SPAIN.
España 🇪🇸
The land of poppies, bull fighting, and tapas.
This summer we began our journey in Northern Spain.
During our time, we had the privilege of volunteering with a couple on the Camino de Santiago in Viana, Navarra, Spain. This couple are long-term workers with Greater Europe Mission (GEM). They own a cafe and food truck focused on serving Camino Pilgrims that are hiking, but also the locals in Viana.
The Camino de Santiago is a 5 week hike across Northern Spain. There are several different routes, but the most popular one is the one we were working on. This pilgrimage is over 800 years old and some even begin the journey from their house. People travel from all over the world to walk the Camino for many different reasons. But most people hike it because they are searching for something deeper than themselves. It is a beautiful opportunity for them to hear that Jesus is the answer to their searching!
We heard stories about people hiking that struggled with addiction, and by the end of the pilgrimage, were free of their addictions. There were people who were hiking because they had recently gone through a divorce, burnt out from work, or just needed a fresh start in life. It was a beautiful opportunity to listen and meet the world at your doorstep.
Pilgrims stop in for a snack at the food truck before their next 10 mile journey. We sat right next to a cottonwood tree and talked and listened to many pilgrims. It was so beautiful.
We made sandwiches and served a ton of drinks. We served in the food truck for two days and it gave us a glimpse of heaven. We met people from Spain, Holland, Germany, USA, Ireland, Mexico, South Korea and so many more. So many nations represented in one area! Most of the people we met are searching for spiritual awakening.
Pilgrims would stop for a snack and a beverage while they massage their feet and rest before the next 10 miles of their journey. We use this opportunity to talk with them and ask questions about their hike. We mention Jesus if we feel nudged by the Holy Spirit or if they ask us about our story. I was extremely surprised by how many people were so open to hear the gospel. The cafe that is connected to the food truck is in the next portion of their journey, and we encourage them to stop by for more hospitality and Jesus conversations.
We were able to visit many cathedrals. Many of them were empty and very dark. This is a spiritual reality of Spain. Mostly all of the countries’ faith is solely based on religion, but there is barely any focus or presence of a relationship with Jesus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is at the center of these churches more than Jesus is.
We came across this cathedral on the top of one of the villages, and we saw these beautiful pink flowers coming out of the stone of the church (pictured). The Lord reminded me in that moment, that He is so capable of bringing life and beauty out of nothing. These flowers were blooming out of nothing but stone.
The church they were growing out of was an empty church, but He is mighty! He can and will bring life back to this land. We believe that He will bring true salvation and relationship back to Spain.
Our last three days in Spain, we had the opportunity to hike part of the Camino and stay in the hostels on the trail. This was such a great experience to meet some pilgrims and get to talk to them about their lives. Sometimes we would get the chance to introduce them to Jesus. This hike was hard, as we did about 10-12 miles the first two days, and 20 miles the third day.
Even though it was hard, it was an amazing experience !
Please pray for the pilgrims and locals specifically that we met this week. Many of them have questions and are so close to giving their life to Jesus. Please pray for those that have already become believers too!
We attended a “Jesus meditation” at one of the hostels we stayed in. There was a German woman who explained that she was hiking the Camino because “life was too noisy”. But she walked the Camino, and for the first time in years, hears the birds sing, the wind blowing through the trees, and was hopeful for a new beginning and something to look forward to in life.
Our friend with GEM began a relationship with her and talked her through the gospel, and three days later this woman gave her life to Christ. Our friend is staying connected with this new believer and looking for a way for her to be discipled in Germany.
This ministry we worked with is truly unique. Evangelizing to the world literally searching for Jesus at their doorstep, while also discipling and building relationships with the locals in Viana. Not to mention long term church formation plus business as mission! Absolutely incredible.
Spain is a beautiful place with really amazing people and culture. Unfortunately, most who claim a religion are Christian by default based on Catholicism, and most of those parishes are empty. We believe that Jesus can bring everlasting joy and life, which is why we go, why we pray, and why we share this good news with people.