I went to a strip club
A while back I was asked by a group of pastor’s wives to go with them to strip clubs.
That sentence alone sounds strange. But hang with me.
At first I was a little hesitant. And not for reasons you might think.
I love people. Especially ones who are broken; it’s part of my purpose. But, given what I’ve walked through, I know how fragile hurting people can be.
And I know how insensitive the church can be.
And I was uneasy.
But, these weren’t just any pastors wives.
They had a vision.
One that longed to love on women that society had thrown aside.
It reminded me a lot of Jesus.
So, I jumped on it.
Their plan was to visit these clubs once a month to deliver a meal, gift baskets and assistance. I joined them the first night and I’ll be honest, I had NO IDEA what to expect.
Now, I had my fair share of time (back in the day) in bars and such, but I’d never been to a strip club. I was totally unaware of what I was walking into.
We arrived and the bouncer ushered us back into the dressing room where we introduced ourselves and began distributing the gifts and food.
I was shocked by what I saw.
And I’ll tell you why:
I was raised to believe that no good comes from places like that. Which is probably true on many levels. (I wouldn’t suggest making it your go-to for date nights)
But, I was filled (as were many church kids) with fear about “places like that”. That “those people” were heathens and doing all kinds of sinful, shameful things.
Which, again, is true of strip clubs.
And bars.
And many other places.
Even churches.
But, these girls – these lovely, girls – were so…..normal.
As I talked with one in particular, she reminded me of any young mom I’d talk to in the school pick up line.
Minus the fact that she didn’t have much clothing on – I tried not to focus on that.
(Oh dear God, she’s talking about strippers in a Christian blog and talking about them being half naked. We should not EVEN be thinking such things! First, my sweet friend, it’s okay to laugh. Like seriously, it’s OKAY. The fact that 4 pastors wives and their pregnant friend even went into a strip club is kinda funny. If you’re going to love like Jesus, you’re going to find yourself in some pretty awkward situations. And if you don’t have a sense of humor, you’re toast. Like seriously. So, I give you full permission to go ahead and laugh at the mental picture) 🙂
They showed pictures of their children, talked of pregnancy (I was pregnant at the time) chatted about trying to get back in shape after having a baby, etc. It was SO NORMAL.
But, as we talked and I looked into their eyes, I saw women – young, broken women. Who had stories, probably much like mine or yours.
We didn’t stay long. They had a shift to work, and we didn’t want to overstay our welcome.
But, as we left, they thanked us.
More than once.
As I drove home, I totally fell apart in my car.
Not because I felt sorry for them. Not because I thought I was so much better than they were. Not because I pitied their circumstance.
I cried because my heart was broken.
One thing God continues to do in my heart, is humble it. Like over and over. Countless times, I think I’m going in to love on some lowly soul and then I walk out, completely undone because the condition of my own heart was exposed.
I wept in my car – realizing the way I had viewed women in that profession.
Because, people – that could have been me.
It could have been any of us.
Had my journey taken a few different turns, I very well could have been on the receiving end of that encounter.
Man. I WAS WRECKED.
I had my baby shortly after that visit and didn’t get to go back for the monthly visits to see the women.
But, I stayed in contact with one of the women organizing it and every so often, I ask her how it’s going.
They have been visiting them for a year now and received permission to leave a prayer box where the women could leave prayer requests.
The first few times they collected the box it had silly things written in it.
But they continued to leave it there.
Over the following weeks and months (as they continued to love on these women), the prayer requests got real.
Real situations
Real hurt
Real needs
Last time my friend and I got together, I asked about the strip clubs and this is what she said:
Her eyes always, always fill with tears when we talk about it because God is SO in love with these precious women.
She said, “The women are starting to reach out more. I’ve been texting with one and getting to connect with her a bit deeper”
We talked a bit more and she turned to me and said something that I am still rattled by.
“You know what one of them said to me last time?”
“What?”
“She said that she was so glad we come to visit them because we’re not like the other churches”
I said, “what did she mean by that?”
She said, “Apparently other churches send them hate mail. ALL THE TIME”
I’m sure my face turned three shades of white.
Complete shock and disbelief gripped me.
We both looked at eachother and about fell into a pool of tears right there.
People – church – WHAT ARE WE DOING?!
Did we forget (or do we just sing it songs) that Jesus was a friend of sinners, the outcast, the lonely?
Did we forget that it’s God’s kindness that leads us to love others?
That ALL OF OUR GOOD BIBLE LOVING STUFF are like filthy rags without love?
