Day 3- Astorga to Foncebadon- 26.3 km

Big Day in many ways. We hiked total 30km today. The plan was 27, but it was 3km to get out of town. We left and 6:05AM. It was chilly and the sun hadn’t risen yet. But we hiked 21km by 11:30! The last 6km were BRUTAL!!! It was uphill and there were moments of very steep inclines. Everyone made it although we were all sore, some peoples feet are in bad shape and now we are all exhausted.

Originally we had planned on going only to Villadangos del camino, but last night decided to go a little further. So that last 6km was to Foncebadon. When we got here, we realized that it’s a SMALL town with only about 20 houses, 10 or which are in ruins, 2 auberges, 1 hotel, and 2 restraunts. Right before we arrived, kate, Galen, Heidi, and Taylor took the last 4 spots in the 1^st auberge. We went to the second and by the time we waited in line they only had 15 beds left!!1 So we took 7 of them. PTL!! However, there was a group of 6 of us that left Astorga at 8AM instead of 6AM. They arrived much later, around 3 or 4PM, instead of 1PM. By the time they got here, we had seen 100s of pilgrims turned away. But they found a place in the hotel for 25euros/person! Expensive, but at least they have a place to sleep.

At one point, I went to their hotel looking for them, but couldn’t understand the girl. I thought she was telling me there wasn’t a hotel there. So I went to the auberge section and found Vy who started to show me where, when we met the same girl and Vy translated. She was saying I couldn’t go up there unless I had paid. Ok!….so then I went down with Vy to the Auberge section to say hey to those of our group there and to have Kate text Katie and tell her Patou and Julie had arrived. Well while I was talking to Kate, before I could get the story out, this SAME girl came into the room. “What is your name!?!” she asked “Courtney” I said. And then she procceded to say the same thing as before in Spanish. So apparently I wasn’t supposed to be in the hotel section OR the auberge section. So I leave the room and in the hall I meet Vy and I tell him the rest of the story to pass on to kate. As I’m mid sentence, the owner guy comes around the corner and yells at me and points to the door! So Vy folloes me outside and I finished the story. I think the girl thought I was being insubbordenant and rude. I just didn’t understand! Lost in Translation!

Along the road today, God and I had a great moment. On the last 6km, I prayed that as I was alone, that God would direct my thoughts. That I wouldn’t spend that time thinking of silly things.

So he directed my thoughts to Phillipians 4:8 “Whatever is pure, knoble…think upon these things.” But I couldn’t remember the verse exactly, so I pulled out my Bible. But I felt God was telling me to start at the beginning. I decided since I was alone, to read out loud and almost immediately I was brought to tears. Man the Word has Power!!! But God gave me a new outlook on Phillipians. He showed it to me not as the reader, but as the writer. Pauls sadness and happiness in his seperation from the Phillipians. His willingness to turn the ministry over to others and his desire to see others succeed in the ministry there, not just him. It was as if I could have written it for my exit from France. I don’t want to leave, but sometimes God’s timing is different than we want it to be. And His is ALWAYS better. I’m not sure that this view of Phillipians was a for sure “You should go home!” but it was definitely a start. I have been asking God to speak and today, he certainly did. Continue to speak Lord!

Quote of the Day:

“With every step, I feel I give a little bit more of myself” –Alice

Prayer:

• Praise:Downhill tomorrow!!
• Feet
• Unity (God is blessing in this area)
• Place to stay
• Continued Direction from God
• Divine Appointments (We are seeing a lot of the same people in the hostels)

Day 2-San Marine to Astorga- 24.7 km

Today was MUCH harder! Probably because it was day 2. There were a few more hills. Yesterday we went 27km and today we went 21. But the hike seemed more challenging. There was also no cloud cover today, where yesterday it was partly cloudy most of the day. We started at 8:30AM and arrived at Astorga at 3PM! We snacked on the way, but there was no good place to stop for lunch. Surprisingly, I was not hungry when we arrived. We ate pizza and pasta at 3:30 in one of the plazas after finding a room. We went to San Javier first, but when I told him 18 people, he said “no, no” however, other people were given rooms after us. So we think if we had gone in small groups we would have gotten a room. Oh well. We back tracked to the entrance of the town and there we got a room. We are all staying in a large dorm style room. The name is Siervas de Maria.

