Today, Pam, Carmen and I visited the same strip club as the previous time. God continues to amaze us. As a ministry team we began studying Nehemiah - and just as he wanted to do something to restore the people's dignity and to repair the crushed wall - we long to restore the dancers' dignity and for Christ to heal their crushed hearts.
After studying Nehemiah Chapter One, we got on our knees and prayed to our Great and Awesome Yahweh, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey him. Just as the old hymn states, "There is no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey." We long to be obedient to our Savior! We finished our prayer with Nehemiah 1:11 "O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man." The Lord did exactly that!
When walking in today, it took a moment for our eyes to adjust. We had literally walked from the light of day into a dark, smoky den. We were very conscious of the men who were on either sides of us, but the Lord made them step back away from us, and we walked right up to the bar to deliver the baskets. The bar maid recognized us from the last visit and said, "What a blessing!" A man sitting at the bar said, "What's this?" She proceeded to tell him that we were the "nice church ladies who bring us gifts." We are praying they will receive the Ultimate Gift, Jesus Christ Himself.
We continue to be thankful to Lifeway for the beautiful Bibles they provide for the baskets. Also, a friend of this ministry donated five bags of quality beauty products that would encourage any woman who received them. How we are thankful for the goodness of the body of Christ. We covet your prayers as we continue to reach out to these hurting women. May our Great and Awesome Yahweh get all the glory!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Nothing is impossible for the Lord!!!
Today Pam and I ventured into new territory. There is a well-known club in our neck of the woods that we had purposely avoided in the past. Intimidated by its reputation and manager, we just did not have the courage to visit....that is, until today. After praying, we went into that dark place and talked to a man behind the bar who scowled at us and a pretty barmaid who was much more welcoming. When she saw the gift bags we brought and their contents, she said, "This is awesome."
The man however was still scowling, but the barmaid said she would give them to the dancers and call us to invite us back if they agreed. She also said she would personally escort us to the dancers' dressing room next time. This is a direct answer to prayer! In the past we have not been allowed entrance into their dressing rooms. Pam and I came out of that place awestruck. The Lord did exceedingly above all we asked! We know He is faithful to continue the good work He has begun, to God be the glory!
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." I am so thankful that Christ not only is our Redeemer but He continues to redeem our time. He is faithful!
The man however was still scowling, but the barmaid said she would give them to the dancers and call us to invite us back if they agreed. She also said she would personally escort us to the dancers' dressing room next time. This is a direct answer to prayer! In the past we have not been allowed entrance into their dressing rooms. Pam and I came out of that place awestruck. The Lord did exceedingly above all we asked! We know He is faithful to continue the good work He has begun, to God be the glory!
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." I am so thankful that Christ not only is our Redeemer but He continues to redeem our time. He is faithful!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Update on Friday night
Carmen, Pam, and I had a "different" experience on this outing. This was the first time the dancers did not greet us with their ususal smiles. Instead they kept their distance and even seemed to avoid us. This has never been the case before. The girls did not seem to have freedom to come and talk to us as in the past. We know when we walk into that dark, smoke-filled place that evil is all around us - but we know even more that if God be for us, who can be against us! I believe in a way this week, we looked evil right in the face (maybe the pimps at the bar) and stood firm in Him....no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
On the bright side, Debbie (not her real name) told us she just learned she was pregnant and this would be her last week. She promised to call the ministry for help. We told her that the Lord was nudging her out of there and she agreed. Of course she is very nervous about the future.
Please pray for her:
- first and foremost for the Lord to save her
- she would call the ministry for help
- for a church home and an opportunity to be discipled
- for her fiancee and childen (this will be their second) salvation
- for God-honoring jobs
Praise God the bouncer's girlfriend found a clerical job. He thanked us for praying. Please help us to pray him out of there now. He is always kind to us.
I believe the Lord may be taking us in a different path with this ministry. Please join me in praying for the Lord's wisdom which is "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17
On the bright side, Debbie (not her real name) told us she just learned she was pregnant and this would be her last week. She promised to call the ministry for help. We told her that the Lord was nudging her out of there and she agreed. Of course she is very nervous about the future.
