So Im sitting here at launch, my last day in Atlanta, GA.
There are a whole host of feelings going on, most of which I can’t even put a name to. I know I’m excited, nervous, unsure, but willing. And I have said yes so many times.
When I first signed up for the race, one of the things that I was drawn to was this route’s emphasis on eastern Europe. Our last two countries were originally Latvia and Moldova. Which then in April/May switched to Albania and Greece. Which I was stoked about. I have felt drawn to the refugee crisis for some time and was so excited to be able to help.
At training camp we were informed that Greece was no longer a viable option for our eleventh country. I was bummed, but the attitude of my squad was to see what else God has planned.
So, let me tell you what happened yesterday at launch.
Who has heard of El Camino de Santiago? Well, let me explain to you what this has to do with our route. This is a pilgrimage that winds across the northern part of Spain. It’s something I was introduced to through a housemate of mine, and since then it has always been in the back of my mind as something that needs to happen; not just because of the epic adventure, but because it’s described as a spiritual pilgrimage. As it has been sitting in the back of my mind, God has been continually feeding into me the goodness that could come from pursuing it. These people are walking across Spain because they are looking for something! I have that something! Jesus! What an incredible opportunity to sow seeds of a relationship with Christ into people you know are SEEKING. I’ve been thinking about it for almost two years, and I’ve always felt God saying WAIT.
Then I pursued the Race and God flung those doors wide open. But the El Camino was still in my head. The last 6 weeks between training camp and launch it has come up a few more times and between conversations with people and just my own thoughts, its been something I know that will happen some time in my life’s story.
Fast track to yesterday. We had an all squad meeting, and it was revealed to us that our eleventh country will be SPAIN!! It didn’t even process that the El Camino could be a possibility. I was excited but didn’t think twice about it. Then our squad mentor, Jeremy, continued to describe what the month might look like. He talked about ministry in Barcelona for 10 days, which will be sweet. Then he mentioned the name I never could have known was coming. El Camino de Santiago. They were planning on having us hike and build into people we meet along the way for at least 10 days.
I froze.
There was no way.
This thing that was on my heart had been combined with this obvious calling God placed on my life to do the Race. He planned it all. He knows the desires of my heart. What I wanted to do out of the pure desire to pursue his kingdom was granted, even though it was not how I had planned in any way, shape, or form. It never goes how I plan it. I cried, a lot. It made a lot of people worried, but I promise they were good tears. I was just shown a glimpse of understanding into how God sees me, loves me, and that he cares about my desires.
Its something small, but its a nugget of God’s character that I will be bringing into the first month of the Race.
God is faithful, I leave tomorrow, and I am freaking pumped to see what else he has planned.
