Our outreach team headed out tonight! Every time we venture out we are blown away by God and this evening wasn't any different. First, we want to thank McCord Road Christian Church and Cindy Pisano for having a love party for F2BM! Tonight would not have been possible without your love and support of me and the ministry that God has laid on my heart and the hearts who serve alongside me. Thank you so much!
Now let's talk about what happened tonight!
This evening we were blessed with the opportunity once again to spend about an hour in a strip club dressing room. It was a phenomenal experience that we are honored to have been a part of.
Tonight was the 1 year anniversary to our dressing room make over and we are still receiving "thank you's" for that. I only say this because we joked with a manager tonight about how they all thought the room would have been destroyed within a few weeks and one year later it still looks great. They ladies have been taking wonderful care of it and it has provided them with a safe and clean sanctuary from the busy-ness and craziness that exists on the floor of the club.
Standing in that dressing room tonight we experienced God in so many ways. Our team celebrated "D"s one year of sobriety! Way to go, D!!!!! What a HUGE God thing! We encountered women who have been receiving our words of encouragement and gifts for a while but have never been able to meet us. We were also able to congratulate and celebrate new life as well. "J" had her baby 7 weeks ago. She finally got her baby girl! Another woman finally broke free from an unhealthy relationship and is finding herself, her worth and her identity again!
In total, God enabled us to speak with 17 women tonight, who were open and anxious to meet with us. We spent an hour in the dressing room having what can only be explained as a divine moment. We met several new women and hugged many we've known for a while. We listened to their stories, to their pains, to their joys and shared in the Spirit-filled moments of the evening.
I have to tell you also about this one last moment that closed out the night. The three of us had opportunity to listen to "G"s amazing story of how God is orchestrating powerful things in her life. He has placed a friend in her life that is guiding her and walking with her, praying with her, encouraging her. "G" is having a major surgery in a week and is scared to death. Our team gathered around this woman in the manager's office, laid hands on her and prayed out loud, not only for her, but also for her children, the surgery and so much more. It was all we could do to not ball our eyes out in the middle of the club.
God is doing awesome things and tonight we were able to be stewards of his love and be present in these precious moments of even more precious lives. We are constantly blown away by his faithfulness to each and every part of his creation!
When writing our words of encouragement I always rely on God to give me the words and sometimes when I'm finding them and writing them they just don't make sense to me. But standing in the club tonight's words of encouragement suddenly meant the world in the moments we experienced:
Expect to have hope rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered
in wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains
will come again.
~Sarah Ban Breathnach
Across our lifetime
there is only Love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
the times of insecurity
the pain of passing moments
give way to something greater
to days of laughter
to times of joy.
And looking over it all
seeing the big picture
there is an
overwhelming Love.
You are loved beyond measure.
You are not alone.
You matter more than you know.
You are a treasure!
Today I had the opportunity to share Sex Trafficking 101 with about 20 high school juniors in a Social Justice class. The teacher asked me to connect this social justice issue to human dignity and worth. It was awesome because that's easy to do when you are sitting in a private school since human dignity and worth comes directly from God.
I talked extensively about God's imprinting us with his image and our search to fill an impression that was only meant to be filled by God. Like a hand-print placed on our hearts that only the person who put it there can fill. Other things and people can attempt to, but they will be too small or too big. This substitution fill will leave us either searching for something more or overwhelmed and consumed by something that is so big we can't carry it. The hand-print can only be filled by God (it's creator) and when we allow him to fill it, we find our identity. We find our God given purpose and we find wholeness. Each of us has God's image in us, we just don't realize it. Realizing it involves acknowledging that when we see each other, we should see each other with dignity and worth because we are all children of God. We are all intricately connected. And when we look at each other we should realize that we are looking at God.
At end of the day, I wanted the reality of all that I had shared to sink into each of them. Why is it important to see people in this way? Why is social justice important? I had all of the girls in the class stand up. It just so happened that there were 11 of them and they were three in three rows and 2 in the last row. These young ladies all stood and I said, please understand that I want to share with you a statistic that is shocking and will hurt a bit, but my intention is not to hurt you, but instead to make this real for you. And I'm not naive enough to think that this might not already be real. I counted them out loud and asked each student to look at each other. And then I shared...
