Wednesday, February 10, 2010

"Let's Get Ready to Rumble!"...

"I'm tired of being loved for one hour at a time."-This was spoken by a women who has recently come to New Friends New Life in search for hope.

UNFORTUNATELY this is exactly what is going to be going on A LOT more in Dallas this weekend...It's all about the NBS All-Stars game. When huge sporting events hit the big cities traffickers, pimps, and club owners all know this is where the money's at. One club in Dallas spoke about how they are bringing in more girls this weekend due to the influx of customers they will be expecting in the clubs, massage parlors, hotel rooms, escort services, etc.

It is estimated about 20,0000 women and girls will be brought to this city and this does not include the ones who already live here who have booked hotel rooms themselves or their pimp have booked it.

We don't think about this when we go to a sporting event. All we think about is how well the economy will do due to hotels, restaurants, souvenirs, etc.

This weekend Dallas will do well for itself with the game in town-BUT at what cost?

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The "IT" factor...

People often ask me what is “IT” that leaves a women to leave the business and find a place like New Friends New Life? What is the “IT” factor? I believe it’s the same “IT” factor with all of us. Here is my food for thought…
The population I encounter on ad daily basis is women who have been thrown into an addiction or choose an addiction as an escape. I hear about so much sexual and other types of abuse in this lifestyle that it kills me when people talk like these women chose this way. No one chooses to be abused, raped, beaten, and verbal degraded, which is happening. (Check out Melissa Farley for research). Their stories are stories of starting into the world of addiction in order to numb themselves from the reality they face on the streets or in the clubs. So the “it” factor…I think it goes back to the words of Jesus...
“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
Getting well at the well is key. Sure Jesus could of healed the man, sure asked a “duh” question in his mind, but he presents the question TO the man because he knew if they man himself did not want to heal there was no point in helping because he would of just gone back to his old lifestyle—of excuses and sitting.
I am no different than these women. There are times in my life I choose to not get well with the selfish addictions on my life. I want to sit where I am and do my own thing. I chose to make not the best choices, I chose the choices that help only for the moment but not in the long run, I choose choices that are based on my roller coaster emotions. These women’s stories are inspiring to me.
Somewhere along their life’s journey they said I CHOOSE another way. They left all that knew, old friends, drugs/alcohol, easy money and start down a road of healing. They WANTED to get well. I encounter all people who tell me about their lifestyles all the time. It could be a woman from the streets, a friend, or a family member, but all share stories of addictions and habits. If we don’t even want to get well changing one’s life is a “moo” point. (As in there is no point in moving forward)
I heard this analogy the other day…If you feel you are a terrible driver, you’ve got a choice to keep being that bad driver or you give it over to another driver and allow them to do what you cannot. Keep driving bad or choose another way…
So today’s table talk is who is your driver? If something is not working in your life what choice are you going to make? BUT let’s start with the first question…Do WE WANT to get well?