beatitude Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) I'm returning to the Holy Land to do my fieldwork for my PhD. Normally I live with a large and exuberant family in Bethlehem, but this time I have decided I would like more privacy and quiet (small children running around aren't really compatible with thesis-writing, no matter how sweet they are ;) ) and have managed to get a beautiful little apartment. I found it on the day it was advertised and was the first inquirer, a few days after I learned that I have been awarded a visiting scholarship with a research institute. This makes me financially much more comfortable and also eases the headache of visa applications, which are bureaucratic and time-consuming and never fun. It's such a relief the way everything has come together, as I was really groping the dark - I'm due to fly out at the end of this month and I was told I wouldn't hear about the studentship/long-stay visa eligibility until the end of the month. As it happened, the good news came on my birthday. To improve things even further, it turns out that my landlord and I have some friends in common, who vouch for him as a friendly and helpful person. I've leased the place for one year. I am grateful to God for helping me with all the stress and uncertainty, so I can embark on my field research without having to worry so much about logistics. I feel like I want to share Jesus' kindness. My new apartment is a very short walk away from the Nativity Church, where Jesus was born. It also has a spare bedroom. I have decided that I will offer that room to anyone who wants to come on pilgrimage to the Holy Land over the coming year. You'd be well-placed to visit both Bethlehem and Jerusalem, which is five miles away. I will not charge for the room, although I would appreciate it if any takers could make a donation either to the L'Arche community in Bethlehem (a Christian community for people with intellectual disabilities, founded by Jean Vanier) or to the youth group I volunteer with there. When I'm back and I'm settled in I will put this on Couchsurfing, but I wanted to see if there are any PMers hoping to come on pilgrimage first. :) Edited March 20, 2014 by beatitude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximillion Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 So happy for you and pleased things are working out so well. Lovely offer which I am unable to take up........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristinaTherese Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I might think about that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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