Pilgrim to speak to Just Peace Outreach Group

Dean Rhodes, Spanish professor at Goshen College, Goshen, Ind., walked the 500-plus mile Camino de Santiago or The Way of St. James path. This is a medieval Christian pilgrimage across parts of France and northern Spain. J-POG, Just Peace Outreach Group, invites you to hear about his journey this Sunday, Feb. 22.

While pilgrimages as a Christian practice are common in many parts of the world, it is virtually unknown among United States and Canadian Christians. Rhodes left southern France on April 4, 2013, and began the trek. The walk took five full weeks. He finished on May 8 at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in far northwestern Spain where history and myth say that James the Apostle lies buried.

Rhodes crossed all types of topography, from the high Pyrenees Mountains to the vast central plains of Spain. He shares that ?the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other, day in and day out became in itself a form of spiritual blessings with profound meaning.? Rhodes goes on to share that ?the people from all over the world that I met along the way, either as we walked and talked together or shared a common meal around the pilgrim supper table each night at our pilgrim inns also was powerful. In spite of our differences, we all have so much in common.?

Although Rhodes now lives in Indiana, he grew up in Iowa. He taught Spanish and Social Studies at Iowa Mennonite School for several years. Rhodes and his wife Becky spent time in Peru where they worked for Wycliffe Bible Translators. As a professor at Goshen, Rhodes has led an SST, Study Service Term, to Peru and led several May terms with students to Peru, Spain and Morocco.

J-POG, Just Peace Outreach Group, invites you to hear Rhodes speak about his pilgrimage and experience the walk through pictures. Come and meet travelers from around the world. Join the group at East Union Mennonite Church, 5615 Gable Ave. SW, in Kalona.

Come at 6 p.m. for a finger-foods potluck and conversation (please bring your own table service) or at 7 p.m. to hear Rhodes? presentation.

For more information on the upcoming J-POG meeting call Roger Farmer at 319-653-2547 or e-mail Jane Yoder-Short at wilmajane17@gmail.com.