Colby Gardner is one of a few men from Adventures in Missions who hiked the Camino de Santiago in Spain earlier this year. On their adventure, they met many pilgrims along the way and learned about life and God alongside them. It’s a journey you too can join this summer.
Life with Jesus is about the journey. And here I was on a journey across Spain.
As we began to walk, I began to realize that we have an ample amount of time to process. The first day was a 9 hour, 19.5 mile journey, and I almost didn’t know what to do with myself.
Pilgrims or Peregrinos, is someone on a spiritual journey. That’s interesting, considering that I thought this was just a hike.
This pilgrimage has surfaced a greater curiosity in me, and as I make new friends, I often find myself asking, “what brings you here?”
Some people talk freely, others are reserved. Some filled with joy, many with fear and trembling.
On the Camino they say, “everyone has their own way.” From village to village and story to story, I have discovered that no one comes on the Camino by accident.
Many people seek “what’s next”. Others seek healing, freedom from a broken marriage, mourning, or simply something more. I keep finding that most pilgrims have experienced a traumatic, life changing, event and therefor walk the Camino de Santiago in anticipation of great change — a new beginning.
What I’m discovering, is that new beginnings are more often about the letting go.
Rick (USA) lost his wife 6 months ago and brought her ashes along.
Brock (Canada) is in preparation for his universalist yoga training.
Laralee (New Zealand) is escaping from the pain of her previous marriage.
Goyo (Spain) is looking for a new love.
Jack (USA) has been devastated over and over and over, and is seeking healing.
Arthur (Poland) would tell us nothing, but curiously hung around.
From the good to the bad, I have learned that ‘the Way’ is all about letting go.
A few days ago, I realized that I was on a pilgrimage of epic proportion myself; I too am in this same process of letting go.
I am letting go of this control I call ‘trust’. What does it look like for you?
Do you want the chance to get outside your limits? We’re giving you just that chance.
Click here to see how you can come with us on a 30-day trek on the Camino de Santiago this summer.
