So, all of a sudden it's May. Great gobs of it - how did this happen?
Of course, May in San Francisco isn't quite the "hallelujah, finally the snow is gone" moment that Midwesterners celebrate. In fact, it gets colder as summer approaches. The SF joke is a quote attributed to Mark Twain that "The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco."
The BJM team is taking a modified break for the rest of this month. Our director, Ruthie, had planned a well-deserved sabbatical to rest and hear from God. Recent staff changes left Lisa, Natt, and myself holding down the fort with the women's ministry. Interns leaving. Summer interns coming. We all needed a break.
Cancelling Nail Day for 4 weeks was very difficult. We recognize that, for some women in the community, Nail Day is a cornerstone of the week. A dependable, safe-zone they count on to start each week. To connect with BJM staff and feel loved and cared about. So deciding not to have Nail day means those women feel upended. Abandoned even. Our beloved M. won't speak to me!
Yet, I can see that our BJM staff is tired. In need of time and space for R&R. Time just to think and meet God for coffee as it were. One of our staff headed out of state for retreat and regrouping. Another attended some weddings and had a party at her house! A third is taking some overseas vacation time with her wonderful husband. I'm heading to Redding for a long weekend with my bff MaryBeth Haunty....and plans for an eat-and-talk fest with Chris and Sarah Pollasch, too.
So, last Friday I was assigned to hot chocolate outreach again. Invited "anyone interested" to accompany me to O'Farrell, Larkin, and Polk Streets to make the rounds of some of the TL strip clubs. Three high school kids from Napa took the bait, and we headed out.
First, we met a woman named Julie, leaning against a building with her friend, smoking and waiting. Within minutes of our "hi, I'm Julia...it's cold...would you like some cocoa...." her friend's "friend" arrived. A tightly wound guy with no smile for me and annoyance written all over his face. Of course, he was their pimp. And, who's going to make him an offer for his "girls" with three white kids from Napa and somebody's mom hanging around. Nobody.
But Julie wanted to talk. She wanted cocoa and wanted me - very much - to hear that she knows Jesus and wants somebody to pray for her. "Pray I make good decisions," she asked. And, in a low voice, "Pray that I get out of this. I gotta make some changes.....something's gotta change."
She let us pray for her. Held me a long time in a hug. I used to joke that some people have such orphaned hearts that they would crawl into my womb and be born if they could. That's how it felt. Clinging and saying, "I gotta make some changes." She had tears in her eyes. So did I.
Mr. no-smile wasn't happy, but Julie kept chattering away. "He can wait," she said. At one point, I whispered. "Are you safe? Will he hurt you because you're talking to me?" She shook her head. "Nah...he's nothin'." I wasn't so sure, so we hugged one last time. I said, "Thanks. See you."
And, we headed to the New Century club. There, at his post, was Jason....the bouncer! He was shocked that I remembered him and asked about his son. He's cut back his work schedule to 4 nights a week and isn't playing gigs "for awhile," he said. He let me pray again. Hugged until he squeezed the air out of me. And introduced me to "Chelsea" - one of "the girls" who was waiting at the club entrance for her boyfriend to "stop by." Chelsea declined our offer of cocoa. "I'm used to being cold," she said. "they keep the club so cold...we're always cold but we get used to it." She gifted me with a huge, sweet smile. Looked like maybe she was out of high school. Maybe.
"I'll see you again," I shook Chelsea's tiny hand. "Good to meet you."
So. Step 2. One more step toward befriending the girls at the New Century and seeing what difference love will make in that dark place.
Right now, I'm asking God for 3 full time BJM staff women (4 including myself) to focus on re-starting the ministry of relationships and love with girls and women working in Tenderloin strip and sex clubs. Next time you're having a conversation with Father, you ask too! Okay?
Let's do this thing!
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