Another lady has left

I have had the pleasure of visiting Emerald City the past two weeks. I have to say that it was an experience like no other. It was incredible. Because there have been other ladies going in weeks prior, the girls opened up to us a little easier. The first week I went, I was a little nervous. I didn't know what I would talk about or even what to expect.

When we walked in, a few of the girls were just standing around. One of them came up to me and just started pouring her heart out. I was a little surprised. Here I am, a total stranger, and this girl is telling me her life story and holding nothing back. I couldn't believe it. She was telling me how she doesn't have a car, and needs to go to the doctor. She can't go to the doctor because she doesn't have the money, and she doesn't have a way to get to the medicaid office to apply for insurance. She also shared how she had been into drugs and now she has been clean for three months. I didn't know what to say. I just tried to encourage her and give her praise because I know it is a constant struggle for her. I left that day with a broken heart. I hated to see what that girl was going through.

The following week was even better. One of the girls told us that she was leaving. She moved to the panhandle this past weekend and is now working at an auto parts store. I was so pumped. Praise God for what he has done in her life that she has the courage and means to do that. On the other hand, another girl is in a terrible situation because she has no home, no car, and very little money.

There was also a new girl working. I had the chance to talk to her. She was so nervous. It was her first day on the job. This girl is just out of high school. She is working to save money to go to radiology school.

As far as prayer requests go, I would ask that you pray for the young lady who is stuck without a home or car. That God would provide for her in a way that she sees his work and knows that it could only have been him. Also, pray for the young lady who is just out of high school. That God would show her a better way to earn money, and that she doesn't get caught up in this way of life.

-Christa

Friday's Visit

Yet another amazing week at Emerald City ! I have to admit that I am still so surprised by the wonderful reception we get every time we come. God obviously has his hand on this ministry! Business was slow on Friday so we had plenty of time to talk with the girls. One girl who we talked to regularly is now gone – planning to return home to family. Another girl will leave this week to be with her family also. We love to see them leaving the industry and finding out that they are more than just a body! They are beautiful, talented women who can do anything they want! In a way though, it is sad for me to see them go. I will miss getting to hang out with them and hearing what is happening in their life. Please pray that these women are successful in finding new employment where they are so they do not get sucked back into this lifestyle. Pray also that Christians will reach out to them wherever they end up . . . that the seed that was planted will be watered and eventually we will have new sisters in Christ!



We met a new girl this week. Friday was her first day. Sadly, she is newly graduated from high school. She still has such an innocent, sweet look. She has dreams of going to college and being a dental hygienist. Please pray that she will find a way out of this lifestyle before she gets sucked in.



Exciting news!! We were saying goodbye to the girls when the bartender struck up a conversation with me. He started asking questions about our church: what church it is, where exactly it is located. Then he wanted to know if we had anything for 5 year olds. Apparently he has twin daughters who are in kindergarten and he would like to get them involved in something. I was completely blown away!! The first time I met this man I thought he was going to kick me out and now he wants more information about our church! God is so awesome! Please pray that He will continue tugging on his heart!



I love these girls! I love hanging out with them! I continue to pray daily that God will open their eyes to how much he loves them . . . how much they mean to him!

-Kim

FAITH, Expressing itself through LOVE.

Empty eyes light up as we walk in. I think even the bartender is starting to look forward to our weekly visits now. Our friends are sitting at the bar just waiting for another day to pass by. Right before we walk in, the nerves are so great inside that I'm not sure if I can do this again....what if we are rejected today?? What if the owner is there and demands we leave "his" girls alone?? Satan loves to TRY and make us doubt, but how thankful I am for the Soveriengty and comfort, and leading of God. He is so INCREDIBLE....EVERYTIME He just leads us into that place of darkness and uses us, ordinary women who love Him, to love on those girls. RIght before I walk in I am reminded by His still small voice speaking to my heart, "Stephanie, remember, this is ME going in there today. These girls don't belong to anyone but ME! I don't NEED you to do this for me, but I WANT you to. I desire to use you for MY glory, and for you to rely on MY strength, and to rely on MY words for those girls. I know them by name, I desire THEM-- their love, their time, their lives......Go and be my disciple, go love those girls for ME."

