Light and Dark

The Light

First some really exciting news. On Sunday 4/27/2025, I got to perform my first baptism. Jackson is a young man that the Lord has had me discipling for the last several months. A couple of months ago when we were discussing that he should consider getting baptized, he asked me if I would do it for him. He didn’t want a big production, just his wife and parents. So we went down to the river and got it done.

The Dark

Satan really has a hold on the homeless community in south east Roanoke. Most of the time it is not overt. We have seen a few people that we are pretty sure that there is some full on demon possession going on but for the most part his work has been far more subtle. The “I’m good, I don’t need prayer for anything”, or “I know Jesus, I went to church when I was a kid” but they claim no relationship.

Jeff talked to a local methadone clinic last week and found out that in the month of March, they collected over 18,000 dirty needles. (no that isn’t a typo, 18,000)

Many of the people we talk to are on the verge of giving their life to the Lord, but the world, the flesh and the devil get in the way. You can see it in their tears as we explain to them about Jesus and how He loves them and He can give them hope.

Hope. There is a massive deficit of that in SE Roanoke right now. Please pray for that; the hope that only Christ can provide.

We are starting to form some relationships. JoJo and Logan, Coretta, Brit, Uncle Bob and others.

Supplies that we need for next Tuesday 5/6/25, with Amazon links for some items (consistency):

• Plastic grocery bags (to make it easier for them to carry their snacks and supplies) We use 40-60 each Tuesday
• Tall kitchen size trash bags
• Snacks (individually wrapped chips, nabs, granola bars, etc.)
• Sunny D (we always need Sunny D, I think its the Vitamin C they crave)
• Travel size deodorant (mens a.co/d/5NBJwVQ and womenshttps://a.co/d/4vI53jS)
• Single use shampoo and shower gel packets https://a.co/d/c0T9EmM

If you feel led to donate, you can give supplies directly to myself, Melissa or Alex or you can have them delivered to us. Financial donations can be made on our website or in person. Between food, snacks, drinks and supplies, each Tuesday costs approximately $300

As always, much love and God Bless you

Derek, Melissa and Alex

Buchanans in the Wild