Ponferrada Hospitaleras and Beyond

You may remember that our friends, Tom and Bette, made us some beautiful hearts to give to Pilgrims who need an boost, or a shot of encouragement.  Well, here are a few stories of where some of these hearts have landed.  You already know of Florian from Romania.  Here are some others.  Enjoy!

The Two Nuns

A few days ago, a nun came to register here.  She told us that she was walking with another nun who had fallen and injured herself and was taken to the hospital.  Several hours later, the injured nun was brought here to join her Sister.  The following morning, the injured Sister was feeling better but was not able to hike.  Her Sister, the first nun who came to us, went out for a while on the trail, then returned. From that point, both nuns talked with many other Pilgrims, encouraging them, telling stories, praying with some, and  helping around the albergue until their car arrived to take them back to the convent in Madrid where they live.  They touched the lives of many people with their love and kindness.  They each received a heart ❤️.

Gregor

He ended his Camino this day to return home to start a new job.  He spent his afternoon and evening here talking to anyone he saw who was sore or limping, anyone who looked sad or lonely, etc.  He made his dinner and shared it with latecomers.  He talked to Pilgrims the next morning to encourage them in their efforts on the trail ahead. He gave of himself freely.  He said that previous experiences on the Camino taught him to be kind and helpful.  He left to return to Denmark late that morning.  And he took a ❤️ with him.

Vasyl

Vasyl is from Ukraine, and he and his family have endured great hardships the past few years.  He arrived limping and hurting in his feet and legs.  Blisters were an issue.  But he was persevering.  He was positive, kind, and helpful to everyone.  He received a ❤️ for his inner strength and perseverance in the face of turmoil most will never know.  He brought us a large box of cookies the next morning before he left to continue his Camino.

Victor

Victor is from Brazil and arrived here two days ago.  He was very sore and had an injury to a foot.  He ultimately went to a doctor and was told to rest for a few days with no walking.  Today he is better, but still not able to hike. His friends he was traveling with had gone on, but Victor opted to wait another day or two before taking a bus to catch up with his friends.   He remains in good spirits and is in touch with his friends who have gone ahead.  He said there will be a great reunion in a couple days when they are all back together and hopefully able to finish the Camino as a group.  He sees this interruption in his plans as a detour, not an end.  What an attitude!  And we get to enjoy Victor until he gets on that bus to reunite with his friends!  Victor loves his ❤️.

Karen

As it happens, Karen lives less than 20 miles from me in Arizona.  Her mother and sister arrived here and told us that Karen would be coming later.  She was seeing the second doctor in the last few days to tend to a foot and ankle injury.  When she arrived, she was in great spirits and very confident that she could finish the Camino, even if finishing was to be different than she imagined. She realized that you don’t have to walk every step to Santiago.  If she needed to take a train or a bus for a few days, that would not diminish her experience here. She now has a ❤️ in her pocket.

Eda

Eda was from Croatia, alone. She almost literally sank into a chair at the registration desk, looking as others, dusty & disheveled, but even more exhausted. When I asked, as she trudged behind me to her assigned bunk, she said she had left that a.m. from Acebo, about 20 km or 13 miles. Most of it is a steep downhill covered in rocks. She just looked so DONE. When I saw her again at breakfast, she looked so much better. As she laced up her boots, I told her so. I opened her hand & put a heart in it, & said “Lo vas a hacer”-“you’re going to make it”. She teared up, clutched it to her heart & we hugged. She only has 210 km to go (about 130 miles).

Ben

A young man from Belgium, very tuned into everyone around him &

even us “hospies”. I ended up in a conversation with him that evening about The Way (Camino), living life as it comes, seeking & finding ourselves, community. He was so insightful for this 70 yr. old, I felt renewed hope for the world – with Ben in it. 

We have saved a few hearts to give on our final two days here at St. Nicolas de Flue.