As I walk in, every thought of anything else in my life fades away, and my ONLY focus is being Jesus to those precious girls. We talk just as any of my other girlfriends would, about life, about families, about hardships, about joys, EVERYTHING. Which makes sense...these girls are my FRIENDS!! How cool is it seeing people the way Jesus sees them. I love these girls and as I get to know them more, my heart hurts but opens up even more for them and their lives. It is amazing to see weekly how these walls are crumbling down more and more. They have shared before that they don't trust anyone, everyone judges them, and hurts them. How cool was it to be able to tell them, "I know it will take time for you to see, but we are different. We DO love you, and we want you to know that you are cared about and prayed for, and we want to be here every week to see who you are inside and what your life is all about. You matter! You matter! You matter to us, and you are worth more than you can even imagine...we love you!" The response was amazing....I know that there are walls to be broken down, but God is SOO more than able to do that....just in His timing.

At the church tonight is a concert, and the girls were talking about how they had nothing to do tonight, so I felt led to invite them to come and just hang out and listen to music. Three of them said they would like to come tonight, so I just pray that they do show up, because I know God is waiting for them to come, He is ready to fill those empty eyes with a love that covers every hurt, every fear, every desire they have. I love my friends...God thank you for using me today. God, thank you for opening the door weekly to meet with these girls and show them that they matter and that they are loved. You are so ROCKIN AWESOME....I can't wait to see what You are going to do next:) Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone and teaching me how to take my faith and put it into action through your amazing love!! I LOVE YOU

Galatians 5:6 "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"

-Stephanie

What difference does it make?

Let’s just call her “Lucy”- Our initial visit with her… "Hi Lucy we are collecting school supplies to donate to single moms in the area and were hoping we could" – she interrupts, "Oh I am sorry I wish I could but I just don’t have anything to give!" She thought we were asking for her to donate. After I cleared that up- she said "oh, no, no I don’t have any children, but thank you." "Well is there anything else we could help you with." "No I am good she continued to just be tough and stand offish." 5 minutes later Liz, myself, and “Lucy” were beginning what would be a 30 min conversation about her life, where she has been, what all she has done, and what led her to work here. We find out that she has not had a descent meal in several months. She is feigning for protein- meat, beans, peanut butter. She says all she has eaten is Noodles and crackers.

With the help of several ladies in our church we were able to take her a good meal, some groceries, and a gift card to buy fresh meat. She was so thankful.

She was only in the club the first two times we were there. Both times she talked about how much she hated working there. She has two degrees from college, has had several jobs, and been through so much in her life. She is a beautiful young lady and extremely well spoken and smart. One bad decision after another had led her down the road to working here.

I asked her what was keeping her here if she hated it so much. She was trying to save $1000 to get up to Pennsylvania where her family lives. I didn’t let it go- how did you decide on that number, and how long do you think it will take you to save it? Only walking away with maybe $50 on a good night it will take several weeks. I have to fix my car- she was a mechanic at one point in her life, but needed to buy the parts. I need gas money, I have bills, and this and that. I told her a plane ticket would probably be around $300. Can you pack up what you need in a couple of bags? Well I have a kitten, and a car, kind of… followed by more excuses. By the way she was talking, I thought she would never leave. Just down in the dumps about life.

This was the last time we saw Lucy. The other girls said they hadn’t seen her in days, when we asked about her. The following week I had a voice mail from her! “Thank you so much for your help. I took your advice, packed everything I own up in two bags and hopped a plane to Pennsylvania! Thank you Thank you! I really appreciate what you did for me.” She didn’t have to call and tell me any of this. But how encouraging it was to hear from her

So what difference does it make, just talking to the girls, and providing a lunch for them? People have said we are enabling them, or encouraging what they are doing by going there and loving them. But loving her like Christ made a difference in “Lucy’s” life.

All GLORY and HONOR and PRAISE to Jesus! We alone are nothing, but we can do all things through Him who gives us strength! Phillipians 4:13

What is it like?

I keep getting this question from people. On my way to Emerald City I have knots in my stomach and just feel like I am going to get sick. I am so nervous. Each partner I have gone with feels the same way as we are driving closer. We are talking about what might happen inside, preparing each other for questions that could be asked, and worrying if we will have the right answers. What will we have to talk about with the girls, or what if the manager or even owner says we can’t be there.

Phillippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

We pray in the parking lot, and as soon as we swing the heavy metal door open the feelings disappear. God enters in. Not that He wasn’t there before- He is always with us, but He calms our fears, gives us that PEACE and reminds us there is nothing to fear.



