Hello everyone, I hope you and yours are doing well.
I (Derek) am currently back on Kensington avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This neighborhood is the largest open air drug market in the nation, which means they have basically legalized the drugs so that people don’t die, hidden away in buildings and not get found until well after the fact. So now most of the homeless addicts use their drugs right out on the street in plain view of everyone. As some of you may recall, Kensington is referred to a Zombieland because of the number of addicts in this neighborhood. Calvary Chapel Kensington, also known as The Rock has been working in this neighborhood for over 20 years. They have brought vast improvements to the community. And they continue to grow in their ministry, purchasing new properties having properties donated to them in the neighborhood that they restore and remodel into functioning businesses and other spaces to help the community. But even with all of the work that The Rock has done here over the years it is still the most heartbreaking place I have ever seen. I’ve been to other countries and seen extremely poor living conditions but the difference is that here, most of them have made some sort of a choice to be in this life. Whereas in third world countries, the poor usually don’t have a choice about their living conditions. The poor in third world countries have a real desire for a better life. Most of the people here do not.
When I say this, I am referring to the addicts not to the families and people who live in this community. I am sure that most of them would rather not have to avoid stepping on needles or human feces or vomit or massive amounts of garbage as they walk to and from their homes.
Being that this is my second trip to Kensington four months. I thought this trip would be a little easier than the first, but it is not.
I did get to spend some time talking to Pastor Buddy again. He remembered me from the trip in June and was asking how our ministry in Roanoke was going. He was very happy to hear about the things that we have started doing with Rest For Your Soul. He encouraged me to remain faithful and patient and to “get out of the way” and let God do what He wants to do through this ministry.
As before, I am coming home with wisdom, knowledge, information and goals to implement in our ministry.
Prayer requests:
- a better and definitely quicker way to get people into detox. A Christian based detox in Roanoke would be awesome
- a space/building for us to operate out of. Someplace we could do a Bible study and be out of the weather and traffic noise.
- People and churches (especially in Roanoke) that would be willing to commit to give us regular support; financial, physical and prayer.
- softened hearts in the community
- for Melissa who will be helping to lead another team from CCLburg to The Rock 10/29-11/2
We greatly appreciate all of your prayers and support. We love you all.
Derek, Melissa and Alex
Buchanans in the Wild
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