A Report to His People....

Today I am sharing a report that I received from a friend about Mardi
Gras...the media would not touch such a story!

In what might prove to be the crowning achievement of an illustrious career
in ministry, the 87-year-old evangelist, Billy Graham shocked the 16,300 in
attendance at the Celebration of Hope crusade in New Orleans Arena on Sunday
Night. Touted in advance as possibly his last Evangelistic crusade, Graham
invited the packed house of evangelical Christians and the hundreds of new
converts to join him on the one mile walk from the arena to New Orleans'
infamous Bourbon Street. "While we have seen God do tremendous things here
the past couple of evenings. Yes, it is true that a great healing and a
great many salvations have occurred within the confines of this auditorium.
Still yet, there lies a great mountain in this city which needs to be
conquered."

Then taking from the Biblical Book of Joshua Chapter 14 he read, "I am
this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the
day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength
for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this
mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day," his voice suddenly sounding
more forceful than during his 22 minute sermon." I last preached in the City
of New Orleans in 1954 and I felt then that there was some unfinished
business. Tonight, in what very well might be my last evangelistic service,
I aim to finish that business and lead as many of you that would follow me
to the multitude of lost souls that fill Bourbon Street tonight. That is my
mountain! That is where we shall see the harvest!" said Graham as the
stadium erupted in cheers that lasted the next several minutes.

Utilizing a waiting mobility scooter, the elder Graham joined his son and
heir to the ministry, Franklin across the Arena floor and through the
opened doors leading towards the French Quarter. In a show of solidarity
and determination reminiscent of civil rights marches of the 1960's, nearly
the entire capacity crowd joined in the 20 minute trek while singing, "When
the Saints Go Marching In". As the march crossed Canal Street and headed
northward towards Bourbon Street, many onlookers stood in stunned silence
as the massive crowd of people began singing in unison the Christian hymn,
Amazing Grace. Upon entering the west end of Bourbon Street, Billy Graham
was soon recognized by partiers.

Soon those joining in the march began to approach those partying on Bourbon
Street with the Gospel message that they had heard preached
just a half hour before. Graham himself joined with a group of local street
evangelist in ministering to a man who had survived Hurricane Katrina in
the lower 9th Ward. Within 30 minutes the entirety of Bourbon Street was
packed with Christians and the once blaring music of nightclubs and strip
joints had been replaced by weeping and worship as people poured out their
drinks and sought prayer from the Christians who were now reaching out to
them." I have never seen anything like this in my life," said 20 years New
Orleans Police Department veteran, Tom Phillips. "This is unbelievable! We
thought a riot was going to break out, but this looks more like a Revival
than a riot!"

Two hours later, a glowing Graham sat back down on his scooter and smiled.
"Now I know how the Apostle Paul must have felt at the end of his ministry.
Do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought
a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

Hours later hundreds of Christians remained on the street ministering to
the many people eagerly waiting to receive prayer and ministry. New Orleans
will never be the same. And the press remained mute on this "news item?"
Did anyone see it on TV/hear it on radio/read it in the paper? Why are we
not surprised? Can't have THAT just prior to a major election, now, can we?
Well, just on a whim, spread the news, anyway.
It cost our elder brother, Billy Graham, more than any of us know to make
that effort. The least we can do is publicize it.

Jesus is coming VERY soon my dear readers. Let us herald His soon coming
with reports of revival starting to break out across this country and around
the world. Start a revival where you are. Spread the good news of Jesus
Christ....Patti