Where He Has Called Us, He Will Lead Us

Last night was my first time ever going into a strip club. My entire life, I never thought I would even pull into the parking lot of such a "vile" place, let alone go in and pay to sit in a place filled with such darkness. I have to admit I was nervous but I tried not to let it show.

Ever since my Freshman year in college my heart has been broken for girls in this industry. When I was made aware of the slavery and trafficking that takes place all over the world, my heart literally broke. I have always felt drawn to the girls but have had no outlets to be able to minister to them; this type of work is not exactly something you just jump into with no preparation.

My sophomore year of college I was majoring in Public Leadership and Service and preparing for an internship at a safe house for trafficking victims in North Carolina. I thought that these places were preparing me to be in ministry and help these girls, but God had other plans. I didn't graduate from that college and I didn't fulfill the internship.

Since that time, I have been distraught, wondering how in the world I was going to be able to help the people that my heart was broken for years earlier, then Light in Darkness came onto my radar and I got EXCITED!

I knew that I was finally in a place where God could use me in his work. No, I'm not in the ministry career I pictured 3 years ago, and no it isn't a full time thing. But I take much comfort in knowing that God has me right where he wants me; in ministry with the ladies of Waterline Church and our prayer partners.

Now, back to last night.

Gia and I went into the club. I was nervous, excited and scared all at the same time. While I was confident that we would be safe, you never know what might happen. We entered the club and was greeted by an old man, E, and that struck me as funny (which helped calm me a little). He was a very nice man, who took our money and welcomed us into the club. I was glad that there wasn't a "big scary man" to greet us at the door.

We went in, found a seat quickly and ordered some bottled water. My immediate impression was that the club was darker and smaller than I had imagined. There was a girl dancing onstage at the time with little to no clothing. She was very apathetic and seemingly lethargic as she was on the stage. There were various people around, one man was very intoxicated, but the rest seemed level headed and simply watched. At this point, it was very tame and honestly, kind of boring (admittedly, I was happy for this).

As the time passed, people shuffled in and out, dancers came on and off the stage and the club in general *seemed* uneventful. There were various dancers *hanging out* with some of the men, but nothing was happening illegal that I observed.

Gia and I chatted, I tried to look occupied maybe even like I was supposed to be there, even though I am pretty sure we stuck out quite a bit with our bottled water and inability to look at the girls for more than a few seconds. In those moments I was thankful for Gia, as our conversation flowed easily. We observed the people, who they were in relation to the club, the dancers, and those who came to be entertained.

Just after 9, a large group of foreign men entered the club. Up until this point, all the girls had been lethargic and uninterested; tired. When this group came though, Gia and I both had our "alarms" go off (that bad feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know something isn't right) and realized quickly that the atmosphere of the club changed as soon as they came in.

The girls began dancing much more provocatively in an effort to earn tips I suppose. The men were foreign and slightly rowdy, but nothing that seemed out of context. They ordered drinks and sat really close to the stage. Though tempted to leave quickly, Gia and I stuck around for about 10-15mins after they came in. We caught them staring our direction and got uncomfortable quickly. We prayed hard for those last few minutes and throughout that time felt the need to protect the dancers; almost like there was unrealized danger coming from these men. Only God knows what happened after we left, but my prayers are with the dancers today.

Throughout the course of the night, we got to talk to a dancer, C. She came up to our table just after her dance and sat beside Gia. She asked if we were "evaluating" the girls and told us about the types of visitors, frequency, shift work and that the pay was decent. I think she knew we weren't there for a show and was thinking we may be looking for a job. She sat with us and chatted for 3-5 mins and moved on. I look forward to seeing C again, I think there is definitely relationship potential there. I'm glad she told us her name so that we can say hello next week.

Upon walking out of the club, I was almost moved to tears by the prayer team in the car, just seeing them and knowing their hearts and prayers were with Gia and I as well as the girls is a feeling that can't really be explained other than to say (on my part) humility and extreme gratefulness. If the girls are receptive to our cause, I think they will feel something similar when they see us in their clubs; knowing we are there to bring good.

Overall, I had a successful first time out. I know that our team last night was exactly who God wanted to be there. I am glad that I was the only one who could go in, I am glad that I didn't have the chance to be a Moses (the ladies that offer prayer support) when I KNOW that God wanted me in those clubs as a Joshua (the ladies that go in).

The crazy part is, I almost didn't go...

I have a very hectic and tiring schedule and I could find 100 reasons why I couldn't be there. I had missed the last two weeks due to legitimate reasoning, but this week, the excuse I would have given was much less important.

I had to make a very conscious and determined decision to go where God was leading me. Like I said, I know that I could have found 100 reasons why I "couldn't " go. But you know what? It's not about me. IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!

I could worry all day about how I don't "fit in" at those places, how the girls may not want to talk to us, or how I might get uncomfortable, but IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!

It isn't about where I fit, God takes care of that...it is about where I can fill.

How God can use me to fill a dark place with LIGHT. How God can use me to fill a need in the life of a girl. How God can use me to fill a girl with the joy I know in Jesus. How I can fill a seat; one less seat taken by someone who wants to exploit them How God can use me to fill the clubs with good and pure prayers How God uses our team to help facilitate his plan for these girls How we will fill their thoughts and brighten their days

THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME!

This is about how God is using our team of ladies to fill these clubs and these girls with his light.
When I thought about excuses as to why these girls didn't need me to help fill them with Jesus, I couldn't think of ONE.

Because, while I was home with my husband, cuddled up in my bed I couldn't help but think how safe I was, how good I had it, how BLESSED I am. But those girls....those girls don't have that. They have men coming at them constantly wanting more and these girls give and give and give out of the most precious parts of themselves and they have no one pouring into THEM, keeping THEM safe, protecting THEM and making sure they have what they NEED.
That's us people.

Whether through prayer or presence in the clubs themselves, you and I are the ones stepping up to the plate and introducing Jesus to these places.

It was mentioned in our prayer time that there are some individuals using Philippians 4:8 to be able to avoid talking about the subject of strip clubs. Here is what it says,

Philippians 4:8 New International Version (NIV) 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

In regards to this, I want to remind these people that the light we are bringing into the clubs encompasses all of these things.

We are bringing truth, nobility, good, purity, loveliness and admirability into these clubs. We are giving these girls a chance to live this verse when they currently do not have that opportunity.
In addition, if your read the verses before verse 8:

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We are told not to be anxious about anything, and that through prayer and petition, in EVERY situation, the peace of God will transcend our understanding and will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

To me, this is even more confirmation that God is protecting us. Where he has called us, he will lead us. When we pray for these girls God hears us. When we go into the clubs, he protects us. How much better does it get than being where God is?

Grace and Peace,
Bekah