2009 07 newsletter summer

Gwen Green 6th April 1922 5th March 2009

J

ust after going to press for our Spring Newsletter came the sad news of the passing of Gwen Green. Gwen was a servant to the people of Nazareth twice - from 1950 to 1958 and from 1974 to 1982.

The Nazareth Trust Healing in the name of Jesus since 1861

Her first stay as a nurse ended when family commitments required her to return to the United Kingdom.

It was whilst she was caring for her mother that Gwen made the step into teaching—not her preferred area, as she clearly had a huge love for caring for patients on the wards. But, in the end, it was as a tutor that Gwen was able to return to Nazareth in 1974, staying until her retirement in 1982.

Gwen shared many adventures in a yellow Renault 4 named, appropriately ‘Safra’. These included her return to the UK when she retired. Over five weeks, she drove from Haifa through Greece, the former Yugoslavia, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, France and across the Channel to England. Both the car, and her dog, Cindy, behaved impeccably throughout. Four weeks later, she drove Safra back to Nazareth as a gift to the other sisters at the Hospital.

In the words of her friends: “She was always such a 'live' person, ready for challenges, open to new ideas, hard working, caring and hospitable - all grounded in her very deep Christian faith … Gwen was always there ready to be of help or just be there”.

“She was a versatile nurse tutor with a great breadth of experience in hospital and community, but above all it was Gwen’s personality which blessed those around her.

Gwen had a very infectious laugh and she was a happy person to be around. Her energy, enthusiasm and motivation spilled over to others. She also enjoyed gardening and created and maintained a little garden outside the nurses’ home.”

“Gwen enjoyed seeing the potential in young people and in particular the students she taught, seeing them mature as people and going to their weddings and celebrations, sharing their joys and sorrows. Her life embodied the promise of Jesus, ‘I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10) “ Many thanks to Natalie Epsom, Runa Mackay and Elma Paxton for helping with this piece.

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The new Operating Room Suite - now in service

Newsletter Summer 2009

Welcome from Joseph Main, CEO

International Friends: Nazareth Project, Inc. (USA)

I

t is with my customary pleasure that I welcome you to our Newsletter for the summer of 2009.

Once again, we have seen some outstanding successes in our work in Nazareth, most notably the completion of the long anticipated Operating Rooms; enabling us to leap from facilities dating from the 1920s straight into those able to respond to 21st century health-care standards. We are also delighted to see the work to complete the School of Nursing auditorium begin; a resource which will ultimately provide our students with the very best facilities possible as they learn to serve and care for the sick.

Of course, challenges still exist, but it is my firm belief that our test is how we respond to those challenges, rather than allowing challenges to inhibit our work and vision.

A large part of our on-going success will be the sense of partnership and fraternity between our people who work with such dedication to serve - and you, who read this newsletter continuing to support us with your prayers and commitment.

I warmly welcome Vincent Acheson as he takes up his newly acquired responsibility of editing our Newsletter. Please note that Vincent is available to visit and speak to your group or church anywhere in the UK and will be happy to assist you in spreading the word about this wonderful and precious ministry in which we all participate.

Enjoy our Newsletter for summer 2009.

Joseph R. Main Chief Executive Officer

In this Edition

I

t was with a thankful heart that Midge Crystle of Nazareth Project, Inc (NPI) attended the Operating Rooms’ dedication celebrations in June.

Midge (centre) with US VIP guests

In 1993, Midge was a volunteer nurse at Nazareth Hospital along with her late husband, Deans, an obstetrician. That year most hospital departments moved to what is now the front of the complex, but a lack of funds for construction left the surgical suite marooned in the original 1921 building.

Midge and Deans could see that a theatre project was the necessary next step. At the time, however, there seemed no way it could possibly happen.

