By: Sr. Marcelle Bual, SPC

Sister lived through the tensions of the INTIFADA- the uprising of the Palestinians in the Israeli occupied West Bank. She also witnessed the Gulf War and tells us how, hiding in a sealed room as the Iraqui scud missiles skimmed across the sky, her thoughts often strayed to a certain faraway place...

I am a Sister of St. Paul. My first foreign mission assignment was in Bethlehem University, first teaching the Palestinian students Business Administration and then, at the start of Intifada, working as the accountant of the university.

Last Out of Tel Aviv
The year 1991 was somewhat of a turning point for me. Early in the year, when war in the gulf was imminent, the administration of Bethlehem University gave all the staff the option to leave the country with out disrupting their commitments/contracts and with the promise to call them back when things normalized. After serious discussion with my own community and consultation with my superiors in the Philippines and Rome, I opted to stay with our sisters in Rome. I left on the 13th of January, only three days before the Gulf War actually started. I was one of the last passengers trying to get into the plane for Rome before the airport in Tel-Aviv finally closed and all future flights were indefinitely cancelled. Although it looked like running away from trouble and trying to save my own skin, the sisters in Rome were relieved and grateful to have me there. As a matter of fact, all my Palestinian friends thought it was a wise decision. The university was indefinitely closed and the curfews imposed by the Israeli military government. On the West Bank made any kind of movement within the areas impossible, during that time.

Back to Bethlehem
While I was in Rome, and with absolutely no idea of when the war would end, my superior sent me to our sister in London with the view of helping the sisters across the water in Dublin, Ireland. However, while I was in London preparing for my travel to Dublin, word came from our Vice Chancellor in Bethlehem calling us back. The university had to function normally even in the abnormal situation! It was the 5th of February. Delay but with so much frustration and disappointment in my heart, I flew back to Palestine. By the middle of February, I was already working again in the accounting office of the Bethlehem University.

Gulf War
Meanwhile, my fascination with Dublin which I never saw, was almost haunting me. Somehow, in the short time I was with our sister in London, all of them former missionaries to the Far East during their younger years, I saw another need... thee care of the old of society. So while I was having a terrifying taste of the Gulf War during the second half of February-sleepless nights, sirens, donning of the gas mask , waiting in a “sealed room” while the scuds from Iraq came flying into Israel, not knowing whether where chemical or just conventional bombs until proper advice came through the radio and television – while I was having all these, consolation came into through the taught of the possibility of working with the old of Dublin. I had to talk with the Vice Chancellor about the possibility of leaving the university, quite an emotional one for after all, Bethlehem has taken a special space in my heart. He assured me that much as they needed people like me, he did not want to put any obstacle to my other plans in life; that six years of total service to the Palestinian people in the West Bank through the university, was great contribution to what the “Church”  is trying to accomplished there. I was further consoled quite an emotional one for after all, Bethlehem has taken has taken a special space in my heart. He assured me that much   as they need people like me, he did not

Dublin’s Fair City
Queen of Peace Centre is a retirement home catering to fifty two residents, women and men. It is conveniently situated behind the church of the Three Patrons in Rathgar. Twenty of the residents live in flats around the area, managing themselves. They came daily for lunch in the big common dining of the centre. The rest of the residents stay in one building which has a hospital like setting. They take their breakfast and evening tea in their rooms, and their lunch in the common dining room. At present an extension building is under construction, which when finished, will add ten more private rooms. We have a long list of waiting applicants. The care of the old seems to be a priority in this area and institutions seems to find their hands always full. We can do everything we can.

Keeping to the Left
My work here is mainly accounting, which is what I have been prepared for. However, I have learned to drive safely and with ease on the left side of the road, so I am also a driver here. As you very well know, when one is in the mission, anything good for the community is always welcome. In the beginning of the traffic here is total confusion for me. After a few months and faithful driving practice, driving around Dublin is just like in Israel or in the Philippines...on the correct side of the road.

Dublin and Bethlehem
I cannot compare my life here with my life in Bethlehem. Both have their own call of love. Externally one might say that Dublin is the complete opposite of Bethlehem: calm, green and cold most of the time. Still, it is a call to love and I must respond to that call with the same intensity I have given the call in Bethlehem.