Glory

This week has been more than I could handle. It was the best week I’ve had here and worst week I’ve had here – at the same time. We had GREAT victories, but we also had great disappointments. I could feel the opposition coming as I saw the victories rising in the distance. My heart is still trying to recover from the week. So say a prayer for me please.

Yes, its been a hard week, but I want to brag about King Jesus for a quick sec. He has so graciously let me be a part of a huge victory with Him.

It was more than two months ago that I met ‘Glory’ while passing out condoms to those working in the sex industry.  I knew the moment I saw him, that God had bigger plans for him. He was created for more than this. The first time I talked to him, he was very open about how much he disliked this work and how he wanted a new job.  thats great I thought- I can help with that. So we exchanged numbers and I pursued job options for him. I was prepared to meet him again with job openings I found, as well as explain Shear Love’s barbering program starting in just a few months. I quickly discovered that his number was changed and I had no way to contact him. I was devastated. For two months I walked up and down the street I originally met him on- looking for him. I prayed for him frequently that I would see him again. I had almost lost hope of finding him again, when I saw him five nights ago- standing in the same spot I had first met him. I was shocked. breaking all the outreach rules, I left the team I was with and ran to him screaming & he ran back screaming as well. he said juliannneeeeee I am so sorry my phone broke. We talked for maybe ten minutes- and just like last time he told me how much he wanted a new job. I got his new contact and assured him that I would find options for him. Our team went back the next night and took Glory and his friend to get ice cream where we explained Shear Love’s barber program.

I asked so what do you think?  he responded when can I start?

The next day he came to the salon for an interview, and brought two of his friends who also are in need of new jobs. these two men are christians and were so excited when we told them about the worship events that we have at the salon and red light districts. We interviewed them, and Glory started at the salon the very next day. The other two will start with us when we get our new building renovated in just a couple of weeks.

Seeing Glory at Shear Love on Thursday was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. In my seven months of doing this type of ministry, I have never seen anyone I know leave the sex industry and join our program. and I’ve sort of settled in that because its not about the numbers for me- it never has been, its been about knowing that every person I encounter knows that they are loved & cherished. but seeing Glory at the salon was the best feeling ever. knowing that he never again has to sell his body, never again has to say a price in exchange for sex, never again has to decide how much he is worth. I got to watch him choose a better life for himself. I get to watch him be proud of himself everyday. I get to see him thrive and learn about Jesus and the truths that He says about him. I get to watch him learn his true value. I get to go to the salon everyday seeing him be surrounded by such loving students and staff who immediately accepted him into the family.  I can see he feels loved, I can see that he feels proud, I can see that he is understanding that he has always been worth more than a price a human could put on him. I get the privilege of watching him be made new. & its the biggest honor.

Glory said to me on his first day of school with tears in his eyes- you make my life better. Frick. then with tears in my eyes I replied you make my life better. what the heck Jesus. I cannot put into words how honored I am to know Glory. He has forever changed my life. seeing his transformation already has been more than my heart could handle. Its the most beautiful thing to witness & I can’t believe Jesus let me be a part of it.

I think thats what I have concluded- that I am absolutely honored to get to do this work with Jesus. privileged that Jesus lets me be a part of it- the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m honored to be a part of it all. Knowing Glory has made my life so much better and richer than I could have ever imagined.

and the reality is- is that Jesus could have done this without me. He didn’t need me to find Glory. He had already found him & chosen him. His plans for Glory could not have been stopped. I didn’t do anything. This was all Jesus. I just happened to walk past Glory on two separate nights. Jesus did all the hard work. Jesus prepared Glory’s heart for harvest. Jesus led me to go out to the exact place and time that Glory was out. It’s all Him. and He so graciously let me be a part of this beautiful victory. He didn’t have to do that, but He did. He let me play this tiny role that has forever changed my life. what a sweet Father.

and I think what ive learned through this rollercoaster of a week is that I get to be a part of the victories because I get to be a part of the hardships as well. they come in tandem. its rare to have one without the other. and they are both an honor to be a part of. as hard as this week has been, its been a privilege because I feel like I know God better now. I understand more of His heart. I understand being completely filled with joy and completely filled with sorrow at the same time. I know Jesus better because of this crazy place. because of the victories and because of the disappointments. there is joy in both.

so even though this week has been tough, it has also been so good and glory- filled. and I’m honored to be a part of every single part of it.