Jesus was UNAFRAID of walking in love to the least of the least.
Like the scum of the scum.
He walked right in, sat down and ate with the outcasts of society.
Gross, ugly messy people.
And the religious HATED HIM FOR IT.
A few years ago, I met with another pastor’s wife across the country who shared with me a similar ministry, although after months of developing relationships with the dancers, they asked the owners a crazy question.
They asked to hold a Bible study.
IN THE STRIP CLUB.
Just for the dancers.
Surprisingly, they were given a yes.
(Something about it building morale in the employees, but whatever. It was a surprising yes and they were thrilled)
So, they started leading a Bible study in the club.
But, something was missing.
And those serving knew it.
The women they were ministering to needed to be led by a man – not because these women were incapable, but because of the damaged, skewed image they had of men. They needed to see a man who was safe – they needed a man who loved like Jesus.
This woman’s husband (who was a pastor) stepped up and took on the challenge. And, for months the dancers wouldn’t even look him in the eye.
But he kept showing up….
Soon, one by one, the women met a divine love through this pastor’s humble, gentle leadership.
There was prayer.
Women found freedom.
And many went on to lead, healthy restored lives.
All because this group of women and this pastor were unafraid to go where God’s love was leading them.
I’m not suggesting that we all have this purpose.
I am not God.
What I AM saying to you is that if Jesus were here, walking among us, wouldn’t it be just like him to walk into the most un-religious place (strip club or whatever) and completely freak the religious folk out?
Just a thought.
He loved then.
He loves now.
But, he can only reach as far as you and I are willing to go.
Hugs,
Anna
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435 Comments
Donna Fullerton
Amazing words! Many years ago we had a family friend who was a missionary in Germany. He worked with the military men and women. But his heart was pulled to go to the bars and just sit with the people. He was Jesus in a dark place, just showing His love. I believe that is what we are to do in some form or fashion all the time. We come together as believers to build each other up to then go forth to show His love in this hurting world.
Thank you for your words!
Lauren Labit
What was the name of that man who was a missionary in Germany?
Cheryl
Thank you! You inspire me!
Kimberly
There is so much I love about this post! I kept saying “Yes!” in my head as I read this in class today. Especially as you spoke about your tears for the broken: our souls are united, sister.
Sometimes I think the hardest part of stepping into the hardest parts of story is not knowing what lies ahead. This is a beautiful story of redemption, I wonder what it felt like in the midst of ministry, before the barren leaves bore fruit?
Kris
The call of Jesus is awesome. Thank you for telling this story. I once worked with a women who had spent time as an adult entertainer. She told me all kinds of stories. Good, bad and sad. Women are still women regardless of where we do or do not work.
Sheri June
Thank you so much for your inspiration! My husband and I both are reading and being encouraged by your posts! You truly have the heart of Jesus!
Hugs and Blessings,
Sheri
Becky Nunn
I liked the story about going to the strip club. If more Christians did things like this, with the same loving attitude a lot of people would not be so anti-christian. If we as christians don’t give the love that Jesus gives how are we going to help the ones that need Jesus most.
Danielle
Beautiful!! Oh so humbling and beautiful!!
I have experienced this in regards to drug addiction. I am a counselor and was afraid of those addicted to drugs and had my prejudices until God led me in the center of their pain in a community detoxification job……….it brought me to my knees and changed my heart, which only God can do. I am forever grateful and humbled to Jesus for my life and these experiences. I am following him into hard and painful places of others sin and pain but I am growing in Christ daily!!
Sherry
I love this so much! Praise the Lord for He is worthy!
Jim Yonts
Anna, thank you so much for sharing this heart-felt post! I’ve been blessed to be able to help in a ministry our church has partnered in with several other churches in the Louisville, KY area.
It is called Scarlet Hope ( https://scarlethope.org ). They minister to ladies working in the adult entertainment clubs and encourage them to find an alternative to that work. Among the many aspects of this ministry, Scarlet Hope provides food, an attentive non-judgemental ear, unconditional love, Bible Study, and even vocational training. As a man, I don’t go to the clubs (and don’t want to…we have some very strong ladies who do that!), but I do get to help prepare food, work with the children of the ladies at Christmas & Easter parties, assist in a quarterly commitment by our church to a regular Thursday night Discipleship program for ladies who have left the clubs, and help with basic upkeep of ministry facilities. The need is huge! I’ve been humbled to assist in this ministry, and broken-hearted at the way these women have been/are treated. They are all someone’s daughters, sisters, mothers….and above all else, a child of God, beloved, pursued and valued by Him like no other! They have been abused by the deceptions of Satan and need love, not condemnation, from the church. I pray that as believers, we will see all people through God’s eyes and love them with His heart. Thank you for your ministry through this blog! You’re a blessing!
