The Calling

He led them to another room, a cave actually, where the priest, Father Paul, said Mass. For Peter it was a very moving experience; he imagined that this must have been what it was like to be an early follower of the Christian faith.

After the Mass, the tour guide led them out of the cave and into an ornately decorated room, at the far end of which was a short but steep staircase ending at the entrance to a small room. On one wall of the room stood a small altar of white marble. Under the altar, embedded into the floor, was a fourteen-pointed star marking the spot of Jesus' birth. Peter and the others filed past the star; some knelt, some took pictures and all were totally silent. Then they retraced their steps, eventually exiting the Church and back into Manger Square.

At the far end of the square, on the buildings bordering the square, hung large banners with the picture of Yasser Arafat, the Chairman of the PLO. There were messages in Arabic and English urging the people to continue to strive for a Palestinian State. On one banner held a message written only in Arabic.

"Do you want to know what that says?" asked one of the pilgrims from the tour. "It's a quote from Yasser himself; 'Peace for us means the destruction of Israel. We are preparing for an all-out war, a war that will last for generations.' How can there ever be peace here, these people have been fighting each other for thousands of years."

They all got back onto the bus and headed north. Bethlehem, like Jerusalem, was built upon a series of hills and valleys. Along the north ridge of the city is the suburb of Beit Sahur. The bus came to a stop in front of the entrance to what looked like a large park. The group walked along a stone-paved lane finally reaching a small chapel named The Chapel of the Angels. It was built next to the remains of a Fourth Century church.

"This Chapel and the surrounding area is held by Roman Catholics to be the place where the angel announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds. Of course, about five hundred yards from here is a location that the Greek Orthodox Church says is the actual place of the announcement. And not to be left out, the Protestants claim that the Shepherds Field is actually to the east of here in a pine-covered meadow."

Soon they were all on the bus again heading back the way they came, through the city of Bethlehem, stopping once again at the security check point. This time it was an armed Israeli soldier who spoke briefly with the bus driver and the priest and then took a walk up the aisle of the bus. Satisfied he bid us a good afternoon and hoped we were enjoying our time in Israel. A hundred yards past the check point, the bus driver pulled the bus to the curb so I could exit the bus. David was just ahead leaning against his car.

"Well, how was a tour of Bethlehem?"

"Wonderful and a little depressing as well; it's such a shame that we all can't just live in peace."

"I know what you mean, but I'm sorry to say things aren't going to change anytime soon. People have been fighting over this land for over five thousand years. Peace will come eventually; I just don't think it will be in our lifetime. Enough, let's drive back to the Old City; we can walk around until dark. There's nothing as beautiful as the Old City as it prepares for night; the sound of the call to prayer, the lights of the churches, and the darkness and quietness of the Kidron Valley. I have a friend who owns a restaurant in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. We can have dinner there."

They had dinner on the second floor of the restaurant overlooking the Western Wall with the lights of residential Jerusalem in the distance. Over an after-dinner glass of wine, they discussed all that they had experienced over the last five days.

"David, I want to thank you for making this trip so enjoyable for me. I know we only have one more day together, but I wish I could stay in Israel for a while longer. I feel that this is where God wants me to begin my mission."

"I have a friend in the immigration department who I'm sure can get your visa papers extended, indefinitely if you want; as long as you can show that you'll have a place to stay."

"That would be wonderful, David! I can get a room in one of the small hotels in Tiberius."

"That won't be necessary. I have lots of room in my home; you can stay in my son's room."

"David, I couldn't possibly put you out like that. Besides, what would your daughter think of being alone in the house with a stranger?"

"Peter, I have to be honest with you. You'd be doing me a greater favor than I am doing for you. My daughter needs help. She's healed physically, but still bears the scars of her ordeals in her mind and on her soul. Medically they can do nothing more for her, but maybe, just maybe, you can heal her spiritually. I'm desperate. I want my little girl back. I want her happy again. Please do this for me."

"David", he said grabbing hold of both his hands, "of course I'll do whatever I can, whatever she'll let me do."

