(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."
Saturday, January 28, 2012
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.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Possibilities
Over the past few weeks Route One has been continuing to meet, pray, train, pray more as we await God's leading and an open door.
A few weeks ago 4 of the women again ventured into a new club to get a feel for the potential for ministry there. But one night was enough time to determine that this club would not be a good fit.
So we continued to meet and pray and seek and trust.
This past week one of the ministry leaders stepped out on faith again and met briefly with a club manager. She told him that she heads up a ministry which serves women in the sex industry and would his club be interested and open to the ministry bringing hot meals to the women on a weekly basis? She said this was his reaction: "He was overjoyed and couldn't believe that anyone would take an interest in these women at all." The manager told her that he'd need to check with another manager before giving a definite yes. But, thank God for a potential open door!
Needless to say, please be praying that this club will be more than receptive and open to Route One coming in to bless these women.
A few weeks ago 4 of the women again ventured into a new club to get a feel for the potential for ministry there. But one night was enough time to determine that this club would not be a good fit.
So we continued to meet and pray and seek and trust.
This past week one of the ministry leaders stepped out on faith again and met briefly with a club manager. She told him that she heads up a ministry which serves women in the sex industry and would his club be interested and open to the ministry bringing hot meals to the women on a weekly basis? She said this was his reaction: "He was overjoyed and couldn't believe that anyone would take an interest in these women at all." The manager told her that he'd need to check with another manager before giving a definite yes. But, thank God for a potential open door!
Needless to say, please be praying that this club will be more than receptive and open to Route One coming in to bless these women.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Prayers Needed
This past Monday we were given a flat "No" to resuming our weekly visits. What it boils down to is that the movie and the club received bad local press which the owner and manager blame us for. Of course, we had nothing to do with it, but who better to scapegoat than the "church ladies," right?
It's just too convenient to believe that there's not more going on here besides "coincidence." I mean, seriously: of all the clubs in the US, let alone in Greater Boston, the ONE club in Greater Boston (as far as we know) where the light of Christ is being brought is the ONE club chosen by a famous actor to serve as the site of his new movie?
No. There is something greater happening here, something which escapes the physical senses but I believe it has something to do with Ephesians 6:12 -
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
Yes, we are at war. But we are on the winning side.
Because of this, although we will not be returning to this club we will not lose heart: seeds have been planted and watered and we will trust that God will in fact, provide the increase. Route One will press on & pursue open doors into other clubs in this area. We ask for you to pray for God's leading and our open hearts to be ready to obey his leading. That's the beauty of being the followers, right? We don't have to know the game plan, just be ready to move when he calls the next play.
So stay tuned.
It's just too convenient to believe that there's not more going on here besides "coincidence." I mean, seriously: of all the clubs in the US, let alone in Greater Boston, the ONE club in Greater Boston (as far as we know) where the light of Christ is being brought is the ONE club chosen by a famous actor to serve as the site of his new movie?
No. There is something greater happening here, something which escapes the physical senses but I believe it has something to do with Ephesians 6:12 -
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
Yes, we are at war. But we are on the winning side.
Because of this, although we will not be returning to this club we will not lose heart: seeds have been planted and watered and we will trust that God will in fact, provide the increase. Route One will press on & pursue open doors into other clubs in this area. We ask for you to pray for God's leading and our open hearts to be ready to obey his leading. That's the beauty of being the followers, right? We don't have to know the game plan, just be ready to move when he calls the next play.
So stay tuned.
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