I think in the future for dinner we need to not eat at a restraunt right when we enter a town, but instead, wait til dinner time, buy stuff at a market, and make dinner. There are several people here cooking and eating together, but we have already eaten. As I said before, we aren’t meeting a lot of people along the trail, but in the auberges. Myriam and her group is in our auberge, so I got to talk to them again while they cooked.

Still no revelations as to what I’m supposed to do in 2 months. But every day I am away from Marseille ,it gets easier to see myself moving. I need to release myself to His will. Even if its not my preference.

Several people are having REAL problems with their feet. All of us are sore in one way or another, but Alice and Suzanne have HUGE blisters on their feet. This auberge has a foot doctor so I know Suzanne is going to see them and she might end up staying a few days to rest.

Also, we had 4 people join us today. They met us at the castle which was a great meeting place. Tomorrow we only have 20km to walk but I m afraid that some people have already decided NOT to do the 32 km the next day. Its going to be hard and I will do it, but I’m not sure everyone wants to.

Prayer:

• Feet and muscles
• Unity
• Divine appointments
• Wisdom in intentionality
• Leadership for future
• Morale boost

Day 1- Leon to San Martin-27.2 km

Today we started our journey. We left Leon at 8AM and headed toward Villadangos del Pamaro. That was 22km away and to our surprise, we reached the town by around noon. The path reminded me a lot of AZ. Brown, kinda flat, bushes. We had great conversation as a group, but we didn’t come along too many other pilgrims along the way. Today was Sunday so when we reached Villadangos we found a “Banederia” which was a snack shop and decided it was our only option for food. They had bread, chorizo, cheese, empenadas, and fruit. The peach I got was GLORIOUS!! So for 2,72 euros, I had a cheese sandwich and 2 peaches!

We reached Villadangos in such good timing, that we decided to go on to the next town, San Martin. We pushed on even though personally I could feel the tension in my muscles. I also got a cramp in my side. But after a few minutes of deep breathing, it went away.

When we reached San Martin, the auberge Santa Ana, was about 100m up the main road. We had called ahead from Villadangos to make sure they had room and they let us reserve rooms. We spent the afternoon reading, sleeping, showering, stretching, and eating. Just relaxing. We had an incident with the showers and half the girls ended up taking cold showers!

For dinner we ate “Tortillas” it’s a Spanish dish that is like a huge omelet with potatoes, egg, and ours had green pepper. Also we had salad and bread. All that for 1,44 euros!! It was VERY filling.

After dinner I went to the back of the auberge to check my laundry I had hung. My towel dries SO fast! Its crazy. While I was out there I noticed a girl soaking her foot in the canal that passes thru. Her name was Myriam and she was German. She was walking the path with her sister and 2 friends. It was cool to talk to her and hear her story. She has been on the trail 9 days now.

I was also surprised at how friendly everyone is along the trail. Passing cars honk and passing bikers or walkers say “Bien camino!” I’m not TOO sore, but my muscles are sore. Will need to stretch in the morning!

Prayer:

• Myriams foot, its hurt and swollen
• Divine appointments
• Unity in group/positive attitudes
• Ears to hear
• Eyes to See
• Safety and Strength

My Camino- Trek TO the Starting line

8/8/09

Today was a LONG travel day. We woke up at 5:30AM this morning to leave London from Stanstead Airport. We flew to Madrid, Spain where using the metro, we went to the Charmarin train station. While we (Katie, Tisha, Jason, and myself) were eating, Darby and Del joined us. The train was an adventure. Spanish people speak MUCH louder than the French. Also, someone threw-up on our car! We had to switch cars because it smelt SO bad!

