Heartbroken. Lonely. Degraded. Hopeless. These are all words I would use to describe the women I met at Emerald City. Their eyes were hollow and I struggled to keep my emotions in check as I listened to their stories. Abandoned by their families at a young age. Abused physically and sexually by men who claimed to love them. Told to their faces almost daily that they are worthless . . . “expendable people”. It seemed obvious to me that, over time, they had come to believe those words were true.
I must admit that when I left Emerald City I felt depressed. I had never sat across from someone so broken and hurting. What did I possibly have to offer these women whose lives are completely different from mine? My struggles would seem like cotton candy to them. It was there, in the moment of my helplessness, that God opened my eyes. He showed me that I do have something to offer them . . . hope! The hope that there is an escape from their pain. A Savior who longs to rescue them. To show these unloved, unwanted women that they are loved, they are wanted. So much so that their Savior willingly chose to die on a cross for THEM! He gave up his life so they could have new ones – filled with all the love, joy and peace they’ve been searching for.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” That is what these women need! Please pray for them! They need you to intercede! Jesus longs to rescue them and he wants you and me to be a part of it!
-Kim Burkett
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Third Visit
What an amazing and humbling experience! I had the privelege of going to Emerald City and from the moment we walked in you could feel the Holy Spirit take over and fill that place through Alex and I. The girls were in mid-dance around the pole, and as soon as we opened up the door to walk in, they stopped and hurried over to us saying with excitement, "hey guys!" You could really feel the sense of relief in their voices that here they were, the girls with the food, but more important the smiles and love from Jesus ready to pour out over them.
I immediately was able to connect to one of the girls, who, by the world's standards is a gorgeous woman, but as her and I began to talk I discovered her true beauty, her heart. She was immediately telling me about one of her friends that was in need of clothes or anything we could muster up because she is expecting her first baby. She told me how awesome she thought it was that we were coming to bring them food and to hang out for a little while...which by the way ROCKED my socks off knowing that they WANT us there!! Another girl, just as precious, said to me that she wanted to cry because of what we were doing for them, just coming there to bring them food. She told me that her parents had owned a thrift store and a homeless shelter while she was growing up, and said NEVER had she seen anyone willing to do what we were doing. God is that you??
As I have processed the first visit to Emerald City, there are so many conclusions I have come to on how awesome our Lord truly is, but the one I wanted to focus on this time is how truly Sovereign He is. He already has us inside the walls of this place of despair, with girls who are hungry. Right now they only know of their physical hunger, but by the time God has his way through us and in them, they will realize their spiritual need, their spiritual hunger for Jesus. I told Craig, my husband, that I believe with all my heart that there will come a time when I have those girls inside my home for dinner, and our prayer before we eat will be "God thank you for my new friend and bless her new journey with you." These girls are our friends, they are all children of the Almighty King, and our soon to be sisters in Christ. How exciting to be part of a ministry that truly tests your faith and ability to let go and let God!! I wish everyday was Friday so we could minister to those girls everyday, but they need our saturday thru thursdays just as much filled with prayer, preparation through our own personal devotion to get us ready for what those girls are truly longing for and needing to fulfill.
-Stephanie Crynes
I immediately was able to connect to one of the girls, who, by the world's standards is a gorgeous woman, but as her and I began to talk I discovered her true beauty, her heart. She was immediately telling me about one of her friends that was in need of clothes or anything we could muster up because she is expecting her first baby. She told me how awesome she thought it was that we were coming to bring them food and to hang out for a little while...which by the way ROCKED my socks off knowing that they WANT us there!! Another girl, just as precious, said to me that she wanted to cry because of what we were doing for them, just coming there to bring them food. She told me that her parents had owned a thrift store and a homeless shelter while she was growing up, and said NEVER had she seen anyone willing to do what we were doing. God is that you??
As I have processed the first visit to Emerald City, there are so many conclusions I have come to on how awesome our Lord truly is, but the one I wanted to focus on this time is how truly Sovereign He is. He already has us inside the walls of this place of despair, with girls who are hungry. Right now they only know of their physical hunger, but by the time God has his way through us and in them, they will realize their spiritual need, their spiritual hunger for Jesus. I told Craig, my husband, that I believe with all my heart that there will come a time when I have those girls inside my home for dinner, and our prayer before we eat will be "God thank you for my new friend and bless her new journey with you." These girls are our friends, they are all children of the Almighty King, and our soon to be sisters in Christ. How exciting to be part of a ministry that truly tests your faith and ability to let go and let God!! I wish everyday was Friday so we could minister to those girls everyday, but they need our saturday thru thursdays just as much filled with prayer, preparation through our own personal devotion to get us ready for what those girls are truly longing for and needing to fulfill.