By 2005 Midge was Executive Director of NPI. That year she went with hospital general director, Elia Abdo, to meet Directors of USAID/ASHA (United States Agency for International Development / American Schools and Hospitals Abroad) in Washington, DC to explain the Hospital’s funding needs and resources. NPI had received one small grant in 2003 to benefit the Hospital, then another in 2005. The meeting led to larger grants in 2006 and 2008 which put in place adequate funding for the theatre project.

In the days leading up to the Operating Rooms’ dedication, Midge walked the hospital halls reflecting on God’s faithfulness and the palpable feeling of excitement coming from the Hospital staff.

Nazareth Hospital

Page 4

School of Nursing

Page 5

Nazareth Village

Page 6

Seeds of Hope

Page 7

She reflects: “Many people pulled together for this. I felt God’s leadings along the many steps in making this happen. Things came together gradually, in God’s timing. It was a slow process, but we continued working together toward the goal. God’s hand was in this.

Praise the Lord for His care!”

International Friends USA - NPI

Page 11

PRAYER BOX

Gwen Green

Page 12

Give Thanks for God’s faithfulness and his perfect timing.

Pray that God will provide for the needs of NPI as they continue to raise funds in the USA 11

Welcome from Vincent Acheson, Editor

NAZARETH HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY SERVICE

Meditation When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The value of a man is not measured by success or power, but by the depth of his loyalty. As human beings we are led by our emotions and often care only for those who care for us.

Compassion is the ability to share others’ sorrows, burdens and pain. The Lord’s mercy and compassion declare His great feelings of love for us.

The relationship of the shepherd to the sheep is described throughout the Bible. In John 10: 1—6, we are told that the Shepherd calls His sheep by name, that the sheep know His voice, that He knows His sheep and they know Him, and that He lays His life down for the sheep.

He also gives them eternal life so they will never perish.

The best Shepherd knows each individual sheep and counts them. If even one goes missing He will search until He finds it. As the Master of Shepherds, God not only sees the multitude but each member of it because each individual soul is precious to Him. Rev Suheil Bathish, Hospital Chaplain

PRAYER BOX Please pray for the patients, their families and the staff of the Dialysis Unit. Pray also for Rev Emad Diabes as he seeks to provide spiritual support to the department in all its aspects.

Please also pray for the success of our Chaplaincy Appeal, the total of which is currently £8,110.75.

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H

aving been ‘Head of Programmes - UK’ for a year, I have now acquired the honour of editing the Newsletter.

Much of my work so far has focussed on finding new words and ways to convey our story. A huge amount of groundwork has been completed and now it is time to find opportunities to go out and tell our compelling story afresh.

One of the main opportunities for you to get involved and help is through the Nazareth Tithe. Rooted in the Biblical principle of tithing, the Nazareth Tithe is not just a means to raise funds so we can continue - it is equally about passing on the precious message of Nazareth and all we do there as we serve Jesus, in order to inspire and enrich Christian communities throughout the world.

You can find more information about the Nazareth Tithe on the reverse of the enclosed Prayer Points. The Prayer Points leaflet has been designed as a useful bookmark, perhaps for your Bible. Please use it when you pray for us.

We are also sending you our new brochure which can be given out as a way to introduce us to new people. We hope you like it and will pass it on! If you need more Prayer Point leaflets or brochures, just let us know.

In addition, we are available to come and introduce the work of The Nazareth Trust to your church or group anywhere in the UK. Just get in touch, we will be delighted to serve you in this way. If you are outside of the UK, please contact Joseph at our Head Office and he will make arrangements to meet your needs.

For those of you on the ‘web’, please do visit our website at www.nazarethtrust.org. It is an excellent resource to keep you up to date and has the wonderful new addition of Weekly Devotions from Nazareth. If you are happy to let us have your email address, we can send the devotions on to you directly.

Finally, our second annual International Prayer Event will be on Sunday 13th September from 4:30-6:30pm (GMT). We will be joining you in Nazareth at the same time by holding an ecumenical prayer service, open to everyone in Nazareth, in our Hospital Chapel. Please join us wherever you are.