After 4 1/2 hours on the train, we made it to Leon. Jake, Suzanne, Esther, and Jeanette had found a hostel, so we joined them and then Vy and Alice (friends of Tisha and Jason) joined us for dinner at Dominoes. LOTS of carbs for tomorrow. I’m now waiting for Kate and Galen to call. They got in later and don’t have keys.

Mood: TIRED….ALREADY!!!!

Requests:

• Energy
• Unity
• A heart willing to listen
• Divine Appointments
• Deep Sleep

My Camino- Last day in Germany

8/7/09

Today we are leaving Germany to head for an overnight stay in London. We’re gonna get some good American type food before we head on the Camino.

Everyone seems pretty anxious and there are several people that don’t think they’re gonna be able to complete the whole thing. My pack weights 10kg but that is with my shoes and Katie’s shoes inside. So hopefully some of the weight is because of the shoes.

I REALLY want to complete the whole thing. 13-19 miles each day is going to be hard. But I’m really excited. I’ve decided I’m going to keep a positive attitude and not complain. I know my legs will be sore and I might get a headache, but I want this to be a great memory and a positive experience. I’m praying that God helps me keep a good attitude even if those around me are negative.

Mood: Excited

Requests:

• To stay positive
• Divine appointments
• Open eyes to see these
• Discernment and understanding with other Americans and hikers
• Unity within the group
• Safety
• Health (a few others have colds already)

My Neighborhood....MY neighborhood....my home

I had a realization the other day that "Centre Ville" Marseille has become MY neighborhood. I was walking home from lunch and along "Rue d'Italie", my street, I was able to say hello to 4 people that I recognized on the street! Store owners, friends, and restraunt owners.

When you first move to a new place, whether it be a new neighborhood, a new state, or a new country, you can feel really lost. I know that when I moved here, knew no one, and didn't speak the language, I had moments where I felt very alone. Being a person who surrounds herself with friends and family, I was a little sad to find myself home on a friday night with nothing to do and no one to call! But how happy I am now to realize that I can walk down my street and see people that I know and who know me!

Also, the lady at the cafe where we hold English Club, which is right around the corner from my house "bisoued" me the other day. A "Bisou" is a kiss on each cheek. This is the way you greet friends or friends of friends. One day I dropped in to the cafe just to say hello and she stopped her work to come say hello and give me a bisou! It made be really excited!! The sign of acceptance was so COOL!

I am so blessed that even though God brought me here to a place where I know no one, he has brought so many people in to my life and Marseille has become my home.

I'm Sorry....WHAT?!?

Ok, so sometimes when you are in a different place, you see things that don't quite make sense to you. Well try this....

As I was passing a pub that is right down the street,
I saw a man who was already inside,
come to the front door,
crack it,
lean outside,
light his cigarette,
and then walk back inside to exhale a large puff of smoke!

Isn't the point of going outside to smoke the cigarette? not just to light it? And why didn't he just light it inside?

Guess I'll never know! haha

To Yahweh

In January, I went to a conference in Germany and was able to share some stories with other people who are doing jobs very similar to mine. It is always very encouraging to hear others struggles and victories and hear how similar they are to your own. But I thought this was one of the more interesting stories....enjoy.

A couple of our friends, also living in France, have recently been meeting a lot of new friends. During a discussion with one of their new friends his tattoo came up. He has a tattoo on his forearm that in Hebrew says "To Yahweh" which he explained means "Belonging to God".

The new friend turned to my friends wife and asked "Does that bother you?"

"Excuse me?" She was a little confused cause she had never been asked that question.

"Does that bother you that his tattoo says he belongs to someone else? Shouldn't it say he belongs to You?"

Hmmm, So I ask...

Who do you belong to?