Last night.
I never cease to see God's hand move every Thursday night and tonight was no exception. I want to start off in thanksgiving for the hearts of so many. Without you this ministry would not be what it is today. I picked up food from Northside church tonight! Want to give a big shout out to the wonderful ladies that take time out of their day to prepare food for the ladies in the clubs. I know that many others are involved from other churches as well so THANK YOU!!! The girls cannot wait to see what they are having for supper and are so excited to be able to take some home to their kids.
The night began with our support group. We ended up having 4 ex dancers there tonight and we got down to business. We all shared how our weeks have been and any struggles that have held us captive. Then we took turns encouraging each other in those areas of struggle. Some struggling to get a job, some with trying to stay off drugs, some wondering how they live in victory after many abortions, others struggling with the feeling of never being good enough, I myself struggling with boundary issues. We all shared and encouraged.. It was beautiful.. The contrast between seeing these girls in the clubs barely clothed, without hope, to seeing them fully dressed looking radiant and a hope that would inspire a song.. oh how beautiful.. To hear the wisdom that ONLY God can give left me in awe. In awe of a father in love with his daughters. I could only imagine God's face as they told each other how beautiful and strong they were. Wisdom that I had only heard in a Beth Moore study was on the lips of ex dancers that had only been out of the clubs for a few weeks!!! Tell me that isn't crazy!
How blessed i felt to just be sitting in the room with these amazing women that were so in love with Jesus. I miss that excitement of first knowing him.. That child like faith when you knew that he would supply every need. To be in love with him and to feel him close.. I just took in a deep breath of his spirit that was so very present. How refreshing..Not that I don't experience that at times now but you know how it is when you are a new
believer and experiencing all that God has for the first time. It seems as though the rivers in the Bible are alive. Like you can hear them flowing and almost smell the fresh wind that blows through the trees.. Well I wanted it back:) God never changed. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So I walked away with a fresh wind and fire..
I went to a different club tonight. There were only two girls there and they were busy. I wasn't sure we would even be able to talk with them. Finally one came to us. She was 22 years old and beautiful. As she sat there with her long blonde hair and her golden skin I could only think of my daughter.. I asked how her relationship with her parents was. She said it was good but they did not like her working there. My mind again went to my own daughter. I imagined Riley at 22.. and my heart began to break.. I imagined her sitting there in her place.. I wondered how her mother must feel.. That this giel is someones daughter and how broken their hearts must be to know that their daughter thinks so less of herself that she is dancing for money.. I could picture God's heart and how much He wants her to know that she is worth so much more. I had a hard time talking to her for fear that I would cry.. She gave me her number and expressed how she did not want to be there but there were no jobs available. She said she didn't believe in God because of the loss of her brother.. There was a time she believed but it hurt to much now.. Oh how the enemy lies to us all.. I decided right there that I am going to pray for that young girl like I do my own. Oh how they hurt and how my heart breaks for them to know Jesus..
Thank you each of you.. for your prayers..you never know what can come of them but one thing is for sure. I'm believing God! If he makes my heart this heavy and ask of me and many others to leave their homes every Thursday night to cook, pray, and to go to strip clubs, you better believe its for a reason and I can't wait to see what happens!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Because of Him,
Casey M.
Outreach team member SH
