Studying aboard while doing missions, it sounds crazy right? How could one possibly be doing both of these all at the same time. Not only that but hiking the Camino, which has now fully been completed woohoo! Yes, that was very challenging but doing missions work while studying abroad truly has just begun and it is possible. This is possible because the Lord has captured the hearts of those willing to serve him while also working hard toward career driven dreams. Many college students chose one semester out of their four years to live over seas, and study there. So, why not just throw in some work of the Lord as well! The Lord has constantly captivated me by his love even when days are long and life brings forth struggles. He calls me his beloved and I fall before him in adoration of his goodness all the time. Due to this making this decision has not been the most easy, but it is so worth it to be able to start my college path while also serving the Lords people.
Was the Camino worth it?
Truthfully, the Camino was everything but easy. It was challenging every day to wake up and wonder why I was doing it all over again. To walk a lot of miles and carry my pack that was essentially holding my living for the next three months of my life. Walking each morning began to grow some questions of why I said yes to the trip, and truly caused me to press into the Lord even when it got hard. School was tough because every day after lunch there was a window of time to sit down and do my classes, but as someone who is very passionate about my degree I did not feel like I had the time I wanted to study well and do school well. However, once my team and I completed the Camino we were able to have a sweet time of debrief to really reflect on the highs and the lows of the Camino and comprehend what the Lord was teaching us. One takeaway I had was that sometimes you lay thoughts, desires, maybe even wants at the feet of Jesus even when you aren’t ready to give what you lay down away because ultimately he has good plans. Another takeaway I had was the reminder I received every day by carrying my pack; it reminded me of Jesus carrying his cross. Carrying my pack was hard and painful but it really made me think about how much harder it would have been for Jesus to carry the cross after being beaten and mocked to then have his flesh nailed upon the cross to die for my salvation, and to clear me from my debt. How powerful that is.
So, where am I now? What is the Lord doing in my heart? Where am I headed next? How will this all tie into what I am doing with my life, my dreams, my goals, my studies, my future?
I am currently in Vitoria Spain. My team and I are in Vitoria for about one week where we have been able to serve alongside a local church with a fellow alum racer. Vitoria has brought so much healing, joy, and redemption. In the mornings we are able to wake up and get our studies done for a good three hours, then in the afternoons we are able to partner with the church in some type of service. On Saturday, October 5th we were able to go to a church barbeque and fellowship with the members of the church. On Sunday, October 6th we were able to attend church with them where we joined them in worship, a hearing of the word, and where they were also so sweet and prayed over us. On Monday, October 7th we we were able to help serve them and the community by coming alongside them and packing baskets for a food drive. Following Vitoria, my team and I will end our time with our studying and missions in Albania. We will be in Albania for the final 6 weeks of our time together. I have the privilege to travel to Albania a few days earlier then most of the team in order to help prepare for my team to come. As of my dreams, goals, studies, and future after finishing the Camino I have had more time to think through all the goals I have for myself and make a plan to get there! I am studying nutrition in hopes of becoming a licensed dietician, and it has been so fun living in Europe where the diet is a lot different and apply that to what I am learning!
Overall, the Lord has been doing a work in my heart. The Camino carried its difficulties but the Lord sustained. The Lord opened the door to Vitoria for my team to stay before heading off to Albania. While in Vitoria it has been so fun to live in and experience more of the culture. It has been so sweet living this Christian life with the people of Vitoria who live overseas from the places I call home. All these miles away from home or the typical college experience I am able to worship the same God in all his glory. It is worth it to spend my time studying overseas while also serving the Lord!
