Couple publishes book about trip to Israel
COSHOCTON – Israel has been the site of much uprising throughout history. As the place where Jesus spent His years in ministry and where He will one day return, Pete and Marie Madsen, along with their son Matthew, decided to travel to this holy place to walk where Jesus walked. The family went with a group from Rock City Church in Columbus.
They were so moved by their experience that the Madsens wrote a book about their spiritual journey entitled, “Pilgrimage Into Faith”.
“The reason I thought it would be so neat to go is I’ve been taking faith classes through Sacred Heart Church the last five years,” said Marie. “The opportunity to see the source of all the action was really enticing.”
When Pete was 25 years old, he became a born-again Christian through the Book of Revelations and wanted to travel to Israel at least once in his life.
“I wanted to try and combine stories you’ve heard about growing up in Sunday School with my faith now and to tie it all with the modern land of Israel,” said Pete.
While there, Marie took notes on historical aspects, economics, faith, and diplomatic relationships of the country, which helped tremendously in writing the book. Something she noticed about the Holy Land was that it was meant to be a place of peace and it has become a place of turmoil and uncertainty.
“Only with God’s grace can we fill that gap,” said Marie. “Jerusalem can be a city of peace but only if we turn to God.”
Pete, Marie, and Matthew were able to walk where Jesus walked and visited places like Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee where they were able to take a boat ride, and the places of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial.
“When you come to visit Him in His land, when people make the effort to come see Him in His land, I believe He blesses us,” said Marie.
Marie said her favorite place to visit was the Church of Gethsemane, also known as the Church of All Nations, where she was able to participate in Mass.
“My favorite place was the Church of Gethsemane and the reason for that was because an Australian artist created a crown of thorns over the rock where it’s thought that Jesus was sweating blood as He was praying, and then the artist created doves around the crown,” said Marie.
They also made a trip to the Dead Sea. Marie said that although some people floated in the Dead Sea for some time, she chose not to, but she did walk through parts of the water near the shoreline.
“In the Dead Sea, when I was walking into it, it’s horribly mucky,” said Marie. “I was wearing crocs and it literally sucked the shoe off my foot.”
The group also visited the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. However, Pete, Marie, and Matthew chose not to be baptized, but were able to participate in other baptisms by taking photos and videos of those being baptized.
Bethlehem is a bit different than they were expecting. The Nativity with the wooden stable was actually a small cave where they believe Jesus was born.
“Jesus was born in the same place where sacrificial lambs were kept and when Jesus was swaddled, they used to swaddle the lambs to prevent bruising,” said Marie.
This isn’t the only book the couple has written. They also have two other books entitled, “Book for Boomers” and “The Magic and the Mill”.
In 2015, Pete and Marie took a trip to see many friends they had not seen in years. They asked them 18 questions about their lives and created “The Book of Boomers”. “The Magic and the Mill” focuses on the story of both Pete and Marie’s ancestors and how they helped to interweave Pete and Marie’s lives.
Marie is hoping to do a book of prayer and meditations accompanied by pictures from around the United States soon. Pete also has a children’s book coming out soon as well.
“My hope was if people read this [“Pilgrimage Into Faith”], it might encourage them and if it’s not possible for them to travel, then vicariously, this would give them a sense of what they might see,” said Marie.
All of Pete and Marie’s books can be purchased on their website at www.madfrogbooks.com.
The Madsens will be hosting a book signing on Sunday, Aug. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at their home at 47863 TR 202, Coshocton. Cost is $10 to attend, which will include one signed book. Barefoot McCoy will also perform, and food and beverages are permitted.
Category: Faith
