5 days.
72 miles.
150,000 steps.
Through wind and rain, muck and mud, and chilly temperatures. Over mountains, across plains, under bridges and right through little towns in the middle of nowhere.
Six Days Prior
Our squad spent our first few days in Barcelona, Spain. Home of the Sagrada Familia and Tom Davis (check out his website here). We sat through sessions on a variety of topics: hearing the testimonies of leadership, the value of positivity and a vision statement, and how to make the most of the Race by being intentional with our routines and our thoughts. In short, it was three great days of learning and leaning into one another as a squad. On Friday morning, we caught a train to head out to Logrono – where we would begin our five days on the Camino.
El Camino
For me, it’s difficult to put the Camino into words. Never in my life have I woke up, rolled out of bed, put on my backpack and started walking in the same direction as numerous other people. For hours. Day after day. Some mornings, we would walk in silence – contemplating on the Lord, His goodness and everything we saw around us. Some days, it was raining. And cold. And windy. Then the next few hours were spent slipping and sliding through the mud. Other days were filled with scenery of would-be vineyards, rolling green hills and snow-peaked mountains. At times, we walked alongside each other, sharing stories, knowing smiles and reminders that the next town was only “so many” kilometers away. I spent a large portion of my time alone, whether from a slowed pace due to my innumerable blisters and sores, or the fact that I was jogging.
Yes, you read that right. I jogged portions of the Camino. Because on Day Two, when my blisters were being formed and my legs were beginning to ache – I asked the Lord for a place to sit down and rest along the trail. And then I heard the word, “Run”. I thought to myself, “No Lord – I really need a place to sit down. I’m tired and I just want to rest.”
“RUN”
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
“RUN”
FINE.
I gently started bouncing on the balls of my feet and realized that it brought relief to my aching muscles. So I started to pick up the pace – and the next thing I know, I’m jogging on the Camino. Passed the surprised faces of others peregrinos (pilgrims) and the kilometers of trail behind me.
From that day on, any time the aches and pains became too much to bear or I felt like I really needed to sit down and rest – I jogged. And it was beautiful.
Current Day
Our squad is now resting for a day in the city of Burgos (in northern Spain) after walking for five days on the Camino. Tomorrow, we will head to Mijas (in southern Spain) for additional training before traveling to northern Africa for our first month of ministry.
Please keep myself and my co-leader, Jordan, in your prayers as we continue to train, love and challenge this squad. There have been ups and downs as we’ve been navigating this squad of 21 untrained individuals abroad. But we’re continuously learning and growing as we go and the Lord has been so gracious.
For His Glory,
Nat
