Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Last night (5/19)

Last night we took the Greater Harvest group from Pasadena to the strip clubs and gave gift bags to the girls. Greater Harvest will start their ministry on the south side of town next month. Please keep them in your prayers.
Here are highlights from last night:
  • The first club I started in 9 years ago has a new manager who decided he didn't want us to come in. We chatted, cajoled and finally convinced him to at least let us leave bags at the cashier's desk. He later apologized to me for not allowing us our usual full access. It was obvious from the faces and body language of all of the workers that this new manager is not well-liked. In fact, one dancer arrived for work, asked which manager was on duty, heard it was Mr. Friendly and got back in her car and left.
  • Sandra was sitting outside Mr. Friendly's club and motioned for me to come over. She told me to come back on Mr. Friendly's day off because the other manager would let us in. Sandra is a former dancer and has 8 kids. She danced for 15 years and is now a cook at the club. A customer is putting her through nursing school.
  • The girl I saw interviewing last time got the job and is waitressing. I'm praying she gets a job in the high-end restaurant business as a hostess or waitress.
  • Julie's mother is still going for radiation treatment and has good days & bad days.
  • Caramel, Mary Jane, Dee, Leshondra want out of the business. We prayed for them in the dressing room.

We had a lot of good conversations and were able to encourage the girls.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Drenda and the PTD team

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Last night (5/5)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained body lotion, an encouraging scripture and other reading material, an invitation to church, and chocolate candy. Below are highlights:
  • Christina asked for prayer for her relationship with her boyfriend of 4 years.
  • Shay wants to get out of the business. She said she's had some "God moments" during the past several months and is tired of the business.
  • Several girls in one club asked prayer for "new beginnings".
  • Charles, a security guard, has been working at one of the clubs for 3 weeks and asked for prayer for protection. He also would like to get in to the police academy.
  • A girl who looked like a dark-haired Pippi Longstocking with perfectly straight teeth was interviewing to be a waitress. She has a 2-year old daughter. I pray she is able to find work outside of this industry.

As a follow-up to a previous post:

  • Chris, the waitress who called because she wants to get out of the business, got an internship which she hopes will become a permanent position in the near future.
  • Roxie is working with a recruiter who is helping her with her resume.

Go, God!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Drenda and the PTD team