A day at the hostel

We’re having a wonderful time at the hostel in Spain. It’s busy, but the work is very rewarding.
Every day we welcome new pilgrims who come to stay with us for the night and then set off early in the morning toward Santiago.
Life as a volunteer is very varied, because every day you have a different task.

What does a typical day look like here, for example?
At 7:30 in the morning, we roll up our sleeves and the cleaning crew starts cleaning the hostel. By then, most pilgrims have already set off with their backpacks for the next leg of their journey. They leave early to beat the heat of the sun. It’s still summer here, and temperatures average above 30 degrees.

It’s a lively scene in the 400-year-old building. In the bathrooms, there is a flurry of scrubbing; in the rooms, beds are being stripped; someone is vacuuming their way through the building; on the rooftop terrace, laundry is being hung out to dry in the rising sun; and downstairs, you can hear someone singing while cleaning the kitchen.

After cleaning, we gather for a time of worship at a monastery a few villages away. This monastery was purchased by this foundation a few years ago (read more). They are transforming this large building into a beautiful Christian community. The plan is for several families to live here in the future, sharing their lives with seekers or young believers who come for shorter or longer periods of time, in order to build them up in the faith by being a living example. Kingdom Family.
The ground floor is now complete, and as soon as there is enough funding, the renovation of the other floors will continue.
Downstairs, a beautiful space has been created to praise the Lord and begin the day together with Him.

At 2:00 p.m., the hostel reopens for that day’s new group of pilgrims. The hospitaleros (hosts) welcome them, check them in, and direct the weary pilgrims to their refreshing shower and bed. One asks where she can hang her laundry, another orders a drink, and at a table nearby, someone sighs with relief as they soak their aching feet in a refreshing foot bath.

At 4:30 p.m., the two cooks head into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Pilgrims who want to can help chop vegetables and often really enjoy it. It’s a nice change of pace and feels a bit like family. Conversations fill the kitchen, and the sounds of chopping and delicious aromas fill the terrace where other pilgrims are recovering from their intense day.
As volunteers, we’re able to mingle with the pilgrims and connect with them in a very relaxed way. Everyone has their own story, and many are very open to talking about spiritual matters. It’s wonderful to see how God is guiding things here as well. One volunteer might share something about their walk with God, and later another volunteer speaks to that same person and adds exactly the right insight—without it having been planned.

At 7 p.m., we ring a bell for the communal dinner at beautifully set tables on the terrace. We enjoy a three-course dinner as one big family, with a diversity of languages. One day you’ll hear conversations in English, French, Italian, or German. The next, in Czech, Spanish, Polish, Korean, and many more.

To close out the day, we have a time of meditation every evening at 8:30 for ourselves and the pilgrims. It’s a half-hour of sitting in silence with quiet music, reflecting on the words of Jesus. Various pilgrims join us here as well, and often people are touched by God’s Spirit, leading to conversations and creating space for prayer.
The bustle around the hostel subsides, and the pilgrims retire to their beds for a good night’s sleep. The volunteers gather one last time to share their experiences and stories from the day, and at 10:00 p.m., the hostel closes for the night.

Another day has passed, filled with special encounters and conversations.

More stories will follow soon.