The Spanish connection

Two Spanish guys helped out during the Irish trip to El Camino, which I mentioned yesterday. Samuel Palacios (photo above) works with Agape in Barcelona, and he brought along a non-believing friend. One day the two Spaniards were running errands, and Samuel's friend, Dani, asked an interesting question: "Are you different because of your religion? Or is it just something about you?"

Samuel's response was: "If you have observed anything in me that is good or noble, that difference is entirely a result of my relationship with Jesus Christ, and has little to do with anything special about myself". This led into a great conversation about the difference Christ can make in our lives.

This is what the El Camino project is all about. As people bring non-believing friends along, they see the Christian life lived out -- not in a super-spiritual, detached from reality manner, but rather in a very down-to-earth way, amidst sore feet and tired bodies. As day after day rolls by, with everybody carrying heavy packs all day, people can see the difference Christ makes in one's life.

Several El Camino projects will be taking place this month, so be sure to keep them in your prayers.

From Dublin to Spain

Just got word that 15 people from Dublin joined Kate and Kelly Mulholland along the Camino de Santiago in northwestern Spain. They left the fair shores of Ireland on 16 June and journeyed 100 miles along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Chloe Hanan described the trip thus:
Most of our group barely knew each other before we started, but by the time we parted we were like family. The young believers in our midst were encouraged greatly in their faith, and the couple of people who had come as slightly estranged Christians were deeply impacted by the time of community and reflection.

The team also had great conversations about spiritual things with fellow pilgrims-- both in the evenings and along the trail itself.

I'm attaching a photo of the Irish team. Also, here's a wiki with more info on the trail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James

A glass of cold water to those who thirst

Several years ago, some people with Agape Spain bought a cottage in the village of Ligonde, which lays astride the Camino. (I'll refer to the pilgimage route as "The Camino," which means the path, or the street. This is how it is commonly referred to in Spain.)

Depending on the year, thousands of people a day may pass by. Often they are thirsty and hungry, so Agape Spain arranges for people from Agape, as well as churches, to live at the cottage for week long periods and minister to the people who pass by. They offer free water and coffee, and a meal if one arrives at the right time. If a pilgrim arrives early enough in the day, they can sleep at the cottage for free. And the beds and linens are clean and bug-free -- which is not always the case at other places pilgrims sleep!

And, of course, they are available to talk about spiritual things with those who have questions, or are in some way seeking spiritual reality. Many people are interested in knowing more about God -- indeed, even those who begin the trip as an adventure often find their thoughts turning to God.

This week I'll be talking to Rex and Gema Wynn, who are staffing the cottage, and telling you about some of their experiences. Meanwhile, I'm posting some pictures of the cottage, which they call "El Fuente del Peregrino." (The Pilgrim's Fountain).

You can see a Spanish team staffing the cottage, then another photo of a couple of pilgrims (OK, the one on the left is my daughter), and some cows I met along the trail.