Blessings Through Raindrops

Day 14 Redondela to Pontevedra 20.4km

Stopped at a cafe after walking for about 2 hours (because it was raining the entire time and we wanted a dry spot) and met some people from the USA who knew someone on our squad.

 

Passed over a beautiful bridge. 

 

While walking Ashley was singing and a lady stopped us and told her she was filled with joy.

 

Rested our feet at a church where we got to stamp our books.

 

A nice lady at a hardware store let us use the bathroom.

 

The albergue is so homey.

 

What God Had Me Work Through Today:

Seeing the blessings through the rain: There was still so much to be thankful for and I prayed a lot today.  It literally rained ALL day. We especially prayed that a man we met last night would be at one of the albergues that our group was at and that he would accept Christ.  Guess what?!! Intercession works and we have a fellow believer!  He’s done the Camino 16 times… but his favorite day on the Camino our of all those years was the other night.  Wished I would have been there to see it, but glad I could intercede. 

 

 

Day 15 Pontevedra 0km rest day

Hung out at a cafe and shared with Mads all God has been doing through me on the Camino

 

Spent the day relaxing and resting

 

Had a conversation with another pilgrim at the hostel about religion. 

 

Saw a rainbow

 

Saw a cathedral and on the way home ran into a man who heard us talking English.  I turned around and we started having a conversation with him.  He was a believer as well and was staying to learn English. We encouraged him to be a light.

 

Played cards with Jen and John

 

Talked to some Italians

 

What God Had Me Work Through Today:

cafe: I get so distracted at cafés! But God used it for good today to talk to all the ladies from the squad that we met up with, which led to great conversations. 

Day 16 Pontevedra to Armenteira  22km

Prayed in the morning with the group. Took a picture with our Italian friends and “G” watched us pray and share encouraging words. 

 

Beautiful day with hardly any rain. 

 

Sat by the bay and enjoyed the sunshine on our faces!!

 

Worship to end the night. 

 

 

What God Had Me Work Through Today:

Encourager.When I knew it was going to be a tough day, I just felt like I was supposed to stay near the end at times and bring up the rear.  

Day 17 Armenteira to Villanova de Arousa 24km

 

We shared a word, sang a song, then headed out in the pouring rain.

 

We came to a part in the path where we could cross a bridge or keep going down the other path. I looked at the other path and it seemed to get narrow and looked almost impassable. We crossed the bridge and started going down that path and decided we better pull up the map and take a look.  This path ended a bit down the way and the other kept going. So, we turned around. Isn’t that like life? “Enter the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14. Sometimes, it’s ok to make the unpopular choice, sometimes it’s ok to be called out for being “too good”.  If you are following the example of Christ, life isn’t always going to be easy and the way might not be popular. 

 

The river was raging with such force. It was stunning!!

 

We passed a tree at one point that was still rooted, but bent way over. My thoughts immediately went to “i hope I’m that rooted in Christ.  The storms of life and hardships of this world might push you down, but if your foundation is in Christ and you are firmly rooted, you still have a fighting chance.  You might be bent, but not destroyed.  Where is your firm foundation? Is it in the Lord or something else?! Plant your roots in Christ and let him be the foundation for your life. Be strong in your faith, just as you were taught. And be grateful. Col. 2:7

 

The sun came out after a few hours and we had lunch in a bench, dried out our feet, wrinkled feet, and let the sun shine on our faces. Another blessing!

 

Walked over a bridge and was able to look out on the bay…. gorgeous!!

 

The cheap municipal albergue was closed so we had to choose one 3 times that price… but there was free laundry and the lady who owned it is a gem! 

 

Had popcorn with Mads, Whitney, and Ash to end our 15 mile day.

 

What God Had Me Work Through Today:

Wet and cold socks, feet, and hands: It poured the first few hours. We were walking by a river so there were tons of puddles.  The hard days always make you pray more… for no new blisters, warmth, that your rain gear would work, etc., etc., 

 

We might have walked through a lot of rain the past few days… but God’s Blessings can still be found through the raindrops and the hardest times.