Well, believe it or not, we didn't take any pictures yesterday (Sunday) on the drive from Fancy Gap to Charlotte, NC. It was foggy when we left the highlands of the Blue Ridge Parkway and continued until we arrived in Charlotte.

But on Monday, we set out to visit the Billy Graham Library. Our campground (Ebenezer Park) was just across the South Carolina border from Charlotte. So, it was about a 15 mile drive over to south Charlotte where the library is located.



After parking, we first came to the Graham home that had been moved a couple of miles from its location to the grounds of the library. Moving the home was done by private funds and not from the BGEA. Some of the furnishing, photos and items had belonged to Dad and Mom Graham, but most of the furniture were "period" furnishing and floor covering so the house looked exactly the way it did when Billy's mom died in 1981 (except for the kitchen). In the picture of the kitchen, you will notice that her refrigerator was one of the first models of refrigeration - transition from the "ice box" to electrical refrigerated machines. Anyone remember when the ironing board folded down out of the wall? I imagine the electric stove and oven was quite an oddity at the time! These new fan-dangled things! What was wrong with the old wood-burning stove and oven?


Before heading into the library, we walked to the memorial site to where Cliff Barrow, his wife and George Beverly Shea are buried. "Bev's" wife is still living, but when she gets promoted, she will be buried by his side. It was very humbling to stand in the "presence" of these great people ~ I have watched them from the time that I was a child on TV or in person. These are people that had a consuming love for the Lord and for people. "Next door" to the memorial site is the Memorial Prayer Garden where Ruth Graham is buried. Here is a woman with a great sense of humor. My favorite story about Ruth is this. When asked one time during an interview if she and Billy had ever considered divorce, her answer was, "We never considered divorce! Murder maybe, but not divorce!"



The main building of the library is built in the shape of a barn because Billy grew up on a dairy. The door is a cross, signifying the Graham family's belief that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ and the work of salvation He gave us on the cross. Once inside, there is a large lobby which serves as a welcome center, introduction to Billy Graham, a gift shop and a cafe. Admission is free but you do have to get a ticket at the welcome desk. The first stop is at the "inside" barn door, where the most unexpected welcome is given by a cow!



Going through a doorway, we watched a short video on the life of Billy Graham and how he got his start in preaching. After the film, the first exhibit is about the first crusade that was held in Los Angeles in 1949 and was scheduled to run for three weeks. It lasted for an incredible eight weeks!



The next exhibit was about the Graham's background and home life. Ruth grew up as a daughter of missionaries to China. These Chinese people remained dear to her heart up to the time of her death. Billy's family were the "salt of the earth" people and were involved in farming and dairy. Family pictures abound of both the Bells and the Grahams. Ruth's wedding dress and Bible are displayed, as well as a Christmas card that she had written one year. I'm sure that precious items of Billy's will be added when he passed into eternity.



The next segments of the library have to do with the extent that Billy Graham's ministry has touched the world. From the early beginning of preaching on the radio ~ the Hour of Decision to the various ministries that he has been involved in.



At the end of the segment about his ministry, there is a cross and the central Scripture and quote that Billy lives by.



The final room that we entered included some of the gifts that both Billy and his son, Franklin have received over the years. Billy has been retired since 2007 when he last spoke at Camden Yards in Baltimore with failing eye sight and hearing loss.



Finally before heading home, we had lunch at the cafe in the lobby. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Billy Graham Library which honors one of the great Christian leaders of our time.