Welcoming the Stranger

Located in northwestern Spain, Fuente del Peregrino (Pilgrim’s Fountain) welcomes pilgrims to pause for a meal, rest from their travels, and share their stories along the Camino. Encountering anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 travelers each day, the mission team from HP Pres looked for ways to share the transformative message of Jesus Christ through conversations and hospitality. Small tasks like offering to do laundry for a mother and daughter staying the night at the hostel opened the door for the  nine mission team members to  talk about their faith in Christ. 

The travelers making the 769 km pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela are often in a place in their lives where they are searching for purpose. They’ve decided to walk the Camino for a reason and are open to hearing about the good news of the Gospel – many of them for the very first time. Mission team members encountered numerous travelers who were highly educated and exploring faith with a critical eye. Many of them turning from their former atheist beliefs and recognizing the irrefutable truth of the Gospel. This “quiet revival” sweeping across Europe is evidence that God is at work in even the simplest of ways.  

Serving people through hospitality and facilitating deep conversations with strangers in all walks of life breaks down the barriers many of us construct about sharing our faith. In the latter part of the week, mission team members made the short journey from the hostel to the tomb of St. James. There, they were recognized by some of the pilgrims who stopped at Fuente del Peregrino. It was a moment of deep emotion, having completed the journey by reaching the tomb. One of the travelers shared with them how she’d been meditating on the conversations about faith they had days earlier. It’s impossible to know how each conversation will impact travelers down the road, but one thing is certain – you may enter Fuente del Peregrino  as a stranger, but you’ll leave as a friend. 

Learn how you can be involved with global missions at hppres.org/missions.