Walk
I have not read the aforementioned best seller, nor have I seen the movie, but the simple title (slightly altered), is a summary of my time on the Camino. El Camino de Santiago is a LONG hike through Spain, with several routes that take you across the entire country ending in Santiago de Compostela where pilgrims are welcomed into a cathedral in northwestern Spain to end their journey. Then they are encouraged on a bit further to the Atlantic ocean, formerly the end of the known world where pilgrims take a scallop shell as a symbol of their pilgrimage. Starting before the crack of dawn, we would begin to walk ~15-20 miles daily for a period of seven days. We hiked through hills, mountains, vineyards, olive groves, PRECIOUS little villages, big towns, and cornfields. It was a dream, an absolute dream. And we walked, and walked, and walked some more. I had the opportunity to spend sweet time in silence with the Lord, grow deeper in relationship with my team and squad, and befriend strangers from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Hungary. Bonds were formed over blisters, cramping feet, wine and baguettes. And we were always reminded to have a “Buen Camino!”
Eat
Food! Spain is doing food right. Fresh produce, heavenly olive oil, salty Serrano ham, and rich Rioja wine. When I was hiking many miles with a 30lb pound pack on my back, I found myself searching the grocery store for the highest calorie dark chocolate bars, consuming 1-2 avocados in a sitting, pouring olive oil on anything and everything, and eating patatas fritas like it’s nobody’s business.
While consuming snacks and nourishing the body was good, the time around the table celebrating every evening was better. One night that is highlighted for me was in a donativo (donation hostel) in Viana, Spain. My teammates and I sat around a second floor dining room table, with 17 fellow peregrinos (pilgrims), shared patatas (of course!), bacalao, pasta, stewed vegetables, bread, and wine, while overlooking the small, vibrant city. The room was full of warmth and connection– so beautifully simple. Two nights later, 2 teams from our squad gathered in another donativo, made a meal to have with our new Camino friends, ate, laughed, and shared.
Pray
Silent prayers while hiking, popcorn prayers after team devotions, prayers for healing, prayers for salvation, wholeness and freedom. We had an opportunity to offer to pray for people who are SEEKING Jesus. It was incredible! God has been at work answering each and every one of those prayers. Glory to God for His mighty hand!
Love
In my short time on the race, I feel as if I am in a pressure cooker for learning to love people well: strangers along the journey, my fellow logistics leader Shela (more on my role as a logistics leader in a future blog!), or my sweet teammates. Love is such an action. It has required communication, listening, observing, prayer, and submission. Strangers who are in a season of struggle in their lives were moved by quality time with miles walked together, and squadmates with aching bodies from the long miles were encouraged by loving words and a gentle touch. One 70 year old Hungarian woman who journeyed alone was overjoyed with shared cold eggs and Google translate conversations! There is nothing like the love of God. What an introduction to learning to love people like Him, and the Camino was the vehicle! I am overwhelmed by the opportunity to love people; allowing the Holy Spirit to take the lead, the hope of Christ overflowing as I desire my life to be an instrument of His love.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
P.S. I wanted to add photos here, but WiFi (or WeeFee) is not working with me at the moment. I may be able to post some at another time!)
