So, I wrote part 1 while still on the Camino a few days ago. Now we are done. We are in Burgos I’m sitting in a lovely cafe with WiFi (a precious commodity) with a view of a gigantic cathedral.
(Picture coming eventually)
I’ve spent the morning reading and thinking. I’m afraid my mind is still in a Camino sort of way. Constantly thinking deeply. Much of the thinking I owe to a book I picked up just before our first day on the trail. It’s called “God’s Smuggler” and although it’s thrilling and exciting to read it’s also very challenging to the way most of us (myself included) go about living our lives for Christ.
“What has God showed you on the Camino?”
Some form of this question has been asked nearly everyday. If you read part one you can see so many amazing things have happened, the scenery has been beautiful, the people have warmed my heart – although it’s a bit heavy now to think I’ve said bye in person to most of them maybe for the last time. I also have had the opportunity to grow deeper with my team sharing our stories together and spending intentional team time every night! But even with all that, at that time, my answer had really been a resounding, “I have no freaking clue”.
Now, I’d like to try to answer that question. He’s taught me about the man I’m meant to be. Who I want to be. Me.
I learned to read and walk at the same time on the Camino. If you know me really well, you know that though I love to read, it takes me FOR-EV–ER. Often months to finish a book, or sometimes not finish it at all. Example: I only ever got to chapter 9 of Love Does by Bob Goff, but I have Everybody Always and am very excited to read it! Anyhow, I’m on chapter 14 of God’s Smuggler sometimes reading 2 or 3 chapters in one day. The autobiography of Brother Andrew and his journey from lost soldier to warrior Spy in God’s Kingdom behind the Iron Curtain during the time of the Cold War has been incredibly enlightening for me. I’ve been on the Camino, and processing a million and a half different things about Discovery, what God’s Kingdom is and my place in it, and what I Own – yet this book transports me into a world where the answers to these questions and discoveries is simple. The source, the living water, God. A relationship with Him. One that grows and continually gets deeper. The story of a man who starts by trusting the Lord with His life, moving into trusting with basic needs, and eventually to direct his steps in ministering to others. That’s me.
It’s just nice to have a picture of those who have gone before! It’s also a blessing to see the ups and downs he’s faced knowing that I’ll face my own, even as I go up and down on the rolling hills and mountains of the Camino! (And believe me we all have downs, I nearly lost my only change of clothes in a donativo half way through #panic).
The Lord has planted a deeper desire in me through these devices of books, people, my team, and the trail to just know Him more intimately. To dive into greater adventure whatever the cost. He is worth it!
I’m so grateful for the fatherhood of God to empower me to go on this adventure with Him this year, and more than that this life.
Prayer request:
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Final funding ($3222.98 left) and my teams
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Physical recovery for everyone
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The Lord to continue His work in the lives of those we met on the Camino
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Holy expectations for what God has next in store
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Our family back home
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Team Unity and Holy Spirit sensitivity coupled with obedience
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Training for North Africai in Mijas
