The Grahams join a list of famous people who have taken the tour of this blighted neighborhood, including Prince Charles, the king of Jordan, the head of the Greek church, and President Bush. "W" made his 10th trip to the area yesterday, and again called on Congress to vote the money for our area he has requested. The celebrities react the same way friends I've taken through the area do: with disbelief and shock. In the last 10 days, they've found 9 more dead bodies in this section of the city. By now, they're unrecognizable and the coroner has to do his best to determine sex, race, identity.

THURSDAY'S MEETING WITH BILLY AND FRANKLIN GRAHAM

Thursday morning, pastors and spouses were invited for "a special time of prayer and encouragement with Billy Graham" at the First Baptist Church of New Orleans, scheduled for 11:15 with lunch to follow. I arrived 30 minutes early and the place was filling up.

Everyone was greeting one another, meeting new friends, and enjoying the event when I noticed Dr. Graham slowly making his way onto the platform. I stood and started clapping. In 5 seconds the entire place was on its feet with raucous clapping and cheering for this champion. Cameras of all kinds, but mostly from the media, were arrayed in front of us. On the platform, left to right, were: George Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows, Bishop J. Douglas Wiley, Host pastor David Crosby, Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, and Fred Luter, Jr. A dream team if one ever existed.

David Crosby informed us that the pulpit in use today was the same one from August of 1954 used by Billy Graham at the old Pelican Stadium for his only crusade in this city. Some ten signatures of that evangelistic team were etched into the wood of the pulpit, including the three leaders with us today. Several have graduated to Heaven. David invited Franklin Graham to add his name to the list.

After the benediction, as many news people and pastors gathered to study the pulpit and take pictures as to meet our guests.

We applauded repeatedly and welcomed these distinguished guests who have come to minister to our city. I was sitting in the back, close to overdosing on joy, teary-eyed and unable to quit smiling.

Cliff Barrows led in some hymns, in his inimitable fashion. He said, "George Beverly Shea is 97 years old. Billy is in the middle and I'm the baby of the group, at 83." He added, "We have a combined 267 years between us."

"Franklin Graham has stood up for the name of Jesus all over our world," David Crosby said. "I've found him to be a kindred spirit, with a deep commitment to the gospel of Jesus and to meeting the needs of people. Soon after Katrina hit, Franklin was down here, talking to leaders about what his people could do. To date, his organization has invested $34 million in our area. And he has made a longterm commitment to stay with us."

Franklin Graham said, "This is an historic occasion. I never dreamed that Daddy and Uncle Bev and Uncle Cliff would be able to be here for this 'celebration of hope.'

"Soon after Katrina, I was down here talking with community leaders and pastors. A mayor of a suburban community said to me, 'I have not seen a FEMA worker. They may be here, but I haven't seen them. I haven't seen a Red Cross worker. They may be here, but I've not seen them. But I have seen church vans from Iowa and church buses from Michigan. It's the churches that have saved our community."

"A Marine who is now working with FEMA told me, 'The faith-based groups have something the other volunteer groups do not have. They meet needs no one else is touching--deep spiritual needs. When you lose your home and everything you own, the first thing that needs healing is your spirit."

"We have come to support the church in New Orleans. This is not about us; you get the credit when we leave. You will stay here. 'We are your servants for Christ's sake.'"

"When we were first invited to come for this event, I felt inadequate. I didn't want it to look like we were grandstanding. But your pastors convinced us we needed to come preach Jesus."

"Saturday night (at the Arena), you'll have to put up with me. Daddy will preach Sunday. We intend to give people the opportunity to get up out of their seats and come to Jesus Christ, our only hope."

"David asked me to introduce Daddy. I'm not quite sure how to do that. People ask me 'What it's like being the son of Billy Graham?'

I don't know. I've never had another father. But he's a wonderful man. He's the same person at home as he is on television or in a stadium somewhere. Daddy, welcome!"

The congregation rose as one to welcome this hero who is ignoring his pain and his infirmity to be here during our time of great need.

Billy Graham slowly made his way to the pulpit with his walker. He put it off to the side and stood at the pulpit, hunched somewhat, obviously weak. But he's still Billy Graham.

"I'm hard of hearing and don't know what Franklin said. (laughter) I want to tell you I'm devastated by what I've felt and seen. I haven't called my wife about this yet because I'm not emotionally capable of telling her what it's like."

"I've been so impressed by the pastors of all backgrounds working together. Thank you for the privilege of being here."

"This is the first time I've had a tie on since the New York Crusade in June. I couldn't tie it. I have other problems, too. Something Bev Shea is too young to understand." (laughter)

"At Pelican Stadium, we went for six weeks. Every night. I would preach 50 minutes or an hour and a half.(someone called out a loud, "Amen!") No wonder we had such a hard time filling the stadium!

"Dr. J. D. Grey was the pastor of this church back then. He was a true friend and a real character. Just before coming to New Orleans, we did the crusade in London and we invited him over. He told the British all about New Orleans. They didn't understand him at all." (laughter)

"In the Bible, Job lost his sons and his daughters and all that he had. He didn't complain at first, but worshiped. He believed and trusted and debated. Eventually, God restored and gave him many times over everything he had lost. I believe God is going to do that for you."

"This disaster is a mystery. People always ask 'why?' I don't know.

I don't know anyone who does. God did not cause it, but He did allow it. Maybe it was to build a new New Orleans. (chorus of amens) Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but he is the perfect security in the storms."

"I watched your mayoral debate on television the other night, and learned more about New Orleans than I had ever known. There are many political divisions in the city. Many political winds blowing. The only thing I didn't hear in the debate was anything spiritual. And that is the city's greatest need. I pray God will become the mayor of this city!"

"I used to come to the Gulf Coast a lot. We took vacations on the beach. We flew into New Orleans and drove to the beach. I've been up and down the bayous and seen the alligators and snakes. Now they've come to the city!"

"God has raised up Christian leadership in this city. I believe we're going to see God at work."

David Crosby announced that Mr. Graham's 25th book has just been released by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Copies of "The Journey," a distillation of 70 years of Graham's sermons, will be given to each family here today. 700 were on tables in the foyer, gifts from the publisher.

At one point in the program, I pointed out to the pastor on my right that the crusade this Saturday night and Sunday afternoon will be translated into Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese. "I know," he said, "I'm doing it." I was sitting beside Pastor Le Ngoc Thuong of our Vietnamese Baptist Church in Gretna.

The note at the bottom of the program thanked Jack and Amelia Leonardi of Jacques-Imo's and the First Baptist Church of Covington for providing the lunch today. Covington's Pastor Waylon Bailey and Martha were there. After we hugged, I thanked them for lunch. Waylon said, "Let me tell you how that happened." A new member of his church had called to say he had some extra money, and did the pastor have suggestions on needs he might meet. Waylon named several and left it there. A day or two later, David Crosby and he were talking and David mentioned that he needed some money to provide lunch today. Waylon said, "I know where that money is." The church member enthusiastically agreed that he should buy the lunch for the pastors and spouses.

Waylon said, "One more thing. I invited him and his wife to be here today. I told them this is a historic occasion and you are part of it. He said, 'No. This is not about us. We want the Lord to be glorified, not us.'" Members like that are a pastor's dream.

Outside, this Thursday afternoon at 4:45 pm, the winds are blowing mightily and howling through the neighborhood. We're under a tornado watch for the next couple of hours. Every tree is bending over and touching its toes, something the survivors have gotten good at lately.

The wind of God's Spirit is blowing through also, doing wonderful things in our community.

We ask our friends to join us in praying for the Father to draw people to Himself in these days and to begin the process of making New Orleans new.