Vilafranka

Well today I walked 8 km and ended up in Vilafranka. I saw the mountains and said STOP!  What a beautiful place nestled in the mountains. One thing that is nice about the Camino is that you can stop anytime you want. So I will look at the mountains and climb tomorrow. 

Two friends of mind have invited me into there family and to climb a few peaks. So tomorrow we will take the alternative. That is why I trained and it will be a full day of mountains and climbing.  

Today is Sunday and Spain is very quiet in Sunday. I love resting on Sunday's.  But I miss my honey Kathy and my family. Hard day but I will see her soon. 

This separation has helped me to appreciate her so much. Miss you honey!

Well I need to go stare at a mountain. 

Thanks for praying!

Bill

Snoring

Well I have been walking for 3 plus weeks and there has not been a night(unless I am in hotel) where someone doesn't snore. Most Alberguie are only 5 Euro. You get a bed, shower and 15-20 other people sharing bunk beds. It is amazing that Spain provides such cheap housing but you can't without proving you walked, biked or ride a horse.  The horse comes before the bikes!

The first night I thought wow that was loud. Kathy and I don't snore.   One night I had surround sound. Three people around me. One night there was only one bear and kept everyone else awake.  Quite the experience. 

It is easy to allow the simple things like snoring keep you from enjoying the Camino.  

So each morning we determine not to let others distract us from the goals we have set. 

Today we are staying in a room with three people.  No snoring. Tomorrow we climb Vilafranka.  It will be breath taking people tell me. 

Tomorrow as you gather for worship I hope the Lord blesses you with his presence.  I hope to be on top of a mountain praying for you !

Thanks for praying.  We should be in Santiago a week from Monday. 185 km to go!

Praying with you,

Bill

Cruz de Ferro

Well today was a special day on the Camino. We have the opportunity to walk up to the highest elevation and place a stone from home at the cross. It was incredible to place a burden down at the cross. 

I choose to drop the hurts, habits and hang ups of my special family ALCC. It was a personal and powerful moment. Then I took time to drop something from my life.  Wow! Then two other pilgrims hug me in the state of brokenness. Very special moment.  

You really aren't along on the Camino.  We are here to support each other on the journey.  

Perhaps today you have something you have carried long enough. Give it to Jesus.  Very freeing moment for me. Then I walked in the mountains for hours.  

Thanks for reading this blog and praying for me. We are about 215 km away.  

Walking with you today in the love of PAPA!  

Bill

Turtle

Amazing what happens with your reputation on the Camino. A number of days ago, someone called me a turtle because I go slow with few breaks. One day the turtle beat the hare at the end of the day. Now people say that is Bill from Canada,..strong turtle!

Today the turtle climbed another rock filled mountain. I beat the hare but it wasn't a race.  I gave some thought to being a turtle. Steady and consistent 

As I was climbing I thought of those times I wish I was more steady and consistent. I would have moved less, listen more to God than people and remained focus. Climbing 5 km straight up almost killed me but the turtle made it!

I like being a turtle.  

What about you?

Turtling along the Camino!

Enjoy these views! Tomorrow we are at highest elevation. A cross is there. Hope to video tape. 

Thanks for praying. Shin splints are quiet! 

Wow, thanks PAPA! 240 km to go!

Bill

Love

Well today I walked 33 km. I ventured off and ended up by the hi way.  I was unsure what I did but kept walking. So I thought I cant get lost or Kathy will tease me to no end. 

Then some bikes came up and I asked.  Officially they said no I wasn't lost but on the original Camino. I learnt that the each year the trail can change. Nobody told me!

So 33 km later I am in Astronga.  What a beautiful little city. The atmosphere on the Camino is always celebratory. Glad to be done for another day and good to be with friends!

Today I was overwhelmed thinking of all the support of so many. A loving family, caring church and many men across Canada. Most of all I was moved by the distint love of God. 

Then it hit me, I am never lost!

Thanks for praying!

Grateful for you and your love,

Bill

Cycles

Well I am two weeks away from seeing Kathy in Santiago!  Over the last three weeks I have experienced knee pain on my left, a blister on my left toe, right shin splint problem, then right thigh again. Today it is back to my left thigh.  The cycle is complete!

Feels like a bad Charlie horse.  This is one cycle I am not enjoying. Please pray! 

As I walked I thought of all the people over the years who have helped me break cycles in my life. Kathy has been my gift from God to help me to be the man I am. Many men have stepped up to and for this I am grateful.  But I want to thank my church ALCC. 

