Touchdown Madrid

Views: 1091

On the plan I met Wilking who sat next to met. Of course I asked if he had any physical problems. Anyone who really knows me know that I like to pray for others.
And the back problem he had was much better after some short prayers.
He was so kind to follow me to the Metro and took the time to explain which line to take. Very difficult to find the way. Thank you Wilking! Have your friend in Gothenburg to contact me will ya?

After check in at Toc Hostel, about 2 minutes from Puerta del Sol, I meet up with Sori and German.
Sori is spanish and German is ukrainian. It was the first time we met but I tell you, I never in my life find it so easy to get along with people, especially born again christians.

If you don’t know what the term “born again” means, you really need to find out. Because no one who isn’t born again in God’s Spirit will see the kingdom of God. If you call yourself catholic or christian and still don’t know, my advice to you is to google the term or better yet; open up the Bible.

After a short introduction we went directly “to work”. We met some drunken norwegians but despite that we had some good conversations and mutual understanding. 

As you can see one guy is sitting down while we check for uneven length of the legs. A minute of prayer and slowly the short leg stretched out.
I know some of you out there reading this is very sceptical to healing. And think that is fake or psychological. I know what’s going on after doing this for 1000 of times and there are millions of other testimonies revealing supernatural healing.
Those who believe (in Jesus) will experience signs and wonders.

Later at a cafe we had some good conversations about speaking in tongues and baptism in the Holy Spirit. What is wisdom for some, is craziness to others. 

Before getting back to my hostel, I took a stroll along some streets. There I met a young girl with a damage knee. I asked if she wanted to get better and so she told Jesus to heal her. “- What did you do she said? I can feel something strange in my knee!” I didn’t do anything I told her. You asked the Lord and He answered you. Now do you have less pain? “- Yeah it’s better …”.

Now it’s past midnight and I’m going to my room, or should I say our room that I share with 3 others. Let’s go and find out if any one snores. Zzzzz zzzzz ……

Im on my way to el Camino

Views: 134

Finally I’m on the bus to the airport. And here we go. Felt good to pray short but sweet just before I closed the door. Even bringing the trash out felt good, as it were the last thing I did.

And I’m happy I found the Oasis Trail in Villa Mayor. Hopefully it’s a gem on the Camino. Let’s see how to get there though it’s off my planned route.http://oasistrails.org/the-hostel/villamayor-de-monjardin/?lang=en

My back pack weights 8 kg including the bag itself. The golden rule is not to carry more than 10% of your body weight. I’m at 90 kg. My bag will get lighter along the way since some stuff will be used. Last year I checked in at 6,7 kg.

Update: Before checking in, I asked wether or not Norwegian flights allow walking sticks. They told me to ask at the security desk. The young guy at that desk told me it’s should be fine and that he would allow it. Instead of taking the risk of standing in line and then have the security gate personnel take my walking pole, I asked if he could call them. So he did and said it was ok. I was gladly surprised because this is not always common. On my last trip with Norwegian I had to check in my stick as baggage which later was lost when I arrived to Stockhom. Now I can walk right out from Barajas airport in Madrid without having to wait at the baggage deliver.

Your walking stick is almost as a dear friend, I can imagine Moses with his ;-). With a pole you can lean on it so you don’t fall, it will hold you up. You put it in front of you for every step you take, as God is leading us in our daily lifes and walking before us. 

Final countdown

Views: 247

So many things do to before this trip. Last evening and night, I was occupied for many hours with the functionality on my blog. Its driven by WordPress, and in the theme twenty seventeen (design and layot) someone thought it was a good idea to hide the Sidebar on my Pages.
Meaning when you visit the top links on my site, under the top photo, you cant find the menu bar to the left. And you will have difficulties navigating and find my recent Posts. I hope I can sort this out this afternoon. Thanks to Bharat Karavadra at karavadra.net who informed me, and thanks to Binero who hosts my site and help me get going.
Update: Thanks to Joachim Jensen in Denmark, my menu works as it should. He answered me quickly and he had created a tiny plugin called Page Sidebar for Twenty Seventeen, which does all the work.

What is to be fixed before I leave? Everything that makes me have a peace of mind for a month. Things that is better to solve at home, rather than when Im on the go. Then some quiet time to mediate on whats ahead. We never walk along so I need to listen to what the Lord might have to say. That is for tomorrow, today its a long to-do-list.

