“Not that I have already obtained this or already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
As I finish my time here in Spain I’m trying to process the incredibly amazing yet incredibly difficult last 9 days on the Camino.
El Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage many take through Spain. People come for many different reasons and leave their time on the Camino with different ideas but all leave changed in some way.
My team and I had 8 days to get from Pamplona to Burgos with approx 135 miles separating the two. I went into the Camino with few expectations except I did think that it would be no sweat for me since I hike 14ers and literally just got done with a hiking trip before coming to Spain. That idea was soon blasted after day 2 when blisters began to take form and feet started to ache from the weight of my pack. Pro tip: if you do the Camino, take less that 20lbs in your pack- your feet will thank me later. We walked anywhere from 14-19 miles a day taking about a day and a half of rest.
A typical day on the Camino goes as follows:
Wake up about 4-5am. Pack your pack. Desperately search for coffee and breakfast. Take off on the trail. Pass through many small towns that are dead silent because it’s so early in the morning. Finally pass through a town about 7 or 8 miles in that has an open cafe. Delightfully consume a cafe con leche and a chocolate croissant. Get up and limp half a mile to get your feet numb again so you can walk semi-normally. Hike another 7 or 8 miles to your destination. Search for an open bed in an albergue. Take a shower. Hand wash clothes from the day. Find a market to make dinner. Bed. Then repeat.
This schedule is half exciting, half exhausting, and half incredible. I had to pinch myself to remind me that I was indeed trekking through Spain as thousands before me had, literally walking in the historical footsteps of people just like me searching for answers to the great questions of life.
Things I learned:
Make sure to get into your final destination town for the day early enough to secure a bed for the night, otherwise you will have to take the overpriced albergue on top of the steepest hill at the edge of town which you must trek up after you have hiked 16 miles.
Even though you may have a tight budget, always buy cafe con leche, chocolate croissant and a huge smoothie in a wine glass as you hike long days. It will be worth it.
Even though you are on a mission and the Camino is an incredible time to individually seek God, it’s also an amazing time to start conversations with your fellow pilgrims and meet cool people that you will see over and over again.
And lastly, God’s strength is far greater than we could ever imagine and He gives it to us. One day we hiked 19 miles and the last third was excruciating. I was hot, tired, had sore feet and blisters but as I hiked, I was reminded of Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I can DO all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
I can do all THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.
I can do all things THROUGH Christ who strengthens me.
I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.
I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens ME.
And to you.
Upcoming: we will be in Spain for about a week to come together as a squad to debrief the Camino and train for our next destination.
Prayers: safe travels as we travel to our destination in North Africa. Strength and health in our bodies. Unity as a team. Fundraising for some of my teammates (their links on the left side). Our hearts to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His leadings.
Thank you all for your love and prayers. Please know that you are all each in my heart.
