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

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

Last night (4/21)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained a gift (jewelry & hair accessories), an encouraging scripture, a number to call for prayer, and chocolate candy. This was a "special" trip. Greater Harvest Church in Pasadena will be starting a similar ministry on the south side of town in a few months and wanted to see first-hand how we do things. Plus, it gave their ladies a chance to determine whether or not this is a ministry they are really called to do. It's not for everyone.

Highlights:

Margarita said she read "Redeeming Love" (by Francine Rivers -- HIGHLY recommend this book) and cried all the way through. She's not the only one to experience the book in that way.

The cashier going to cosmetology school graduates in August and is excited. She's working 2 jobs right now to make ends meet and is looking forward to being able to work a day job and "get away from all of this." We are working with her to find salons who are willing to give her a start.

Stopped by a massage parlor (new place for us) and the lady was very open to us being there. She wanted us to come back tomorrow. We told her we'd be back in a couple of weeks.

Saw a prostitute on the corner and turned around to give her a bag. By the time we got back to her location, she was gone but 2 others had taken her place. We prayed with one and also for the windshield cleaner guy.

Got to pray for some girls in the dressing room. Chris felt impressed to pray for their children, and the girls were moved by this. All 5 of them have children.

Please pray for the ladies we spoke with when you think about it. Also keep Greater Harvest Church in your prayers as they begin ministering on the south side.

As always, thanks for your prayers and support!

Drenda and the PTD team