It's hard to imagine it's been three months since my trip. So much has taken place since then. What seems to have been so near, now seems so far away. As I revisit my photographical journey, I seem to have more questions, thoughts, joys and some regrets. Regrets in only that I could have done more, asked more or said more. Ever have that feeling?

Again, much thanks and love to friend, Nir and his family. Without their contribution and generosity none of this would have happened.

As I arrived in Israel, I new I was not in Kansas. I gathered my luggage and before I could walk through the exit, a plain clothed man approached me and said something in hebrew... (Oh if only I had taken hebrew in college and not ancient greek)

He soon realized, I guess by the dumbfound look on my face and my response of, "what?" that english was my primary language. He then asked what I had in my luggage create, where I was traveling from and a few other things... of which I was still trying to think of all the gifts I had brought from Africa... "Gifts, dolls, baskets, headlamp, water bottles... I was going down the list trying to be as detailed as possible, until he said, "OK GO!" I think he must have thought, "This guys to stupid to be a threat."

As I exited into the arrival terminal, I was eagerly looking for a face that I had only seen via the internet. Do you every remember the first time you met someone and saw them for the first time?

This is the view from my friend Nir... I can only wonder what he was thinking as he fired away with his camera. What a joy it was to see a familiar face.

As we made our way out of the airport in the early morning, I knew the journey of a lifetime was taking place... and I knew I needed coffee.

We drove north to Galilee talking about my time in Africa and the discussing the detailed itinerary Nir had worked so hard on. Nir was very thoughtful about making sure I got to see everything I wanted to see. The truth is... Had I only had a short layover and had coffee with my friend, I would have had everything I needed. SO, everything else was a bonus.

As we drove north, we saw the sign for Megiddo, known to Christians as Armageddon. Why not. How many times in ones life do they get to visit the final battle ground between good and evil. Although I have a bit of a different take on the writing of the apostle John than most premillinialist, I still thought it would be nice to see.



Ruins of Megiddo


View facing Nazareth. City on left side hilltop


a tunnel that led to water, which kept Megiddo strong while under siege."


reconstructed map room of Megiddo

In all a very impressive location. What really struck me was the beauty of the surrounding area. I didn't think of war or battles, I thought of peace.

As we made our way further north we drove to Nazareth.


I kept thinking of the story of Philip and Nathanael, John 1:43-50

Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, "We've found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It's Jesus, Joseph's son, the one from Nazareth!" Nathanael said, "Nazareth? You've got to be kidding."

- the Message

I've always wondered about that verse. Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Nazareth? You've got to be kidding. The funny thing is, the first thing I really saw was a KFC. You've got to be kidding. The stomping grounds of Jesus' youth... KFC. Not only KFC but a Toys 'R' Us. It was getting worse as we drove further into the city.

But the faithful guide that I had, led me not to fast food chains or Junk '4' Them, rather, he took me to the ruins of "Mary's" home which has a church built around it.


"Basilica of the Annunciation"



WOW! my first old "church" building. Now, as a "restoration" kid, one who has tried to eliminate 2000 years of human intervention and legal tradition of Christendom, a church building is just a building. The people make it holy. As I took in the sites and firing away with my camera...


"mosaic image at the Basilica of the Annunciation church"

a man approached us, speaking quickly and in a angry tone and of course, not in english. Nir approached him and listened. Returning to me, Nir's first words were, "OK, this man was very rude, and..." Great! My first interaction with a church person and he's rude. We were told we could not bring in our "big" cameras and if we wanted to take pictures we could only use small point and shoot's. What the? He didn't even ask our names, he didn't say welcome or praise the Lord you are here. He assumed, demanded and was rude. None of which I find in the "fruit of the Spirit." Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self Control. What really hurt was this, my friend Nir respects my faith, but it is not his belief. He's taken time away from his family to show me some "holy" sites and this is the message the church gives to strangers. I was ashamed.

Now this is why this story comes in so many parts. I've struggled with questions of how we in the US, treat people who step on our holy ground. Not just in our building, but in our lives. Have they been close to the presence of the Messiah, the one who lives in you, only to be shut down or shut up? My feeling is that we have been guilty of the same assumptions in the church. Not church buildings but the church people... the body, the community of believers. Where is our repenting? Where is our memory of salvation and grace in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us?