Paula Campbell
oh how you inspire me! THANK YOU for not being afraid….
kstory2011
How does one start or become involved in something like this?! I would just LOVE to be a part of it!!
mikaylaannm
This is incredible! I love it so much! Thanks for sharing!
Angie
In the Kansas City area there is a ministry called Lions Beauty Queens.
Rusty
People at least used to talk about/wear bracelets that asked “what would Jesus do?”. You just answered that in a powerful way. Well done.
Matthew Robert Payne
For many years I was addicted to the services of prostitutes. Right in the middle of my addiction, Jesus through the leading of the Holy Spirit and two prophetic words, led me to visit a strip club/brothel and minister to the sex workers there. For over a year I went in with chocolates and bought the prostitutes coffee. Time and time again they would break down in tears, and say that they could pay me back or give me anything back.
Some girls warmed up to me within a month. One girl took nine month for me to break through. They asked me what I kept coming each night. i told them Jess wanted to come, but he couldn’t so he sent me. I was a safe living male to them.
None of the girls knew I still had an addiction to prostitutes as I went to another suburb to do that, but all of those girls loved me.
Thank you for this blog post
Juliet
Really inspiring
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Kari B
Your comment about how “other chuches” acted nearly brought me to tears just reading it. Jesus went TO the sinners. He didn’t sit on a pew and wait for the sinners to walk into the sanctuary all ready to be washed, pressed and paraded before the congregation. Nor did He go door to door looking for the few who waited on the other side for someone to show them the Light and tally them up on a scoreboard. The majority of churches today would see good, kind, clueless people fainting in the aisles if a group of strippers (or gays or “fill in the blank”) walked into the church building on Sunday. Maybe that’s why they don’t. Sinners were drawn to Jesus, not repelled. He didn’t condemn them. He Loved them. As the body of Christ we have become complacent. Lazy, even. All too willing to point a finger at others, but not lift a finger to show them who Jesus truly is (unless it’s to tithe so someone else can do it for us). Prone to fear and anger instead of Trust in God. Unwilling to forgive and forget. Maybe it’s because we’ve forgotten, ourselves. Perhaps the Church needs a Revival before it gets too late. Before we become The church in Ephesus and lose our First Love.
Anna, I’ve only followed your blog for a couple of weeks now, but what you say and how you feel about your love of God echoes what I have been hesitate to express. I threw my hand up and walked away from the “church” a long time ago, but not from Christ. Hearing your words (and witnessing your bravery) gives me hope for the state of Christianity.
ellieart7
People have ptsd from the trauma of being abused/neglected/judged/rejected by “christians”, while wanting to find love and acceptance. Churches have become toxic places if you take Jesus literally and not just as a symbol of moral superiority. I’m talking about actual ptsd with symptoms like anxiety and panic attacks.
2funnie
People are People…..and God L💜VES People.
#seeingpeopleLikeGod no fear😎
Glenn Roberts
Jesus was know as “A friend of publicans ans sinners”….and no matter WHAT the pharasees and saducees thought….I am sure it was a title he held proudly.
Watch this video of casting crowns “if we are the body” and see if that does not look familiar. It happens in a LOT of churches.
#LiveGodLoud
Amazing, may I quote and reference to this post on facebook?
Anna McCarthy
Absolutely 😊
Ruth Boone
I know a woman who used to be a stripper. As a child, she was a sex slave, and it was a normal progression. If you met her, you would never know just looking at her the world of hurt she has lived through. She is the sweetest, kindest person, and she loves Jesus so much! And she is learning to share her past with others, and be vulnerable. She is on a beautiful journey!! Thank you for sharing this often forgotten industry about girls and women who have been forgotten and and are invisible as people with hearts and souls.
Shirley Davies
God bless you and your ministry!!!!Let God be God you will have a great Revival anytime!!!!
agirlwithpoetry
I’m Crying..
This…. is BEAUTIFUL.
The world is such a broken place.
And guess what..There are people in our churches whom are just as broken as those in a strip club.
A church is not just a building where people sing and hear a preacher preach… a church is also group of people whom meet and study the bible and worship God and Jesus- Noted in the Bible-.