-Stephanie Crynes
Friday, August 15, 2008
He knows you by name!
Someone Likes You and Knows You by Name
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'I will also do the thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I have known you by name.'" Ex. 33:17 (NAS)
Today, because of Jesus, you can have the same favor from God that Moses enjoyed. God actually likes you, wants to be with you, and you can experience God's presence wherever you go. And just as He did with Moses, God knows you by name.
In our impersonal, nameless society, it's exciting to know that there's One who likes you, wants to be with you and knows you by name. And that's something to tell the whole world about. -Glenn Howard White Jr.
"To him (Jesus) the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out." John 10:3
The girls eyes lit up when we walked in today and called them by name- they seemed shocked. In an industry where they are just bodies, we have expressed interest in their lives. Looking only at their faces, and reminding them that they are a real person, with a face and a name. These girls are just girls. Its so fun to talk with them- and its not awkward at all. Its just like talking to a friend in a bikini at the beach. They look so lonely and scared and ashamed- and then you talk with them like they are a real person, and their smiles are so genuine. We chatted and laughed and just enjoyed friendship with these ladies, who are simply children of God.
The word quickly spread in the club. When we walked in today a new lady said, "we have heard great stuff about you. Thanks for coming." I was sure there would be more difficulty going back again- it was just too easy the first time. But they were so excited to see us return... and this time with cookies! Man they were happy about that. And the men were too!
We had an opportunity to meet another bartender/manager and he is fine with us being there as well. We have yet to meet the owner but we are hoping the good word about us spreads to him before that initial introduction.
When we were in conversation one of the ladies said, you guys should come more often- remember we had just been there two days before. We assured them that we would be back in another week. I think Friday afternoons may be our best schedule for now. We are meeting the girls that work there in the bikini bar, and some of them also work in the nude bar at night. Our prayer is to eventually expand the ministry to the night scene, but for now are pouring our hearts into the bikini bar.
Please thank God for this opportunity and leading us with each new step in this ministry.
Please pray for
Our relationships to grow with these girls as we build trust and friendship.
One young lady who wants to save up enough money to "get out" and move to Pennsylvania.
One young lady who's husband has lost his job, requiring her to pick up more shifts.
The hearts of the ministry team members to be stirred and follow God's lead.
When we left today a couple of the girls gave us meaningful hugs- you could just tell by the embrace ya know. I told one of them as she repeatedly thanked us, we just want to love you like God loves you. You know He loves you so much, really. And she just kept saying thank you.
He knows each one of them by name. And the doorkeeper has opened the door for Him to enter in. Christ will be shared with His sheep. They will here his voice and He will lead them out. John 10:3
"And the Lord said to Moses, 'I will also do the thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in my sight, and I have known you by name.'" Ex. 33:17 (NAS)
Today, because of Jesus, you can have the same favor from God that Moses enjoyed. God actually likes you, wants to be with you, and you can experience God's presence wherever you go. And just as He did with Moses, God knows you by name.
In our impersonal, nameless society, it's exciting to know that there's One who likes you, wants to be with you and knows you by name. And that's something to tell the whole world about. -Glenn Howard White Jr.
"To him (Jesus) the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out." John 10:3
The girls eyes lit up when we walked in today and called them by name- they seemed shocked. In an industry where they are just bodies, we have expressed interest in their lives. Looking only at their faces, and reminding them that they are a real person, with a face and a name. These girls are just girls. Its so fun to talk with them- and its not awkward at all. Its just like talking to a friend in a bikini at the beach. They look so lonely and scared and ashamed- and then you talk with them like they are a real person, and their smiles are so genuine. We chatted and laughed and just enjoyed friendship with these ladies, who are simply children of God.
The word quickly spread in the club. When we walked in today a new lady said, "we have heard great stuff about you. Thanks for coming." I was sure there would be more difficulty going back again- it was just too easy the first time. But they were so excited to see us return... and this time with cookies! Man they were happy about that. And the men were too!
We had an opportunity to meet another bartender/manager and he is fine with us being there as well. We have yet to meet the owner but we are hoping the good word about us spreads to him before that initial introduction.
When we were in conversation one of the ladies said, you guys should come more often- remember we had just been there two days before. We assured them that we would be back in another week. I think Friday afternoons may be our best schedule for now. We are meeting the girls that work there in the bikini bar, and some of them also work in the nude bar at night. Our prayer is to eventually expand the ministry to the night scene, but for now are pouring our hearts into the bikini bar.
