"The story that we bring back from our journeys is the boon. It is the gift of grace that was passed to us in the heart of our journey."

To be perfectly honest, it is very difficult for me to experience my own personal pilgrimage while serving as the leader of the group. I do my best to focus attention on the daily devotions but find myself immediately distracted by planning the next activity or dealing with the schedule for the day.

In between the multitudes of details that unfold, when I get a moment alone, I pray that God will shine a light on my path and direct me towards some kind of personal discovery or transformation. As the pilgrimage progresses I wait to experience something.

In Delphi, I sat at the Temple of Apollo and watched each of our pilgrims take a turn walking alone to the entrance, each person reverently offering his or her question or prayer. I was witnessing something incredibly powerful, examples of immense courage and personal growth, and all of a sudden I found myself crying, wiping away the tears with my already damp handkerchief.

The overwhelming wave of emotion surprised me, and I knew I had arrived. What a gift we gave to each other, supporting one another along the pilgrim's way. I don't know what was asked or prayed for, but I do know we were there together, and that bond will be with us forever.

Rob Burlington