daddy (Xavier) has a baby with another baby momma and there is a lot of conflict.
• Ali told his wife about the church ladies. They both think what we do is a "beautiful thing".

One girl, Abbey (name changed), quit dancing 3 weeks ago. She's taking classes at a community job and is looking for part-time work. She's been to church several times. She's asked us to contact a friend of hers who wants to get out and is 4 months pregnant. We will be following up with her friend.

When you think about it, please say a prayer for the children mentioned and for the girls. Please pray for doors to open for Abbey.

Thanks for your prayers and support! God is FAITHFUL!

Piercing the Darkness,

Drenda and the PTD team

Last night (8/11/09)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained a manicure set (or lip gloss or body lotion -- I couldn't find 131 identical items), encouraging scripture, reading material, invitation to church and chocolate candy.

Here are a few highlights:

• The cashier who is going to cosmetology school finishes in 3 weeks. We are praying for doors to open for her.
• Amber asked who we are & why we were there. We told her we are from a church and wanted her to know Jesus loves dancers too. She said this morning she prayed and asked God to be with her even though her job is not the best of jobs. We prayed together and prayed for forgiveness, safety and prosperity and that God will always be with us, no matter where we are. Amber and the two other girls said they just really felt His presence and His energy. It was an amazing experience.
• Keisha asked us to pray for her family. She has a daughter, Brooklyn, who is 15 months old.
• Jasmine is pregnant and wants prayer for a good delivery and a healthy baby.
• Kristal asked if we would pray for her in general.
• Tashia asked us to pray for financial help.
• Annarisha asked if we could pray she would have peace.

We also went to a new modeling studio where Roxie is working and got to spend time talking with her. She's caught up on her bills and thanked us for our prayers. She said, "Your prayers worked!" We are planning to have dinner with her and her family this Sunday.

We went to a new club last night. It is 2-3 times bigger than the clubs we usually go to, and there were at least 30-50 girls in the club. It was crazy. The cashier and manager graciously welcomed us in and showed us where the dressing room was. In the dressing room, there were people everywhere. I've never seen a dressing room so busy. I walked over to a group huddled at a table filling out applications. A lady turned around, and it was the house mom we know from another club. She hugged me and was happy to see us again. While we were talking a girl walked up who did not look happy. I stepped out of the way.

The girl told the house mom something about how dare those ladies come in here telling us that Jesus loves us.

House mom: huh?

Girl: They shouldn't be coming in here telling us Jesus loves us and forgives us.

HM: What's the problem with that?

Girl: They shouldn't do that.

HM: why not?

When the girl realized she wasn't getting anywhere with the house mom (who is a Christian), she apparently went to a manager and complained because an older man walked up to us and said, "No soliciting."

"We're not soliciting."

"I said we don't allow soliciting here."

"We're not soliciting. We're giving the girls a free gift."

"What's in the bag?"

"Lip gloss or lotion."

"What else?"

"Reading material, an invitation to church and chocolate candy. Is there a problem?"

"Yes, you offended one of the girls."

"We apologize for that. We didn't intend to offend."

"I want to see that piece of paper that says Jesus and sins and stuff."

Amanda says "yessir".

"Don't call me sir!"

Amanda begins handing him items from the bag. He reads each one and finally loudly protests, "None of these say 'Jesus forgives your sins.'" Pretty much everyone in the room heard him. Kinda funny. I explained we didn't have enough to go around so some bags might be different from others. In the background the house mom is trying to tell him she's known us for years and that we've never caused any problems. He ignores her and asks how we got in.

"The cashier and manager let us in."

"We don't have a cashier." Huh? EVERY club has a cashier.

"Yes, there was a cashier. She has dark hair. She got permission from the manager sitting in the front area to let us in."

"There is no other manager or man in the front." Okay...

About that time a girl came running in acting crazy & everyone started laughing. The manager was not amused and was trying to get control of the situation. He asked us to leave. We again apologized if we offended anyone and left. As I was leaving, the house mom waved me over. She handed me her name and phone number and told me to call her.

It was a strange and crazy experience. We purposefully went to this club because a father contacted me to let me know his daughter was dancing there, and another man called to let me know his sister-in-law is a dancer there. We didn't find either girl there last night, but the house mom is there. She can reach out to these girls. Isn't it cool how God strategically places people in dark places?

We appreciate your prayers and support! God is so cool.

Piercing the Darkness,

Drenda and the PTD Team

Last night (7/7/09)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the ladies. Each bag contained a gift (facial cleansing cloths or makeup remover cloths -- hey, it was a practical gift this time), an invitation to church, encouraging scripture, and chocolate candy. It was an interesting night...

• Jennifer is 27 and has been dancing 10 years. She has 3 kids with the youngest being 7 months old. She wants out but feels trapped. Jennifer married young and later her husband died causing her to feel more trapped. She wants to go to nursing school and teared up as she explained why she wanted to be a nurse. Jennifer has a lot of compassion that would be useful in nursing homes -- where she wants to work.
• We met a woman who is 47 years old who has been dancing for 22 years. She still dances but not on the main stage.
• Jessica wants to find a better life for her and her daughter. She became teary as she talked. Her boyfriend/husband is in Afghanistan and is expected back soon.
• Jessica, a cashier, wants out of the industry.
• Rosa asked for prayer.
• Misty, a waitress, has a job interview in 2 days for a secretarial position. If she gets the job, she won't have to work nights, will have benefits for her and her daughter, and will be able to get her own place to live.
• Mr. Friendly was off. The manager on duty talked for a long time to my mom and told her how much he appreciates what we're doing. He said the girls have horrible backgrounds and that's why they do what they do. The manager said the girls look forward to us coming in.
• Several girls mentioned Joel Osteen again and how much they like his preaching and how he makes it where they can understand. One lady showed us his new book which is translated in to Korean so she's able to fully understand. Joel, like I've said before, you have a following in the strip clubs and modeling studios in Houston.
• We prayed for two ladies in a modeling studio who want "a better life". They kept talking about Joel Osteen. I told them if they want to go to Lakewood, to call me. We will pick them up and go with them. Their eyes lit up. Maybe they will call.
• Lisa asked for prayer for her son, Colby, who is 18. He is having a pulmonary valve replacement on 7/22. She said she works as a hospice nurse during the week.
• L'amor will finish cosmetology school at the end of this year.
• Precious completed beauty school but needs to get recertified.
• Millie was recently accepted in to beauty school. All 3 girls want out of this business.
• LaRhonda has been working for 5 months and wants out.
• Alexander, the son of one of the girls, is getting ear tubes put in soon. The mother is concerned because he will be under anesthesia. Kellie's son had the same procedure so she was able to talk with the girl about her fears, etc. There are also issues with Alexander's father over payment for the medical procedure.
• An owner told me how much he appreciates what we're doing.

We had a lot of conversations last night.

When you think about it, please say a prayer for these girls. Misty has been on my heart and mind since I met her a few months ago. I'm thrilled she's trying to get out and told her if this job opportunity doesn't work out, to call me because I know a recruiter who will help her.

Thanks for your prayers, support and encouragement. We're a team and couldn't do this without you.

Piercing the Darkness,

Drenda and the PTD team