When I arrived 12 years ago, a number of people have played huge roles. Through the ministry and in particular Celebrate Recovery, many cycles have been broken. 

When you take a pilgrimage like the Camino, it gives you lots of time to think and appreciate the value of God working in your life.  I am not the man I was when I first discovered Christ and don't want to be after my walk.  

Just before I left, I worked a conference by Promise Keepers Canada called Fearless. I discovered I was living with the fear of failure. Something broke that day. On the Camino, I have determined not to let this destructive behaviour return.  

My brother Nikalos has supported me from Sweden. He listens and holds me up when I need someone to hear my heart. Blessed!

So grateful for Kathy and so many to help me to be a better man of God.  

In PAPAs hands limping along!

Thanks for praying!

Bill

Leon

Well today I am resting my body and going to soak in a tub.  It is great to rest after about 500 km.  According to one sign, we are 307 km to Santiago! It is hard to believe but my body tells me another. 

As I arrived into Leon, people were getting out of church. They were celebrating a special religious holiday. I ended up in a parade. That was random! 

Leon is beautiful and very warm. Just what I needed before we start climbing mountains again in a day or so. 

My friend Nikalos told me we are doing 27.7 km a day. Did I mention I am tired! So we hope to slow down. Kathy arrives in 16 days. Plenty of time to walk another 307.  Never thought I'd ever say that!

One thing I do love is the way pilgrims all seem to connect. A lot of us went through the Cathedral built in 1300  and thought how did they build this?

One pilgrim from Kamloops told me that there wife and prayer group was lifting me up in prayer. That was cool. 

I have grown to appreciate all your prayers or I would not be in Leon!

Have a great Monday!

Bill

Amy Holbrough

Well today I walked for my wife Kathy Sister in law Amy. Amy is one of the most loving people I know. She is fighting MS and currently in a wheelchair. But she always smiles and is very positive.  

She encourages me on the Camino and today I prayed to have love like Amy.  She is simply a remarkable person who demonstrates the love of God in beautiful ways.  Her hubby Aaron with there children Dakota and Brooklyn are so wonderful. 

As I walked 24 km, I asked God to surround me with His love like he does Amy. A very special moment.  At that point I sang and sang.  No one around for KMS.  good thing!   Then I realized PAPA was singing over me and Amy. It was a very cool moment.  

Walking the Camino is one of the most painful experiences but it is life giving with God beside you.  I am not only blessed to have PAPA with me but family like Amy's. 

Thanks Amy for encouraging me all these years. Today PAPA sings over us!

Buen Camino!

Bill

Rest and Hotel

Well I am feeling so much better today! Yesterday I wanted to go home so badly. Being cold, tired and sick from Pilgrim Mel's was enough for me to quit. But the Lord always helps. 

I ended up rooming with Nikolas from Sweden and found a great Cafe. I had a grill cheese sandwich and kit kat.  Plus a towel for the hotel.  You don't realize how much you miss the little things in life until you back pack ACCROSS Spain. 

Exploring the heart of God yesterday left me changed. He showed me something I will never forget.  

Have you ever wanted something badly and then you get it and realize Opps, as I didn't know. Let's just say yesterday was a big OPPS!

Well that is it for now. They sleep in the afternoon here and I am going to try it!

Bill

Long Road

Well today I walk an old Roman road. It was long, flat and boring.  But it was a time where I was thinking of quitting. I thought of taking a bus, aircraft or rent a car.  Just let me off this road. 

Suddenly I had a profound talk with the Lord. Too personal to share but let's say that if this was the only one, it would be worth the walk. 

I was warned that this part of the Camino would be tough. Was it ever.  

Your prayers are having a profound effect on me. Thank you!

Well my shins and feet are growing. I think they are going to divorce me after this. Sunday would be a good day to take off. Should be in Leon about 300 km away. 

They tell me part of the experience on the Camino is walking in pain.  Seems everyone is at this point. 

Well thanks for praying my friends. 

Buen Camino

Bill 

Gods Provision

Well I am at the half way point and very grateful for Gods provision. As you know I had to take a day to rest a shin splint. After the mountain/hill climb, it was back at full force this morning. 

So off to Frostica I went and found a small pharmacy.  The gentlemen spoke perfect English. He sold me pain relief. Then a tenser.  Then a Creme he made.  All for 22 Euro!  Within 20 minutes no pain! Sitting here after 30 km and no pain.  

Grateful that God stirred me to this man as he did with the blister situation. All but gone now.  