On the photo below you can see what I packed the last time I went hiking. Packing is the easy task this time  since I have everything already. This time though, on this trip, I hope to update my new blog every day. And Im also bringing my DJI Osmo Mobile, which is kind of a selfiestick. That gimbal limits the shakiness that occurs when you film with a mobile, specially while walking. It can also make motion time lapses, something I havent tried yet since its brand new.

Things to bring in your back pack for el Camino

Today I also managed to upload some photos from my previous 2 weeks on el Camino. Then I walked from St Jean Pied de Port close to the city Biarritz, located on the french side of the mountain area of the Pyrenees, and stopped at the village of Castrojeriz, west of the city Burgos. That section was about 330 km.
Click on the photo below with the the curious pig and my bag, and you will move to the Photo page with more photos.

Back pack el Camino

Im so glad I found it

Views: 602

Today I found a gem on the el Camino route. Or at least I hope so.

“Pilgrim House is a faith based non-profit in Santiago de Compostela for the sole purpose of serving pilgrims. The Welcome Center was borne out of a desire to offer a place for the wandering heart and searching soul.”

When I walked for two weeks in October 2016, I didnt experience any albergues (hostals) where Jesus Christ was the Head. Meaning where people sat down together and sang or shared the Word or were in prayers worshiping the Lord.
In the year 2017 a pilgrimage is for many people, if not the most, something of a private “spiritual” (a new age inner journey) or pleasure.
My experience is also that the catholics are more restricted than charismatic evangelists (protestants).
Its offensive to talk about God and Jesus today, even for so called christians.
Well in Granon there were some catholic volunteers (hospitaleros) where they sang one hymn, and then we all said “the Lords prayer”.
That albergues is called Albergue parroquial San Juan Bautista and they are located in the bell tower of the church. Its a place where many pilgrims look back with remembrance because of its cosy atmosphere.
Besides, it all depends on who is the volunteer or hospitalero when you arrive at your albergue. And of course what the orientation (religious or non religious) is for that particular place.


All of you christians who know how to play an instrument and sing – watch the video and hopefully you will be inspired. Maybe you should just grab your guitar and work as hospitalero for two weeks. The el Camino is a Spritual Walk and there are many empty or lost souls out there. They are thirsty and they are hungry. Out duty is to feed them. Through speech, prayer, singing/music and reading/sharing the Word.
“- Feed my sheep”, Jesus said to Petrus.

Back to the Pilgrim House Social Center, located in Santiago de Compostela which is at the end destination of el Camino. This is what they write;

It is a simple fact that one’s life and soul require attention, attention that is oftentimes lacking, and because of this, the Camino frequently happens to be so much more than a simple walk through Spain.
The extended time away from routines and distractions allows the “stuff” of life to finally get our attention.
And all of this “stuff” necessitates time and space to sort out. It is exactly this “time and space” that we offer.
The Welcome Center is not only a place for weary pilgrims to find respite from their travels, but more importantly, a place to find the space needed to sit with whatever is stirring in their hearts.

Though our focus is on the personal internal journey of the Camino, we offer a number of services to help make your transition back home easier and less distracting.
As communal space to visit and catch up with fellow pilgrims, a quiet space for meditation, reading, journaling, praying and scheduled meditation services.

We believe at the heart of our own journeys and pilgrimages is the love of the Creator.
He is the originator and essence of rich living and deeper connection. It is through the mystery of Jesus Christ that we are continually finding that life is more; that it is deeper and wider and higher than we have imagined.
We know that there is redemption, we know there is hope and we know there is renewal.
We also know that it’s not found in ideas, philosophies, or theologies. It is only found in an actual personal relationship with the Creator. Yeah, we know the craziness of it all, but we also know the reality of it.

However, we are not here to convince you that we are right or that you need to see things our way. All pilgrims are welcome in Pilgrim House, we’re here to offer a helping hand and a listening ear along The Way.

I look forward to my destination Jerusalem, but before that, there is another last destination city and a resting place I like to visit.

UPDATE: Faith who is the woman managing the Pilgrim House, gave me this tip of a private albergue (hostal) in Villamayor de Monjardin (between the cities of Pamplona and Logroño): Oasis Trail
“To bring reli-travelers in touch with Jesus Messiah through establishing hospitable centers along pilgrims’ trails or at pilgrims’ sites, where passing pilgrims are warmly welcomed and where their physical and spirit needs are cared for.”
Watch: Oasis Trail introduction

So glad I found it x 2!

