11. Jul 2025

Ruslial - Rozalim

Photo 1: I stayed the night at this hostel on a farmstead in an old wooden cabin. There were four of us pilgrims: Gilbert from France, Ernestas and Emilis (pictured) from Lithuania and myself. Yesterday was cold and rainy and it was very cool in the cabin when I arrived. Fortunately there was a wood burning oven in the cabin. Gilbert commented that the forests in the south of France are burning because of the heat, and we are burning wood to keep warm. That is how crazy the weather in Europe has been this summer.

Emilis is the same age as my son. I think the two of them would have gotten along well together. Je is between jobs and is using the Camino to do some reflection. I prayed with him before I took off this morning that the Good Shepherd would direct his path through life. There are many young people in Europe searching for orientation and their purpose in life. Our Father in heaven knows best. We just need to ask and trust him.

Photo 2: An old wooden house across from the second highest Lutheran Church in Lithuania in the village of Lygumai.

Photo 3: As I was walking through the village of Paliečiai, a group of people sitting on a porch called out to me. It was Gilbert and Ernestas together with the home owners Igoras and Kristina. Their home is not officially listed on the Camino app as being one of the places to stop for a rest, but one day they would like to host pilgrims that are passing through. Gilbert and Ernestas were getting ready to leave when I arrived. It was almost lunchtime and they kindly offered for me to have a bowl of soup with them. I was glad to leave my can of tuna fish in my backpack. Kristina is Catholic and said she has "found God", but would like to grow closer to him. I shared how it is with me when I do my prayer walks and how important it is to get to know God better by reading what he said in his book, the Bible. Before I left, I prayed a pilgrim prayer of blessing for Igoras and Kristina.

Photo 4: It was an unplanned stop with Igoras and Kristina. God used that time to adjust my walking progress for the day. Not long after I left their house, I was walking on a forest road, and this young 17 year girl, Goda, passed me. She of course was not carrying a heavy backpack. She did have a headset on. I looked at her and said hello. She answered in Lithuanian. I said that I speak English and asked if she did as well. She took her headset off and said yes... a good sign that God was wanting to do something here. She asked a few questions about about my journey. I then said that I was walking with Jesus and whether she was too. She said she was trying to connect with God, but did not know how. At that point it started to rain hard and then suddenly stopped. For the next half an hour we walked and talked. Goda then said "Yes" to Jesus. After we prayed together, the clouds parted and sun came out. It was amazing. Goda was so happy.

Photo 5: A lake shortly before the town of Rozalim. At the hostel in Rozalim I met two sisters, Egle and Lina, and Egle's son Jakobas. They invited me to walk with them to the only place in town to get something to eat. Unfortunately it was closed. We then walked to the grocery store and back to the hostel. During the walk I shared my life and Snail-Trail walks. Lina then wanted to know how that is when God speaks to us. I shared a few stories. Our talk continued back at the hostel. I then prayed for the three of them that they would come to know and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. Egle said she had gone through an Alpha Course at her church and Lina was wanting to do so as well. Egle said the Alpha Course was gaining in popularity in Lithuanian. That was great to hear. For those who do not know what the Alpha Course is, it is a series of discussions to help people understand the basic truths of Christianity.