Meet a Catholic family that will not take the COVID-19 vaccine, or permit their children to take it, or wear masks, no matter what the cost.
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June 11, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) — Andre Ebert is willing never to go home to Germany rather than wear a mask on the flight, let alone accept a COVID-19 vaccine.
The executive chef and his wife Andrea, also a professional chef, are the parents of six children – with one more on the way. They told LifeSiteNews in a recent interview that they will not take the COVID-19 vaccine, or permit their children to take it, or wear masks, no matter what the cost. And the costs are potentially very high: restaurants are requiring staff to wear masks and Europe – mecca of many food professionals – is currently inaccessible, thanks to airlines’ mask mandates.
But as traditional Catholics, they refuse to bend the knee to government-imposed narratives they believe are false.
“I think it’s not just COVID,” said Andre, who grew up in socialist East Germany.
“It’s also what’s going on politically at the moment. It seems to me that we are on a trajectory towards communism.”
Andrea recalled commiserating with her mother-in-law in how “horrible” it must have been to live under the privations and restrictions of life behind the Iron Curtain and being shocked when the older woman revealed that they “were very comfortable in their prison.”
Her husband has been troubled to find the same willingness to accept whatever the state chooses to hand out among Americans today.
“The government is doing what the ‘scientists,’ the authorities, tell us to do, and they are following that,” Andre said.
“Nobody wants to stand out. When you go into the grocery store, everybody’s wearing masks,” he continued.
“It’s like a bunch of zombies doing what the government tells you. You feel out of place, almost, if you’re not wearing a mask. People look at you.”
Andrea said that it was hard to reach people who don’t follow the family’s health philosophies, which include an emphasis on excellent nutrition, because “they’re so sucked into this world of fear and lies.”
Knowing the truth, she said, makes one almost “immune” to propaganda and free from fear.
Andre suggested that knowing how the COVID-19 vaccine is made makes someone morally obliged to reject it.
Regarding masks, Andre said people had told him that it was “just easier” to wear them, so they can “get what they want.” He himself has been denied entrance to shops because he was not wearing a mask.
Andrea thinks the way to cope with push-back against the couple’s freedom-loving stance is to face the worst that could happen to them – including the extremely slim chance of dying of COVID-19 – and then plan for it.
“You almost have to face the consequences and be fine with it, and then it’s amazing how God catches you every time and it’s actually better.”
‘We’ll take our chances with the virus rather than with the vaccine’
Andre is dubious that they or their children have much to fear from COVID-19; the experimental COVID-19 vaccines, however, are another story.
“If you’re healthy, you don’t have to worry about the virus,” he said.
“Children don’t have to worry about the virus. I think we’ll take our chances with the virus rather than with the vaccine.”
His wife, who describes herself as “very freedom-motivated,” has made their objections to the official COVID-19 narratives very public. Andrea believes that the way to “attract your tribe,” that is to say, likeminded people, is “speaking the truth.” Thus, she had always been very open about her views on home-schooling vs. the public education system when she tackled the COVID-19 issue in February 2020.
“I almost feel like we have a moral obligation to start sharing and speaking up, and the more people that speak up, we get stronger in our convictions,” Andrea said.
“We come together like a very powerful tribe, and then we become the force to be reckoned with.”
The pregnant mother offered the example of going mask-free to her ultrasound appointment and thus befriending a likeminded, but then less bold, employee in the office.
Regarding the earthly delights of Europe, its fabled restaurants and delicious bakeries, the couple has been building their own home-based business so that they would be free to travel throughout the continent with their children. But in adjusting this dream to embrace a trip around the United States, Andrea reflected on the story of Lot’s wife and her own teenage hankering for New York City, which her “conservative” Nicaraguan mother thought God might destroy any minute. There must have been something about Sodom and Gomorrah that Lot’s wife valued, Andrea believes, and that’s why she turned around.
Andrea used to worry that she herself would be like Lot’s wife but has discovered that she is not tempted at all to give up her convictions just to go back to Europe.
“Europe is far worse off than the United States,” she said.
“It has lost all its lure, all its spice and flavor and appeal because [of] the [establishment’s] slave system,” she continued, adding that she didn’t want to have anything to do with it.
“Even if it means that we’ll never go to that bakery again, we’ll never go to that restaurant again, we’ll never see that place again – it’s lost its appeal.”