Seed in good ground

Views: 147

Yesterday I bought a direct flight from Gothenburg to Madrid. With Norwegian airlines for only 699 SKR (about 60 USD).
My options were to fly to either 1.Bilbao, 2.Madrid, 3.Barcelona in Spain, or to 1.Biarritz, 2.Bordeaux, or 3.Toulouse in France.
And from there either take a bus or train to the nearest section of el Camino.

I hope to meet Sori whom I contacted through The Last Reformation Map
She answered very quickly and now we are “friends” at WhatsUp.
Our plan is to hit the streets in Madrid. I look forward to share experiences and a good time together!

After I contacted Sori, another person contacted me through the TLR (The Last Reformation network). It was Gatis from Lithuania. He wants to visit Gothenburg in late June. So now I have a new brother and a new sister, in a couple of hours.
Not to forget Shiva from Iran, that I meet yesterday for a second time, at TrädgårdsFöreningen (public garden park).
Her background is Islamic but with atheistic view.
Two years ago I jumped into her, for the first time together with a Iranian married couple. The couple was recently touched by Jesus and now God wanted me to conform the Word, thats why He brought us together (no coincidence).
The husband used to be a hard core muslim, but Jesus opened his eyes! You can see that some people “have it” by looking at them, the “glow” and the Humility within.
This husband had back problems, so I got the opportunity to pray for him. And he was healed from pain and significantly moved.
Shiva told me though, that this guy had to go back to Iran, and now he has probably fallen back, because he is in the WRONG ENVIRONMENT and cant grow in Christ.
This is so important, that I can emphasize it enough: the Seed needs to get into the good ground (church; the Body of Christ, Bible studying e t c)

In Burgos I established a contact with Carmen, who is an evangelistic pastor. My plan is to evangelize with them and to learn how that works in a roman catholic area. Maybe we will meet some el Camino hikers, who need booth psychical and spiritual healing in Christ.

My do to list before I leave i quite long. This brand new blog has to work, and more material to be published. One of the reasons I started the blog Bread4Life.eu was to have something to share with the people I meet.

End notes:

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower:
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
[Mat 13:15-30 KJV]

THAT DAY of Harvest is coming! And after the harvest of the Wheat, comes the harvest of the Grapes (Wrath). That revelation was so obvious to me, on my last walk of the el Camino in October 2016. The fields of grain was harvested, but in the regions of Navarra and Rioja; the fully ripe grapes was still on their branches.
First is the harvest of the grain, then the vine, in its own season.

Have you laid down your life to Christ? Have your previous self died with Him? And were you raised up as a new creation (as a seed)?
Does this new life, bear fourth any fruits? Meaning is the Holy Spirit working in you in a sanctification process?

“The gathering of things planted, a natural time of reaping in joy what has been produced during the year in an agricultral community.
Jesus reflects the Bible’s theological viewpoint on harvest when he enjoins believers to ask the “Lord of the harvest” for laborers ( Matt 9:38 ). God stands in control of the harvest time; it is part of his work ( Jer 5:24 ; Amos 4:7 ).”

Source: biblestudytools.com

Flyers arrived from VistaPrint

Views: 555

Today the door bell rang and there stood a guy in brown clothes, from top to tow. The UPS. A small package of 2,2 kg had arrived, wrapped in brown 😉 paper.
Last Thursday at midnight, the layout and design was ready to be order at the VistaPrint website. With express delivery it took 3 working days to be delivered. Not bad since VistaPrint prints and deliver from Holland (and Im in Sweden).
So now Im ready to hand out the good news.

flyer vista print

1000 flyers with a total weight of 2,2 kg, 390 swedish krona.
And here is where VistaPrint makes the money; Express delivery, which is the second fastest option, 270 swedish krona.

2,2 kg is too much to carry on el Camino for example. But the Postal office in Spain has a very good transfer service for the pilgrims. You can send your rucksack, bicycle, luggage, small packages e t c to a certain town or village along the route.
Many pilgrims found out that some of their items they dont use, or they maybe want to use them later on the way. Or their backpacks might be to heavy too carry for some.
The Correos have a network of over one hundred offices and associates (tiendas amigas) located on the 800 km French way.

