Day 64 In Search of hope and grace

Day 64 We too have found a roadway;

it led us to this place.

We all have had to travel in search of hope and grace.

But now beside this water again a voice is heard.

‘“You are my own, my chosen,

beloved of your Lord.”

––Sylvia G. Dunstan 1991 Down Galilee’s Slow Roadways Glory to God Hymnal PCUSA stanza 3

This seemed a very appropriate song to end the reflections for my camino journeys. At the time, however when I was putting my “encouragement for the journey” reflections together I had no way of knowing that the airline was going to cancel my flight home. I had no way of knowing that day 64 would be my day of re-entry into life in the USA and work.

It was a baptism of a sorts. With 2 hours of sleep the two previous nights, a hectic and somewhat frantic experience in the Amsterdam airport, once again with the help of friends I arrived safely and was greeted with much love and affection.

And perhaps the most profound experiences of returning were sitting at breakfast with some of the folks we feed each week and the joy of sharing a simple meal and conversation with them–community. And then trying to help a woman who was homeless get some extra food and some resources and help finding a place to stay.