THEY BROUGHT THE CHURCH TO THE WOMEN.
Those women had a church. That supported them.
That is a blessing through God. And is exactly the type of people we need in this world.
God will say “Good job my strong and faithful servant. My daughter/son. Thank you.” To those who serve as these.
This is BEAUTIFUL♥
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skinnyandsingle
I’m not religious. I don’t attend church. I don’t pray.
I also don’t consider people broken just because of the job they were forced to do.
But the reason I’m even commenting at all is because I want to say thank you. Thank you for looking these women in the eye without judging them.
That in itself, is awesome.
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Lane Loman
I am reminded how Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders of His day for eating with Publicans and sinners…at their “house.” We can be “in the world” and not “of the world!”
Mike
Praise God! This is amazing!
PeachyGirl
Reblogged this on Adventures of a Peachy Georgia Girl… and commented:
Some really good thoughts here! We are called to be Jesus’ hands and feet!
Kara Flippin
This was incredible and put my own heart in check! thank you for sharing!
Ginger
This is an inspiring article and makes me want to do the same thing. What sort of items did you take? Like snacks, a meal? This is great and the kind of thing my heart has been aching to do.
Anna McCarthy
Each month they brought different things. An example gift basket included, nail polish, body lotion, hair products, etc. The meals were always homemade.
Brett
Ladies from our church do this monthly (and have expanded the effort to include ladies from other local congregations too). They made their first visit one December (because delivering gifts at Christmas eliminated the “awkward” factor a little bit, and Christmas sort of gave them a good chance to get a “yes” from the owners/bouncers), and then followed up with Valentine’s weekend delivery (again, a “normal” time bring treats). From there, the bouncers/owners were glad to let our ladies come and bring goodies each month.
As for what to deliver: the dancers seem to love goodie bags that include nail polish. Sweets have also been a big hit. Probably the one that made the biggest impact was a night when our ladies delivered dinner. The dancers were floored! Our ladies always make the deliveries look pretty, and include pretty hand-written messages with words like, “You are beautiful” and “You matter.”
I think you’ll discover that though this is a difficult effort, the interaction with the ladies isn’t so weird. We’re seeing very good fruit from this. We’ve helped ladies escape the industry (by finding them a job). We’ve helped some find better living conditions (by providing her with furniture, which allowed her to move out of a really bad situation).
If this is on your heart, go for it. If you’d like to talk to others who’ve been doing it for a while, maybe reach out to Kathy at Dayspring Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama (my church), or Cissy from Grace Falls Church in Atlantic City, NJ (who helped coach our ladies in the beginning).
Mike
Amen. While we may be scandalized by the broken things of this world — God isn’t. He is gathering all things to him. I am so thankful that you and your friends can minister to these women.
Ephesians 1:9-10, The Message (MSG)
…We’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
This is the Gospel — God’s good news!
Please, please keep this ministry up!
Jasmine
THIS is how the church shows Christ to the world! Not by bickering on social media about policies or standing in chicken sandwich lines, but by LOVING PEOPLE! I love this piece!!!
JoAnna
Reblogged this on Anything is Possible! and commented:
I personally known a woman- a dancer, a loving mother, a recovering addict, a student, a human being – who was helped by a ministry like this. This gentle, humble ministry is what Jesus was all about.
John
Anna:
I stumbled across your BLOG by sheer circumstance (or did I?) After reading only a few posts, I have to step back, process and try to grasp your message. I was brought up my whole childhood in a Pentecostal, evangelical, religious environment. I had become so jaded and disappointed in the “Christian” faith. Your words of humility, faith and ministry to those who are most in need of love, care and respect seem so far from the mainstream “Christian” religions. I’m not sure how to proceed from here. You have inspired me in a way I have not seen in many years. Thank you for your ministry and for sharing the view that I believe to be the authentic Christian view.
Patricia Strefling
Anna…so love seeing the heart of Jesus present with the women you all met and loved. And to have a man minister to them…wow! Wish more people saw this…so many hurting, needing, Him — thank you for sharing. You are lighting the way for us by this post! Sharing for myself and others to get “lit” up! Bless you, help us Lord ….
