Newsletter 3

To our dear fellow pilgrims,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have addressed you as ‘fellow pilgrims’ advisedly as we’re all pilgrims on a journey and though Joyce and I will be embarking tomorrow, by air, on the first stage of our Camino we’ve been made very aware that we have many wonderful pilgrims journeying with us in prayer. We had a very special ‘send off’ at both morning services at St Martins on Sunday (Palm Sunday) and we’ve been overwhelmed by the love and prayers showered upon us. Thank you all so very much. Both Joyce and I are deeply grateful and humbled by your prayers, love and support.

Blisters.

On Joyce’s and my last long training walk on Saturday I picked up a blister under my right heel. I was most surprised and a little alarmed as I have walked hundreds of kms in the same pair of Rocky sandals without ever a hint of a blister. I had special prayers for my heel on Sunday at St Martins and have every confidence that the blister will be perfectly healed by the time we tackle the Pyrenees on Friday. As I’ve reflected I’ve asked why and I sense that the Lord was saying; ‘Eric, go humbly and trust in Me and let there be no thought in you that it ‘won’t happen to me’. A salutary warning and Joyce and I have also heeded Tony Toms’ advice to head off to the pharmacy to get more sophisticated blister remedies than we had previously bought. Also, our special package of Karoo lamb’s wool has arrived from Julian and Trish Southey.

Palm Sunday.

Both morning services at St Martin’s on Sunday began with a procession of witness round the church grounds and along the street before returning to the church to continue our worship. It was a very special little pilgrimage for Joyce and me as we felt that we were walking with God’s people on the first part of the Camino and once we land in Spain we’ll just keep on walking carrying the same two palm crosses with us all the way to Finnisterra, knowing that in prayer God’s people continue to walk with us and we with them.

Bags are packed.

Joyce and I completed the packing of our bags last night and apart from a few household chores are ready for our departure on Tuesday. We’re not without a fair amount of apprehension but we’re trusting God to go before us in this great adventure into his love. Wilna Wilkinson in her book on the Camino, ‘The Way of Stars and Stones’ writes; ‘The pilgrimage is about walking the Camino – walking the Way, not about reaching the end. Each moment, each revelation, each day, each encounter, each experience could be regarded as a destination in itself.’(page 230) So, while we’re naturally planning to reach Santiago and Finnisterra Joyce and I want to guard against being so focussed on the destination that we miss the ways in which God wants us to encounter him each day.

Finally.

In the passage of Scripture which I read in my devotions this morning, Paul writing to the Corinthians says; ‘On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.’ (2 Corinthians 1; 10 – 11)

I felt greatly encouraged and blessed as I read those words and felt that I should share them with you.

With love and blessings in Christ Jesus as you, with us, embark on this great adventure.

Eric.