The Parish Nurse ministry at Prince of Peace helps to care for one another by attaining, maintaining and regaining the best possible whole person's wellness of body, mind and spirit. The role of the Parish Nurse is a health counselor, referral source, and an advocate for an individual. The Parish Nurse is a blend of professional nursing and spiritual caregiving. The Parish Nurse visits members at the church and in their homes or care facilities.
Mary Hume was commissioned as the first Parish Nurse of Prince of Peace in July, 1999.
Parish Nursing, A Collaboration for Care in Ethiopia
Each of the 6 Parish Nurse from the US felt that God had called us to go to Ethiopia, on the Medical Mission trip. After prayer and trying to back down, everything fell into place.
With your help, I was able to participate in a three-day training for 47 Ethiopian nurses to gain the additional information of the aspect of Parish Nursing to the work of a nurse: incorporating the spiritual aspect of nursing mind and body. After these days of sharing, the 47 Ethiopian nurses (which also included a couple of doctors) celebrated with the receiving their certificates. Each nurse (mostly men) had the enthusiastic support of their ministerial leaders. Their additional responsibilities include the incorporation of the nurse and doctor (if there is one) in their church homes to help spread the saving grace of Jesus by caring for the patients’ Spirit, as well as their physical and mental needs.
While in Ethiopia, I was able to experience many cultural practices to help in understanding the challenges that my Ethiopian Nursing colleagues experience. I witnessed poverty of material things, but bounty of spirit and enthusiasm.
Your help and support have been spread across many miles to impact the physical and spiritual health of people that we may never see face-to-face; know that God is active in our lives and those of people across the globe!
The medical supplies you shared were sent to the University Hospital in Hosanna, a Prison in Hosanna, and a clinic in the Dara Region of Ethiopia.
Deaconess Tadelech Loha and a registered nurse will be leading the parish nurses in Ethiopia and continue to train other nurses in the role.
Thank you for accepting God’s invitation when he asked, “Whom shall I send?” and you answered, “Send me!” by your donations that made a difference to so many! May God continue to bless our efforts in the mission field! I will continue to accept medical supplies and take them to my Parish Nurse Conference in May.