Women's Civic Club Talk

Polly Dodenhoff, Marceile Dundon and I gave a presentation to the Women's Civic Club. Here is the slide show that we used.

Pork is Safe Video

Check out the new OARDC video that my oldest two and me star in at OARDC's YouTube channel. Expert pork flipping.

This Story has Legs

The Bacon Explosion is exploding. It was on Yahoo's front page and was just on Fox's morning show. Now they think I may be Joe the Plumber or a Jew.

Blog in NY Times

I just got a phone call from Connie Britton (OARDC librarian) and an email from Rebecca (my niece) that the blog was quoted in the NY Times. What a hoot. Especially once you see the article.

And we took pictures

I have just finished uploading over 7,000 photos to flickr. These are photos that several people took while on the trip. I have organized them by location that we visited. Have fun.

Mt. of Beatitudes

Sea of Galilee

Back Home, Safe and Sound

The trip back to Wooster seemed easier then the trip out. Getting a big group through the airport can be a bit challenging with customs and trams and security, but we did it.

Riding in the bus back to Wooster, Father Dan reflected that this trip was like bowling a 300 game. That was even after his luggage didn't show up at Cleveland. He attributed it to the fact that we had so many people praying for us with all our families, friends and prayer partners. 

I would like to thank all who through their prayers and support made this trip possible for me to go. A big thanks to Father Dan for asking me a few months ago "Dave, what are you doing in January?" and then helping me to make it a reality.  Lastly, thanks to Donna for not even pausing to think, but saying a big YES when I asked her about the trip.

I would also like to thank Joe Karabinus for sharing his photos with me for the blog. I have the photos from about 12 of my fellow pilgrims and over the next few days I plan on putting up some slide shows and videos of our trip. Keep tuned.

Shalom,

David Lohnes

The Last Day in Israel

On the last day of our pilgrimage we visited the Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial) and the Western Wall tunnels. 

The Yad Vashem was a very emotional experience. They have a children's memorial for the approximately 1.5 million children that were murdered in the Holocaust. It is a representation of the souls of all of these children and it was overpowering. As I walked through the cavern I thought of all of the children in my life and the sorrow I would have if this would happen to them. It was hard for me to leave this spot. On the grounds of the memorial they have trees planted for the Righteous. These are gentiles who risked their lives and the lives of their families to protect Jews during the Holocaust. There are 20,000 people recognized for this honor. It made me think about how history would have turned out if 2,000,000 neighbors, colleagues, and/or friends of these Jews would of had the faith and courage to act in such a heroic way. It really made me reflect on injustices that continue to occur to people in my life and what I can do on a personal level to help.

Thanks to Paul Kauffman's urging, our last tour for the trip was the Western Wall Tunnels. This is a massive archaeological project that provides a glimpse at the immense building skills of King Herod the Great. We saw the placement of stones weighing 100's of tons and stone carving so precise that it did not require mortar to build the wall as the stones fit together perfectly. Along the wall ran a road made of large stones. This would have been contemporary to Jesus' time and it was exciting to walk on the same stones that Jesus may have traveled.

We then traveled to Joppa (Yafo) for our last supper together. Fittingly it was in the upper room of a restaurant, but this room was on the shores of the Mediterranean with the lights of Tel Aviv flickering in the distance.  While we were traveling to Joppa the inauguration of Barak Obama as our 44th president occurred. Not only was their excitement in the US about the inauguration, but there was much interest in Israel. We listened to the inauguration speech on the radio (as it was being translated into Hebrew) and prayed for our new president. At the restaurant they had a TV playing with the inauguration festivities. When they started to play the Star Spangled Banner our entire group stood up and sang with pride and joy. Father Dan said that our guide and bus driver were blown away at our response as they knew that we were not all Obama supporters. However, in our hearts we strive to be One Nation under God, with Justice and Liberty for All.

Geocaching in Israel

Peg, Judy and I went on a treasure hunt about a kilometer from our hotel. It is in a park called Gan Sacar. We went through the Knessett (their parliament building) and through a beautiful rose garden and ended up meeting a bird watcher named Rebekah (I have a ornithologist niece named Rebecca). Judy found the cache in a nook in the rocks and I left a wooden nickel and took a wooden nickel. It was a beautiful walk.

