June 12, 2013. Walking Day Six
Today's walk has taken me to the pueblo called Los Arcos. It turned out to be a fairly easy 20KM, which took around 5 hours to cover. Today was also the first "hot" day, reaching 26 degrees Celsius. This really isn't hot, but in comparison to what we've been having it "felt" hot!
I've been spending most of my time with Jesus Mariano. He is from Basque country and fairly reserved. So I've not pushed him into conversations about matters of faith. Rather, I've chosen to be patient and wait on the Holy Spirit to direct the conversation. (That doesnt mean that I don't take opportunities when they are presented.)
So today I figured was a day to depend our friendship as I look for "open doors." Patience and discernment!
Flashback: Last night I received a call from Luis, whom I have mentioned earlier. He was staying in the town of Villamayor de Mondéjar and told us when we passed through there was a 12 C. church we just had to stop and see. So we did.
I've seen dozens of old churches over my 16 years in Europe and am getting kind of numb by them. This church, la Iglesia San Andrés, outside of being old was not too spectacular. But inside I felt compelled to kneel on one of the prayer bars and pray. Part of me felt conscincious of the act of piety, but I went ahead and did it. As I prayed I asked to be used today, as my Scotish friend said, a link in the chain of someone's spiritual journey. And we left to continue on the way.
Not more than 15 minutes passed when I encountered a Canadian-Korean music professor who opened herself up to me in an obviously divine appointment. after sharing what my purpose in Spain was (help people grow in their faith through the study if God's Word) she shot both barrels and said she didn't believe the Bible. Over the next two hours she poured out her life story and I interjected questions and commentaries about my story which all linked to Jesus.
A seed was planted. Time will tell if a new life will sprout.
The photo is of the trail as I walked with my new friend. Sometimes the journey looks long and barren. But we're never alone if Jesus is our guide!