Class, the unfortunately statistic is this...it is from the UN Millennium Project...1 in 3 women will be victims of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. The look on their face was indescribable. The guys in the room had a visible change in them. I continued with the class explaining that this statistic is NOT fair. It's not fair that one girl in each row statistically speaking will experience sexual violence before the end of her life. It's not fair that the responsibility has been placed on her shoulders. It's not fair that something more isn't being done to change it. The truth is --this statistic wouldn't be true if each and everyone of us began to see God in ourselves and God in others. If we began to respect, love and protect, not only ourselves, but others, if we began to live Micah 6:8 (To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.)
Social justice matters and 16-17 year old kids CAN make a difference! There's no question about it! They can change the world! And it starts with our walking the straight line!
I'm excited to see where this class goes! And praying for kingdom breakthrough through these kids in powerful ways!!!!
We had a wonderful response to the panel discussion that our founder, Sharon was invited to sit on yesterday on the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. It was an amazing way to get the word out about how to love without expectation and without limitation! Not all sex workers are trafficked, some have made a choice that most people could never understand or ever take the time to understand, all no matter their circumstances deserve to be loved unconditionally!! Jesus' love for sex workers is as great as his love for the "religious"!
Many sex workers, in both the legal adult entertainment industry and illegal sex industry, however, have been victims of trafficking or other heinous crimes and for these victims we must help to provide adequate advocacy, support, encouragement and healing! This panel opened a genuine discussion about how faith and spirituality play a positive role in healing from the trauma of sex crimes.
_
_Did you know?- Human Trafficking in the 2nd largest and fastest growing criminal activity in the world!
- Toledo is #4 in the nation in terms of arrests & investigations and rescues in sex trafficking.
- 80% of victims are women and 50% are children.
- The Church is called to fight this injustice!
- You don't have to do it alone! Or reinvent the wheel!!! There are organizations in Toledo already fighting the battle! You can partner with them!!!!
Here's 6 ways that your Church can fight Human Trafficking right here in Toledo: 1) FREEDOM SUNDAY - Invite The Free2BMe Project, The Daughter Project, Second Chance, or STOP (all local Toledo organizations combating sex trafficking right here in our home town) to speak (or have a presence) at your Church on SUNDAY, February 26th. 2) Pray - Commit as a Church to pray for freedom in all forms: physical, spiritual and emotional for trafficking victims and survivors. Pray for the above mentioned organizations, the leadership and their volunteers.The A21 Campaign has an awesome prayer guide(http://thea21campaign.org/downloads/a21prayerguide2010.pdf) 3) Build awareness - Educate your Church - host a human trafficking event at your church, recommend books and films that speak on the issue. 4) Localize the issue! Don't keep pretending it's not happening here! We are #4 in the nation! Human trafficking exists in EVERY city! 5) Put information in your bulletin or on your pre-service big screen! 6) Coordinate and lead a donations drive: All of the above organizations need monetary help to fulfill their missions, as well as numerous items to help in their efforts. Also don't forget Cherry Street Mission's Women's Division for new clothes, socks, personal hygiene and much more. Many of their guests are sex trafficking survivors! _
“But this is a people robbed
and plundered; they are all
of them snared in holes
and hidden in houses of
bondage. They have
become a prey, with no one to
deliver them, a spoil, with no one
to say, Restore them!”
Isaiah 42:22
 That is a great question. As I sit here and reflect on the two months that have passed since my return from my five month stay at the Refuge for Women, I am amazed at the blessings that have been poured over me.
Upon my return I was hopeful about a job position with a local ministry and before I could unpack my bags from my car I was told that I did not get the position. It took me a moment but I knew that the Lord has something for me and because that door shut, I knew that was not it.
I was sleeping on an air mattress at my dads on the living room floor as I contemplated going to the Sparrows Nest to attend the Ready for Life program they offered. I prayed over it and decided to stay at my dad’s house over the weekend so I could transition back to my life in Toledo.
After telling my dad my plans to stay at the Sparrows Nest he told me that if I wanted to I could live in his 3 unit house in Toledo. He informed me that the upper 2 bedroom unit was vacant. I went over to check it out and saw all the work it needed. I decided to pray over it and start to get it cleaned up because regardless if I stayed there or not it needed to be done to get a new tenant in.
As I was cleaning and becoming overwhelmed with confusion of what to do I went to my brothers and sisters in Christ for wisdom. They confirmed what the Lord was telling me. This is where the Lord needs me to be. After two months of cleaning and painting the apartment looks amazing! I absolutely love it and finally have a place to call home. After two years of house sitting, living at a ministry, and doubling up I have a stable and secure place to live.
