I’m sitting in 2 story cottage house in the mountains that overlook the coast of Spain, and all I could think about is how to best sum up experiences. Things that God has shown me. Things that I have learned.
I realize when it comes to sharing things with people, I actually do love the details (I hate details of anything else). Which is why it’s hard for me to post as much as I wanted to & as fast as I would’ve like to, because I want to write EVERYTHING down to give you the best visual into my process. (So I apologize for that).
Lately I’ve been experiencing a lot of moments with the same exclamations followed: “WOW, God. This is wild. These mountains. Those (damn) hills. That majestic horse. These people. You are so good. You are so worth it.”
And in those moments, I want everyone to experience what I’m experiencing because I want everyone to see, feel and know how amazing HE is.
For the past 2 weeks, my (new) team & I have been traveling to a new town and sleeping in a new hostel every night.
We walk everyday, anywhere from 10-17 miles.
We’re walking El Camino de Santiago in Spain.
If you don’t know what it is, it’s one of the most important spiritual pilgrimage’s in Europe. Whatever route you choose, it leads you to Santiago de Compostela where it is believed that the Apostle James is buried in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
It’s month 11 now, our final month, and this is how we end. This is a unique time we were gifted to reflect, listen and absorb.
As I continue to reflect on this past year and all that it entailed, I want to finally write and share the things I never processed; the things the Lord showed me and much more. Until then, I’ll give you a glimpse into what our first week on the Camino has looked like. (Prepare for a lot of stunning pics of Northern Spain)
Day 1:
On our first day, we started off high strung & ran into a man named, Carrie from Texas. He was stopped at a train track intersection and wondering which way to go. He was so happy we spoke English and we ended up walking the first half of our day with him. We spoke about America, The Camino, God and His wife – man, did he adore his wife. He called us his guardian Angels. We haven’t ran into him again, but I sure hope we do. Carrie is the grandpa you wish you had. After hours of walking, we finally arrived to the beach town where we were to stay the night. As we approached the beach, I couldn’t help but praise God for the fresh smell of the ocean! We passed through the burnt orange sand, and found our Albergue (hostels for pilgrams on the Camino). We got there just in time for a spot and the host let us know that we came on the best day, because they were prepping for a dinner party. We finally took our shoes off our sore and throbbing feet and helped with dinner. Everyone surrounded the table yelling at each other to “try this”, “try that!”. We ran into some people we had seen along the way and met some new pilgrims. It was a beautiful evening of sharing stories, laughing and restfully enjoying the breeze after a long day of walking. This is what I always imagine heaven to be like.
Day 2:
Day 2 was one of my favorite walking experiences. We woke up early to a rainy morning and prepped ourselves to walk through it. We left our fun hosts at the Albergue and found ourselves up hidden pathway. When we got to the top of the hill, all we saw along the path were the beautiful greens hills we were on, overlooking the ocean! It felt like we were in Ireland for a while. My team and I raved together, took all the photos, and I then went ahead to walk alone with the Father. I felt like He was inviting me to write and sing songs for Him, so I did. They were songs about His creation and the way that they reveal His glory. This was a day full of walking and worshipping Him. When we finally arrived at our new hostel, I heard the familiar sound of our squad-mates. It was a sweet reminder of how much I am going to miss hearing their voices and laughter, no matter how loud.
Day 5:
Wooh, a day full of emotions! Anger, confusion, relief, then some more anger and relief. I started off my walk by praying to God and then I had a hard reality brought to my attention. It felt like betrayal of the heart. Holy Spirit & I walked and talked for a long time. I was angry, hurt and then the Lord let me sit with those emotions. It was nice to be reminded that our creator understands these emotions first hand and that He wants to sit in them with us. Eventually, I heard the sweet whisper of truth from Him. It gave me confidence and I returned to Allie and Kaylin full of Joy with what the Lord showed me. 17 miles later, we finally went into the town we were supposed to stay in, only to find out that the Albergue had been closed down for a year now.