Peter could feel the little emotional tremors and see the shadowy ghosts that had previous been so vivid in their first contact. He sensed that this diminished experience was part of the healing process. True healing didn't come all at once, it was a gradual step-by-step process; the deeper the hurt, the guilt, the hate, the more steps that would be needed.

"Fine, then it's settled. Tomorrow, instead of the sightseeing that I had planned for us, we'll go see my friend in Tel Aviv; then we'll cancel your return flight, and drive back to my house and get you situated."

Chapter 7

The wheels of government normally move at a snail's pace. Not so in this case. David introduced Peter as a seminarian student here to do research, that he would be staying in David's house, and that David could personally vouch for his fine character. Peter was taken into a separate office where he had a short but intense interview with another gentleman, and was asked numerous personal questions. Then he was returned to the reception area where he and David waited. After what seemed like an eternity he was presented with a six-month visa and wished a pleasant stay.

"That wasn't so bad, right?"

"I felt like I was being grilled by the Bishop about why I wanted to be a priest."

"Well it's over now, next we call El Al to get your reservation cancelled. And then the hard part: telling Dina that she's going to be having a house guest for the next couple of months."

"If you think it's going to be a problem..."

"No problem at all; once we get past all the shouting and the pounding on the table, everything will be fine."

Peter stared at him in disbelief as they got into the car. Laughing, David reassured him that he was just kidding.

As they drove to David's house, Peter called and cancelled his flight, then passed the phone back to David, who called his daughter to tell her that they were having a guest for dinner and that he was going to stay with them for several weeks. This part of the conversation was spoken in Hebrew and from the tone of David's voice had not gone as well as he had expected.

After the call David said, "See, I told you it wouldn't be a problem. She was a little concerned at first, but when I told her you were studying to be a priest, she calmed down." The rest of the two-hour drive was mostly done in silence.

When they arrived in the late afternoon, Peter took his suitcase from the back of the car and followed David into the house. They ascended a staircase to the second floor of the house; this appeared to be the main living quarters. There was a large living room in the front of the house, and an equally large kitchen and dining room toward the back.

"She must be up in her room," David said, then called out, "Dina, I'm home; come down and meet our guest."

Peter held his breath as he heard her footsteps on the stairs to the third floor. She entered the room like a conquering hero, her head held high and with a look of extreme confidence. Dressed in jeans and a soft cotton shirt she walked across the room and greeted her father with a kiss on the cheek.

"Dina, I'd like you to meet Peter; Peter my daughter Dina."

Peter didn't extend his hand, choosing instead a slight nod of head and a friendly "Hi". This was not the time, not the place, for their first healing process.

Peter was correct in his earlier estimate of her height, she appeared to be about six feet tall; even in her bare feet about eight inches taller than his five-foot-four. Her shoulders were much broader than his and she was probably at least forty pounds heavier. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail and reached past her shoulders to the middle of her back. She had piecing dark brown eyes, a sensuous full lipped mouth, and in Peter's mind she was extremely beautiful. Her only flaw, which was not natural, but man-made, was a four inch scar that ran over her left cheek down to the corner of her mouth. To Peter it didn't make her any less beautiful, only more mysterious and exotic.

David asked, "Peter, can I get you anything to drink?"

"A bottle of water if you have any."

Dina went into the kitchen with David, who retrieved a bottle of water for Peter and a bottle of beer for himself. After handing it to him said, "I think it's for the best if we go into the living room and relax while Dina makes dinner. I found that I normally just get in her way when I try to help. First, however, I should show you to your room."

The third floor consisted of four bedrooms: a master bedroom and bath in the back of the house, two bedrooms in the front of the house, one bedroom on one side, and a large bathroom on the other. David showed Peter his room in the front of the house, indicated that the other front bedroom was his oldest daughter's room and that Dina's room was across the hall from the bathroom.