The Lord told me that after I get into the apartment that I should then focus on employment. I applied to various temporary agencies with a successful 3 days of work, just enough for gas money and my first utility bills.
I had an interview with an amazing ministry in Toledo and am waiting to hear from them. I am once again hopeful and am trusting that the Lord is going to open the door soon. I have been helping with various ministries and joined a new home church that is close to my heart.
The Lord opened up to me an amazing opportunity to be a Rescue Chaplain for Cherry Street Mission Ministries. I never dreamed that the Lord would have me in such an amazing place. I am so grateful that I am able to serve.
I was gone for 5 months and am just now getting settled in and getting the opportunity to catch up with friends and family, hearing about what the Lord has been doing in their lives. I have been able to spend time with my children that I missed so much while I was away. They are very excited about our new home and my return.
When I moved into the apartment I had very little. Now I have a bed, furniture, bathroom and kitchen supplies thanks to the amazing people of the community that came together to help someone they didn’t even know.
In summary, I drove back to Ohio from Kentucky, was blessed with an apartment, cleaned and painted, was blessed by the community with gifts for my new home, I get to see my children, volunteer with amazing people with incredible ministries, and became a Rescue Chaplain. I have been blessed with pure abundant overflowing joy. Happiness is temporary, joy is everlasting.
I just finished reading exodus and it reminded me of…me. I just turned 40. I feel like I have been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and now the Lord is bringing me into the Promise Land.
So where am I at you ask?
Heaven on earth-The Promise Land
God Bless,
Peyton
Thursday, October 6th through Sunday October 9th, The Free2BMe Project and many of our friends and supporters gave our time and energy to loving and serving the Cherry Street Missions' Sparrow's Nest! The Sparrow's Nest is a woman's shelter in central city Toledo.
One of the coolest parts of this project was the "art therapy" that we had the women participate in. We brought blank canvas' for the women to paint with their own designs.They turned out fabulous! This outreach project was such a blessing to each of us who participated! The ladies we met were amazing! And after hearing their stories we all realized that their stories could have been any one of ours!
 Photo Credit: Matt Collins, The Tears In Action Project Our team went out last night to visit dancers! We consider it such an honor to go into clubs and have opportunity to love on the women we encounter!
One of the dancers was very taken back by us. She thought for sure that we were there to condemn her and judge her. Repetitively asking us if we thought we were better than her, assuming that we did.
We are NOT better than any dancer, escort, sex industry worker that we encounter! To be honest and real with you, coming out of the industry, so many years ago, I mistakenly believed that I had somehow hit a higher status in life because I had gotten out. But the reality is that I carried a lot of baggage that I chose to hide, that I chose to keep from others because I didn't want to be associated with that part of my past. AND I WAS WRONG!!!!!
I am NOT better than any dancer, any sex industry worker! This women last night has encountered person after person who has tore her down, who has condemned her, who has judged her, who told her that she is somehow less than everyone else!!! THAT IS WRONG!!!!
The women who serve and love as a part of The Free2BMe Project come from many different backgrounds. Some of us worked the industry, some of us never did, some of us were customers/clients, but ALL OF US realize that we are no different, no better than any woman that works in the industry. We are not perfect and we are not better. We are simply women who believe with all of our hearts that God passionately loves us! That God passionately loves women in the sex industry. God's love is not biased. It does not have limits. It does not say one person is better or more worthy than another. God does not love us because of what we do or don't do. He doesn't love a stripper any less than he loves a pastor! He doesn't love a pastor any more than he loves a stripper.
We go into clubs because we have had this revelation. We are no better than the women we love and serve! And really, we believe that every woman, no matter what she does for a job, is loved by God! It's not about your job, we don't care what you do for a living! We are not against you! We are for you because you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a passionate God! You are worthy of love...UNCONDITIONAL love!
While I understand that I am not responsible for the actions and words of other people, I want to apologize to this dancer for anything that has been said and done to her over the years in the name of Jesus that did not represent his love. I'm truly sorry!
The Free2BMe Project believes that no woman should ever feel alone. No dancer should ever feel that she is unloved and unworthy! That's why we come! We come to let you know that Jesus loves you! He loves you right where you are. You are not beyond his love!
