“Some people say it can’t be done” That is- hiking 195 miles of El Camino de Santiago in two weeks while also taking courses to further your education. It can be done, but “Can it be done well?” is the real question to debate.
In my opinion the answer is no. I values doing things well- with healthy habits. Hiking the Camino with a group of 15 was overwhelming with finding alburgues, preparing dinner, and even sharing the trail with the fellow pilgrims. As the guinea pigs of this program, I understand that there are improvements to be made to this program. Here is what I found to be challenging; leaving an alburgue at 6:30, being required to pray with teammates for an hour right as we started hiking an average of 12 miles a day, eating dinner on a small budget with no guaranteed kitchen, having classes with a tired mind and body, and having team time with feed back. Most of these challenges by themselves would not be an issue, but all of these together was hard for me. I am one who values alone time— and there is not a lot of space for that here.
While this journey was hard and I would not have chosen it for myself, the Lord was still faithful. He still worked. I remember asking the Lord coming into this trip to teach me- teach me to trust in him in a new way. He has answered that prayer and he is not done answering that prayer.
Psalm 119 has been speaking to me as I wrap up this season of this study abroad. It says,
“ Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”
He is my portion, he is the one who makes my steps steady. Even if my path is rocky and rainy, it is He who makes my steps steady. While walking, I did a lot of panting for food and water- I also did much panting for the Word of God- which we were not going through as a group. Being in the Word was something I had to fight for and it was that much more rewarding when I did get even 10 minutes alone with the Lord each day. If the Lord is with the program, and the program is with the Lord then I know that the Lord will sustain those who participate. But for me, I am a logical thinker and a number of the logistical decisions made did not make sense to me. The Lord is so intertwined in every moment and those who participate on this trip will grow in one way or another. So, whether this program succeeds or fails- all glory be to Christ.
Here is a Camino photo dump!!