Peter hung his clothes in the closet and placed his other clothes and personal things in the chest of drawers. Once he was all settled in, he returned to the second floor and walked into the kitchen where Dina was standing over the stove stirring the contents of a pot. The room was filled with a wonderful aroma, a combination of spices that he couldn't quite identify.

"Can I help you with anything?" he asked; "I don't want to be any trouble for you."

"I can assure you that you won't be any trouble for me at all."

Not quite sure how to take her comment, Peter grabbed his bottle of water off the table and retreated to the living room where David was watching a basketball game.

"This works out well for me; I get a chance to relax a little today and get ready for my next tour group that lands tomorrow morning. I'll be able to get a good night's sleep and still be able to meet them when they land at eight. I'm sorry I won't be here tomorrow for breakfast; I have to leave the house by 5:30."

"That's okay, I'm sure Dina and I can get along fine until you get back."

"I'll be gone all week. This group wants to concentrate on Jerusalem Bethlehem and Jaffa, so I won't be able to stop in to see how everything is going, but I will call when I can."

"Don't worry, we'll be fine; I want to take it slow and easy with her. I don't want to spook her."

Dinner was a quiet affair, with Peter and David doing most of the talking. The meal was a delicious yet simple vegetable stew, served with a large plate of flat breads and butter, and fruit jams. After dinner Peter insisted on clearing the table for Dina while she rinsed and loaded the dishes into the dishwasher.

After dinner Dina excused herself and disappeared down a flight of stairs while the men stayed in the living room talking over a cup of decaf espresso.

"Don't mind Dina; it usually takes a while for her to feel comfortable with strangers. She's downstairs in her gym doing her usual evening routine. I don't know about you, but I'm bushed; I'm going to head upstairs. Good night."

Peter stayed downstairs gazing out the picture window. In the distance the moonlight reflected off the surface of the Sea of Galilee. It was all so peaceful; it was hard to believe that this land was the site of so much conflict. A conflict was going on in Peter's head as well. He so wanted to sneak downstairs and watch Dina in her gym, but he didn't want to upset her and he certainly wasn't up to starting her healing process tonight. So reluctantly, he shut the living room lights and he too retired for the night.

Peter woke early the next morning. Glancing at the clock on his nightstand, he determined that David had already left to meet his new tour group. Picking out his clothes for the day, he left his room to go take a shower. As he showered he thought about how he was going to begin Dina's healing.

'I'm going to have to take this slow and easy; maybe a brief touch on the arm would be best. Take away her pain bit by bit.'

He was still pondering his best course of action when he opened the bathroom door and turned the wrong way, nearly running into Dina as she came out of her room. It took a few moments before he realized that she was totally naked.

"Oh my God, oh my God, I'm so sorry," he yelled as he turned and practically ran back to his room.

Dina laughed as she exclaimed, "What's the matter, haven't you ever seen a naked woman before?"

As he shut his door he thought to himself, 'You're right, Dina; you're the first naked woman I've ever seen. And you're magnificent.'

He climbed on his bed, closed his eyes and tried to picture her. She had a very athletic build, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, nicely curved hips, long muscular legs. Her arms looked strong and sculptured. Although her arms were deeply tanned, her whole body was much darker than his milky-white paleness. Her breasts sat high and proud on her chest, her nipples pointing slightly skyward. Everything about her was perfect, just as he had imagined it would be... except for the scars. She had several jagged scars, one on her upper right arm and one on her shoulder and upper chest. They looked like bullet or shrapnel wounds. There were also numerous small, thin lines on her chest and breasts, covering her sculpted abdomen. There was a large scar on her left thigh as well. He could only imagine the trauma and pain that she had suffered.

Peter dozed, lost in his thoughts, for about an hour.

'I can't stay in my room forever; I have to face her so I can heal her.'

He left his room and walked downstairs to the kitchen. Dina was standing at the stove preparing breakfast. At first there was an awkward silence, and then they both tried to speak at once.

"Dina, I'm sorry -."

"You have nothing to be sorry about; it was my fault," she said. "I'm so used to being alone in the house, I forgot that you were here. I walk around the house naked all the time. I promise I'll be more careful in the future. I'm sorry if I embarrassed or disgusted you."

