by Marco Güete
After 36 hours of travel, three flights, and a train ride from Lisbon, we arrived in Porto physically tired but filled with anticipation. We had not even begun walking, yet we were already learning our first spiritual lesson: the Camino requires patience before it asks us for strength.
We began our pilgrimage in Labruge. We soon discovered that the distance would be 247 kilometers—seventeen more than we had calculated. During the first stage, we also took a wrong turn: we walked two kilometers in the wrong direction and then another two to return. Those four extra kilometers taught us that not every effort moves us forward, but even detours can become teachers.
Since then, Sandra and I have crossed beaches, forests, mountains, ancient streets, and modern cities. We have experienced scorching sun, fog, strong breezes, and cold. Our backpacks are already faded by the sun and somewhat worn, as if they too were making their own Camino. Almost every day, when we arrive tired at our lodging, we still have the task of washing our clothes waiting for us. Our bodies ask for a bed, but our clothes ask for water and soap. The pilgrim’s life also has its domestic liturgies.
Our feet have grown tired, and our legs have protested, but we have learned to respect each other’s pace. Walking as a couple does not mean always moving at the same speed; it means waiting, accompanying, encouraging, and recognizing when the other person needs to rest.
We have also discovered that love is expressed through simple gestures: sharing water, adjusting a backpack, offering a word of encouragement, or placing a wildflower in Sandra’s hat. On the Camino, marriage becomes a pilgrimage within another pilgrimage.
God has also spoken to us through strangers. Pilgrims from different countries have shared their stories with us. Some local residents have shown us the way when the yellow arrows disappeared. As we were leaving Vigo, a man walked four blocks beside us to make sure we returned to the correct trail. His gesture reminded us that God’s providence often has the face of someone who chooses to stop and accompany us.
We have crossed the Miño River in a small boat, rested our legs in the cold waters of the Atlantic, and embraced trees while giving thanks for their shade. We have also laughed at our mistakes, because the spirituality of the Camino is not separate from a good sense of humor.
Now we are drawing closer to our goal of reaching Santiago de Compostela. We are walking to support Hispanic Ministries, but also to allow God to continue working in us. We are deeply grateful to those who have been praying for our well-being and for this mission. Their prayers are also traveling the Camino with us, reminding us that we need God, that we need one another, and that we need those who choose to walk alongside us.
Marco Güete
Marco Güete is the Leadership Minister for Florida for Mosaic Conference.
Mosaic values two-way communication and encourages our constituents to respond with feedback, questions, or encouragement. To contact Marco Güete, please email mguete@mosaicmennonites.org.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.
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