[chrio39]

We have an intercessory prayer meeting at my office or in one of our homes, then we head to Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

It is an awful place. Drunks, homosexual couples, and perverts are everywhere. The street is lined w/ sex clubs and bars. People from the clubs call out to entice you inside some of the clubs. Pornorgraphy is plastered on the front of the worst of the clubs, and occaisionally women walk by with only paint on their chest. It is a huge fleshly party.

We've been passing out tracts for months, and it can be tough to initiate a conversation with people in the crowds, but I noticed when someone had a cross, it generates a lot of attention as you might imagine. So I built one. It has been a catalyst.

Some people mock us. Some loudly state that there is no God as they walk by. Some thank us. Some are just curious. But then...

Corey is 19 yrs old. His parents died when he was 6. He has spent most of the years since in juvenile detention centers, jail and prison. He is awaiting his next imprisonment which is about to start. For what I don't know. He saw us and the cross, and though drinking, he walked up and said to me that he's been called to preach since he was a kid. He was raised pentecostal. He's been running from God for years. As we were speaking two other men in their mid to late twenties approached me to ask why we had the cross there. Mercedes was listening and took over ministering to Corey.

I told them that it was a testimony to the people. One said he was an aethist, and we spoke for a while. He then told me he was looking for his wife and she was a Christian. I told him to tell his believing wife that I am in agreement with her prayers for her husband. His name is John Smith. Please lift Corey & John up in prayer.

Later, I saw Mercedes (who is Cuban) ministering to 3 young Hispanic men. Before long, 2 repented and she was leading all three in prayer. Meanwhile hundreds of tracts were being distributed by the 7 of us there from 4 different churches.

I saw a group of about six 20+yr. old men standing nearby, and heard one mocking and saying he was an aethist. He is 23 and is named Luke. I approached him and asked him what would happen to him when he dies and he said his body would rot in the ground. I told him that it is appointed unto men to die, then the judgement. He said that he didn't believe that. So I asked him if he thinks that not believing it makes him exempt. He understood the folly of that reasoning. Then we discussed evolution and they were all suprised to learn that I don't buy it. A short debate ensued that engrossed most of them. I told them of flaws that disproved evolution and scientific proof of creation. Then I told them I used to believe evolution and walked away from God because I wanted the truth about God, wherever that truth really was. They then wanted to know what made me believe.

When we finished I asked Luke him if he really wanted the truth as I had. He said yes. I told him that if he seeks the truth the Truth will find him. I told him to challenge God to show him that he (God) exists. I told him that we'd pray for him. Please pray for Luke.

There were many such encounters tonight. Too many to tell. Bourbon street flows like a river with people. Each soul precious to God but most are on the road to destruction. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us, the righteous for the unrighteous. The fields are truly white unto harvest.

God bless, David

[HeIsFaithful]

David and Mercedes,

Thank you both.. and all who are out there on bourbon street.. thank you for allowing yourselves to be led of the Holy Spirit.

I will pray for wisdom.. and power.. and grace.. and mercy.. for you and your ministry..

And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy - To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

[chrio39]

Thanks Rose, but Luke did not come to the Lord. He does want truth, but has not yet apprehended it. I appreciate the promise of protection. The need for that became very apparent today, as I will write in the prayer request forum.

And Cheryl, boy your scripture and signature were sure on time. I used to leave there feeling defiled, but yesterday was different. Thanks so much for your prayers.

We have a small church, probably average 20 to 30 on Sunday morning. But we're 4 pastors strong. Last Sun nite we ministered at a prison north of Baton Rouge, and three men gave their hearts to the Lord. I conduct a Tues nite bible studyand a Sun nite nursing home meeting. Don, one of us who has an outreach ministry, also does a Sat Morn prayer walk w/ other ministries, and preaches at an addiction recovery house on Fri. nights. I join him in his outreach events and he comes w/ us to Bourbon St. twice a month. Jerry teaches Thu nite bible study & pastors the flock, doing most of the Sun morning preaching. We attend some of each other's meetings sometimes, and there's Matthew, who left the church he pastored and joins in with us to help out in different areas. We together have a Sat 1pm live call in broadcast, which Jerry & I co-host. Then there is Mercedes who does nursing home ministry at 2 nursing homes during the week and every outreach that we do.

After today we determined that we need more prayer focus on protection. We do covet your prayers.

[chrio39]

Tonight was different. Right from the git go it started. As soon as they put the cross together people on the balcony started pelting them w/ mardi gras beads. I parked the van and walked up and was immediately hit on the head by beads. It didn't hurt, but it was just a start. After a few minutes a kid walked up and proceded to empty 2 cans of silly spring on us , aiming for our hair and face. I did stop him by grabbing the can, but not until he really became pesky. He finally left. Then a drunk man walked up to Larry who was holding the cross and demanded that we pick up the cross and get off Bourbon Street. I told him that we weren't going anywhere. He continued to demand that we leave. In none of any of this did we become angry or rattled, and none of us got in the flesh. We kept passing out tracts and ministering to people. Another man walked up and knelt down and folded his hands if to pray but was mocking. People took pictures enjoying his mockery. Many people made mocking comments as they went past. The enemy's assignment against us was so obvious, yet entirely innefective.

There were a few people who thanked us for what we were doing. Several others came under instant conviction as soon as they saw the cross. One woman in her 50's saw the cross, looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and made the sign of the cross. Mercedes prayed for one man and he threw down his drink and left. Praise God!