The girls are so welcoming, waving and smiling. So thankful we are back. For the next hour or so we just hang out with the girls. Listening and talking with them just as the friends they really have become. About our families, movies, the Olympics- conversations are so natural. Since the very first Friday we have been there each week. This means a lot to the girls. We are not there to judge, or throw religion at them. The girls have seen that we are different and truly care about them. Their trust is increasing and they are opening up so much more. We look them in their eyes and smile and laugh with them. They have said they are glad its not another man walking through the door.

Sometimes we have food, or gifts, sometimes we don't. A friend reminded me that we are not a social service agency. We can't provide for their every need. We are there to give them something of much greater value and to meet a much greater need than their physical needs. We have the gift of Salvation, a friend that will never forsake them.

I have never been involved in anything so amazing. How could the same exact experience give me so much joy and despair? It’s an amazing feeling to love these girls, who need a friend so bad. They are lonely and so hurt on many levels. I laugh inside sometimes that God has allowed us in one more time. That I was so worried that this time for sure there will be a barrier. Its just so fun to do something each week that is so far out of your comfort zone, and that you know is bringing Glory to God.

At the same time we are bombarded with sadness at the evil here. The oppression and darkness is unbearable. Satan is at work. The girls tell story after story about their home life growing up, what led them to this point, and how worthless they feel. Can you imagine being groped, poked, and yelled at daily to provide for your family. When you are treated like that its hard to believe you matter, and that you are more than just a body.

So why are you here they ask? We are there to show them that someone cares. That God loves them more than they can imagine. We are not hiding the Gospel from them, but also not shoving it down their throats. We are not there to get them out of their current occupation or to get them into church. Our goal is to develop a relationship with them, and through that intimacy and trust they will meet Jesus. As they lead the conversation about how we are different and why we are there, we are able to share with them about our faith in Jesus. He will work in their lives. He loves them just as they are, but desires a fuller life for them. We pray that we can show them this life to the fullest with Christ.

(John 10:10) I came to give life and life to the fullest.

How did it begin?

A passion was struck in my heart when my husband mentioned the idea one Sunday morning in his sermon. He was talking about GRACE, and how it is for everyone. Even those we are tempted to think may not deserve it. He gave a list of ideas that are just too far out there, risky, a scandalous way of sharing this GRACE that God so freely gives. What if a group of ladies here in this church loved girls in the local strip club? At that moment I knew God was telling me, yes you Alex.

I prayed for several weeks about how this ministry could get started. What would it look like? I researched other churches with similar ministries and contacted a couple of the ministry leaders to learn more. In May I started talking with other ladies about being a part of this ministry to exotic dancers. I got a lot of negative and discouraging feedback. There is no way you will get in there. How do you think you will? Its just too risky, too dangerous. I just don’t know how it will ever work. I continued to pray and ask God to bring the right people to the team, who were willing to get out of their comfort zones, to love girls and just show them that they count.

As I continued to talk with ladies about my passion for this ministry, God was also stirring in other women’s hearts. We had an interest meeting in August to pray and prepare for what to do next. There were six ladies who were excited about reaching Emerald City with God’s GRACE. I thought I had it all figured out. At the meeting I told the girls I was going to a training in Lexington at a church who has a ministry like this called Bruised Reed. When I get back I will train you guys and anyone else who is interested, towards the end of August. And then in September some time we will go to the club for the first time. Everyone was excited but wondering do you have a plan for how to actually get in there- How do you think that will work? Let’s just all pray for a way in, God will make it obvious to us, and provide a way when the time is right.

Well, God just laughed in my face about all the plans I had worked out! Oh yeah- He says Watch me. But listen closely, because here we go.

Later that night I was sharing stories about what other churches have done. One church collected backpacks full of school supplies and took them to the moms who work in the clubs. The team was so excited about this. We have jump on this school starts next week- this may be our way in! So I left that night planning to call the Manager and see if this is something we could do.

Through prayer and encouragement from a friend I realized the need to go in person to ask. If I get someone on the phone it will be really easy for them to say no thanks. If I am there in person I may actually be able to talk with some of the girls. SO that is exactly what happened- Liz and I went to Emerald City on Wednesday, August 13th, the day after our first meeting!

You can read about our visits on this blog.

To be Loved is to be Known and to be Known is to be Loved