 While I worked in the legal sex industry for three years as an adult, my journey began long before I ever entered the club and said "sign me up!" It's hard, real hard to have to look at my life in honest ways and admit that I was a victim of human sex trafficking. Back then, I didn't even consider the facts of my life, the circumstances as part of something that encouraged me to walk into a club and say "Yes, I want to be an exotic dancer." I just knew by 14 years old that's what I wanted to do. But the reality is...that decision, that path was set long before I turned 18 and entered the legal sex industry.
My story is not the story of every woman in the legal sex industry! My story is just that...my story! I realize that many share in my story. Many women in the legal sex industry were victimized as children--abused, raped, touched, sold...but I know many who do not have those recollections, who would tell you they had great childhoods and that they have simply made an empowered choice or that this was where their adult life has found them. No matter the reason they are there, they are no less loved by God than any other person.
The reality of world today is such that there is legalized sex industry and there is an illegal sex trade...where people (women, men, boys and girls) are being forced, coerced, blackmailed into use their bodies for someone else's profit or gain. This should not be happening.
The Free2BMe Project unconditionally loves women in the sex industry --- no matter how they ended up there! Whether it was their choice or a choice made for them by circumstance or other people. We love dancers, managers, floor walkers, door persons, bartenders, dj's, janitors, house moms, owners...everyone in gentlemen's clubs across Toledo! It is our honor to journey with them! And we believe that they are all passionately loved by a HUGE God, who does not push them aside, like our world often does. He loves them right where they are. I know this to be true because I know that God loved me while I danced, that he was with me and that he was watching over me.
Free2BMe does what we can to bring awareness to the children who are caught up in the illegal sex trade. Sex trafficking is a part of my story, and unfortunately it is a part of our crazy world! I had opportunity last month to share my story at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio for the Southwest Ohio Nazarene Church. One thousand people learned about the horrors of child sex trafficking, but praise God when they hear my story they also hear how God calls His people to not look down on the adults (men and women) working in the legal sex industry, but to instead embrace them with unconditional love, to see them as everyday normal people. When they hear my story, they get to hear about how beautiful and precious women in the sex industry are, how to treat them with respect and love and how to love like God does.
God can use our stories in powerful ways. I'm so excited that I am no longer hiding, but instead that I'm able to live a free life because of Jesus Christ--a life in which I am free to be me!
On Tuesday, I awoke to the news that one of our clubs was burning. We immediately went into action - getting people praying for the safety of all involved, for provision for those who will be out of work, for staff, employees, managers, owners...for everyone involved to just be wrapped in God's love in this horrific moment, when everything that they know came crashing to the ground. Imagine coming to work and realizing that there was no work. There would be no money, no food, no rent, no car payment, nothing. And to top that off...there will also be no unemployment benefits because most who are affected by this circumstance are exactly in that boat. Your world would be crushed and you would panic, especially when you have children.
We began to work on how we could serve this club selflessly in this crazy time. We contacted the managers and the employees that we had contact info for and began to get the ball rolling on loving these women in this time of need. Tonight we had opportunity to love unconditionally in a very special way.
 We are always blown away by the ways God allows us to serve women in the sex industry! It is such an honor and privilege to know these precious women. Tonight we delivered a couple weeks of groceries to a woman who is out of work because of this week's fire at Platinum Showgirls! It was amazing to see the children smile and run to help unload. Neighbors joined in as well. The kids came running out of the house after taking the groceries in, each having claimed their own box of cereal for themselves, yelling "Thank You! Thank You!" And "H" gave many hugs and thank yous. She has kept the cards from our visits to the club in her purse for encouragement. She pulls them out and reads the prayers on them. She is a treasure! And we pray only blessings over her life and the life of her family! It was such a blessing to us to be able to meet her, her family and her neighbors tonight! We can't help but think that even if only for the next couple of days, this family won't have to worry how they are going to put food on the table. The children can go to bed knowing that all is not lost, there is hope...
Closed so tight and pointed to the end. Soft monochrome verdancy, dreaming of what could be. Uncurling, unfurling – tentative vulnerability. Passionate hue; speckled and spotted. Gorgeous even when bruised. Fragrant freedom! Completely opened for anyone to see smell touch hear the sound of silence, knowing beauty is in simply being and becoming what you already were inside… Vibrant. Delicate. Captivating. A dear friend and supporter of The Free2BMe Project wrote this poem, Amanda Moore. She is a gift writer, whose many poems some how transcend boundaries and speak to the heart of not only every woman but I'd say men too! I thought we would share this one with you.
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