For over a decade, Monica Biboso, a Filipino caregiver, had quietly tended to her duties in Israel, looking after the elderly in a small kibbutz near Gaza.
But one morning, everything changed in an instant.
Woken up by the deafening sounds of explosions and gunfire, Monica found herself at the heart of an unimaginable nightmare in Kibbutz Be’eri.
A Life Under Siege
Monica vividly recalls that day as if it happened just yesterday.
As Hamas fighters surrounded her home, shattering windows and setting the house on fire, fear gripped her.
She still experiences that fear, even now, living in temporary housing at the David Dead Sea Resort, where she has spent the last year since the attack.
Every knock on her door triggers flashbacks to that traumatic day.
In the attack on October 7, 2023, nearly 1,200 lives were lost across Israel, including 101 civilians from Monica’s kibbutz.
Some were taken hostage, and many, like Monica, were left with scars that will take a lifetime to heal.
Saving a Life in the Midst of Chaos
Despite the chaos, Monica didn’t just think of herself.
Her priority was protecting Ester Rot, the 81-year-old woman with dementia she had been caring for.
Together, they were the only survivors from their neighborhood. “I kept praying,” she says.
“I knew that God was with us, and I had faith that we would survive.”
Monica’s unwavering belief helped her stay calm in the face of terror.
She reflects on her prayer during those dark hours: “I asked God to protect my children and told him that if my time had come, I trusted Him with their future.”
Faith and Family
As Monica sheltered with Ester in a safe room, she tried to stay connected with her family back in the Philippines.
Her husband had returned home just days before the attack, leaving their two children, aged 7 and 5, in the care of Monica’s sister.
In those tense moments, Monica found comfort in their video messages, their tearful faces urging her to stay safe.
However, as the hours dragged on, her phone battery died, leaving her in isolation with only her faith to hold onto.
A Miraculous Escape
Monica and Ester remained trapped in the shelter for 16 agonizing hours. As the fire spread through the house, choking smoke filled the air.
Monica recalls the militants’ attempts to breach the shelter door.
“They tried to get in, but I held the handle with every ounce of strength I had,” she says.
“I truly believe it was God who gave me that strength.”
When the house was set ablaze, Monica’s resolve only strengthened. “I thought we would die, but I kept praying.”
Miraculously, they survived. The fire engulfed the home, but Monica and Ester emerged, shaken but alive.
For Monica, her faith had been the source of her survival, a belief that continues to guide her every day.
A New Chapter in the Dead Sea
After the attack, Monica and Ester were moved to the Dead Sea Resort, where they’ve been living for the past year.
Life here has become routine for Monica: she cares for Ester, takes long walks by the water, and crochets when sleepless nights haunt her.
Despite everything, she has chosen to stay in Israel, motivated by both her responsibility to Ester and the need to provide for her family back home.
Monica’s strength is fueled by prayer, something she continues to hold close.
Her rosary, a gift from her husband, survived the fire, even though everything else she owned was lost.
“It’s a reminder,” she says, “that even in the darkest times, God is watching over us.”
Moving Forward with Hope
As time has passed, Monica has sought help through therapy, working to heal the deep psychological wounds left by the attack.
“Prayer has been my greatest source of strength,” she explains.
Her connection with a nun in Tel Aviv, who calls and prays with her regularly, has provided a lifeline, keeping her grounded as she navigates the trauma.
In the coming weeks, Monica and Ester are expected to move to a new home in Kibbutz Hatzerim, where new housing is being built for survivors of the attack.
Monica remains hopeful, her faith unshaken by the horrors she endured.
“I believe that God will bring good from all of this. I trust that He has a plan, and that this war will end in peace.”
Faith, Family, and Survival
Monica’s story is one of survival, but it’s also a testament to the power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.
Despite the devastation, she chooses to focus on what she still has: her family, her faith, and the strength to carry on.
As she looks to the future, Monica remains hopeful, believing that through prayer and perseverance, she will continue to heal from the trauma of that fateful day.
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