Terri
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! I have a friend who started taking a team to Burning Man, and is now training others to take teams into porn conventions and bring Light and Love to those trapped in the industry! My husband and I have just begun to reach out to those in our local LGBTQ community and to give them a safe place to encounter the Lover of their souls. It is time to get outside the four walls of our church buildings and actually BE the church! God is up to something good, and I want to be part of it!!! Let’s get out there and start really loving people! 🙂
Delena
I have been thinking of doing this with the women of my ministry group. What if they ask why you are there? Like I don’t want to come off as “oh I’m here to help you because you need it” I love the thought of doing this but I’m scared they will think we are coming to “help them” and they may not want it. i hope I’m making sense lol. Thank you! I’m so glad there are women out there like you guys not afraid to go where they are needed no matter where it is! 🙂
flinderssarah
“Why are you here?” “To make friends.” Always works for me.
Jana Webb
I was just wondering if any of them quit their “job”, and came to the lord. Don’t get me wrong, this COULD possibly help to turn someone’s life around, BUT the Bible says to shun the very appearance of evil. We are NOT to go to places like that. (Would we be hanging out at bars next?). I think things like this is what gives a lot of churches bad names. It’s like when someone else sees them ( and they will) they’re going to think “well, THEY are good people and attend church regularly, and they go to THOSE places, so it MUST bo OK”. My pastor teaches, (and I believe it), that we should not be in places such as this. I’m 100% for working to get the lost people in church. BUT, there are soooooo many other places we can find those same people. Knock on doors and hand out goodies, hand out tracks. Visit your sick or elderly neighbors, do a good deed for them or just sit and talk to them for awhile. First show them you’re their friend and your love for them. Something else, did they have to pay to enter these places? If so, then they are helping to “Support” them. We are to love the people, but hate the sin, so please don’t be SEEN with them in “this type of setting”.
flinderssarah
Seems the point was missed here. Blessings to you all the same. <3
Kayla
But those are the ones who need it the most! Why pick and choose he gets to hear and learn about the lord?
S.J.
Jana,
Depending on the translation, some translations say to “abstain from every form of evil”, not the appearance. Here is a really good read on the Greek behind the translation and great explanations on it: http://www.crivoice.org/appearance.html. In case, you don’t go to the post (but PLEASE do!), here is an excerpt that gets to the heart of the matter:
“Given the fact that Jesus Himself spent time with tax-collectors and prostitutes, He would not have passed the test of the appearance of evil! In fact, the self-righteous Pharisees of his day took him to task at this very point. They constantly accused him of “guilt by association,” that he was sinning because the associated with sinners and did not take pains to avoid the appearance of impropriety by avoiding sinners and disreputable places and events. Yet Jesus certainly passed the test of avoiding “every kind of evil,” at the same time that he met sinners in their own world in order to call them to transformation.”
Jesus caused people to talk. People gossiped about Jesus. Was that His goal? By no means! And neither is that the goal of the people who show Jesus’ love to the ladies at the strip club. The goal is to show them that Jesus is love for EVERYONE…not just Patricia Perfect. By going to these ladies, they are opening a door that would not otherwise be opened. They are building relationships by loving these ladies where they are, which is exactly what Jesus did. These ladies don’t have to change the ladies at the strip club, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job, but they are being obedient to the Holy Spirit inside them by loving these ladies.
The ladies at the strip club have received hate mail from churches. That is what they knew of “God” before these ladies came to them. Would you go to a church and seek out Jesus if you had received hate mail from churches? I know I wouldn’t! I would stay as far away as possible. However, now they know that God is LOVE and that He loves them!
Yes, there may be some that “talk” if someone sees a group of ” good people and attend church regularly” going into the strip club, but don’t you think people would be curious as to why they are carrying in goody bags and food to strip club, if they were just going there for entertainment? Also, gossip spreads fast, and would eventually get back to someone that knew these ladies well enough to know what they were doing (going off the premise that they were seen by someone that knew they were ” good people and attend church regularly”). So that means these people who are gossiping would find out about this great ministry! What a wonderful way to spread the word that God is love!
And yes, I know ministers who have met people in bars before because that is where the person felt comfortable. Did the minister get drunk and/or disorderly? No. He met the seeker where the seeker felt he needed to be, continued to build a relationship with him and ministered to him.
Also, I have had MANY people come and knock on my door and hand me a tract or pamphlet. I thank them politely and throw it in the trash. If this non-personal approach (because let’s be honest, this day in age, I am not about to let a stranger into my home!) worked, then I would be a Jehovah’s Witness or Mormon by now. And my small group tried handing out cookies for free outside our local grocery store. They couldn’t even give them away because people were so skeptical! It was sad but almost comical at the extreme that people would go to in order to not receive free cookies even when they were told that the group was just trying to do something nice for those in the community and show God’s love. Again, it was because the personal relationship that is key to earning trust was missing.
