Tuesday, May 29, 2012
"Move On"
New Route One update: Over the past 3 months Route One has been blessed to deliver gifts to the largest club in Boston. We have grown as a team and know that the women who receive the gifts are very thankful. However, last night we were turned away. After being turned away I felt in my heart and heard in my head "move on" and like the disciples who were told to kick the dust off their feet we drove on north to another ...club. At this club we were welcomed with hugs and kisses. We were introduced to every one of the women by 'name'. We are going back next Monday. But our night was far from over-we had extra gifts. We stopped at yet another club, that we have been praying for over the last 9 months, we thought, "lets just be bold and drop the gifts here." It can't hurt. We did just that and there too we were welcomed in. One of the dancers made eye contact with one of the team members and said "thank you." Praise the Lord!!!!!!
Friday, February 3, 2012
Christmas Gift Drop #2
Boston Christmas drop....
Our first gift drop in the city limits was at one of the largest clubs in Boston, with 28 women working on the Friday before Christmas.
We gathered our 28 baskets and headed to the club. When we entered the club we were greeted by the bouncer and two of the dancers. I told the bouncer who we are and why we were at the club. The bouncer wasn't sure why we were there so we went ahead and brought in the baskets. After bringing in the baskets I double checked the head count with the bouncer, "So, we have 28 baskets here." And a dancer who was standing at the doorway watching us bring the baskets in said, "Oh. they're for the night girls."
I said, "No, they're for you."
She looked suprised and said "Thank you." Then she asked, "What are you from? You have to be from something."
I replied, "We are from a ministry that is a group of women who care for other women. We think your job is hard and we want you to know that you are cared for and to feel refreshed. Merry Christmas."
And we left. There is no doubt in my mind that the drop went well, if only for the one dancer we met that afternoon...
...At 6:05pm I find myself walking down a dark alley, of all things, in search of a strip club.
I reach the end of this alley, turn the corner, and arrive at my destination with gifts in hand.
Taking a deep breath I walk in through the door. I am immediately welcomed. A gentleman sitting off to the side greets me with a warm smile. There is a woman behind the bar who recognizes I am out of place in this establishment yet she still greets me with a kind smile.
I approach the woman behind the bar and ask for my contact by name; she identifies herself as the person I am looking for. Thus, I introduce myself and Route One Ministry.
My introduction jogs her memory and joy spreads across her face. She is pleasantly surprised that there is a gift awaiting her, as well. She asks a few questions regarding the allocation of the presents. She is exceeding grateful for all we have done. A customer chimes in
and voices his appreciation--despite the fact that he had not personally received a present. Everyone there is so warm. It feels like family. I don't have the opportunity to meet the girls, however I rest assured knowing the gifts are in safe hands.
Our first gift drop in the city limits was at one of the largest clubs in Boston, with 28 women working on the Friday before Christmas.
We gathered our 28 baskets and headed to the club. When we entered the club we were greeted by the bouncer and two of the dancers. I told the bouncer who we are and why we were at the club. The bouncer wasn't sure why we were there so we went ahead and brought in the baskets. After bringing in the baskets I double checked the head count with the bouncer, "So, we have 28 baskets here." And a dancer who was standing at the doorway watching us bring the baskets in said, "Oh. they're for the night girls."
I said, "No, they're for you."
She looked suprised and said "Thank you." Then she asked, "What are you from? You have to be from something."
I replied, "We are from a ministry that is a group of women who care for other women. We think your job is hard and we want you to know that you are cared for and to feel refreshed. Merry Christmas."
And we left. There is no doubt in my mind that the drop went well, if only for the one dancer we met that afternoon...
...At 6:05pm I find myself walking down a dark alley, of all things, in search of a strip club.
I reach the end of this alley, turn the corner, and arrive at my destination with gifts in hand.
Taking a deep breath I walk in through the door. I am immediately welcomed. A gentleman sitting off to the side greets me with a warm smile. There is a woman behind the bar who recognizes I am out of place in this establishment yet she still greets me with a kind smile.
I approach the woman behind the bar and ask for my contact by name; she identifies herself as the person I am looking for. Thus, I introduce myself and Route One Ministry.
My introduction jogs her memory and joy spreads across her face. She is pleasantly surprised that there is a gift awaiting her, as well. She asks a few questions regarding the allocation of the presents. She is exceeding grateful for all we have done. A customer chimes in
and voices his appreciation--despite the fact that he had not personally received a present. Everyone there is so warm. It feels like family. I don't have the opportunity to meet the girls, however I rest assured knowing the gifts are in safe hands.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Christmas Eve Delivery
(This was written by one of the team members who delivered some of the Christmas baskets to the strip clubs on Christmas Eve):
"I had the privilege of getting to deliver gift baskets to 2 different area strip clubs on Christmas Eve with another woman from our church. We first headed to a club at about 1:00 pm that was tucked away deep in an industrial park. We almost thought we had taken a wrong turn as it seemed no one would want to go back in this area except maybe the driver of a tractor trailer or maybe a freight train. But there is was, a plain looking two-story building with the club name on it.
