I’ve started typing about 20 different things trying to figure out what I wanted to share with you about our journey so far. An experience that, try as I might, I don’t know if I can communicate without just saying “come with me!”.
El Camino de Santiago has a culture of it’s own. When you step foot on this terrestrially diverse trail, marked with yellow arrows, shells, and fellow pilgrims, you’re entering a community. A community marked by amicability, respect, generosity and a general sense of commonality. Whether you are walking for a week or for months, your story is appreciated and sought after. Conversations starting with “Why are you walking El Camino?” are as plenty as the peregrinos (pilgrims) along the way. Sometimes you are met with a long story full of pain, struggle, or regret. Sometimes you join in celebration or remembrance. Often they are in a season of rest, waiting, searching, hoping or just living. Not everyone has a complex answer.
The way is full of beautiful mountains, hills, vineyards, towns, big and small with gardens and parks with fountains for pilgrims to refresh their water supply and rest for a moment. There are some stretches with towns every few miles and some where it feels like ages between. Your feet are met with dirt, dust, gravel, stone, pavement, hills, plains and steps. When you start early, the stars are your companion and if you keep the pace, by the end of the day you are watching the sunset from the window of your Albergue.
The Albergues that my team and I stayed in have provided some of the most incredible experiences and opportunities to meet the most wonderful people! This has been my favorite part. Spending time with my team and squad, especially in the company of others we’ve become acquainted with. Sharing meals (AMAZING meals), meaningful conversation, showing love, sharing hope, stories and encouragement from God’s word. Praying over each other and other pilgrims (especially for wounds!). We’ve come to call most by “The Bummer B’s”: blisters, bruises, bumps and bites!
We still have about 3 more days on the Camino before we head to training for our next country. But already we have experienced things that have humbled us as a group and as individuals. The pain is real, y’all. Our feet ache, hips are sore, legs are tired and we are being put through the ringer mentally and emotionally. Please pray for each of us to have vulnerability with each other. For unity, and humility as we learn more about each other- our personalities, strengths, weaknesses and how we all work together.
Thank you so much for your continued support and prayer!!! It is felt and appreciated. Enjoy these pics, and check out the latest support info at the bottom 🙂
(Where we began, in Pamplona!)
(Me, Kelly, Kelsey, Joelle and Landry- my team)
(Léna (France), Kelly, Landry, Fabio (Italy), Kelsey, me and Csaba (Hungary)
Silke (Germany) and me!
I am currently 65.06% funded!!! My next goal is 13,000 by the end of September. Please prayerfully consider donating, or sharing my blog!
Love you all, and will update you again soon!