As we entered into the "church building" it seemed that mass was taking place. Knowing what I do know, I'm surprised they even let us in during communion. This is what I saw:


silent angel


Mass behind closed gates


an elegant building with empty pews


a small window to heaven

I'm not sure if you are thinking the same thoughts that are running though my head. But it was not anything like the Jesus I had read about or the church that I've read about.



people on the outside not sure if they could come in. I guess that's why Jesus went out to the mountainside... to find people.

Of course you may note, we did use our cameras inside when no one was looking. My apologizes to the owner.

As we left, I realized I want to be less critical and more loving. Love God, Love your neighbor.

I want to stop making it hard for people to meet Jesus.


bars above the gate to the church

Peace.
johno~

The long awaited story begins...

It's been a while since my last post. Yes, I still need to share about my trip to Uganda, however, I want to start with Israel.

The Talmud teaches that “Ten measures of beauty descended on the world—nine were taken by Jerusalem, one by the rest of the world. There is no beauty like the beauty of Jerusalem.

“The sights are too many. They swarm about you at every step; no single foot of ground in all Jerusalem or within its neighborhood seems to be without a stirring and important history of its own.”

-Mark Twain

This is just how I feel about all of Israel. I cannot count the blessings I have had poured out on me during the last months. If I could share completely with you what has taken place in my life, you would understand my absence in blogger land. So, dust off those RSS readers or at least add mine back to your list and I will try to pick up this thing called blogging again.

Every life is a story. I would ask you, "what's yours?" but that would be something for your blog. Mine is an adventure. It is abundant and overflowing. Thank you Lord.

About 4 years ago, I had entered a picture into Kodak Picture of the Day. I had learned about the POTD through dgrin, a photographers forum sponsored by Smugmug. Through that forum, I met many wonderful people... Andy, who took a picture of my picture displayed in Time Square, Ginger, a wonderful lady and photographer who passed away summer of 2007... The list goes on and on.

But there is one more... Nir Alon.


Nir and I first started our conversation over an article he had written on Ein-Karem, the traditional birth place of John the Baptist. One email lead to another and another and another. An internet friendship was born.

It's funny... Meeting Nir's wife, Dorit, for the first time, she said she had a hard time explaining to her friends that her husband was spending three days in northern Israel with a man he met on the internet. (I still laugh every time I share that) I apologize Dorit.

Anyhow, an internet friendship was born. The truth is this, I would not have made my trip to Israel such a priority had it not been for the friendship developed with Nir and his family.

Nir is a very talented photographer of which he will disagree because he is also humble. He has highly recognized by his community through projects like "In Spite Of" and his current project, Malkis Legacy. On top of all this, he is a Husband and father of three. Although his oldest, Uri is out of the house serving in the Navy, his two daughters, Tamar (17?) and Hila (13) are keeping him on his toes.

It was a wonderful time. Although Nir and I have different views on Faith, it didn't stop our conversation. It was a joy to share my perspective on faith in his land and also to hear of his perspective on the state of Israel. (So many have given their lives for Israel... It's a beautiful place because the cost is high). Meeting Nir and spending time with him on the "road" fulfilled more than both he or I could ever know.

My blog title is "road to gaza" which Nir tells me, "Gaza could be interpreted as 'Hell.'" Nice, the "Road to Hell" Never thought about it that way. I of course took the name from the book of Acts and the story of Philip and the Ethiopian conversion. The point was inspired by people you meet on the road not the destination. (Although, having said that, I meet a lot of people who's lives are a road leading to hell... They are harassed, helpless and without hope) Nir and I traveled a road... not to Gaza, which is a good thing since the time I was there, conflict was heavy and still is as of the writing of this blog.

No, our road led to different places...



Jerusalem, City of Gold and the home of Nir Alon. I'm not sure what seeds fell, where they fell or how much yield will come from the crop of our journey together. I only know what has started to grow in my life because of my friendship and my life is changed for the better.

