“You are doing something that most people have difficulty understanding. You are combining your studies with missions. A lot of people say that it can’t be done. And they might say that choosing to hike the Camino is extravagant.” – Seth Barnes
Well, if they did say that hiking the Camino is extravagant, they were right. Choosing to hike the Camino? I don’t think WE chose to do that. At least we didn’t fully understand what that meant. Someone certainly did, but it wasn’t me or my squad mates. If you didn’t know, this trip has been anything but consistent. Most of us initially signed up for a study abroad trip to Italy from the beginning of August to the beginning of November. What we’ve done here is far from that. First, they decided to push the trip back three weeks so that our squad could be a part of training camp with the other World Race trips. Then our partners in Italy didn’t have the capacity to host another study abroad squad from AIM. So, it was decided that we’d hike the Camino. Yes, we were given the choice of backing out of the trip and joining a different semesters group, but we didn’t necessarily choose the Camino: We chose not to quit on what we’d already been led to. I believe God was bringing all of us to the team for a reason and that the trip changing how it did when it did was not just a coincidence. Even after that dramatic change of plans, we still didn’t know where we’d end up after the hike. It was advertised that on the Camino we’d learn how to discern the voice of God, and He’d lead us to our next destination for ministry partnership. That didn’t really happen. Even at training camp, we missed the sermon about listening to God’s voice. While hiking, we had lots of time in prayer, and we were invited to spend time in “listening prayer” but we weren’t instructed how to do so. We were told that after spending the time on the Camino praying and hearing from the Lord, we’d make a team decision about where to go. Based on the feedback the team has given, it also wasn’t a choice the group made to go to Albania. Due to how all the changes transpired, we didn’t have much time to make any decision before we started hiking. And it’s not like we could’ve waited until we finished hiking to make that call either. It was really the only feasible option and Seth stepped up to make the final choice of Albania. But as I write this, I’m on the plane with two other squad members flying there now. I’m genuinely excited to go, but I don’t think that WE, as a team, made the decision to hike the Camino and I don’t think WE made the decision to go to Albania, either.
“What have you experienced [in the first month of the trip]?” I think I’ve experienced too many “things” in the first month alone to share it all in this blog. I’ve experienced much joy and laughter at training camp and on the hike. I’ve experienced family within the squad. I do love my new brothers and sisters. These relationships haven’t come without their fair share of conflict, though. At times it’s felt like playing whack-a-mole with conflict and resolution in the different relationships on the squad. I’ve also experienced a lot of pain. Physical as well as emotional. The Lord used the hike to tear down a lot of idols and things I was clinging too tightly too. He’s uncovered and uprooted many things in my heart. I’ve grown so much, but with that comes growing pains. Learning how to let relationships, dreams, the future, image, strength, comfortability, and more go is a difficult process. Carrying 30 pounds on your back every day for two weeks as you hike 200 miles is a painful thing to do. But I know the Lord is my strength and my shield. He has sustained me thus far and I’m confident He’ll continue to do so. Which brings me to the best thing I’ve experienced on this trip: God’s love. He’s shown His face to me and drawn near as I’ve sought Him. He’s torn me down so that I can know what it looks like to depend on Him more fully. I’ve seen creation declare His glory. All of the pain is worth it to see Him in these ways.
“Is this something you would recommend to other people?” Well, that depends what “this” is. Would I recommend the Camino? Sure, it was a once in a lifetime experience for me. It’s a beautiful hike and an amazing way to grow closer to God through solitude and prayer. Would I recommend the World Race? Probably. No system is perfect, but the World Race provides a great avenue to serve the kingdom of God through international missions. I’ve really enjoyed the group I’m with and traveling while being a disciple. Would I recommend a study abroad trip like this? Personally, no. That’s because I didn’t enter this trip with the intention of doing much schoolwork. God was clear in leading me to this trip and this team, though. If He wanted me elsewhere that’s where I’d be. Also, the study abroad program is still in its development stages. There has been a LOT of turbulence and unsteadiness. Most of what this squad has experienced is not sustainable in the long run. I know that for a while each trip is going to look different than the last. Much energy is being spent in an effort to develop these types of trips so that it isn’t as unsteady as it has been for us. There’s lots of room to grow, but it can be a great thing down the line. Until some of the kinks are smoothed out, however, I would not recommend doing a World Race study abroad trip. Nevertheless, I’m very grateful that God has led me to this team and what we’ve done. I’ve grown a lot and can see God continuing to move in my life and in those around me. I’m looking forward to what He will do in the next two months of this trip, too!
P.S. I would love to add pictures, but I’m currently unable to do so. Once I have a more stable connection, I’ll be adding my favorites from the trip!
