24/08/2026
The below piece from one of our dear clients who walked the Camino de Santiago with her family this past July.
Very inspiring read.
The Way of the Lord
Buen Camino – May your pilgrimage go well. May you have strength for the road ahead. May you have meaningful encounters. May you find joy in every step. May your heart be open to whatever the Lord wants to teach you. May every step of your life’s journey bring you closer to His peace, renewal, clarity, and truth.
My husband, our youngest daughter, Lea, and I recently walked the Camino de Santiago—the Way of St James, one of Jesus’ closest disciples.
Many of you may remember that about a year ago we had the privilege of sharing Lea’s testimony at one of the Wingerd evenings. We spoke about her long and difficult journey through anorexia and the devastating effects of an eating disorder. By God’s grace, Jesus performed a miracle and brought complete healing to her body, mind, and soul.
During the darkest days of her illness, we made a promise to the Lord that one day, when Lea was completely healed and strong enough, we would walk the Camino together. It would be our pilgrimage of thanksgiving—a journey in honour of a life restored and in gratitude to our Healer.
This past July, that promise became reality.
We walked 116 kilometres over six days through the breathtaking countryside of northern Spain, from Sarria to Santiago.
Ladies, it truly felt as though we were walking on holy ground—following a path where generations of pilgrims, inspired by the Gospel, have walked before us in pursuit of Christ.
One phrase stayed with us throughout the Camino:
“The Camino does not give you what you want; it gives you what you need.”
Isn’t that also true of our walk with the Lord?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:11)
After months of preparation—planning, training, and preparing physically, emotionally, and spiritually—the Lord revealed His way to us in ways we could never have imagined. He truly is our Miracle Worker, Way Maker, and Promise Keeper.
For each day of our pilgrimage, I chose a word and a Scripture to guide us:
* Day 1 – Trust (Proverbs 3:5–6) – 22 km
* Day 2 – Gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:18) – 25 km
* Day 3 – Joy (Nehemiah 8:10) – 14 km
* Day 4 – Hope (Isaiah 40:31) – 15 km
* Day 5 – Promise (Deuteronomy 31:6) – “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – 20 km
* Day 6 – Strength (Psalm 28:7) – 20 km
Along the way—as in life—we laughed, talked, reflected, lived, enjoyed, testified, worshipped, sang, shared meals, prayed, learned, and grew.
As a family we have always stood together through life’s trials, but on this journey we experienced something even deeper. We walked as three pilgrims, guided by the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as our compass.
The Camino taught each of us something different about God’s way and about our own individual journeys.
The Camino is life-changing, but it is not a race. It is not about achievement; it is about inner transformation.
These are some of the lessons the Lord impressed on our hearts:
* Trust Me in the process.
* Allow Me to light your way. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
* When you look back and see only one set of footprints, remember—I was carrying you.
* You are safe to be vulnerable at My feet.
* Every uphill has a purpose. You cannot reach the beautiful valleys without first climbing the mountains.
* Whether you are walking through joy, hardship, illness, healing, or uncertainty, I am with you in every season. I am your Healer, your Protector, and your Strength.
One of the greatest rewards of the Camino came after the steepest climbs. With aching feet and weary legs, every difficult ascent was rewarded by breathtaking views of Spanish vineyards, rolling hills, and the beauty of God’s magnificent creation.
It reminded me that our hardest climbs in life often reveal God’s most beautiful vistas.
The words of the worship song stayed with me throughout our pilgrimage:
“I love You, Lord… Your goodness is running after me.”
As you go about your own journey this week, perhaps reflect on the six words that guided our Camino:
Trust. Gratitude. Joy. Hope. Promise. Strength.
May they guide not only your daily walk, but your lifelong walk with Christ.
In our busy and often uncertain lives, He remains our one true constant.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Buen Camino, pilgrims of God.
