Walking the Camino de Santiago was a “very emotional” experience for the Reverend David Cupples, who has raised £36,000 to help refugees and other victims of the conflict in Syria and Iraq.
Returning to Enniskillen last week, after a two-month sabbatical during which he walked 1,050 kilometres, the Minister of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church is determined to share the lessons he has learned on the Camino by writing a book called ‘Peregrino’ (Spanish for pilgrim).
“This started as a sabbatical; a chance to re-charge the batteries,” a revived Rev. Cupples told The Impartial Reporter. 
“I will turn 60 in September and I wanted an adventure.”
It was during a family holiday in France two years ago that he picked up a few books about the Camino and “knew with certainty” that he would walk it.
The Camino is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that begin in various parts of Europe and make their way to Santiago de Compestella, where legend has it that the remains of the apostle, Saint James, are buried.
Two years and a lot of preparation later, Rev. Cupples set off on April 4 and documented each day on the David’s Camino facebook page, with humorous and spiritual posts about his journey.
“I was trying to walk into an open space and allow God to speak to me,” he explained.
While most days were preoccupied with issues such as finding an albergue (hostel) to spend the night, trying to block his ears and nose during the nights in the mixed dorms, or reluctantly walking back to retrieve his glasses, on two very memorable occasions, Rev. Cupples was rewarded with moments that gave him a sense of “enlightenment”. 
He was walking alone across a mountain top when, “in the silence God really spoke to me about some of the very big issues on my mind that I have been wrestling with for much of my adult life.” He described it as a “spiritually a very profitable day.”
On the second occasion, Rev. Cupples woke up during the night and was overcome with emotion. Trying not to cry out loud for fear of awakening the others in his dorm, he pulled his sleeping bag over his head. 
“I was in a semi-conscious state and I had a dialogue with God. It was as though God would say something and I would reply with an objection or a question and my question was answered immediately. It touched something very deep and important in my life,” he explained.
Rev. Cupples summed up the Camino, stating: “Camino life is not real life. Relationships are short, superficial and not challenging but the culture of the Camino is one of friendliness, helpfulness, caring and co-operation. There is no competition, no comparing, no jealousy. Everybody wants to help and encourage everybody else to reach Santiago or to keep going until they reach their destination. 
“If you live or work in a culture of distrust, competition, petty jealousies, everyone for him/herself instead of teamwork and partnership, don’t complain and don’t give in to it. Challenge and change it with the Camino culture - or should I say Christian culture - of wanting to get everybody home.”
He took Sunday’s off to read, reflect and rest. Loneliness was an issue but he kept in touch with his wife Rosie and family and friends via a WhatsApp group. He also met some friends at various stages along the route and was saddened when they parted ways.
One night was spent sleeping on cardboard in a sports hall, which reminded him of the plight of the refugees who are fleeing Syria. Not content with walking 960 kilometres from France to northern Spain, Rev. Cupples walked a further 90 kilometres to the coastal town of Finisterre. On the beach, he was delighted to find a group of Christians having a communion service which he joined.
His sermon on Sunday was ‘All are travellers but not all are pilgrims.’
Rev. Cupples’ just giving page (David Cupples Camino Fund) will close at the end of June and he will send the funds to Rev. Colin Dickson in Amman, Jordan and Dr. Jany Haddad in Allepo, Syria. His First Trust account will remain open indefinitely and he will continue to fundraise for the refugees. He will host a conversation about his experience on the Camino in Enniskillen Presbyterian Church on June 25 at 7pm.
David’s Camino lessons:
• The longest journey begins with the first step.
• In life many are concerned about how they look - the real question is: Are you prepared for the journey? 
• The Lord will provide but not always in the way you are expecting.
• Not every day can be a red letter day. If they were, there would be no real red letter days at all.
• The middle is the time when we feel like giving up.
• Everything will work out alright in the end.