I have spent a number of years working in customer service practicing the art of remembering names. I have always loved to see the smile on someones face when you meet them for the second time and call them by name. But perhaps I never thought about how this would touch my life in return. Here is my story
For the sake of safety I will not mention names, but for the reccord I do remember thier names.
Last night (Tuesday) I went on outreach and returned to the same bar I went to on Friday. The first girl I saw was my 14 year old friend. She got a huge smile on her face, ran over and said hello. Then she sat down for a moment, made herself comfortable and held my hand (this is cultural). I introduced her by name to Stacy and when she heard her name, she pointed to herself, looked back at me and then giggled. She was suprised that I had remembered her name.
After she went back on stage to dance, I saw my other friend from last week (the one who knew we were different). I filled Stacy in on her story before she ran over to see us. When she got to us I said hello to her and then Stacy called her by name. She started laughing and was confused how she knew. Stacy pointed to me and said she told me your name. Then she grabbed my hand and said ” ‘Candice’, I remember your name too.” I can’t fully express the joy that I felt in that moment. I think that is one of those little gifts from God that makes the whole room light up for just a second so that you know He is in there with you!
I talked with both of my friends thoughout the night as the rotated on and off stage. Stacy met a few other girls as well. Tonight we are going to go back and meet up with our young 14 yr. old friend and take her out to dinner, bowling and ice cream, or something of the sort.
However, there is a barrier that we are going up against to do this. Many of the girls will not leave because although their bar fee gets paid ($15.00) they do not make thier tip (usually $70.00) So please, please pray that we are able to take our friend out tonight to treat her like a teenage girl. My heart is broken for her and wants nothing more than to take her away for just one night and love her with her Fathers love!
Thank you for battling with us!
