This story happened in 2020 and the names and locations have been altered to protect the people involved.
I’m going to start off by mentioning that I learned some things in the strip club you can’t learn in school. As many of you know, I was a stripper for twelve years and I did not have a lot of life experience before I entered the club. Before I worked at the club, my world was a very isolating and contained existence. I went to a private Christian High School affiliated with my Baptist church.
After working in the club for a while, I begin to notice when something was ‘off’ and I’m going to share some red flags that I did not take into serious account until after I left the circuit. There were Eastern European girls who did not know a lot of English who would sit together and also work as teams. The alarming part was a lot of them would wear the same clothes night after night. If it was Tuesday, I’d see the red dress with gloves, if it was Friday, Sunday, it didn’t matter. It was like this girl did not have any other clothes.
I think when I first noticed this, I figured this was her lucky dress where she felt like she could make the most money in. But, if you are working night after night, how do you have time to wash that dress and hang it to dry for the next day? You don’t. And cleanliness is part of the job so that felt off to me. I also noticed these girls, once they paid the house fee didn’t really bother to make money. They didn’t try. They just liked to sit in the back and smoke. The expression on thier faces was dull and lifeless.
They watched me hustle and would roll their eyes. I thought it was weird someone would pay all that money to work and then sit down all night and not try and make the most of it.
The reason why I’m sharing this is because it ties in with a situation that came up in 2020, years after my career in dancing. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I enjoy going to the salon; to get my nails done, or hair or massage…the spa is my happy place. Well, for years, I wasn’t able to get my nails done because John had me on a strict financial diet. It was hard but I agreed because I know God told me to quit my job. Finally, one day John said I could get my nails done once a month and you would have thought I won the Billion Dollar Lottery, I was ecstatic!
I found a nail salon in my area and discovered the best nail tech there. She was so talented, she moved quick and did a great job that I kept coming back. The only problem was, I couldn’t get her to talk. I was so impressed by what she did, I asked, “You must love doing nails because you’re so good at it! How did you get started?” I truly love to hear people’s story and I’m also very creative so I have a great appreciation for any job requiring creativity and a skill set.
She looked at me like I was insane. I felt dumb. Her job was a sore spot and I just put my foot in my mouth. I made sure going forward, I wouldn’t touch that topic. Over time I would try and learn about her family, her home country (Vietnam) her food preferences, what kind of guy was her type…typical girl stuff just to pry her out of her shell. She was locked down. I knew she liked me because when I would come in, her face would warm to a smile but anything more than that was impossible.
One day she whispered, “I have a boyfriend.”
I exclaimed with glee “Mia! I’m so happy for you!
Her eyes got big and round and she hushed me. “Shhh…You must not tell anyone.”
I was shocked by her overreaction. I’m an introvert and private but I couldn’t imagine these people she worked with everyday would have a problem with some joy in her life as Mia seemed so miserable.
I began to feel Mia wasn’t shy but something was genuinely ‘off’, so I whispered, “I’m not sure if you’re okay. If you ever need any help or want to talk, I’m here for you. I’m your friend. I will keep anything you say between us.”
She looked surprised but relieved and privately slipped me her personal number before I left. I continued seeing her and Mia began to brighten and there was a genuine pep in her step. I could tell this new relationship was blossoming a new confidence.
While my polish was drying, we would talk in hushed tones the sweet things her boyfriend would do for her. I felt she had rounded a corner and I was finally able to see her true personality. It was beautiful.
Then one night, around 10 pm, during the thick of Covid lock-downs, I got a call. It was Mia. I was shocked so I answered right away.
“Mia, what’s going on?”
“I’m scared to tell you but I must tell someone.”
I had to remind her that I was her friend and I wouldn’t have given her my phone number unless I was there to help.
She breathed a sigh of relief and began to share about her life.Her parents were struggling financially, so she agreed to get a job in America to send money back to them. She dreamed of being a nurse one day but couldn’t see how that was possible. She was working with a job broker who arranged for her paperwork and passport and job opportunity.
When she got out here, she went to trade school to learn how to become a nail tech and then her employers had her living in a rented room, she wasn’t allowed to leave. They had a driver take these employees to work and drive them home after work. They got to keep a little money to send back home and for incidentals but most of what she made was taken to ‘pay back’ for all the expenses she eccrued with the school, rent, food and gas.
They were holding her passport hostage. If she wanted to see her boyfriend, she would have to sneak out like a teenager and this woman was 26! She had been working like this for three years and was not given a time when this would be over. She felt so hopeless to ever live a real life and was so angry and jealous when people would come in and talk about their jobs and husbands and regular life. When she could barely see her boyfriend or even talk about him.
I was in shock had to think fast because she wasn’t even aloud to be talking to me and she kept interrupting the conversation to see if someone was listening. She hung up and called back a few times so this really had my adrenaline going.
The amazing thing is God had already set up a connection with the San Diego Police Department Human Trafficking division from a halfway house I used to work with. This halfway house kept woman coming out of sex trafficking but it was amazing that God had already set up a contact for me.
I was rattled hearing her story but knew I had to act quick and the officer who worked my case took it seriously. They began to investigate the business and residence attached to Mia.
For about two months, I had to act like everything was normal but I kept in contact with the police and Mia to calm her anxiety and let her know they were building a case so they could go about this the most efficient way possible.
I told her God loves her so much, He sent me to notice what was happening and He would get her through this. He would bless her. I know God used my experience at the strip club to notice the signs of human trafficking. I noticed that Mia wasn’t excited about her work or getting more clients. Her face was dull and life-less like those Eastern European dancers at the club. This was something the Holy Spirit highlighted
Mia, although she was not a Believer, let me pray. I told her not to stop dreaming as God would continue to provide if she trusted in Him.
Finally, the police had a sting operation and closed down the business. They put Mia in a temporary safe house provided by Catholic Charities. The nuns noticed Mia’s intelligence and told her about a scholarship she qualified for and guess what? God provided housing and nursing chool for Mia.
Last I heard, Mia was doing well. She was at the top of her class and still with her boyfriend. I was keeping in contact with her but I felt she had moved on and because I know she is private and perhaps seeing me reminded her of what she went through, I didn’t press in. I hope she is well and I pray wherever Mia is she KNOWS it was God who heard her cries and answered her prayers.
I’m sharing this story because I think it’s important to highlight: God wants to use YOU. Maybe you don’t think you’re smart enough or has what it takes. But, if you want God to use you, He will. Human trafficking is just one of the many dark forces we have to deal with in today’s world. But, how can Light the way if we don’t look for opportunities to bring hope and show the love of Jesus?
I would love to hear your testimonies of how God has used you or is using you to give someone hope. This is not about bragging…it’s about sharing how God can use everyday people in everyday situations to show His love and care.