Spanish postal office; Correos, parcel, packages

I will probably send parts of the flyers to a section of the way ahead of my walk.
You can visit this el Camino service at Correos el Camino transfers

Make your own letters on baseball hat

Views: 164

Since I knew exactly what statement I wanted on my new hat, I figured I make my own letters, and type them with a textile pen.
On my laptop I typed the statement “Jesus reigns” in the word processor and hit the button “print”.
Then I took a sheet of plastic see through paper over the printed paper, and with a knife (scalpel) carefully cut out the letters.
With needles the sheet was attached on the hat.

how to make letters and text on baseball hat

Strokes of a silver pen for fabrics, did the magic and voila, a one of a kind hat that rules!
Not sure if I will use a finer black pen for the outline of the letters, to make them sharper. We will just have to wait and see tomorrow when the ink is dry, if we need some improvements.

I go bananas (dehydrated )

Views: 350

Prior to my first el Camino in October 2016, I dehydrated some bananas as snacks. I thought it would be a great idea to have some nutrition handy.
Its very easy to do, so this is more for a visualization:
1. Cut the bananas about 0,5 cm thin. Too thick and they take too long to dry.
What you see is on the picture about 5 kg of bananas, or 30-35 pieces.

How to dry banana chips

2. Then into the oven at 60C (use fan if you can). Keep the door slightly open so all the moist can ventilate. Too high temperature and I think they will get burned/cooked.
They are ready when they feel dry, dont have to be completely dried. I keep mine in the owen until their is no stickiness.
Sometimes it takes about 8 hours, sometimes longer. It all depends how thick/thin you cut the banana, and how soft/dry you want them to be.
At the end you can have the door closed because most of the moist is then gone.
When they are almost done, turn the chips over. Those who are dry, bring them out and leave the rest to dry. Eat the ones that never seem to dry 😉

Dry bananas in owen

3. Of 5 kg I ended up with 600 gram, almost 2 litres of dehydrated banana chips. They are so delicious and have a sweeter aroma, so bear in mind that you will have some “losses” …

How much dried bananas

Im not going to carry 600 gr of dried bananas on el Camino. Thats too much. But on the other hand, you dont want to be dry on bananas …
Some I will eat before I jump on the plane to Spain. Its nice to have some extra nutrition, especially after a long walk in the late afternoons, or in the mornings when you leave the albergues (pilgrim hostels) with an empty stomach.
A dried fruit weight much less. You can also bring apple or mango. I never experienced that my dried bananas went into mold. You should at least be able to save them for six months in a container in a dark place.
Buen Camino!

Does He have a plan for me?

Views: 850

For quite some time now, I have really been longing for God to give me the strategy, my own place, for how I fit in, or what the next step is, because I want to see something come about.
I want to launch something, to shake and awake people, but I want to do it within God’s plan.
Until I say “with God’s Grace” and take that step out, I wont see whats in my heart.
I know God has giving me whats in my heart. The dream I have in my heart is there of a reason – its God’s dream too, thats why its there …

Many times I doubt or hesitate: “is this me, or is it the Lord, Im not really sure”. But then, I couldnt have came up with that on my own. Do I even have that just position?
And where are the people?! I cant do this on my own. “The harvest is great but the people working the fields are too few”.
The apostles in the New Testament didnt have to work alone. I pray to God to bring me people, so we can build a team, to equip me with fivefolds, so we can go to work!
Any where its been religion or atheism dominating, and not His Kingdom, so when God call out leaders, many of them doubt and start questioning themselves. But God is not asking them to run the force by them selves.
There is literally thousands and thousands of people, who is questioning what God’s plan is in their lives. But we just have to take that first step out and figure out where we belong. And to test all things and keep what is good.

The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” Deu 31:8

I really dont consider myself as a leader. But I can see me as an apostle breaking new grounds, so others can pass through.
The One we all should follow is Jesus, He is the Head of His church, the Body.

If you feel you need to go in a particular direction; do it. God knows what He is doing. For sure there will be resistance, within you and from people around you. And condemnation will follow. And that is the reasons why so many people hold back. Even if you have a direction written in your heart, condemnation through people will come, but remember; its just peoples’s opinions. Condemnation will never come from the true saints, and certainly not from Him.