I did not get my first tattoo as a result of youthful angst nor a mid-life crisis. I was 32 and secure in my identity. And I was way beyond the age or ability to be cool.
The idea for the tattoo came at the end of the particularly challenging summer of 2000. Wonder Voyage was in its infancy. We had survived our first summer leading trips in Ireland. By the end of those three months, I was not sure if we would last another year.
While exploring Waterford in the south of Ireland, I often passed a local tattoo parlor. Every time I gazed into the window of the shop, the idea of being inked became more plausible. As I came to the realization that my dream of establishing Wonder Voyage might come to a short end, I decided to get an outward representation of the risk I had taken. That risk included launching out into Wonder Voyage with no funds, no support and little understanding from others of our mission of pilgrimage. I wanted to look into the mirror daily and see a tattoo that reminded me of the radical obedience into which God called me. This tattoo would symbolize my journey.
I had designed the tattoo a few years prior. Dallas artist, David “Shadow” Ibarra, painted the cross as a backdrop for my Irish play, Immrama, that toured for three years in Canada, Ireland and the U.S. I received that cross in miniature on my upper left arm. The Celtic cross is filled with knot work; symbolizing God’s story weaving in and out of eternity. On the left crossbeam is the picture of a torc (the ancient necklace worn by Irish kings) with a snake wrapped around it, symbolizing the fall of mankind. The upper portion of the cross contains a cup, the symbol of redemption through the blood of Christ. The right crossbeam is filled with a restored torc, mankind’s redemption.
There is a funny phenomenon amongst those who get tattoos for deeper reasons other than trying to be cool. As I sat there with my arm being serrated and inked (it feels like a sewing machine is running over severe sunburn) I knew I wanted another tattoo.
I held back the urge for the next tattoo until 2008. My first book, The Via Crucis, won a bronze medal in the IPPY awards. Visiting Waterford for the first time in years, I decided to get some skin art (the three crosses of Golgotha) on my right arm by acclaimed tattoo artist Soydan of Yakuza Tattoo. Again, I longed for an outward expression of a gift God had given me in writing.
Two years later, while doing research for another book in Galway Ireland, I received a small tattoo above the Celtic cross on my left arm. This particular Chi-Ro, ancient symbol of the persecuted church, was designed by my daughter-in-law, Anida Duarte. We used it for years as the logo for our Expozure adventure retreats in Texas. Although I no longer direct the retreats, this symbol reminds me of the creativity and sacrifice it takes to activate the creativity God gives us.
Just a few days ago, I was back in Waterford. I reconnected with Soydan asking him to continue using my left arm as his canvas. He created a beautiful piece of art from my second book, The Via Advent. (Thank you, Jenny Slaver, for such beautiful creations). A vaporous angel, God’s storyteller, emerges from a labyrinth, the symbol of God’s story. It sits below the three crosses.
I love these works of art. They speak to me every time I see them. I take a lot of pleasure explaining the tattoos to others. These art pieces, on the canvas of my body, remind me that I am God’s masterpiece. May the inward work of the Spirit take outward expression in my body.
And if you are wondering,
I do know the next tattoo I’ll be getting. It came to me as Danny finished tattoo #4.
Tattoo-Four is Still Healing
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