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When we got on the road in December last year, we thought we’d stay in RV-parks all the time and did not really think about staying in the middle of no-where. Mostly because of the inconvenience of not having water and sewer. The exception was when we were between destinations and stayed at a Walmart, Cracker barrel or at a rest area.
As we headed further West things opened up and more and more opportunities to boon-dock arose. Especially in Arizona and Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Lands were abundantly available. The first time we spent the night in Dispersed Camping was close to the Grand Canyon when a friend suggested to stay in one particular spot. We enjoyed it so much that we stayed another night. Of course the Grand Canyon made it an easy decision and we might have stayed even longer but we had to be at a convention in Provo Utah. On our way from the Grand Canyon we stayed at Dispersed Camping again. Each time we set up camp in the dark and were amazed where we were in the morning. In Arizona we woke up in the forest with no one else in sight. In Utah we woke up on a small field with mountains around us. Just recently we stayed near the Salt Flats at the Nevada border in Utah and loved it.
Our first boon-docking site near the Grand Canyon
I think we like Dispersed Camping so much because we are connected to our surroundings much closer, we are seeing things from a completely different angle and in a way are feeling more free than in an RV park worrying about the noise and occasional chaos in our trailer at an RV park. The children are less restricted and can do things more freely. We as parents don’t have to worry about the well-meant opinions of other people of how to bring up our children. In general there are much fewer restrictions than in any RV-park.
We are also closer connected as a family as we have to spent more time together. We play games, have bicycle races, the children built a fort together etc. But there is of course time to step back and have some alone-time.
Up until then…
we had to learn how to set up and live in an RV. We were looking for the comfort of hook-ups for power, sewer and water. It did not take us long to figure it out and we became very comfortable. I trained Noah and Sebastian to help set up and break down and everyone has their responsibilities. We can move within 2 hours if we did not prepare anything the day prior, faster if we get a few things done the night before.
But one thing seemed to be missing. We did not explore much, go on hikes or bike rides. We went to the pool a lot and the kids spent a lot of time in the club house and with other kids. The first time we went hiking was in Arizona when we went up Cathedral Rock. We made it a point to go hiking that time. Yes before we went to visit towns, the beach or other sights but we had to travel there and set up camp and of course pay. Much of this changes when you are camping on BLM Lands.
On the Ridge of Cathedral Rock
What we’ve learned so far
Of course you need certain things to live in an RV. Power – we have a (gas powered) generator and one solar panel on the roof of the trailer; Water – until now we always bought water at the store and used tap water with the Birkie; and Food – we have a Costco membership and can store food in various places. Of course we need to do laundry once a week and run a few other errands as well. The Internet is important for us to have for our business. And then of course we have to empty the tanks every now and then.
Power
With the generator we get enough power to run one A/C. Of course it runs on gas and with the prices currently (Thanks to the current administration) we need to be mindful of how much we use it. With the one gas can we are carrying with us we have enough power for about 3 days. Food we usually buy with a few exceptions for one to two weeks.
Water
Water we store in a large tank in the trailer. I always was worried about the extra weight and the water moving while we were traveling, but it has been fine. So now we carry about 60 gallons fresh water in the tank. We also have another two 10 gallon tanks in the back of the van. Water is a precious commodity when you’re boon-docking. We never have enough for our family so we have to constantly get more. Most gas stations with a dump station have potable water as well but in the dessert near the Bonville Salt Flats none of them did. We had to buy water at the store once we ran out. we went to the swimming pool one day to refresh and got on the road again a couple days later.
Of course you need water for the dishes as well but you can limit that by cooking food that does not require a lot of dishes like grilling or the pressure cooker and use disposable plates which we do not like to do.
In the forest we told our boys to use gods bathroom and saved water this way as well.
Internet
For the internet when parking on BLM land we look at our phones for cellular service and internet. Certain apps ie. Campendium will give you a good idea about cellular service. Through a tip of friends we started using the wifi hot spot from T-mobile and have had great results. Our phones are using the Verizon network but the T-mobile router has been the go to source for internet.
Campendium is a great source free campgrounds or dispersed parking, dump sites and amenities. Another app we have used is The Dyrt.
But I found out recently that the Garmin GPS I bought especially for our RV travels has all this built in and I get the directions for a rig our size rather than for a regular car. I can avoid tolls and dont have to worry about a bridge being too low or weight restricted. It has also been better finding spots to stay than the app.
