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."
Monday, November 7, 2011
Praise God
"Forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus..." (Philippians 3:13&14, English Standard Version).
Forgetting the fact that none of us has ever hosted a 5K before...
Forgetting the fact that the fire department refused to help us out, saying that the race would never happen because we hadn't planned it a year in advance...
Forgetting the fact that Massachusetts was under a "winter storm warning" from the night before through the day after...
Forgetting the fact that many people have never even heard of the Route One Ministry...
We did press on. And the first annual Freedom 5K did happen. And as the sun rose on Saturday, October 29th, so did 65 people determined to add their voice to the cry against the practice of trafficking in human flesh. Although it was chilly morning (a balmy 32 degrees Fahrenheit), spirits were high and all participants seemed happy to be there!
Although many of the participants knew at least one of the team members, not all of them did. In fact, the winner of the race said he was not a Christian but found out about the race via a running website. He said he runs one race a month and bases his choice on which he considers to be the best cause. It sounds like we were the best cause.
So when all was said and done, $1200 was raised and 65 people returned to their homes possessing a greater awareness of sex trafficking and the resources for how to join in the fight against it.
65 people who can be used by God to have exponential impact on bringing light into the darkness.
..."I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus.
I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back...". (Philippians 3:13&14, The Message)
Forgetting the fact that none of us has ever hosted a 5K before...
Forgetting the fact that the fire department refused to help us out, saying that the race would never happen because we hadn't planned it a year in advance...
Forgetting the fact that Massachusetts was under a "winter storm warning" from the night before through the day after...
Forgetting the fact that many people have never even heard of the Route One Ministry...
We did press on. And the first annual Freedom 5K did happen. And as the sun rose on Saturday, October 29th, so did 65 people determined to add their voice to the cry against the practice of trafficking in human flesh. Although it was chilly morning (a balmy 32 degrees Fahrenheit), spirits were high and all participants seemed happy to be there!
Although many of the participants knew at least one of the team members, not all of them did. In fact, the winner of the race said he was not a Christian but found out about the race via a running website. He said he runs one race a month and bases his choice on which he considers to be the best cause. It sounds like we were the best cause.
So when all was said and done, $1200 was raised and 65 people returned to their homes possessing a greater awareness of sex trafficking and the resources for how to join in the fight against it.
65 people who can be used by God to have exponential impact on bringing light into the darkness.
..."I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus.
I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back...". (Philippians 3:13&14, The Message)
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Freedom 5K Update
Here is where the Freedom 5k will start on Saturday October 29th:
United Methodist Church (next to Myopia Club)
391 Bay Road
South Hamilton, MA 01982
If you have further questions, please call Bonnie Gatchell @ 978-930-3136!
United Methodist Church (next to Myopia Club)
391 Bay Road
South Hamilton, MA 01982
If you have further questions, please call Bonnie Gatchell @ 978-930-3136!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Well, exciting things are happening around here:
First:
All of a sudden, people are popping out of the woodwork and asking Bonnie to come and speak to their groups/organizations about this ministry. This past Saturday, Bonnie spoke to a crowd around 50 people about Route One and its mission!
Second:
We continue to make plans for our Freedom 5K walk/run. Here's what you need to know:
Saturday October 29th
South Hamilton, MA
First 50 registrants receive a Freedom 5k t-shirt for FREE!
Registration before October 21:
$20
$15 for students
Kids 12 and under participate for FREE
Registration after October 21:
$25
$20 for students
Kids 12 and under participate for FREE
Check-in @ 8
5K starts @ 9
Third:
Since we have not yet found which club we'll be allowed into next, Route One has been driving in teams to the clubs and praying as a team in the car in the parking lot of the clubs. We will continue to do this for awhile, asking the Lord to work in those places.
Fourth:
Route One is in the process of getting into Gift box mode for Christmas. We are inviting area churches and Christians to participate by either donating money to purchase the items or by purchasing the listed items themselves. We will designate a time when one of the ministry members will come to pick up the donations.
Contact RouteOneMinistry@gmail.com to find out how you and/or your church can participate in either or both of the two upcoming events: Freedom 5K and Christmas gift boxes
First:
All of a sudden, people are popping out of the woodwork and asking Bonnie to come and speak to their groups/organizations about this ministry. This past Saturday, Bonnie spoke to a crowd around 50 people about Route One and its mission!
Second:
We continue to make plans for our Freedom 5K walk/run. Here's what you need to know:
Saturday October 29th
South Hamilton, MA
First 50 registrants receive a Freedom 5k t-shirt for FREE!
Registration before October 21:
$20
$15 for students
Kids 12 and under participate for FREE
Registration after October 21:
$25
$20 for students
Kids 12 and under participate for FREE
Check-in @ 8
5K starts @ 9
Third:
Since we have not yet found which club we'll be allowed into next, Route One has been driving in teams to the clubs and praying as a team in the car in the parking lot of the clubs. We will continue to do this for awhile, asking the Lord to work in those places.
Fourth:
Route One is in the process of getting into Gift box mode for Christmas. We are inviting area churches and Christians to participate by either donating money to purchase the items or by purchasing the listed items themselves. We will designate a time when one of the ministry members will come to pick up the donations.
Contact RouteOneMinistry@gmail.com to find out how you and/or your church can participate in either or both of the two upcoming events: Freedom 5K and Christmas gift boxes
Monday, September 19, 2011
5k
So, here is something you all need to know about:
Route One is hosting a 5k walk/run on October 29th. Registration fee will be $20 for the first 75 people who sign up and $25 for each person to sign up after that. Location and time to be announced.
Register at: routeoneministry@gmail.com
Tell everyone you know who walks or runs! Let's pack this event out in order to raise money to support the work of Route One in bringing light into the darkness of the sex industry.
Route One is hosting a 5k walk/run on October 29th. Registration fee will be $20 for the first 75 people who sign up and $25 for each person to sign up after that. Location and time to be announced.
Register at: routeoneministry@gmail.com
Tell everyone you know who walks or runs! Let's pack this event out in order to raise money to support the work of Route One in bringing light into the darkness of the sex industry.
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