31 May 2012

2012 Holy Land Bible Study Tour

Early this year, God invited me to ask for what I sincerely wanted but was ashamed to ask for. 
"I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:23-24 (Also in John 14:13-14; 15:7; 15:16)
I had been too embarrassed to ask God for things—extravagant or insignificant, having lived my life in the simplest way possible. Soon I discovered the beautiful things God has carefully and lovingly prepared for me. He enjoys lavishing me with things I never deserved. Hay, grace.

One week before the tour, I contracted dengue. My doctor said I can only be discharged if my platelet count would shoot up three consecutive times. I thought that should be easy. After drinking a hundred gallons of water and papaya leaves tea (which my boss sent me), the count still dropped to 70 by Wednesday, five days before the trip. By Thursday, it went up a bit and then dropped again. Someone was plainly keeping me by the thread so I would learn dependence!

Apparently, God wanted me to pull up a quiet confidence in His character and promises. After all, He was the One who provided for and enlisted me in the tour.

"So keep up your courage...for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." Acts 27:25
"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." Romans 4:20-21
God did just as He told me. 

It must have delighted Him to send me to the Promised Land that I got discharged Friday afternoon. In a haze, I packed my things up the next day and flew the following Sunday night! Not a second late! Plus, the adrenaline rush lasted for two weeks in what was supposed to be a recovery period for someone who just had dengue. 

With Angel at Mt. Carmel, Israel 
Ancient portable toilet hehe
At the Coliseum, Israel
Garden Tomb, Israel
At the Sea of Galilee, Israel
Petra, Jordan (where I got my allergies hehe)
Red Sea sunset @ Movenpick, Jordan
Praise God for underserved gifts! Life-changing indeed :)

After the tour, I got confined again for one week due to urticaria. Nobody knows what triggered it. I had no food allergies in the past. Although...I might have gone overboard in the buffets. Parang bibitayin ang peg.

It could be the change in weather, too. But oh well, forced rest days in the hospital were with free food and lodging hehe!

Here's the complete Holy Land Album