We were tired, had the sorest of feet and just wanted to put our bags down and rest. We had to figure out a game-plan. We found wifi, found a list of hostels near-by, called all of them for prices, and eventually landed on one we had passed a couple miles back. We took a taxi there, because we were Kapoot (done). And this is where God seems to always show off with what we often overlook: unexpected blessings. We arrived at the hostel just before it closed, and the lady who owned it was so kind. Her house was a cottage on a hill overlooking the sea (my favorite thing, now). I stood in her doorway thankful and relieved that we would have a quiet, peaceful place to stay for the night. I wish I could’ve stayed there forever. Despite it being probably our worst days of walking, the Lord blessed us and lead us to this place after it all. I felt Him saying, “you’re welcome. This is what provision is. You love places like this. Enjoy.” I had one of my favorite mornings spent in that house, overlooking those green hills.
Day 6:
After the peaceful sleep that we had the night before, I couldn’t help but wake up full of gratitude. It played out that way for the rest of the walk. Every mountain was a challenge, but it lead to a stunning view of the sea every. single. time.
This was the day, though, that we met the sweetest and funnest guys at our Albergue. We still run into them to this day and it’s always a fun reunion. Two are from Slovakia, 1 from Madrid, another from Denmark, 1 from Japan and finally, our sweet, exuberant Brazilian who lives in France (don’t tell anyone else, but he’s our favorite). These guys are honestly our very own gifts from the Lord. Meeting these men did something good for our souls. Walking every day is tiring, obviously, so it is a breath of fresh air to come “home” to such people of joy. We laugh until we cry with them and we’re forever known as the “Funny American girls that can always be found in the kitchen”.
Day 7:
Our team with sweet Maria Luz and Fifi *all the baby hearts*
The number seven seems to live up to it’s meaning so far on this trip. “Perfect”. Unexpected days always seem to deliver as well. Our team decided to do a shorter day of walking and we ended up seeing a sign that had an Albergue that was cheaper than the place we were walking to, 2 miles further. So, we stayed in that town and waited for it to open. When the clock hit 3, we walked over to the hostel and were welcomed by the sweetest Spanish ladies. They’re names are Fifi and Maria Luz. They are a mom and daughter who renovated their ancestors house and turned it into a resting place for pilgrims. They work in this home every single day, solely on donations. If there was a prize for “best at serving people and making them feel most at home” they would sure win. They took our packs off our backs and had us ready with hot tea or coffee as we finally were able to take off our sweaty hiking shoes. Each room had its own bathroom and shower, they let us put one outfit in the washer for free & they made us breakfast with home-made bread and yogurt! While these are simple things we racers value tremendously now, these still weren’t what made this stay so lovely. It was the presence of Fifi and Maria Luz. The way they cared and loved. The intentionality to create a safe abode. The way that Fifi sat and stared at the door in the common room while I was reading. How she waited until everyone was safely inside. The way her face turned from worry to relief when everyone was finally home to rest. The way her eyes twinkled when a kind Spanish boy kissed her goodnight. The joy and delight in her eyes actually made me tear up. Just imagine the look of joy a grandparent has when their grandchildren does really anything for them. I felt the love of Jesus so strongly here. It hurt to leave them.
Bustio, Spain.
The Camino is a challenge for sure. Our bodies are sore, yeah. But, there’s a unique lifestyle that needs adjusting to – a whole new level than what we’re used to. Changing every month was hard. Now we change and move every single day. We have to adjust to the walking distances, the kitchen/cooking situation in our hostels, siestas (which catches me off guard still) and much more. It makes me grateful for consistency, and I was never one who appreciated that. For places to call home. I realize how much I dislike making decisions. I’d rather go along for the ride. But, life is an open-handed balance of both. I am so thankful for friends who compliment each other and for the differing people that make up this body of Christ. I’m reminded of how much I love people. Walking alone is a natural thing for me because it’s my time to think, but sometimes it’s too much alone time for my soul. I need people, but it’s a challenge some days when my body is exhausted, but all I want to do is meet new pilgrims or rekindle with our beloved friends. I’m still learning how to balance being with others and not forsaking my sleep. I’ve realized how much I am going to miss this experience I am on. All the people I’ve met. The different journeys we’re on, but fully human and fully being moved by the hand of God. I think I’ve finally started to grieve this chapter of my life. I’ve written too much already though, so I’ll save that for another blog.
Prayers for health & physical strength for our entire Squad would be appreciated. Today is the first day I can physically feel the toll alllll over my body. Prayers against bed bugs, lice n all that good stuff. Finally, for our final month on this race – that we end strong and don’t miss out on anything that the Lord wants to show, grow or do through us.
Love,
Jezebelle
