HOLY LAND

      May 2010 to Oct 2010- Who would have taught that as a self confessed sinner deservicng of punishment and Karma has actually recived a very unusual gift... seeing the most visited and the probably the top most in every ones  wish to see in their lifetime...The Holy Land, it was my first travel outside the Phil and this added to my apprehensions then, wandering what's in store for me for I was only focused on doing my job as Medical Assistants at UBDOF, nothing more. I did not even know that we are heading to Israel and I only had little knowledge about places of religious and historical significance thereat, everything was new to me.

      After arriving at Israel on 4 May 2010, a day after, we already visited Yardenit ( the Baptismal site of Jesus at the Jordan River.

Just after a few weeks, wehad a call with our fellow filipinos, Missionary nuns at Tagbha Benedictine Monestery  and within their Monestery lies the Stone believed to be the site where Jesus placed the loaves and fishes he produced for his multitude of followers, one of his major miracles. The Sea of Galilee is just a few walks away where Jesus was believed to have walked on water to save a crew of sinking boat ... we even had a chance to take a dip during our stay.

         July 2010, was memorable indeed for I was able to spent my 40th birthday at the Holy Land, spending  overnight at the Dead Sea before going to Jerusalem where most of Jesus spent his days preaching and even the place where he spent his last remaining hours. Within Jerusalem, you could visit the Wailing Wall,Pool of Bethesda, Church of St Anne, believed  to be the mother of Mary, Room of Last Supper, St Peter Church, and the most visited by pilgrims, the VIA DOLOROSA where one could follow the same path Jesus took before he was crucified.

The last of Jesus' journey ended on the cross which was situated at the Chuirch of the Holy Sepulchre.

At the adjacent hill is the Mt of Olives and Getsemane Church (Agony Church)where Jesus spent his last remaining hours before he was taken to prison.

Pater Noster church at Mt of Olives (where jesus gave his famous prayer " Out Father in heaven, your name shall be blessed..."

     We have also visited Nazareth,the town where angel gabriel appeared before Mary and told her she will gave birth to Jesus. There you couild see the Church of st gabriel, Mary' well, the Synagogue where jesus preached on the Sabbath.

Around 1 1/2 hours away from our Camp, we could pass by Capernaum, the town of Jesus and also served as a base for most of Jesus' activities, it is where he met peter and the other Apostles.

Within distance is the Mt of Beatitudes, which is the site on the sermon at the Mount " Blessed are the..." and where Jesus gathered his disciples for the last time.

I was lucky for I have visited these places more than twice during my stay there thought it's just unfortunate i was not able to go inside Bethlehem, because we waited for the gate to open and only to learn we were at the wrong gate.and time ran out already for our group. nevertheless, i had so much blessings already. who would have thought. I was at the best place on earth without spending a single money for that, the UN allowance was enough. Thank God for this opportunity.