Group Photo

By popular demand here is the group photo after a float in the Dead Sea. Our bus driver, Mohammed, is on the right. He is the best driver in all of Israel, taking us to alleys that I wouldn't wanted to have driven through with a Honda Civic. We have had a wonderful time and really have become a tight-knit community. 

The Old City of Jerusalem

Today we started with Mass at the Garden of Gethsemane. The church is designed to simulate the lighting at dusk and it works. The altar is next to the rock that Jesus is said to have prayed on. There was an echo in the church that just hung on forever. In the garden are olive trees that they say are 2000 years old. After seeing them, I don't think I would argue.

We then went to the Old City and enter the city in the Moslem Quarter to start the Via Dolorosa or better known to us as the Stations of the Cross. We carried a large cross with us through the streets, alleys and market places of the city. We were even mocked by some as we progressed through the streets. We ended up at the tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Five different churches laid claim to this spot and it is sad to hear of their disagreements. It is so bad they have to have a Muslim in charge of the keys to the church. It was neat to see the pilgrims from all over the world coming to this location.

We then made are way to the Wailing Wall or what the Israelis prefer to call the Western Wall since 1948. There were hundreds of Jews praying with their whole bodies at the wall. I put on my yarmaluke and proceeded to the wall to pray where others have prayed for over a 1000 years. This was the most moving part of the trip for me as images of family and friends just rolled through my mind as I leaned against the wall. It was awesome. I am so blessed to be here and to be able to share it with so many.

Thank you for your prayers. Some ankles are swollen and some knees are stiff, but it hasn't slowed us down.

Church of the Nativity

We had an exciting morning crossing into Palestine to go Bethleham to see the Shepherd's Field and the Church of the Nativity. Our tour guide is Israeli so he couldn't go, but our driver is Palestinian so he could enter. We met another guide and had a great time. Lot's of merchants selling "must have" items on the sidewalks. It is amazing how items get cheaper as we start to board the bus. We are going to have to get more luggage to haul this stuff home.

Father Dan had a moving celebration of Mass in St. Jerome's Chapel in the basement of the Church of the Nativity. He talked about how the stable had room for all of the animals plus Mary, Joseph and Jesus and to remember that there is room for all of us. We could hardly move in the chapel, nice and cozy.

We also went to the Mount of Olives and walked the path that Jesus walked on his entrance to Jerusalem. For me it was such an honor to share that journey with so many new friends.

On a lighter note, I have learned to play two new card games: Haffsenpepper (bid euchre) and Bridge (maybe I haven't learned bridge quite yet, lousy cards but good card sense).

Tomorrow we spend the day within the Old City Walls.

Pictures

Some pictures from the trip so far:

"I am the Lord's servant"

We visited the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth today. When I walked it to the basilica it was overwhelming. It was modern yet beautiful and had mosaics of Mary from countries all over the world. We celebrated Mass in the lower church next to the grotto where the Annunciation has been recognized to have happened since the 4th century. We talked about how we can be a willing servant of God and do his will.

We later proceeded to Jerusalem. It is Shabbat (sabbath) for the practicing Jews which means they can't press elevator buttons. It struck me as humorous to find them standing in an elevator waiting for someone to come in that can push a button. They can thank the rabbis at Tiberious (which we visited last night) whom created the Talmud for that decision.

Renewing our baptismal vows

We stopped at the Jordan River this afternoon to renew our baptismal vows. It was not quite my impression of what the Jordan River would be like. I am sure John the Baptist didn't have a railing and steps leading down to the water or a gift shop and towels to rent.


Despite the commercialism of the spot we did have a very nice experiance in the cold waters of the Jordan River. Reading the scripture in the Holy Land is a very moving experiance.

Everyone here wants their loved ones to know that they are doing well. We all feel very safe and secure in Israel and they appreciate the comments you are leaving on the blog.

Also, to all of the prayer partners out there, you are doing a fantastic job. We have had fabulous weather, seen few crowds, are making lots of new friends and growing in our faith as we progress on this pilgrimage.

If you are wondering where the pictures are, my computer battery is not charging on this crazy Israeli electrical current. So I am using a computer at the hotel that won't take my memory card. Hopefully this will be resolved tomorrow as we journey down the Mediterranean coast and head east to Jerusalem and will be staying at the Jerusalem Ramada.

