We took 170 gift bags containing travel cups, an encouraging scripture, a card with a number to call for prayer or other needs, and chocolate candy.  Highlights and prayer requests:

• Lizette has a new baby.
• Adelade has a tumor.
• Kim and Amena want happiness in their lives.
• Deejay looking for designer job.
• A new girl in training brought in her niece and mother as a waitress.
• Mimi’s father died & her mother filed for bankruptcy.
• Sandra & Yvonne are sisters and requested prayer for their middle sister, Veronica, to make better choices.
• Christy wants prayer for everything.
• Olivia’s daughter & husband are traveling. Pray for their protection while they are on the road.
• Milene requested prayer to understand why things are happening in her life.
• Claristica had an illness that put her behind on bills & wants prayer that she can recover from her debt problems.
• Jeremiah, 2 year old son of dancer, needs overall prayer.
• Homie’s brother died. We’ve known Homie since the beginning of this ministry. He’s had a tough couple of years. His 20-year-old daughter committed suicide, and his wife left him.
• Angel wants to find a good church.
• Mylee wants understanding as to why things happen the way they do.
• Elizabeth’s husband left and took everything out of the bank account so she had to get back in the business and now works 2 jobs.
• Cassidy asked for prayer but for nothing specific.
• The last time we saw Natasha she asked for prayer to find a nursing program. She happily announced she is now enrolled in one, is taking online classes and doing volunteer work so she can get out of the business.
• George, a club owner, found out he is cancer free. He’s believing that God is in control because he needs a kidney transplant in about 10 months. George is hoping to recover his investment in the club so he can get out. His daughter has 3 kids and is involved in ministry at Lakewood Church.
• Alexia has stopped dancing and is waitressing. We’re trying to help her find a job, but she has 3 felony drug convictions.
• Rosa’s daughters are missionaries in Columbia. She has a son who is 5 months old. Tammy remembered Rosa from a previous club Rosa worked at.We had a lot of good conversations and prayed with several girls.

Please pray for the girls and club owners when you think about it. We’re seeing them take baby steps towards getting out.

Drenda and The Team

July’s trip to the clubs was canceled due to a bad thunderstorm.

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the girls. Each bag contained an ankle bracelet, an encouraging scripture, a number to call and chocolate candy. Thanks to Vicky G. and her small group for the scripture cards! We took 170 bags and gave all of them away.

It was an awesome night. With the time change, it is still light out when we get to some of the clubs so they aren’t always as busy — which gives us more time to talk. Here are highlights:

• Courtney showed us her tattoos on both wrists. The tattoos are Chinese for “love God” and “Pray”. She said she is new to the area and has been working for 2 weeks in the club. She wants to find a church close to the club. If Courtney calls, we will point her to a couple of good churches in that area.
• Chris said all charges had been dropped against Kevin (our favorite FORMER manager). He said he likes it because prayers even get answered in the clubs.
• Norma spoke to a girl who said it was her first night and seemed pretty overwhelmed. She has 4 kids. She asked Norma why do we do this. Norma said, “To show the love of God to you and let you know we love you, too.” 
• A manager’s girlfriend had an ultrasound, and they are having a boy. The ultrasound showed the baby is healthy. We’ve been praying over this pregnancy. The last time we spoke to the manager, he was concerned she was going to miscarry.
• Stacy asked Diamond if she had anything she wanted us to pray about. She said, ”No. I prayed for my grandmother to get out of the hospital, and it worked. I prayed for my mom to have a safe flight home, and it worked.” Stacy said, “That’s great. Prayer does work.” Diamond responded, “Oh, okay, say a prayer for me.” As Stacy started her prayer with “Father…”, Diamond interrupted and said, “Forgive me my sins.” Stacy told her when we ask for forgiveness, God forgives us right then. Diamond smiled.
• Erotic said, “You watch and remember this place because I will overcome. You remember that because it will happen.” We agreed with her and said we would remember her.
• Nikki asked prayer for protection.
• Stacy walked up to a girl and said “hi”. The girl immediately began quoting the 23rd Psalm. When she got to “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil”, she began to tear up (as did Stacy). It was very touching and clear she meant it. As she hugged Stacy, she whispered in Stacy’s ear, “In 4 weeks I get to go home. I’m leaving and going home! I’m out of here!” More tears.
• One girl said when she was on her way to work, she saw some women holding signs on the side of the road. The signs said “Jesus is returning soon.” When she was asked what she thought about it, she said “I believe it. I felt like I was hit in the gut. I know it’s true because so many bad things are happening.” Stacy told her God is coming back, but it’s not because He is mad at us, but because He loves us and wants us to be with him.” The girl said she was glad about that.
• Emily asked prayer for her 3-year daughter who is having another kidney surgery.
• Lisa has 5 kids, and her husband lost his job. She requested prayer for both of them to find better jobs.
• Natasha asked for prayer to get in to a good nursing school.
• Savannah wants prayer for her finances.
• Sonya’s friend, Tammy, is in ICU.
• Tom, a customer, lost his mother on Mother’s Day
• Shay asked for a better life, better job and safe travels on her weekend trip.
• Alexia wants to get and stay sober.
• Danielle wants to be reunited with her husband. They have been separated for 7 months and have a daughter together.
• Jade wants to get her life straight.
• Brittany’s mother, Cathy, was traveling to a family friend’s funeral.