I’m all for visiting the elderly and sick! That is a wonderful ministry, but ministries aren’t exclusive. If that is where God calls you, go! Don’t wait for a second, go! If children’s ministries are your calling, go! If mission trips is your calling, go! But when people who love our amazing Lord feel called by the Holy Spirit to minister to a group that you don’t, tread lightly. Telling someone to not following the prompting of the Holy Spirit is not from God.
Please know that I am not saying all of this out of anger or hate. I truly do hope that you see that this ministry is a good thing. Jesus loves us all…even when we are in places that are dark. And praise God for that or I wouldn’t be His child today!
In His Love,
S.J.
Diana Cossairt
THIS….touched my heart …..THIS….broke my heart……not because of these women in these situations….but because of the….lack of witness that I have been to the people around me that need Christ…..Thank you so much for sharing this story!!!
Michael Tillotson
Great blog Anna! God bless you and the other women for your ministry!
Ben
Hahaha, I’m sorry, I know this isn’t really my part of the internet, but a friend shared this and I had to read it. It’s very funny to me to see this side of the world narrated in blog form. “This side of the world” being populated people who imagine other human beings as “broken” simply because of how they make their money. People who assume bars and clubs are evil based on the consensual decisions of grown adults. And you wind up surprised to find that strippers are normal people. Gasp. This is hilarious to me. Like watching a bad 80s movie about a martian learning the ways of human kind. Maybe you should start by making a valid case for why any of these people you judge are “broken,” then you won’t have so many stunning revelations about humanity that are actually not even remotely surprising.
DWZ
Well said Ben! Please forgive the narrow mindedness and naivety of church ladies. But by the grace of God…
manaftrergodsownheart777
Beautiful Anna. Thank you. My pastor told a story it is a message last week it was actually an excerpt from a book by Tony campolo Tony was in Honolulu for something and he woke up and went to this local Diner about 2:30 in the morning about 3:30 9 prostitutes walk in. There was one whose name was Agnes in het birthday was the next day she’d never had a birthday party in all the years she had lived I think she was 39. Anyway after the trooper prostitutes left that morning Tony talked to the Baker and they had a they planned a birthday party for her the next night he went out and got the decorations in of came back about her 2:30 the next morning and surprise her. When she walked in she was surprised andasked the Baker and Tony if she could take the cake to her mom and show her mom because she only lived about a couple blocks away. Anyway my pastor said I want to be a part of a church that would throw a birthday party for a hoar at 3:30 in the morning.
Sharon Peterson
This reminded me of a friends ministry to men in the Red Light Districts of Thailand. Just thought you might be interested. http://www.mstproject.com/rlds It is called the MST Project.
Kym
I loved this! I really really do. The pharisees hated Jesus for his kindness and tenderness. And he would do exactly this and go straight to the worst of the worst and dine with them. I love this so much. It just shows that the king of this world who created everything it didn’t feel that he was too good for anyone. He loved everyone and showed them that they were worth saving. That’s what we need to do too. Anyway I loved your thoughts on this. Thank you!
sarahaf712
I love this. I don’t think I could do it personally, because just reading the story triggered some incredibly terrible memories and feelings from abuse in my life. But I’m glad there are people who can. And I’m glad there are people who recognize that our lives don’t always go directions we wanted them to.
flinderssarah
This story is inspiring. I couldn’t do this kind of friend-making personally, at least not in the setting, because just reading the story of your experience triggered massive flashbacks from my own life and experiences of abuse. But I’m grateful that there are people who can do this, for those of us who would like to but can’t because we’re still healing. Luckily, there are lots of ways to show love like this — I may not be able to emotionally handle a strip club, but I sure can handle homeless shelters in my community.
Blessings to you. I know you don’t see these women as “broken,” like a couple of people have commented. More like in broken, unhealthy circumstances (speaking from a bit of experience — relationship that haunts me even after a few years of being out). And I applaud you for being seen in places that others shame you for. That’s where Christ was found — not in the churches, but in the slums and dark corners of the cities.
Jenn
Thank you for this and sharing with a humble attitude. I was once that girl working as a dancer. I don’t go to a religious church but for some reason I am still uncomfortable in telling church ppl this part of my past. Ironically I now work in government sector one block away from where I use to dance. Did I get set up haha.
ekurie
Thank God there are real people in real churches that do real kindness.