Renewing of Wedding Vows at Cana

We just visited Cana and 12 couples on the trip renewed their wedding vows. Over 400 years of marriage among those couples (turning water into wine was just the start of the miracles) . Outside of the church we were able to purchase Cana Wine for the reception. As an extra stop we are going to be touring a diamond cutting factory in Tiberias later today. That way all of the husbands can purchase a suitable token of their appreciation for their wives. Below is pictured Joe and Nancy Karabinus (St. Peter's) after the renewal ceremony.

We are at the "Jesus Boat" museum in the Kibbutz Ginosar. It is a 2000 year old boat that was discovered in the Sea of Galilee in 1986 during a drought.

Happy Birthday John!

It is my son John's 12th Birthday today:

Hope you are having a great 12th birthday today. I know the percussion section had to like the cookie that Mom made. We raised you up to God in the prayers of petition at Mass today. We celebrated Mass above the house of the mother-in-law of Peter.  It is mentioned in Luke 4: "After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them." Father Dan challenged us to be a healing presence to the people in our lives. Just think how words of encouragement can uplift people and even heal broken feelings.

On more of a BOY note, I did see some tanks and a soldier with an assault rifle (he was waiting for a bus) as we traveled through the Golan Heights which border Syria and Lebanon. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures. We also had a fish lunch and the fish head was still attached. It was good eating, even down to the fat in the fish cheeks.

We Made It!

We had long flight and a great landing in to Tel Aviv. The turbulance was exciting, especially when it hits in the middle of a stroll and I about fell into a row of sleeping passengers. I sat next to the matriarch of the trip, 96 year young Dorothy Tyler, and got a kiss when we landed (maybe I stole it). In the photo we are heading to pick up our luggage.

We were met by our guide Yair and we took a bus ride up to the Sea of Galilee to our hotel at Ein Gev. The ride was beautiful with the moon seemingly rising over every hill. When we descended in to the Jordan Valley the moon was shining off of the Sea of Galilee. It was quite the heavenly welcome. They had supper ready for us and it was fantastic. However, I think my colleague Matt makes much better hummus.

Everyone is in good spirits. Father Dan is reminding us to be flexible and go with the flow.

Tomorrow we are taking a boat ride over to Capernaum. Forecast is for upper 70's. :)

Henry and His Bar Mitzvah

On the plane ride we had the pleasure of 13 year old Henry and his extended family on the trip with us. I asked the beaming grandfather what the trip to Israel was for since the whole family was going and he said that they are going to have Henry's Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall on Thursday. He then added that hopefully the boy's father would show up. Turns out the father, the son-in-law of the grandfather, had let his passport expire and didn't realize it until they showed up at the airport. Even I haven't done something that stupid (close but no cigar). Maybe with enough money he got his passport update today and will get a flight Wednesday.

Minding our time in JFK

Here is the group checking in to El Al Airlines. The line was incredibly long until the head of security came up and asked for our leader. Father Dan sweet talked him into taking our group up to the front. 

After taking this picture the biggest, burliest Israeli came over and asked for my passport and grilled me about my motives. They are extremely serious about security. Now to wait for our midnight ride. They say in the brochure that music will start to play when we get within site of Israel.

One of many blessings

Usually on Monday mornings Donna and I attend mass at one of the nursing homes in town. This morning I was doing last minute chores before the trip and didn't make it. At 9:40am I got a phone call from Father Steve and my first thought was that he was wondering why I wasn't at mass. It turns out that the whole congregation was on speaker phone sending me off. What a wonderful surprise.

Next step: fly to NYC and then a midnight ride on El Al to Tel Aviv.

Getting that pork quota in before we leave

On Fridays at my office we cook and eat lunch together. This Friday we had a Bacon Explosion. It wasn't planned as a send off for me to Israel, but with all of the pork involved it sure seemed like it. Bacon wrapped in sausage wrapped in bacon is amazing. For those brave enough the recipe can be found at BBQ Addicts.

Yes! We are still going

With all of the conflict going on in Israel we have gotten lots of questions wondering if we are still going to Israel. The answer is a resounding YES. In a recent homily Father Steve extolled us to bring peace with our visit. Hopefully we will be able to let God use us as instruments of hope on this journey.