We went in with two boxes of gift baskets and entered into a bar area once we opened the front door. No one was there so we headed into a back room where we found a man behind a counter. He had a strong accent and didn't seem to speak English very well but he gave us a look that communicated a mix of "What are you doing here? and "Can I help you?" We explained that we had called ahead and the manager said we could drop off gift baskets for the girls working there that day. He said he had no idea of what we were talking about and asked for more explanation--he seemed to be hesitant and nervous about letting us leave the gifts there. When we finally said the word "free" his disposition completely changed and he then began apologizing for his hesitation. He showed us where to put the baskets, apologizing several times more and thanking us for the baskets.
We left there and headed to the next club. This club I knew well as I had been part of our team when we used to go in weekly to meet with the women. However, we were not sure of how we would be received as this club had told us we couldn't come in anymore. With a bit of nervousness, we opened the front door. The bouncer stopped us at the second door and asked us why were were there. While we started to explain, a large man with a stern disposition also come up to us. We told them we were part of a ministry that collected items for gift baskets and we wanted to bless the girls that were working that day be leaving them for them. The second man said he didn't know anything about this and you could tell he was eager to get us out of his club along with our gifts. But the bouncer quickly stepped up and said, "Let's see what you have here." When he saw that we had coloring books, he said, "I know someone who would like these!" Then he said he could show us an area where we could leave the baskets.
He proceeded to take us into the club. Just steps past the front door, a woman was on her face on the stage "dancing" for several men that were seated around the stage. There was a lot of activity--it seemed so early. The bouncer took us to an area I had never seen before--tucked off to the side of the club, behind the bar, there was a mini-stage, maybe about 12" by 12" with poles and seats around it just like the main stage. He said we could leave the gifts there and then ushered us over to the bar where several "dancers" were sitting and watching us. "These ladies brought you guys some gifts!" he told them and I'll never forget the look on their faces. It was the same look I had remembered when we use to go in each week. It was like they were saying, "You came for me? You really came for me??" They seemed shocked and elated at the same time and thanked us over and over again. We told them, "We just wanted you to know someone is thinking about you today and someone cares about you." The bouncer ushered us to the front door and I fought hard to tuck away my tears tha were coming fast.
Powerful. Truly powerful. God had shown up that day to a place where few would ever want to show up. And we got to be His messengers. Truly a privilege."
"I had the privilege of getting to deliver gift baskets to 2 different area strip clubs on Christmas Eve with another woman from our church. We first headed to a club at about 1:00 pm that was tucked away deep in an industrial park. We almost thought we had taken a wrong turn as it seemed no one would want to go back in this area except maybe the driver of a tractor trailer or maybe a freight train. But there is was, a plain looking two-story building with the club name on it.
We went in with two boxes of gift baskets and entered into a bar area once we opened the front door. No one was there so we headed into a back room where we found a man behind a counter. He had a strong accent and didn't seem to speak English very well but he gave us a look that communicated a mix of "What are you doing here? and "Can I help you?" We explained that we had called ahead and the manager said we could drop off gift baskets for the girls working there that day. He said he had no idea of what we were talking about and asked for more explanation--he seemed to be hesitant and nervous about letting us leave the gifts there. When we finally said the word "free" his disposition completely changed and he then began apologizing for his hesitation. He showed us where to put the baskets, apologizing several times more and thanking us for the baskets.
We left there and headed to the next club. This club I knew well as I had been part of our team when we used to go in weekly to meet with the women. However, we were not sure of how we would be received as this club had told us we couldn't come in anymore. With a bit of nervousness, we opened the front door. The bouncer stopped us at the second door and asked us why were were there. While we started to explain, a large man with a stern disposition also come up to us. We told them we were part of a ministry that collected items for gift baskets and we wanted to bless the girls that were working that day be leaving them for them. The second man said he didn't know anything about this and you could tell he was eager to get us out of his club along with our gifts. But the bouncer quickly stepped up and said, "Let's see what you have here." When he saw that we had coloring books, he said, "I know someone who would like these!" Then he said he could show us an area where we could leave the baskets.
He proceeded to take us into the club. Just steps past the front door, a woman was on her face on the stage "dancing" for several men that were seated around the stage. There was a lot of activity--it seemed so early. The bouncer took us to an area I had never seen before--tucked off to the side of the club, behind the bar, there was a mini-stage, maybe about 12" by 12" with poles and seats around it just like the main stage. He said we could leave the gifts there and then ushered us over to the bar where several "dancers" were sitting and watching us. "These ladies brought you guys some gifts!" he told them and I'll never forget the look on their faces. It was the same look I had remembered when we use to go in each week. It was like they were saying, "You came for me? You really came for me??" They seemed shocked and elated at the same time and thanked us over and over again. We told them, "We just wanted you to know someone is thinking about you today and someone cares about you." The bouncer ushered us to the front door and I fought hard to tuck away my tears tha were coming fast.
Powerful. Truly powerful. God had shown up that day to a place where few would ever want to show up. And we got to be His messengers. Truly a privilege."
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