Please thank God for this opportunity and leading us with each new step in this ministry.
Please pray for
Our relationships to grow with these girls as we build trust and friendship.
One young lady who wants to save up enough money to "get out" and move to Pennsylvania.
One young lady who's husband has lost his job, requiring her to pick up more shifts.
The hearts of the ministry team members to be stirred and follow God's lead.
When we left today a couple of the girls gave us meaningful hugs- you could just tell by the embrace ya know. I told one of them as she repeatedly thanked us, we just want to love you like God loves you. You know He loves you so much, really. And she just kept saying thank you.
He knows each one of them by name. And the doorkeeper has opened the door for Him to enter in. Christ will be shared with His sheep. They will here his voice and He will lead them out. John 10:3
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Satan is TICKED!
God is AMAZING! Our meeting last night went well, for those of you who couldn't attend. We just painted a picture of what this ministry could look like. And prayed for the girls/staff at the club and the relationships that will be built.
We brainstormed ideas on the best way to serve the ladies. My thinking all along was that I would go to this training at Southland Christian Church in Lexington in August. They have a ministry to exotic dancers. In two weeks I will get to not only train with the ministry leader but actually go to the clubs with a team.
After the training I planned to come back and train anyone else interested in showing God's love to Emerald City. Then I thought we would aim for the end of September to be the first delivery of gifts. We have all decided this would be the best way- meet a physical need. No strings attached just a gift in love to start breaking the walls so to say.
Last night at the meeting everyone was so excited about getting school supplies to the moms and even dads that may work there. School starts next week so everyone agreed we need to get on this. So I thought I'll call and see if the manager will let us deliver some stuff for them, and ask how many of the staff have kids, etc.
Well isn't it funny when we plan everything out- that God just chuckles... He said- go there! meet the manager/owner, ask in person. So Liz and I went today. We were able to meet the Video Store owner, the Manager at the Bikini Bar, and three super sweet girls, in need of friends and a Savior! We were there over an hour and man it was just amazing how receptive they were. I shouldn't even act so amazed... we asked God and He provided the way!
Please pray for these girls. They are hungry. They may not know they are hungry for Christ yet- right now all they know is they are hungry for food! We'll meet the physical need first- They are already shocked and curious as to why we would want to do this- We just want to love them like God does.
So... I am going back Friday afternoon to give a good home cooked meal and school supplies to the ladies. There may be others there and it will just be a ripple affect when they all start chatting about these girls who are "different". That's where the questions start and the conversations begin.
How awesome is it that we know we can at least go to the bikini bar anytime we want. We built good first relationships. Hopefully soon we will connect with the Nude bar owner- Kip. and see if we can provide school supplies to the staff there as well.
Continue to be in prayer- Satan is TICKED!
We brainstormed ideas on the best way to serve the ladies. My thinking all along was that I would go to this training at Southland Christian Church in Lexington in August. They have a ministry to exotic dancers. In two weeks I will get to not only train with the ministry leader but actually go to the clubs with a team.
After the training I planned to come back and train anyone else interested in showing God's love to Emerald City. Then I thought we would aim for the end of September to be the first delivery of gifts. We have all decided this would be the best way- meet a physical need. No strings attached just a gift in love to start breaking the walls so to say.
Last night at the meeting everyone was so excited about getting school supplies to the moms and even dads that may work there. School starts next week so everyone agreed we need to get on this. So I thought I'll call and see if the manager will let us deliver some stuff for them, and ask how many of the staff have kids, etc.
Well isn't it funny when we plan everything out- that God just chuckles... He said- go there! meet the manager/owner, ask in person. So Liz and I went today. We were able to meet the Video Store owner, the Manager at the Bikini Bar, and three super sweet girls, in need of friends and a Savior! We were there over an hour and man it was just amazing how receptive they were. I shouldn't even act so amazed... we asked God and He provided the way!
Please pray for these girls. They are hungry. They may not know they are hungry for Christ yet- right now all they know is they are hungry for food! We'll meet the physical need first- They are already shocked and curious as to why we would want to do this- We just want to love them like God does.
So... I am going back Friday afternoon to give a good home cooked meal and school supplies to the ladies. There may be others there and it will just be a ripple affect when they all start chatting about these girls who are "different". That's where the questions start and the conversations begin.
How awesome is it that we know we can at least go to the bikini bar anytime we want. We built good first relationships. Hopefully soon we will connect with the Nude bar owner- Kip. and see if we can provide school supplies to the staff there as well.
Continue to be in prayer- Satan is TICKED!
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