LIMM provided the airfare for Dr. Marcia Schnorrs, chairperson of Lutheran Parish Nurse International, eighth trip to Bethlehem to support the parish nurse ministry (Ajyal) through Diyar Consortium and Christmas Lutheran Church. Ajyal means generations and the ministries outreach is focused on older adults because their needs are so great. Mandatory retirement, isolation, and the stresses of life under occupation pose many obstacles for the elderly. Ragdha Sansour, the outreach nurse making home visits on behalf of Ajyal, was awarded a certificate by the North Illinois District Parish Nurse Network for a distance learning course in congregational health ministry. Parish Nurse Raeda Mansour was also given recognition of her service.
A stroke assessment was provided in Bethlehem to 129 seniors. Home visits were made with Palestinian Parish Nurses Sansour and Mansour to Muslims in nearby villages. Ministry opportunities have extended to the north of the West Bank where visits were made to a group at Teybeh for a time of fellowship and sharing Gods love, and then to Nablus where another stroke screening was provided. A CPR/AED course for nurses was conducted for nurses in the nearby hospital.
"LIMM is thankful to Dr. Schnorr and the other American Lutheran Parish Nurses that were able to travel to Bethlehem in November, 2011 to give support to the Parish Nurses that serve in the health ministry of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem," stated Bobbie Lautenschlager.
