Spain Review

The month of Spain was fantastic, just getting to Spain was an adventure. Some us decided to continue with the goal of overland travel. We took two buses from Athens all the way to Barcelona. Our first bus was 12 hours from Athens, Greece to Sofia, Bulgaria, where we had 27 hours to explore the city of Sofia. We were able To take two walking tours of the city. We then hopped on a 40 hour bus to Barcelona traveling through Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and France. We ended up getting in earlier than expected and the Hotels were all too expensive so we spent the night outside the train station on the street, waiting until morning to catch our train to Mataro.

 

Changing of the Guards outside the Vice Presidents office in Sofia.

We stayed outside the city at a campground that offered a free shuttle to the city. This campground was located right on the beach where each morning we were offered a great view of the sunrise as we worked out. It was a great place to be even if it did pour on us for two days. At least I know my tent’s rain fly holds up well.

Barcelona is  beautiful city full of history and amazing architecture. Especially the sagrada de familia. See video below about it. In Barcelona we had the opportunity to receive leadership training from Tom Davis who helped start the world race. He has a heart to teach leadership skills to the church, since he saw the need for it when he was in church leadership.

Above Old courthouse now a musem

Below: Sagrada da Familia

We focused on knowing ourselves before we could lead ourselves which in turn can help us know others than lead others. We looked at how we act and why we act the way we do. It was really great training making us look at the vision we have for our lives and how that is formed from our values and the goals we have to get us there. I am still forming everything in my mind, but the principals taught if put into practice can really change who I am as a person and will definitely make me into a better leader.  

Leadership has always been spoken over my life through prophecy and positive feedback, so I must steward the gift that God has given me. I hope to be in many more leadership positions throughout my life.

FC Barcelona game: Picture credit Benjamin Towne

The day we left Barcelona we had the privilege to go to an FC Barcelona game. That was a lot of fun we even got to see Messi score a goal.  That night we headed to pamplona where the running of the bulls takes place. Unfortunately the running of the bulls happen in July so I will have to come back another time to join in the fun. We began a 12 day pilgrimage from Pamplona to Burgos along the Camino. The Camino is a cross country trail known as pilgrim ways, to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth.

The walk was amazing as we passed through many small towns with beautiful churches and great countryside and agriculture fields. This was a great time to be like past pilgrims and seek God as we walked to reflect on the past 10 months and all that I have learned and all that God has done in my life. It was also  great time to reflect and tell stories with each other about the last 10 months and all that we have seen God do in each others lives.

The altar of one of the churches in a small town.

We also were able to meet people from all over the world who were also on a spiritual journey which lead to many great conversations about what we were doing and why. All of the people we met usually stayed together in Albergues which are just for pilgrims and are by donation and usually includes a shared dinner that you prepare with other pilgrims. 

We are now headed into month 11. As i Looked back over the last 10 months I have been so blessed to be able go on this journey and I have learned so much. Thank you for all of your prayers and support.