Provision
It’s a beautiful Saturday here in Spain … today we walked to Terradillos de los Templarios, birthplace of the renowned Knight’s Templar, whose job it was to protect pilgrims. Pretty amazing stuff … somehow that all seemed almost mythical before, but being in places where we often see buildings many centuries old helps us to connect with the rich history along the Camino.
Last time I blogged, I was in Burgos, a bustling city. Cascade started walking at 6:30am per our usual custom; I had planned to have a rest day, so headed to a cafe to hang out until the bus station opened. Random fact: every pilgrim carries the symbol of the Camino, a scallop shell, usually worn on their backpack, so we are easily identifiable. I bumped into some “old” Dutch friends I’d connected with a few days earlier, and made some new ones. Eventually I wandered over to the bus station, catching up with some dear Sri Lankan/Canadian friends who were on their way home (there really is a deep bond between pilgrims, like nothing I’ve experienced before). Once the information guy arrived, I discovered that there are no buses to Hontanas, Cascade’s end point for the day. OK, now what to do? He suggested I could get a bus part way (20 euro) and then walk (a mere 15km), but I quickly decided that would defeat the purpose of a rest day (not to mention that much of it would be random roads not on the Camino, a terrible idea). After visiting a nearby market for some supplies, I prayed and asked God what should I do now? I wasn’t worried, but needed guidance, as the taxi fare would be 50 euro for the 50km drive (30km walk). So I decided to go back to the prettier part of the town, near the main square, to think things over. As I was walking along, there on the ground right in front of me were 35 euros in paper money – wow! All the city streets here are full of pedestrians, just like many urban areas, but at that moment, no one else was anywhere nearby. Here was God’s answer to me! He is so good to provide what we need just when we need it; He just wants us to trust Him. So after a refreshing cafe con leche, I got a taxi to Hontanas. It turned out to be an exceedingly hot day (32 Celsius), so I was extra grateful for a true rest day, and thankfully Cascade made it safely!
Many fellow pilgrims have become very dear to us. Each one has a story, a different reason for being here, a unique journey. We are so much richer for each relationship. Sometimes friendships are formed on the walk, sometimes in a cafe or at an albuerge (hostel). I get the feeling that many pilgrims feel the same way, as we have all experienced a taste of the nations coming together in community (a taste of heaven!) I am especially encouraged for the many young people to have this kind of life-changing experience in their formative years.
When Cascade and I walked into Boadilla del Camino the night after staying in Hontanas (following two brutally hot, full sun days in a row), we were so tired that we accidentally walked right past the 6 euro albuerge we were aiming for. So we ended up staying at the 10 euro albuerge, the third and last one in the town). It turned out to be a huge blessing and very refreshing because only four pilgrims in total stayed there (usually we have 8 to 24 pilgrims in one room, never separated by gender). We even had a women’s bathroom all to ourselves … what a treat … God sure does like to spoil His kids (that’s all of us!) … we just don’t always notice or appreciate what He does.
Last night we stayed at a church hostel in Carrion de los Condes under the hospitality of some Spirit-filled singing nuns … just lovely! A highlight was a special church service in the Santa Maria cathedral in which there were special prayers for all the pilgrims, and they individually laid hands on us and blessed us, and gave us each paper (i.e. light) stars of David, encouraging us with the words of St. Augustine, “Our hearts are restless, oh God, until they find their rest in You!” Beautiful!
Cascade is now past the halfway mark, having come 396km … I’ve come 234km … sometimes I want to give up, but Cascade’s joy and toughness along with your prayers and encouragement keep me going! Today we sat outside on the grass and sang about relying on God’s strength in our weakness, true in so many ways for us right now!
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