Please pray for her:
- first and foremost for the Lord to save her
- she would call the ministry for help
- for a church home and an opportunity to be discipled
- for her fiancee and childen (this will be their second) salvation
- for God-honoring jobs
Praise God the bouncer's girlfriend found a clerical job. He thanked us for praying. Please help us to pray him out of there now. He is always kind to us.
I believe the Lord may be taking us in a different path with this ministry. Please join me in praying for the Lord's wisdom which is "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday night highlights
My husband had not been feeling well that day but because he has such a servant's heart, he drove us to the Club and then remained in the car to pray. He does this everytime but I have failed to mention it. He is my human hero. We picked up Pam first. She had cooked for her family most of that day and loved every minute of it - she is a marvelous cook. Pam is a nurturer. Next we picked up Carmen. She was floating on cloud nine because she had spent that morning ministering at a retirement home. Carmen does worshipful dance - I have heard it's like glimpsing Heaven itself. Carmen is an encourager.
Pam, Carmen and me about to enter the Club
Before arriving, we read Ps. 66 and prayed our hearts out. I prayed specifically that each of us would be able to connect with a dancer. The Lord was faithful to do this! As we were walking in the Bouncer held the door for us. He gave us a big smile and said he was happy to see us. One of the dancers came running up to me and said, You're back! Do you remember me?" She hugged me and kissed my cheek three times. Likewise, Carmen and Pam were each able to connect with a dancer.
God is so mighty!
The dancer I talked with had just attended her cousin's baby's funeral. The baby boy was only two-months old. She wept as she held on to me and said, "Angie, I know you will pray." Then she was called to perform on stage. I watched her as she pulled herself together...she sighed deeply, threw her head back, and seemed to go to a numb place in her mind before she walked up on the stage. She was bone thin and looked very weak. Please pray she will telephone us.
Pam spoke to a dancer who was brand new to the Club. She has three children, and her husband is incarcerated. She said her husband had left her in dire straits. She does not have a permanent home and is moving from friend to friend. She is stressed because the children will begin school soon and she is not settled. This young woman of course was very fearful of the future. We are praying she will call us so we can help.
Carmen spoke with a dancer who asked for prayer for her six-month old brother who is having heart surgery this week. Carmen said the young lady had been raised in church and knew that this was not God's will for her life. She like many of the dancers are paying there way through college. We told her about the Christians' Womens' Job Corps. and the scholarships they offer. Carmen told her we would love to help her. I think we saw a hint of hope in her eyes.
Entrance of the Club
Please continue to pray salvation and protection for the dancers. We covet your prayers!
Pam, Carmen and me about to enter the Club
Before arriving, we read Ps. 66 and prayed our hearts out. I prayed specifically that each of us would be able to connect with a dancer. The Lord was faithful to do this! As we were walking in the Bouncer held the door for us. He gave us a big smile and said he was happy to see us. One of the dancers came running up to me and said, You're back! Do you remember me?" She hugged me and kissed my cheek three times. Likewise, Carmen and Pam were each able to connect with a dancer.
God is so mighty!
The dancer I talked with had just attended her cousin's baby's funeral. The baby boy was only two-months old. She wept as she held on to me and said, "Angie, I know you will pray." Then she was called to perform on stage. I watched her as she pulled herself together...she sighed deeply, threw her head back, and seemed to go to a numb place in her mind before she walked up on the stage. She was bone thin and looked very weak. Please pray she will telephone us.
Pam spoke to a dancer who was brand new to the Club. She has three children, and her husband is incarcerated. She said her husband had left her in dire straits. She does not have a permanent home and is moving from friend to friend. She is stressed because the children will begin school soon and she is not settled. This young woman of course was very fearful of the future. We are praying she will call us so we can help.
