What is a pilgrimage? Well according to the dictionary pilgrimage means, a journey to a place associated with someone or something well known or respected; life viewed as a journey; travel, or wander.
The Camino is a pilgrimage for many and has been around for hundreds of years. Myself and the rest of M-Squad got to do a portion of the Camino these past ten days and truly what a beautiful pilgrimage it is. Whether we realize it or not we all are on some sort of pilgrimage no matter where we are.
As you are reading this at work, in your home, somewhere abroad, a park, coffee shop, or anywhere else for that matter you are on a journey too. I say this because over the course of these ten days we got to meet with many who were also walking the Camino. When I was conversing with them it became evident to me that all of them were journeying for something more than what they even understood.
One person in particular was a young man I met from Italy. The first day I met him I felt prompted to ask him his story. What he shared with me was deep and heart felt. It was raw and real and something that I will cherish forever. Because in that moment it became apparent to me that not only was he seeking faith, he was seeking healing, strength, joy, and gratitude.
This man from Italy already has so much joy in him making all laugh that were with him, and is a wizard with words. He has a heart of encouragement and has such purity about him. As I got to journey my group and him ended up staying in the same towns. During our third day traveling, again I felt prompted, this time to give him a copy of the gospel of John that I had. When I handed it to him his eyes lit up with joy and tears. He gave me a big hug and said “no one has given me anything like this.”
I couldn’t help but smile because of how simple it is to share the hope that we each have in Christ. For the gospel is most often wrapped in simple clothing. And how true it is, it isn’t complicated its really rather simple. Its an invitation, an expression, a gift freely given. When my friend hugged me that day, tears of joy also came to my eyes because of the heart of the Father that was wanting to reach out to His son.
We sadly did have to part ways but, I wanted to share with you a message that he sent myself and the rest of my group:
“I wish you will have a great time in Morocco, and I wish you to meet beautiful people and transform them with your power. Since I was alone in these days, I thought a lot. I asked God to give me the strength to go on, and I finally stopped crying. I realized that for the first time in forever I was crying for gratitude and not just for pain. Thanks to you I discovered a new way to be a christian, to pray and to love people, so I asked Jesus to help me bring more like you. You five are now kind of my heroes, you know? And I am so happy that you’re guiding so many other beautiful people, now I know that I can change the world. So, let’s work together, even if we are far away!”
Wow, my heart! Because yes, may we all work together as my brother and friend said. May we share the gift of Jesus simply, unwaveringly and unselfishly. Obeying the Spirit, praying for those along the way and encouraging with truth in love. My friend is still on his journey and may we all pray for him that God encounters him all the more. There are so many stories I want to share with you, right now this is what I can, the thoughts still swarming in my mind about what all I got to experience.
Until then here are a few photos from our time on the Camino, there is a mixture of the trail traveled, cities we stayed in, churches we visited, and tables we gathered around:
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