Story 1:
So, backstory first. I spent the last two weeks hiking the Camino de Santiago. I started in a group of 16 pilgrims and finished with 13; we lost some along the way. ;’(
Some of my squadmates started getting sick on day 6 (out of 15). For the rest of our hermitage, there was coughs, colds, barfs, sicknesses, and sudden death. Almost.
By our last day on the Camino, everyone had suffered some form of sickness. Except me! The Lord’s favor was upon me, and I had not succumbed to the weakness of the human mind. Huzzah!
But…that fated last day. I woke up at 5:45 a.m., as was our custom, and we began walking at 6:30. By 7:46, I started feeling the ominous tendrils of dread in my stomach. I was nauseous and headache-y and I may have gotten feverish chills. BUT! I continued walking, I persevered, and we made it to Santiago!
Even so, my victory did not chase away the claws of flesh. I abstained from our glorious dinner feast (not exaggerating; it was like a full-course meal, and I COULDN’T GO) and stayed at our Albergue to fight my sickness through rest. While my company was at dinner, they decided to play a round of…
CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER.
What this entailed: My fearless and big-dog leader Sydnie posted every squadmate on her Instagram with bios enticing people to “Choose Your Fighter.”
So Sydnie posted everyone, and they had the opportunity to share their bios and have their friends vote for them.
Remember, this is all happening at the dinner party I did not attend.
The next day, we left for the train station, and as we were sitting at breakfast, my squadmate Faith asked what I thought about the game. I answered as any modern mortal would. What game? She then proceeded to tell me about the contest and that I was a participant.
This is happening more than 12 hours after the game started. All my opponents already have 12 hours’ worth of campaigning and votes. Where was I???? Stuck. With nothing, nobody, and no one.
I was
- 12 hours behind all my squadmates who had already received votes
- My game leader “forgot I had Instagram” and blocked me from efficiently sharing my conquest
- I found out about the game at 8 a.m., Spain time. 1 a.m. Missouri time. Everyone who could vote for me was asleep.
Nevertheless, against all odds, I shared my need for votes and asked my friends to stand with me.
Story 2:
That morning, while we were standing outside waiting for our train, some of my squadmates were talking about each other’s home lives. One of my friends mentioned how they’ve never seen me dance, and another shared, “Yeah, I didn’t even know you danced until I stalked your Instagram.” Her candidness was so funny that I started laughing, and composing myself took a hot minute. Once I had calmed down, though, I began stalking my own Instagram page.
After a few minutes, I began to feel sad as I started reminiscing about all my friends and past adventures. I’ve been gone for almost six weeks now, and it’s been great, but I do miss my family and community back home. I miss my brothers, taking my dogs on walks or car rides, going to school, work, dance, church, and hanging out with people. I miss chatting over coffee or Chipotle and painting rocks in the park.
I have a very sweet life. I’m so grateful for it and try hard not to take it for granted.
I’m in Europe, experiencing different cultures and meeting many people. I’m walking historical roads and seeing historical places. It’s incredible, but it’s also easy to miss what I have back home.
Story 3:
Putting these two stories together is rather easy.
I’d asked people to go vote me as Best Fighter. After I did that, there wasn’t much else I could do with the game. I spent my day, as usual, catching train after bus after train and walking more and checking into another Albergue. I asked once in the afternoon how many votes I had, but Sydnie wouldn’t tell me.
So dinner rolls around…
We’re all sitting at the table, and Sydnie goes…
“WHO WANTS TO KNOW THE RESULTS OF CHOOSE YOUR FIGHTER?!”
Screaming, chaos, and complete disorder ensue as we jump up, punch the air, bellow our war cries, and flip the table.
Kidding; we all just said yes.
So Sydnie begins to announce the top 3. “In 3rd place, with 3 points, our friend Maia Strawberry! And in 2nd place with 5 points, Thief in the Nightttttttt!”
Suspense ensues…who got 1st place? Who beat out Hudson with a whopping 5 votes??
“And our champion, with SEVEN WHOLE VOTES, BIG PAPA!”
I’d won! I’d won! The underdog with less opportunity, prejudice, and a charge of vehicular manslaughter had won the fight.
Because of the support and love of my friends back in Missouri—those people I love and like and want to hug and laugh with—my people!
So, this day was bittersweet. We arrived in Vitoria-Gastiez for our first week of ministry, and while it was a great time of looking forward, it was also a precious time of remembering my past.
Currently writing this, I’m sitting in a Mexican restaurant (in Spain, lol), drinking grapefruit Jarritos (my mom’s go-to drink flavor and my dad’s nostalgic drink) and eating Empanadas (which my dad loves). All while 60s music is playing in the background—I’m talking Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, and The Supremes. It’s an enjoyable combination and a moment I wish to remember forever.
But with me is my new friend Faith. Together, we have started a rap band (catch us in the White House 2026,) gotten in trouble for being the fastest hikers, tried Mexican food in Spain, swing-danced in my dorm room, and watched The Proposal on an overcrowded bus in the Spanish Mountains.
The memories I have are beautiful, and the memories to come are beautiful as well.
I thank Jesus for my time on this Earth, for His gifts of food, friends, family, fellowship, and fun.
And I thank
Lauren Tappmeyer
Olivia Backues
Brant Davidson
Alisha Clifton
Ted and Debbie Nombrana
Eric and Donna Lenz
For helping to sponsor this Mexican food (SEAMLESS sponsorship ad.)
