Took another crazy trip for StripChurch.com with those crazy gals from GirlfriendIT.com — we are looking at putting together a very unique ministry trip for ladies. This trip had us starting the morning out EARLY (text messages began around 5:30am). My compadre Stephen & I picked up Patty & Lisa from the airport in the StripChurch bus (have you seen it yet?).
We swapped the bus & stephen for Craig and a scion and headed 4 hours to nowhere. Do you know where Ely, NV is? I didn’t think so. Ely is home to the oldest legal brothel in the state of Nevada. There are quite a few words that could describe the experience: weird, interesting, depressing, run down, desolate, removed from ‘normal’ life. Our mission for the day had 2 objectives.
1) Build relationships between StripChurch, GirlFriendIT and the owners of the brothel.
2) Scout a new kind of ‘missions trip’ for a group of ladies - it will be a make over (of sorts) to bring life, love, hope and grace to the gals who live in very bad conditions.
The controversy: Should any time, relationship and money be invested into renovating the living conditions for prostitutes working in a brothel? Your opinions and thoughts will be intriguing. The mission will chart on. Look for the trip near October.
Ryan,
I love what you’re doing with Strip Church. This sounds awesome and will look forward to hearing about the mission trip!
I’m sure that to an extent there is a battle between where time and money should lye with this project. On one hand yes, it is a very dirty and sinful place. On the other hand it is a place filled with hurting people who are all searching for an answer, much like the church. I personally think that it is a good investment of time, effort, relationship and finances. As Cal often says, “nothing changes when nothing changes”. To me it’s more than saying, “you need Christ”, it’s saying “let me show you who Christ is”, and if it involves money, time and relationship I think that it’s worth it.