Tammy, Wes and I arrived without any trouble and after a quick bite when to the convention hall to check out the Expo. The boxes were waiting on us at the booth. We started an assembly line and put together 200 cosmetics bags containing a business card, a temporary tattoo with our logo on it, a card introducing Jackie Key's CD and chocolate candy. The cosmetics bags are pink and have "You are loved" imprinted in silver. We also have "The Essential Word on the Street" on CD to give out. It's too big to put in the cosmetics bag.
We had several men stop by our booth and ask what we are selling. One guy was on his cell phone and said to the person on the other line, "You will never believe what I'm looking at. A booth called Jesus Loves Dancers. It's crazy. I can't wait to talk to these people." He walked off without talking to us, but I think he will be back. Another man asked if we are like "Jesus Loves Porn Stars". I told him yes. He asked if we knew of JC Girls. I told him yes. He's a photographer helping out a company who is at the Expo marketing a new toy.
The trade show officially kicks off tomorrow at 1p. Our booth sits in the middle of a pasties booth and a real estate booth selling strip clubs. Across the aisle are apparel and distillery booths. Down a few booths are modeling agencies. Sound checks were going on all around us. We should be hearing some good music the next two days.
We are looking forward to tomorrow. Not sure what to expect but we know God is in this.
Thanks again for your prayers and support!
Drenda
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Last night (8/10/20100
Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the girls. Each bag contained nail polish, an invitation to church, an encouraging scripture and chocolate candy. We had a smaller team than usual, and we had a new team member. We added 2 clubs to our usual route. Here are the highlights:
At one of the two "new" clubs (we've been to both of these clubs in the past but not on a Tuesday night), the manager talked to us a little before letting us in. He said the previous evening his mother told him he was "working in the devil's house." He told her that light could shine anywhere -- even in the darkness, and here we were. The manager tried to warn us of what we might see. We told him we've been doing this for ten years and wouldn't be surprised at anything we saw.
As we passed out bags, a female approached me and told me we couldn't be in there. I told her the manager gave us permission. She said, "He doesn't know what he is talking about." Then she started trying to grab the bags out of my hands. I again told her the manager said we could be there and continued handing out bags. She stomped off and went over to my mother and told her we couldn't be soliciting. My mother told her we weren't soliciting. The female told her we couldn't be selling anything. My mom told her we weren't selling anything. She stomped off again.
Several girls came up to me and apologized for that one female's behavior. Each girl told me how much they appreciate us and what we were doing. The female came back to me and pointed towards the door. The manager sheepishly waved us over.
We went outside and talked with the manager who said the female is the daughter of one of the owner's. As we talked further with the manager, we found out he attends the same church as our newest team member. This is a 2nd job for him where he works a couple of nights/week. He said he was on a 10-day plan to get out, and he had 9 more days to go. I told him after tonight, he might be out faster.
Earlier in the evening, a dancer approached me about getting out of the business. She says she is doing this to make ends meet until she can find a job in corporate America. I gave her my contact info but haven't heard from her yet.
A manager said he is tired of the business and wants out but nothing else pays as well.
Most of the clubs were pretty slow.
When you think about it, please say a prayer for the girl and two managers who want out.
We will be leaving for Vegas in 10 days. The Expo starts 8/24. I'm excited! We have cosmetic bags imprinted with "You are loved", a CD and temporary tattoos of our logo to give away. Thanks to everyone who has given and who is praying for this event. I know God will show up.
I will blog each night after the show ends. I will try to have (family friendly) photos and/or video uploaded as well.
Drenda and the team
At one of the two "new" clubs (we've been to both of these clubs in the past but not on a Tuesday night), the manager talked to us a little before letting us in. He said the previous evening his mother told him he was "working in the devil's house." He told her that light could shine anywhere -- even in the darkness, and here we were. The manager tried to warn us of what we might see. We told him we've been doing this for ten years and wouldn't be surprised at anything we saw.
As we passed out bags, a female approached me and told me we couldn't be in there. I told her the manager gave us permission. She said, "He doesn't know what he is talking about." Then she started trying to grab the bags out of my hands. I again told her the manager said we could be there and continued handing out bags. She stomped off and went over to my mother and told her we couldn't be soliciting. My mother told her we weren't soliciting. The female told her we couldn't be selling anything. My mom told her we weren't selling anything. She stomped off again.
Several girls came up to me and apologized for that one female's behavior. Each girl told me how much they appreciate us and what we were doing. The female came back to me and pointed towards the door. The manager sheepishly waved us over.
We went outside and talked with the manager who said the female is the daughter of one of the owner's. As we talked further with the manager, we found out he attends the same church as our newest team member. This is a 2nd job for him where he works a couple of nights/week. He said he was on a 10-day plan to get out, and he had 9 more days to go. I told him after tonight, he might be out faster.
Earlier in the evening, a dancer approached me about getting out of the business. She says she is doing this to make ends meet until she can find a job in corporate America. I gave her my contact info but haven't heard from her yet.
A manager said he is tired of the business and wants out but nothing else pays as well.
Most of the clubs were pretty slow.
When you think about it, please say a prayer for the girl and two managers who want out.
We will be leaving for Vegas in 10 days. The Expo starts 8/24. I'm excited! We have cosmetic bags imprinted with "You are loved", a CD and temporary tattoos of our logo to give away. Thanks to everyone who has given and who is praying for this event. I know God will show up.
I will blog each night after the show ends. I will try to have (family friendly) photos and/or video uploaded as well.
Drenda and the team
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Last night (7/6/2010)
Last night we took gift bags to the dancers. Each bag contained an ankle bracelet, invitations to church, an encouraging scripture and chocolate candy. Thanks to Spring 1st Church for providing the gift bags!
There were quite a few girls but not very many customers. Maybe the customers spent their money on fireworks over the 4th weekend.
Highlights:
- A door girl was crying when we arrived. This girl was distraught the last time we saw her because her kids weren't at home, and she couldn't find them. She's the same girl who has plans to get out of this industry by the end of this year. Please pray she's able to get out sooner.
- A dancer's father passed away. Please pray for protection for her mother. This dancer would also like to get out of the industry.
- It was Ashley's 2nd night at the club.
- Tima and Denise want prayer for their families.
- Lucy started working last week and asked for general prayer for her and her co-workers.
- Michelle's mother has a brain tumor.
Please pray for these girls and their families. Death has touched some of their families and is looming for others unless God intervenes. We are here for these girls in the good times and the bad.
Drenda and the PTD team
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
"Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains.
Psalms chapter 107, verses 10, 13-14 (New Living Translation)
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