Are we worried about anything?
I come from Germany and we do not have any harmful animals in the wild. Coming to the US and knowing there are venomous snakes, scorpion, bears and mountain lion makes me think when we are in the forest or elsewhere in the wilderness. But people have lived with them for a long time. Usually most creatures want to be left alone so we told the children to make a lot of noise and stomp their feet when we are walking outdoors and to avoid certain areas or be extra careful. Mountain lions and bears are rare enough that we don’t worry about them.
As a homeschooling family we are aware that certain states have stricter laws than others. We have our routine every morning and are usually done around one o’clock. occasionally when we go hiking we learn on the road, read in the car and being outside in nature is a way of learning in itself. We are members of Home School Legal Defense just in case we run into any issues.
The same thing could happen with any kind of laws so we are checking those online before we cross state borders.
Sunset in the desert near Bonneville Speedway
Leaving our trailer unattended
When we staying near the Grand Canyon we obviously wanted to go see it. We arrived at our site in the dark and stayed pretty close to the dirt road. After school before we left for the Grand Canyon I moved the trailer a little further into the woods and we left it there. We were told by friends who coincidentally parked close to us not to leave the trailer alone with the slides in as it is easier to steal and also to get a lock for the hitch which will make it much harder, yet.
We have been enjoying our life on the road in general but have fallen in love with being out in the desert, the forest or in the mountains. You can’t get much closer to nature than this. The kids are also enjoying this lifestyle. We want to offer them both opportunities; to play with other kids and have a swimming-pool and amenities nearby but also to experience the life outdoors – near a lake, a river, the desert or the mountains.
Healing is mind, body and soul and this breathtaking day hike with the healing sulphur hot springs at the top elevate each of these areas! I am so glad that we went out of our way to do it!
An Ideal Day Trip from Salt Lake City, Utah
If you find yourself in Salt Lake City for a business trip, or any other trip, I highly recommend a trip to 5th Water Hot Springs located on Diamond Fork Road in beautiful Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Spanish Fork. It was my first hot springs experience and from now on, I’ll make a habit of seeking them out as we travel!
Even if the hot springs weren’t waiting for us at the top, the hike itself is absolutely beautiful and moderately difficult, with stunning scenery and the trail follows the 5th Water Creek.
Kid Friendly and Dog Friendly Trail
We did this hike in July with our 7 children, ages 14 down to 11 months, and also brought our brindle boxer dog, Freya!
This trail has some semi steep areas and some narrow parts that make it not suitable for a jogger stroller. I carried Bodhi, our 11-month-old son, in my baby Ergo carrier and Andre carried our 2-year-old Romi on his strong shoulders or arms, when she was too tired to walk.
The trail is a total of 5 miles with an ascent of approx 700 feet. The other children really enjoyed the beauty and the challenge.
By the time we had returned back to the van they were definitely tired and so happy for fresh cool water and the watermelon we had waiting for us. We went on a Saturday and the main parking lot was packed. Hikers were very friendly and helpful!
SNAKES
We passed 3 large Great Basin Gofer Snakes on the trail. Have no fear! They are non-venomous, and their secret weapon is that they look very similar to a rattlesnake and even shake their tail. An older gentleman hiker picked up one of the snakes and took the opportunity to share some information with the children (hello unschooling!), who were all fascinated. Afterwards, he kissed the snake and sent him on its way!
Sulpher Springs or Rotten Eggs?
As you hike closer to the hot springs, you’ll start to smell the sulphur. Remind yourself that not only is it a natural occurring chemical, but it is also very healing, especially for the skin and even helps build up your natural collagen.
The children loved exploring the spring!
Hot Springs and a Cool Waterfall
When you get to the top there are little pockets of bubbling hot springs about 18″ diameter that mingle with the flowing cool waterfall and the waters flow into man made rock tubs of varying temperatures.
The hotter ones are closer to the springs. One spring was the clear favorite and that’s where most of us soaked. The boys were in the larger one that had black, charcoal like sand at the bottom. We spent about 2 hours in the springs. Andre ventured further with the boys where they found a 2nd waterfall and another hot spring! If you want to get away from the crowd go up to the 2nd waterfall!
It was hard to leave, and we’ll definitely do this trip again. I would love to experience it in the Fall.
Have you been to a hot spring before? Please share your favorite ones!!
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