As you can see, lots of great conversations and lots of needs. One of the dancers called our hotline and requested food. I gave her some numbers to local food pantries in her area. I asked her if she was interested in getting a job in a different line of work. She said she was, but she has 3 felony drug convictions so it’s hard to find someone willing to hire her. She was a physical therapy aide in the past. If you know of any Houston businesses who might be willing to offer this girl a job, please email me at jesuslovesdancers@gmail.com.

AND there’s a club that we recently added that has been reluctant to let us go beyond the front door. I’m sure you remember “Mr. Friendly” and the owner’s daughter whom I’ve blogged about in the past. Anyway, when we were at this club in March, we spoke to the owner, and he called the girls to the door. This time the manager was standing outside when we walked up. He said, “Come right on in.” wooohooo!  Go, God!!!!

I’m still amazed we get in to the clubs at all. We have great relationships with many of the managers, owners and bartenders (& FORMER deejays). Who would ever think that many of these people greet us with hugs and seem genuinely happy to see us. Only God…

Please say a prayer for these girls when you think about it. If we don’t love them and pray for them, who will? A few girls have families (or at least a mother or grandmother) who are praying for them, but many of these girls have broken relationships with their families. We stand in the gap for them.

Drenda and the PTD team

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the girls. Each bag contained body spray, encouraging reading material and scripture, a number to call for help/prayer and chocolate candy. We went to some new clubs, saw some girls we knew from other clubs and met new owners and managers. The owners said we were welcome in their club any time. Go, God! Below are more highlights and prayer requests:

• A manager’s nephew’s friend, Corbin, was hurt in a 4-wheeler accident and life-flighted to the med center. Please pray for Corbin and his family and friends. Corbin is 12.
• We saw our friend, Chris, who had made brisket for the club. We shared a plate. It was DELICIOUS. If Chris is cooking, I’m eatin’.
• We prayed with a girl at a modeling studio.
• A man at one of the new clubs recognized us from the apartment complex where we have a ministry to the residents. The owner of the apartment complex is a part-owner of this strip club that opened 3 weeks ago.
• One manager requested prayer to get out of the business.

We had a lot of fun and good conversations. Please pray for our friends in the clubs when you get a chance.

Drenda

Last night we went to the strip clubs and took gift bags to the girls. Each bag contained a soft, furry teddy bear, encouraging scripture, invitation to church and a box of Valentine candy. Here are the highlights:

• Amy requested prayer for her 15 year old son who is giving her a hard time.
• One girl let us know she no longer is a dancer. She’s now waitressing.
• Prayed with 6-8 girls in the dressing room. One of the girls who was obviously high on something and rather loud was crying by the end of the prayer.
• A dancer approached Kim and asked if she was there for the bachelorette party. Kim responded, “Are you new?” “Yes.” “We’re the Church Ladies who come every month.” “Oh.” The girl quickly walked away. LOL
• Martrisha asked for prayer because she needs help in school.
• One dancer recognized Norma from another club where the girl used to work. I think it’s great that Norma is recognized.
• A young man (26 years old) hugged the team as they passed out bags. As he hugged Vicky, he told her his mom had been a dancer when he was growing up. She was an addict, and he appreciated everything we were doing in this club.
• Olivia asked prayer for her daughter Annabelle.
• A dancer requested prayer for her mother who has MS.
• One dancer thought we were there to reminisce about our days as dancers. When she realized who we were, she apologized. Again, LOL.

When I walked in to the first club, the door girl was on the phone. As I handed her a bag, I felt like they were talking about me, but blew it off and went inside the club. When I came back out, the door girl asked me if I remembered Amber. I didn’t remember the name, but as she described her, I remembered. The door girl had been on the phone with Amber, and Amber wanted me to know that she was out of the business and trying to get on her feet and wanted to thank me for what we do. I told the door girl to give Amber my number and tell her if she needs help with her job search or business clothes or wants to talk, to call me. The door girl is letting Amber stay with her while Amber gets on her feet.

I spent quite a bit of time talking to one of the owners of the clubs. He’s owned clubs like this for 23 years. He has a wife and kids. I asked him what his wife thinks about it. His response:  ”What do you think? No woman wants her husband doing this kind of job.”

When you think about it, please pray for the girls (& owners). They have the same needs we do:  troubled kids, sick family members, marital issues, help with school work, etc.

Drenda and the PTD team