Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: for John and Mindy Zoll and their son; personal intentions

Wednesday October 19: Today’s walk as told by Lisa.

As we left the city of Sahagun today, an older woman called to us from across the street, “Buen Camino!” This is pretty common, but then her next statement came, “Are you prepared for the rain?” We laughed, and assured her we have rain gear. Oftentimes in movies there is a foreshadowing of events to come. This was one of those moments, we did not know what waited for us today.

As we began our walk, there was sunshine and fall in the air. We had decided beforehand to take an alternate route, as our hostel was on the southern path. We were not disappointed, as the path had trees painted with the colors of fall to guide our way. The morning sped by as we prayed and sang together, we didn’t see another pilgrim for miles!

We stopped for lunch, and decided to walk with our coats on as the temperature had dropped and there was a definite chill in the air. We prayed the angelius as we left, excited we had only about 5 miles left to walk.

Shortly after leaving, there were some sprinkles as we walked. We excitedly put on our new raincoats we had gotten the night before, as we had recognized our ponchos were not keeping our packs totally covered. We helped each other get them on, making sure we were set. As we started walking, a pilgrim came up behind us, a young man, he was trying to put his raincoat over his pack, but it was stuck. We were glad to help him, he thanked us again and again.

How difficult it is to walk alone. Maybe this is why Jesus sent them out two by two.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:10

How common it is to see another who has fallen down these days and to lecture them on the right way to walk, so as not to fall, or hope that someone else comes along to help them up. But this is not the way.

(Play foreboding music now) And then… the heavens opened up and the rains came. Sideways rain, with winds that actually moved you off the path. Then, I asked Richard, “Is that sleet hitting me, or am I just imagining it?” He confirmed… sleet it was!! It was clear then why there are so many statues with pilgrims clutching their cloaks around them and bracing themselves against the wind. We finished those last miles, cold, wet yet amazingly our hearts warm and full of joy!

We found a hostel where we could get warm, wash and dry our clothes, have a Cafe Con leche, and for dinner even find a vegetarian hamburger! Being vegetarian in Spain has been a challenge on the Camino. This hostel was a refreshing change for our journey. Now to prepare for more rain tomorrow.

Buen Camino 🙏❤️

Today’s pictures can be viewed here. Today’s prayer intentions: for John and Mindy Zoll and their son; personal intentions