God’s Plan on the Camino
Every year that I have served on the Camino de Santiago, I have been changed. Each year I have gone, the Lord has continued to teach me something about myself, Him, and my faith. As I left this year for our third mission trip to Spain, I was leaving my twelve-year-old son behind who was having some heart issues. I left with heaviness in my own heart and wasn’t sure if I was making the right decision to leave him or not. But as the trip grew close, the Lord assured me that this was His plan, and that Spain was exactly where I needed to be. So, I got on the plane and traveled thousands of miles away to get to one of my most favorite places on earth, the Camino de Santiago in Ligonde, Spain. White there, we serve in a little hostel by giving pilgrims water, coffee, bathrooms, and stamps, and when the opportunity arises, which it often does, we give them the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done for them.
The pilgrims are walking for many different reasons, but as you walk, something about it turns so spiritual and most people are often open to hearing the gospel. They are searching for truth. Most of them have never heard the truth or have a distorted view of the truth from other false religions. The Lord has set La Fuente (the hostel) in such a special place, and His work is so evident there.
Each year that we have served we have been able to walk a day to get a feel for what these pilgrims are going through, and each time it astounds me. This year we walked a more difficult path, and as I walked, I noticed my foot slipping in the gravel which made the walk very challenging. I heard the Lord say to me, “This is what it's like when go through trials in worldly ways, not doing it my way. But if you make an adjustment and shift over to the firm ground on the sides your foot will not slip, and it will be much easier to endure the hill/trial that you are facing. This is how you get through trials well.” I asked Him, “What are the things in life that plant my feet on firm ground as I go through this trial with my son’s health?” His reply was, “By putting on the full armor of God daily and serving me.”
This trip was so special to me, and I wish I had the time and space to share some of the stories from the pilgrims with you. Each holds such a special place in my heart and so many of them with the theme of suffering this year. We were able to serve people from about 50 different countries. I’m thankful to the Lord for using my suffering this year to share with the pilgrims who are walking with their own suffering on their shoulders. We never have to do life alone. God has given us all we need to get through hardships well, and it's important that we share that hope with others.