Carmen spoke with a dancer who asked for prayer for her six-month old brother who is having heart surgery this week. Carmen said the young lady had been raised in church and knew that this was not God's will for her life. She like many of the dancers are paying there way through college. We told her about the Christians' Womens' Job Corps. and the scholarships they offer. Carmen told her we would love to help her. I think we saw a hint of hope in her eyes.
Entrance of the Club
Please continue to pray salvation and protection for the dancers. We covet your prayers!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tonight is the night
We can hardly wait for 9 p.m. to arrive! Pam, Carmen and I are so thrilled to be going to the Club tonight. Our God is mighty!!! Life Way has been faithful to supply the Bibles for our baskets which blesses our hearts. This week when I went to see the manager I asked a sales associate if I could talk to him. She smiled at me and said, "of course, I will call him now." She picked up the phone and proceeded to tell him that Mary Magdalene was there to see him. Apparently there was a pause on the phone before he answered and said, "Do you mean Angie from the Mary Magdalene Ministry?" At this point we all were laughing. Today I was thinking I really do want to be like Mary Magdalene. After all, she was the first one Jesus appeared to after his death, and told her to go and tell the disciples that He had risen from the dead. We want these dancers to know Jesus Christ as Mary did. We want them to know He is alive, He is our All in All. We want them to fall in love with our Savior.
I will be sure to report back. It will probably be after midnight before we get home, but can I tell you there is nothing but joy on this journey!
I will be sure to report back. It will probably be after midnight before we get home, but can I tell you there is nothing but joy on this journey!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Abused and Used
July 9, 2011
Carmen and I went to the club last night with 15 baskets to minister to the dancers. Business was slow so we were able to spend about 1 1/2 hours there. The bouncer remembered us and smiled and hugged us both. Next, the bar maid came out and hugged us. A few of the dancers were new and thought we were selling makeup. Their faces softened as we talked about the Gospel.
I was able to have an extended time with one of the dancers. Her story was heartbreaking.....she longs to leave this lifestyle. Please pray for salvation for her. She is the mother of a 15-month daughter. The dancer said, "This is no place for a Mom to be."
These women have been badly abused and used. Please pray for their salvation and healing of emotional hurts. We want to be Jesus with skin on to the dancers.
Carmen and I went to the club last night with 15 baskets to minister to the dancers. Business was slow so we were able to spend about 1 1/2 hours there. The bouncer remembered us and smiled and hugged us both. Next, the bar maid came out and hugged us. A few of the dancers were new and thought we were selling makeup. Their faces softened as we talked about the Gospel.
I was able to have an extended time with one of the dancers. Her story was heartbreaking.....she longs to leave this lifestyle. Please pray for salvation for her. She is the mother of a 15-month daughter. The dancer said, "This is no place for a Mom to be."
These women have been badly abused and used. Please pray for their salvation and healing of emotional hurts. We want to be Jesus with skin on to the dancers.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Starting Out...
Mary Magdalene Ministry is an outreach program designed to love, encourage, and witness to women involved in the adult entertainment industry.
Currently, I am ministering in a club in the Huntsville, Alabama area. I usually go with one other woman, and we take baskets filled with products to pamper women spiritually and physically. Items typically include: Bibles, bubble bath, and beauty products. Going in with these free gifts opens the door to the gospel. When women ask, "How much?" we respond with, "It's free!" Before we know it, we are able to share the love of Jesus with them.
This is an exciting ministry and one that has already begun to produce positive outcomes. We covet your prayers. If you would like to know more, please become a "follower" of this blog to receive updates.
Currently, I am ministering in a club in the Huntsville, Alabama area. I usually go with one other woman, and we take baskets filled with products to pamper women spiritually and physically. Items typically include: Bibles, bubble bath, and beauty products. Going in with these free gifts opens the door to the gospel. When women ask, "How much?" we respond with, "It's free!" Before we know it, we are able to share the love of Jesus with them.
This is an exciting ministry and one that has already begun to produce positive outcomes. We covet your prayers. If you would like to know more, please become a "follower" of this blog to receive updates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)