"Embarrassed, yes, disgusted, never; you're beautiful."

"I used to think so; but they took my beauty away from me. Now, all I see are my scars."

"Stop it; you're still beautiful. You have to believe that."

She turned and continued her cooking. She took a large plate out of the oven, scooped the eggs onto it from the frying pan, and set the plate on the table. Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs and potatoes - and to his surprise, strips of bacon.

"Don't be so surprised; we're not all kosher."

He poured two glasses of orange juice, while Dina split the contents of the serving plate between us.

They talked as they ate. She asked what he did back home. He told her about his leaving the seminary to come to Israel to strengthen his faith. He didn't tell her about his Calling. She asked what he was going to do today.

"I thought I'd go to Capernaum and see what there is to see."

"Dad took the car, but there's a bike in the garage that belonged to my brother. I use it once in a while when I feel I have to get out of the house. It's a bit of a ride, but you should be able to make it. Ride out to the main road, make a left on route 90; at the fork stay to the left and get on route 87. That will take you to Capernaum; just follow the signs."

They finished their breakfast, cleaned up, and then Dina led Peter downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs was a large room, which had been turned into a home gym. Dina proudly showed him around her gym. Peter noted that most of the floor was covered with mats. There was a weight- lifting section, including a lifting bench, several sets of weights, and a large heavy bag hanging from the ceiling. Peter could picture her working out at the various positions in the room, but wasn't sure about the open section on one side of the room. Seeing his change in expression, Dina commented.

"I use that area for practicing my hand to hand combat skills. Once in a while a friend of mine comes over and we spar together. He hasn't been here in a couple of weeks; maybe he's still hurting from our last session," she said with just a touch of malice in her voice.

Peter felt a chill run up and down his spine as he thought of her fighting a man. He also thought of a possible plan as to how he could get close to her. Dina continued through the room towards a door, which led into the family's garage.

"Here's Eli's bike. I just added air in the tires so you should be all set. Don't tire yourself out too much when you're in Capernaum; the worst part of the ride is the trek back uphill to the house."

Peter took the bike and, after enduring the first part of his journey which was uphill, coasted most of the remaining portion of the ride down to Capernaum. There he visited the ruins of a small town that was occupied during the time of Christ; there were a synagogue from the fourth century and the ruins of a house that had been venerated as the house of St. Peter, his namesake. A memorial had been built in the form of a small church, elevated over the ruins, with a glass floor, so that the ruins could be viewed from above.

Peter spent several hours, wandering around the area, sitting in the ruins, watching and listening to the pilgrims and their guides as they toured the area. He was well rested when he retrieved his bike and headed for home. On the way he stopped in the area of Tabgha, where two churches had been built on sites believed to be the spots where Jesus fed the multitudes with five loaves of bread and two fishes, and the where Jesus told Peter that he was going to be the leader of his apostles, the leader of his church.

From there, it was mostly an uphill climb back home. By the time Peter reached the summit of the climb he felt his legs were going to fall off; he was thankful for the short final downhill run back to the garage. After parking the bike, he entered the house via the door into the gym. When his eyes adjusted to the relative darkness of the gym he froze in his tracks, spellbound. There was Dina, reclined on the weight bench, pushing a bar filled with weights, up and down in smooth fluid motions. He could only see the side of the bar that was facing him, but he assumed that the amount of weights was the same on both sides; there was a fifty, a twenty-five, and a ten-pound weight. He also assumed that the bar had to weigh at least another thirty to thirty-five pounds, which meant that she was lifting about two hundred pounds, nearly twice his weight.

After re-racking the bar, Dina sat up, rubbed her arms, stood in front of a wall mirror and struck a double bicep pose. In the mirror she spotted Peter standing by the door.

"Maybe someday you'd like to work out with me; I get lonely sometime working out all by myself. From the looks of you, a little time in the gym couldn't hurt.

"I'm not much of an athlete, I'd only slow you down," Peter responded after he came out of his trance.