Vincent Acheson Head of Programmes - UK

PRAYER BOX Pray for the effectiveness of the Nazareth Tithe, so that we may encourage Christians all over the world as well as bring new inspiration to those who do not yet know about the Christians of the Holy Land.

Pray also that people will join us in our work and help spread the testimony of The Nazareth Trust.

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Nazareth Hospital EMMS

NAZARETH HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY SERVICE

Dialysis

A

fter long years of planning and hard work, both by the Hospital and by Friends, particularly in the USA working with USAID, Nazareth Hospital EMMS now has one of the best suites of Operating Rooms in all of Israel.

Hospital General Director Elia Abdo addressing VIPs including the US & British Ambassadors, the Deputy Minster of Health, and bishops from the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches .

patients come to the hospital

At the Opening, Ceremony, Medical Director Dr Bishara Bisharat captured the essence of a day which felt very much like a Wedding Celebration:

with

their

families

“It is my absolute joy and pleasure to be a partner in this festive ceremony.

The Dialysis Unit at the Hospital is

If we look today within the Nazareth Hospital, we find, on the one hand, the most ancient operating rooms in the state (operating rooms in existence since 1923) and on the other hand, we find high up on the new sixth floor the protected operating rooms which are the most sophisticated in the land.

other complications in addition to renal failure. The

The ancient rooms symbolise 150 years of continuity of Cutting the ribbon—the US Ambassador, the Anglican mission by the Bishop of Jerusalem, and the Deputy Minister of Health.

Nazareth Hospital, the oldest in the state, which, over the years has served the entire area including, at times, Jordan and Syria. The new rooms symbolise our vision for the future and our commitment to provide the most progressive medical service that this hospital can achieve.

befriending them and encouraging them. He works to

Our staff of doctors, nurses, technicians, and others, have been waiting for ten years for this day, for this ceremony. They fully deserve to work, from today and onwards, in these modern rooms.

New Operating Room 2

Today is not the end of a project but rather the beginning.”

a very busy

department, with many of the patients suffering from treatment they have is time consuming and physically exhausting, and means that many patients spend hours at the hospital each week.

Rev Emad Diabes visits the Dialysis department every day and talks to patients and their families, befriend all those who attend the department, building a relationship with each person, and praying for those who request it.

This ministry has led to increasing requests for prayer,

with

requests

from

patients

of

all

backgrounds also being added on the prayer board in the hospital chapel.

Dialysis treatment affects every aspect of the patients’ lives from their physical wellbeing, to their diet, home and work lives. It is a stress not only on the individual but on the whole family as they seek to deal with the condition.

In addition to listening and praying with patients, Rev Emad also helps to support the staff of the

PRAYER BOX Give Thanks for the new Operating Rooms.

May the skill and efficiency of their use bear witness to Jesus’ heart for Healing.

Pray for provision for the last pieces of equipment.

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department, who are often under pressure in their work. He also helps to build relationships with the staff who have got to know him through his visitation in the department.

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Nazareth School of Nursing

NAZARETH HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY SERVICE

Our Ministry In the current economic crisis, figures and statistics are usually about banks closing and home repossessions. Our numbers are thankfully more encouraging!

We are happy to report the distribution of more than 5000 pieces of Christian literature in the past year. This literature includes New Testaments in Arabic, Hebrew and Russian, as well as tracts. The literature is distributed through the boxes on the hospital wards as well as personally through visitation by the chaplains.

T

wo wonderful pieces of news! Firstly work on the new Auditorium has started. Amal Khazin, Director of the School, writes:

It won't be like this for long! Amal Khazin in the soon to be completed Auditorium

Ward visitation has also increased, as both of the chaplains visit wards, meeting patients and their families every day. Chapel services are being blessed as we see more and more new faces at the regular services each week.

“I went down today. The building in the following areas has started: the reception room, the bathrooms, the steps for the auditorium. The back wall of the auditorium will be done tomorrow, the only office is almost finished.”