As I continue to share in future parts of this story, you will hear my questions and thoughts about the physical vs. the spiritual, the traditional vs. the mystery and the humanity vs. the humanity. It was a lot to take in. I only know I missed most of it. Yet, what I did manage to capture will stay with me forever. Some are photos, some are thoughts... all of it is heart.

peace.
johno~

To all my friends following my ramblings...

Many of you received an email from me or have read my past blog outlining a project which would teach photography to students during my short stay in Uganda. After talking with the local missionaries, they feel, and I agree, that the timing is not right for such a project as previously described.

My heart is broke only because of the foothold the enemy has on so many African lives. Pray for Light. Jesus will win.

So where from here?

Look at my thoughts spins from other active organizations such as Cameras for healing and Kids with cameras - Zambia. However, it's purpose, as stated, is not only about photos, social awareness or learning a trade... It's life in Christ.

In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men.

Giving children the chance to share where they see God working in the world and in the lives around them through the lens.

Right now I'm trying to re-work some "holes" in this project. Unrealistic ideas and tasks need to be visited. A sensitivity for culture needs to be in place and last but not least, financing.

Currently, I am working with a few other potential groups for 2008:
Portland, Central Washington and kids from the Navajo reservation in Arizona.

If you would like to volunteer your skill or if you know of a community that could be blessed by this project, please feel free to contact me.

peace.
johno~

To my friends and family,


A picture is worth a thousand words...

It has the power to freeze a moment, capture attention and strike emotion.

Photography isn't a "fixed" medium. It's an invitation for people to see the world through the eyes of another soul. A transparent look at someone's hurts, hopes, fears and dreams.

Dreams not only for America, but also an African dream.

A picture is worth a thousand words. It tells a story, shares lives and gives images of something more than self. It can be done, but most photographers don't take pictures of themselves... It's a bit awkward. The camera is not designed to be inward, it's purpose is outward, yet, it gives "images of their thoughts." The Gospel is also meant to be outward.

One of the greatest troubles in Africa today is the idea of a "prosperity gospel" which is no gospel at all. The idea that, "if I believe in God, he will bless me." "My goats won't die, my wife will have sons and I'll have clothes on my back." No one thinks, love my neighbor, instead it's, "love me, bless me... me... me." This thought must be defeated with Truth.

On December 27th, 2007 I will be heading to Uganda, Africa for a short term mission trip. I will be working with a youth camp started five years ago during our first trip. Among the many things on our list of "to do's", it is my goal to pull aside several leader students who will be willing to join the adventure of giving their lives through photography.

Several leaders will be chosen by local missionaries to take part in a 12 month photo training project. During my short term stay, I will be teaching stage one: photography skills to students and discussing photography techniques and biblical principles that will help leaders share a new Way of Life to their communities.

My hope is to teach the basic foundation that fulfills all the law and the prophets... Love God and love your neighbor.

Stage two will be under the oversight of local missionaries (Andrew Martin and Jeff Cash) providing film and film development for students during the year. Negatives will be mailed to me and I will review and comment via email on subjects, themes, etc. Students will continue to share moments of life in their communities through their pictures. Stories will be told. Lives will be shared. Memories made. Love God, love your neighbor.

What we need to do the job is camera equipment, batteries and portable printing capabilities.

If done right, I estimate $3000 needed for this project to be sustained for one year. This would be purchasing equipment and supplies needed for one year, including printing. My hope is a paradigm shift for leaders in their giving and receiving. With this, “Images of our thoughts” project will begin January 2008.

Many of us have a picture of our families. What joy those images bring. Will you share in giving that opportunity to an African dream?

First, pray. Our images of Africa have been ones of sadness, loss and hopelessness. Pray that God is enough and that we might see new images of Life.

Second, I'm asking for your financial support. Please pray about how you might be able to give financially to this effort. Do you have an extra 35mm film camera you would like to donate? We could use it. Film? Batteries? Digital cameras (5mp or higher)

The picture above was displayed in Time Square, New York on March 11th 2005. This little girl, the one photo has touch millions of hearts... I hope to find her again... She has changed my life.

Peace.
Johnathan Thomas

http:www.johnathanthomas.com
http:www.johno.org


Donations:
King's Orchard church of Christ
attn: Johnathan Thomas / Photography
PO Box 1019
Wenatchee, WA 98807