It has a great day and a nice quiet hostel :)

I am so spoiled after 400 km.  Only 400 to go.  Feel so freed up from so much stuff. What will happen over the next 400? 

I think the best is to come!

Thanks for praying!

Bill

God's Presence

Today was a great day in that I was reminded of something I forgot. I was thinking about my role at PKC and started to pray for the Team and all the volunteers. I am so blessed to be a part of such a great ministry to men. 

As I was walking the other day, two men from different parts of the world started to tease me like the men I work with. It shocked me a little but I realized how Gods presence was there with us. Just like in Canada. 

My point?

Gods will is not dependant on position but where his presence leads us. Suddenly I was in front of so much wheat.  It reminded me of the men of Canada. Truly the harvest is plentiful.  

I am grateful to play a small part and God plays the LARGE part.  Hope this makes sense.  

So reach out to God because He is reaching out to you. 

Funny thing, as I took an hour to climb another very large hill, I was reminded again, God can do great things if we are willing to let him use us. 

Grateful to have this time with our Lord!

Thanks for Praying!

Bill

Slow Down

Well today I am resting a shin splint. Someone told me before I left, listen to your body.  I am!  Yesterday I walked for 21 km in pain.  So early this morning the Lord told me to stop and stop trying to keep up with others. 

The wonderful thing about the Camino is you meet a new group of people everyday.  I hope to see some dear friends in Santiago but if not, there is Facebook later.  I have met so many wonderful people and amazed how they have become like family!7

The Camino is so safe.  I am in a hostel that is so warm and comfortable. Perfect place to stop, reflect and rest.  Perfect! So glad the Lord directed me here.  

So grateful for all the support and prayers.  You have carried me 40 per cent of the way or 320 km. Only 480 km to go. Did I say Only?  

Thanks for praying again and keeping me in your thoughts! The picture is signed byMartin Sheen!

With much love,

Bill

Marathon

What a great day today. 42 km later and I am in Burgos. What a beautiful city and very warm people. Spain is a wonder to behold. 

Today I was brought to a cross on top of a large climb of large rocks. The view was overseeing Burgos about 20 km in the distance.  Looking at the piles of rocks reminded me of those things that get in the way of my life. So I took a rock, named it and placed it at the cross.  

Then later in the day as I walked through a park towards the cathedral, it was hard to believe that a huge city was behind those bushes.  

I only have one picture today because the phone died.  When you pay 5 euro for a bed and a shower, there isn't always wifi and power.  Welcome to Spain.  

Anyway my friends, thanks for reading. Resting tomorrow being Sunday. Really miss being at ALCC.  No place like home.  

Thanks for praying!

Bill

Little things

Today was a cold blustery day. When I left this morning it was 5:35 am or 11:35 pm your time. It was chilly. 

The verse of scripture that popped up in my mind was familair. Proverbs 3:5-6.  I had a sense that Abba was saying I am walking with you each step of the way. 

It was reassuring because it is easy to get lost but assuring to know your not alone !

Today is like a reunion of sorts. I am seeing people I have not seen in over 100 or so kms.  It is strange because your excited to see them and happy they made it this far.  So thankful for the little things. 

My right leg cramped up badly and my friend Richard said drink more water. Wow, the pain came down quickly. So thankful. 

I lost my wind breaker and someone is carrying it to me.  It will show up. Another little thing. 

Safety and protection around this walking community. I never thought I could be so comfortable.  God is there and he has brought me to a new family!

Well I need a nap! Someone rattled the walls last night with snoring. The ladies are the worst so far!  Sorry ladies!

Thanks for praying.  Lots of hills tomorrow!

Grateful,

Bill

Food

Some of you have asked about food on the Camino. Well you can get quite a variety but my favorite is the pilgrim meal each night. 

You can have pasta or salad or soup? Guess what I get Kathy? Then it can be fish, steak or veal like last night. Then Ice Cream, fruit or Flan. 

But I love the cafe latte.  The lady just made fresh croissants this morning and forget the picture it was gone! Wow it was full of butter and melted in your mouth. 

On a personal note, I was climbing a smaller 4 km hill (did I just say that?) and started thinking about my Mother in Law Betty. She passed a few years ago. I kept hearing her last words to me.  "I love you Bill" On the Camino you have lots of time to pray, think and remember. So thankful to have such a Godly Mom in Law.  Missed and thinking of her on the Way!

Well time to do laundry by hand!

Thanks for praying!

Bill