Thanksgiving C U @ the Pole Dinner

Thanksgiving evening we took Thanksgiving dinner (turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry sauce, gravy, various sides, desserts, bread & tea) to 5 strip clubs. Earlier in the day we took plates of food to several modeling studios, massage parlors, and hourly motels. Thank you, Barbara and BacktoBasics Ministries for those plates. I feel like we made some in-roads in to a couple of clubs. Time will tell.

Only one club had a lot of girls. The other clubs were getting a later start so we didn't see too many girls. Ineke talked to a dancer who works at a law firm during the day. She has 2 pre-teen children and dances at night to make ends meet. She says the evening job is temporary.

James said he and another manager are tired of working in this industry and want to get out.

Another girl told Amanda she knows what she is doing is wrong, but she chooses to do it anyway. She doesn't want to be like her mother whom the girl called "a hypocritical christian."

A waitress talked to Staci for a long time. She has a child with a serious illness and is working in the club for quick cash. Staci prayed with her about her situation.

The owner of a club told Staci we are welcome in his club anytime & all drinks (alcohol & non-alcohol) are on him. He thanked us for what we do and said the girls need all the help we can give them. He asked if he could give us a donation or help us in any way.

Our t-shirts were a big hit. Several managers and patrons asked for one. They are black & have our JesusLovesDancers logo on the front in silver metallic print and "C u @ the Pole" on the back. I've attached our logo in case you haven't seen it. I'll also be posting pics of the t-shirt at a later date in case you'd like to order one.

I want to thank the PTD team for cooking, bringing food & spending time away from their family on this holiday night. Thanks to Spring First for providing the meat and utensils. You guys are incredible! We appreciate the guy who cut up the turkeys for us. Vicky, you & your Bible study groups are awesome! Thanks for providing so many dishes. Mom, thanks for buying all the stuff & cooking the turkeys at the last moment. We also thank the spouses who showed up and pitched in wherever needed -- including washing dishes & slicing turkeys in the strip club kitchen.

It was a fun night. We are looking forward to next year!

Drenda & the PTD team

Last night (11/17/09)

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained lip gloss, really cool scripture cards made by 3 Sisters (thank you Vicky & sisters!), invitations to church, a New Testament (thanks Barbara!) and chocolate candy.

It was Porshe’s first night to dance at the Castle though she has worked at other clubs before. She just moved here from New Orleans and said she just wanted prayer for herself “in general” and couldn’t think of specific needs. She seemed very nervous & uncomfortable.

We were able to collect diapers and gave them to one of the girls. We're still collecting clothes and toys for her kids for Christmas.

On Thanksgiving Day we will be serving Thanksgiving dinner in 5 clubs and several modeling studios and massage parlors. We are looking forward to spending time with the girls, management and patrons. We appreciate Spring First, The Crossing, women's bible study groups at The Woodlands United Methodist Church and PTD team members for providing the food and utensils to make this possible!

One manager told me he appreciates everything we do for the girls, and we are welcome in his club any time he is there. Go, God!

Drenda and the PTD team

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