June 29, 2013. Walking Day 23

Was a very hot walking day. I don't like the heat!

We're in an interesting "nuvo bohemian" style Albergue. An Albergue is like a youth hostel, but even more rustic. The cost Is anywhere from 5-10€ a night. This one was 5€. At that price you really can't demand much!

My traveling companion, again, now is the humanist (atheist) Aussie. He is a super person and really funny. We're having a hoot journeying together. I am concerned for his soul, but I want to respect his choice and not push my beliefs on him.

Today I was mediating on this delema, wondering on what God might do to assist in moving my friend towards Jesus. I decided to hold my tongue until an obvious opening was given.

Enter Jim. Jim is another Aussie we met just the other day. Jim is from Melbourne and has the a-typical strong Aussie accent we've seen in the likes of Crocodile Dundee. What's more, he's an earthy man, a man's man with vocabulary sprinkled with colorful superlatives. A person my traveling partner could immediately warm up too.

As we were finishing our lunch Jim joined us. As is usual he asked what I do. After giving my usual answer he states "well I just recently had an encounter with God!" he went on to explain he was a Catholic and a few days ago had experienced a certain "intestinal complication." He didn't know what to do. But to his surprise, the very next morning, at his albergue's breakfast was the solution to his problem. It was clear in mind tha God had provided the answer!

I didn't have to say a word. There it was, another shove towards Jesus!

June 28, 2013. Walking Day 22

The yellow arrow. This is one of the predominant markers of "The Way". Throughout the Camino there are slightly different markers, many more sophisticated or elegant, but all indicating "The Way" we should go. The way we need to go to successfully journey to our destination.

That is my goal for the Camino. Present to my fellow "Peregrinos" (Spanish for pilgrims) The Way. The way being the path towards Jesus.

Like the Camino, the journey to and then with Jesus is a process. I don't have to be there for all of it. I'm content knowing I've done my part nudging my new friends forward towards a journey with Jesus!

June 27, 2013. Walking Day 21

Today I passed the 500km mark! Started the day walking with Nick & Bobbi. They're fast walkers! Stopped for breakfast at the place in the photo. It was a wonderful Italian coffee shop with delicious Italian sandwiches.

While there to my surprise Herman, one if the Aussie brothers comes strolling up! He said the others were going to go too slow, so with their blessing he took off alone.

It was fun having him with the group again. Had some very interesting conversations with him. Talked about God and evolution. Dont think apologetics will work with him. But the soil needs tiing before seeds can be planted.

June 26, 2013. Walking Day 20

Arrived in Astorga, a very quaint little town. Today's route was not as bad as yesterday's but almost. We got a late start and so we didn't have of the cool morning to walk in.

Spent most of the day walking with my friends from Madrid. It was good having them here. Unfortunately a small family crisis arose and they were to head back home 2 days earlier than expected.

I got them to the bus station then went to the Albergue to wait for the others to arrive. An hour passedand no show so I went ahead and checked in. After getting cleaned up I received an email from them saying two were struggling from tendinitis so they stopped earlier for the day.

My experience has been that when this happens you get out of sync and then loose contact. I was disappointed and wondered who God would have to be my next walking companion. I was to find out later in the day.

After dinner I stumbled across two people who, though were not walking companions, were part of the inner group of our traveling community. After inquiring about my traveling companions they invited me to walk with them the next morning. Question answered.

June 25, 2013. Walking day 19

Today was probably one of the ugliest walking days yet. Most was along the a noisy highway.

I felt bad for my two friends from Madrid. The Albergue, at the end of the day was very nice and we we feed a wonderful home-cooked meal.

Had time to chat with one of the Aussie brothers. He is a die hard humanist, but he respectfully listens to me.

If he ever does come to faith it probably won't be because if my apologetics.

June 24, 2013. Day 18

Today was a rest day. I slept in an extra hour and a group of us caught the bus into Leon.

We checked into the Albergue and spent a leisurely day.

This day was also one of visitors. I had two friends from Madrid arrive to walk two days with me. Also one of my Austrailian walking companions had two friends arrive to finish the Camino with him.

We'll see how the dynamic changes on the walk tomorrow.

June 23, 2013. Walking Day 17

We are not into the ugly, boring part of the Camino. The terrain is fairly flat, browner and dry. The small towns we pass through are mostly dead with crumbling buildings and homes. Not really pleasant.

Walk a bit with both brothers today. No earth shattering conversations, just simple banter amoungst friends. It's very nice.

Having a lot of Camino experience and having researched most of my stops I seemed to have developed a reputation amoungst the English speakers as the "go to guy." They also seem to appear at all the same albergues as I do too.

Ended the day swapping stories as fathers. They are older then I so have traverses they child into adulthood phase. It was a good heartfelt time.

Or reconnected with Luis, whom I start the Camino with weeks ago. We had dinner together. He's got a different schedule then I so I may not see him again.

June 22, 2013. Walking Day 16

Today was a pleasant day with mild temperatures and fairly flat terrain.

I walked with Herman, in photo, one of my Austrailian mates. Had interesting conversation with him, exchanging our personal views of life and worldviews. He's a compassionate humanist, but was willing to listen to my story. He and his brother Mike have affectionately call me St Paul.

It's interesting how pluralists can be so polite and accepting of others (as long as the other doesn't push their position on them). My prayer is that they might see a different Jesus in me and not a religious freak blindly following the institutional line.

June 15, 2013. Walking Day 15

ALMOST HALF WAY THROUGHT! (Time wise)

Today started our as one of our coldest days! It's crazy to think it is the start if summer!

It was a fairly ineventful day and I spent time trying to deepen relationships with the different people in our little band.

June 21, 2013. Walking Day 15

HALF WAY THERE! (Time wise)

Today was the coldest day yet! Go figure for the start of summer!

I spent must of the day deepening relationships with the folks I'm traveling with. It's a process. Must be patient.