TLC's Police Women of Cincinnati

The Police Women of Cincinnati airs on TLC on Thursday evenings. Last night as I was watching it, I saw two women get arrested on one of the corners of the neighborhood we minister in. It is a street that my volunteers walk down each Sunday to pick up kids that live in the buildings that were in the background of the scenes that flashed on my TV.

I don't have to watch TV to see prostitutes. All I have to do is stand outside the church building for less than five minutes and I see at least one. These women have names. They have stories. They have feelings. They are women...moms...daughters...sisiters...friends. They also have bad addictions that have lead them to sell their bodies on the street corner.

Last week as our preteen ministry ended, one of the ladies came in to talk to one of the leaders. Some of the preteen girls made rude comments about the lady. Instead of getting upset, this lady took the opportunity to talk to the girls about her life. She told them about how she got good grades, was voted the most likely to be successful after high school, she was pretty and well liked. She explained how bad choices that she had made landed her into this life of drugs, prostitution, and jail. Even though she is still living the street life, she desires to be an example to girls in the neighborhood of the importance of making good choices.

My co-workers, Jennifer and Jessica have a close relationship with this lady and her mother, who is also addicted and prostituting. It has been a huge learning and growing experience for them...full of ups and downs. It is their prayer that through their love and dedication this lady will choose to follow God and make some positive changes in her life. It is a hard and long journey though.

So don't forget when watching shows like Police Women of Cincinnati, that all of the people on there have a story and are loved by God.