Greetings friends…
One of my least favorite/ enjoyable things in the world is asking people for help. That is exactly, and perhaps more specifically, I hate when I am forced to ask for monetary assistance, which is exactly why I am sending you this communication. Last spring in a church history course, we read about the Camino de Santiago, the way of St. James. It is the pilgrimage route that ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain. The earliest records of visits to the shrine of St. James date to the 8th century and the Camino has been walked almost continuously ever since.
When we read about the Camino, something inside of me moved and I knew that I needed to take this pilgrimage. This coming summer I am planning on taking the pilgrimage from Saint Jean Pied de Port in France to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and hopefully onto Cabo Finisterre (the edge of the world). Walking that route I will cover 500 miles. The journey will probably last 5-6 weeks. During that time I will be staying at Monasteries, Hostels, and of course the occasional night spent under the stars of Northern Spain.
This will not be an easy journey; mentally, physically, or spiritually. The journey will be a time of prayer and reflection, struggle and growth, and separation from family and friends. Annie will not be able to take that much away from work, and she said that walking 500 miles is not exactly her idea of a good time. Our hope is that we will be able to raise enough money to support my going on the Camino, so that we as a couple can take a trip to the United Kingdom. We are hoping to be able to visit London, before traveling to Northern Ireland to reunite with some friends of mine from the Ulster Project. This summer will be 10 years since I served as a counselor for the Ulster Project in Madison after graduating from Hanover.
If you are able to donate to this fund, know that your donation will be put towards the Camino. Any excess funds that are raised will be donated at the end of the Camino to an organization that supports the upkeep of the Camino and the Pilgrims who undertake the journey. I have researched the cost of flights, trains, and daily lodging while on the Camino; the total cost will likely be around 4,500 dollars. Any amount that you donate will help.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I have set up a Paypal donation site. There is a link at the bottom of this message, as well as on the sidebar of the blog (http://padreteejay.wordpress.com/). If you would like our address, if you prefer to send something via mail, please feel free to send me an email (scotsman43 (at) gmail (dot) com).
Again thank you and know that you are all in my prayers daily.
Blessings and ‘Buen Camino!’…
T.J.
Will support you. Have you read Paulo Coelho’s, The Pilgrimage?” I just finished it.
Thank you Jim! I have not read it, but will have to check it out.
Worth the read. It is a story of one man’s journey on the Camino