We give thanks to our Lord for this encouraging news and also to our dear brothers and sisters who through their prayers and support enable us to continue to serve our Lord and Saviour.

By December, when we will celebrate the School’s 85th Anniversary, the new building opened in 2005 will finally be completed in its entirety—thanks once more to the outstanding generosity of BibleLands.

The second development is that negotiations to deliver a Nursing BA Degree in association with the University of Haifa have been successful to date. It is hoped that, starting this autumn, those who complete their training at the Nazareth School of Nursing will be granted BA degrees”.

Chaplains Revs Suheil Bathish & Emad Diabes led the opening ceremony of the new operating rooms for the staff

June saw the long awaited opening of a new operating suite at the Hospital. The Chaplains, Rev Suheil Bathish and Rev Emad Diabes, led the opening event for staff in prayer and worship. Staff members were invited to join with them as they dedicated the Operating Rooms for service.

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Other developments continue. Amal again: “We are working on the advertisement for a 4-year nursing course for working mothers that is planned to start in February 2010. With the grace of GOD, we are going to be really busy this year. We printed a leaflet containing all the information and we are now trying to make it reach as many mothers as we can.”

PRAYER BOX Please support the School of Nursing building works with your prayers, that they may be concluded on time and within budget.

Pray for the summer camp, as the School explores how to develop its witness. Pray that that the new course for working mothers will attract suitable applicants. Thank the Lord for excellent progress in negotiations about the Nursing BA degree - please continue to pray for a successful conclusion.

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Nazareth Village

Digging a First-Century Tomb at the Village

D

own the hill, past the wine press, near the wheat threshing floor, a large opening is being dug in the side of a slope that will become a multiple-burial tomb.

The shape of each of the three burial chambers is being carved in the typical kokhim style of the First Century AD. These are bodyshaped horizontal holes carved into the limestone, off The early stages of the new tomb. an entrance room where the bodies were first prepared, and where families would visit on special days of remembrance for the first year.

Both regular tour groups and the many film companies that come each year will expect a rolling stone in front of the tomb. But a more common stone for the ordinary people at that time was flat and square. Both may be made available.

Seeds of Hope NAZARETH HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY SERVICE

August 2009 MEET HELEN FAKHOURY Helen’s story began 15 years ago when, in her fourth month of pregnancy, she was diagnosed with cancer.

She

needed

treatment

and

urgent wondered

what would happen to her and her child. Encouraged by

Staff Member reads at Papal Mass Nazareth Village employee, Gosayna Karam, had the privilege of delivering the second English reading during the Papal Mass when Pope Benedict XVI visited Nazareth on Thursday 14th May. "My heart was fluttering with happiness at the blessing that I was given yesterday. I’m still holding on to the peace that I felt"

her sister, she began to read

Helen works in the hospital as a cleaner and sings with a local Christian choir

her bible and pray, and after the

safe

delivery

of

her

child

started

chemotherapy treatment. Before her third treatment she saw herself in a dream in a church next to the altar, and a sudden bright light shone on her as she was surrounded by doctors. As the light approached the doctors

Gosayna Karam reading at the Papal Mass on 14th May.

disappeared and she heard a clear voice saying, “I am the Lord Jesus, your true Healer”.

The next day Helen refused to continue

Gosayna was born in Nazareth, lived for over 20 years in Australia and California, and then returned to her hometown in 2001.

treatment and all her tests showed her to be

PRAYER BOX Pray for the ministry of Nazareth Village, and that more pilgrims be drawn to include the Village in their itineraries.

and regularly attends the chapel meetings,

May the staff of the Village continue to inspire Christians from all traditions as they bring Jesus’ parables to life. May the staff be blessed and unhindered in their work.

Pray that the Lord will attract both a new generation of servants who will come to serve in Nazareth, and bring Nazarenes home to serve in their native land.

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cancer free.

Helen has worked at the Hospital for two years always praising God for His goodness.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4: 7

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