In this issue we will illustrate ways to live out the good news that God cares about others. Included are:
• Encouraging Words
• God’s work on Campus
• Outreach ideas
• Outreach opportunities
• NSNA Convention Announcement
• Bible study guide review – Following Christ in Nursing

God’s Work on Campus

Feb. 24-26, 2006 Chicago-area nursing students will attend the Winterfest conference, hosted by the Chicago Division of InterVarsity. Hundreds of students (including nursing majors) from Chicagoland will come together to worship, study God's Word, and learn from one another through their chosen track. There will be 12 tracks offered - see www.intervarsitychicago.org/winterfest for complete details.

Outreach Ideas

NCF students from the University of Illinois - Chicago gathered for a Christmas party. Each student brought a dish that is a tradition for their family during Christmas. As they shared the significance of their dish, they got to know each other better. This was a great way to meet outside of school and a non-threatening way to invite classmates to a NCF event.

NCF students at Malone College reached out to a family from one student's community health rotation. When the student realized the many needs of this single parent, three (soon to be four) child family, she and the other NCF officers adopted the family for Christmas. Each level of students took responsibility for one child or the mom. Faculty helped out as well. They presented the family with clothes, toys, books, gas, and grocery cards. Many have reached out to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Here are accounts from two schools:
• Louisiana State University NCF students and faculty were affected themselves, yet took the opportunity to reach out to fellow students and faculty. Read more about this at http://www.ncf-jcn.org//publications/cnews.html.
• University of Texas - Tyler helped out in Red Cross refugee shelters providing first aid as well as providing emotional and spiritual support. They also worked with other university organizations to restock food pantries that were in low supply.

University of Texas-Tyler faculty and students also participated in medical missions trips to San Raymundo, Guatemala in February and October of 2005 through Refuge International. They set up a temporary clinic to provide health care exams, perform surgery and fill prescriptions. Hundreds of patients were seen in a week. NCF students collected basic hygiene items from the university and community and made up over 800 hygiene kits to take along. They gave out the kits with hygiene teaching to every patient. It was a small thing that made a big difference in the lives of the Guatemalan people.

Outreach Opportunities

Intervarsity's Kenya Global Project (Jun 11, 2006 - Jul 31, 2006) is including a team for those majoring in Nursing. For more information go to http://www.ncf.-jcn.org//missions/opportunities.html or http://www.intervarsity.org/gp/project.php?row_id=65.

Need help sorting out opportunities to serve in short-term missions? Check out the NCF Missions website at http://www.ncf.-jcn.org/missions/main.html. You'll find FAQs as well as lots of opportunities to learn and serve.

Convention - April 5-9, 2006
Baltimore, Maryland

Imagine 3000 nursing students and dozens of health-related organizations getting together to consider how to best pursue wellness in the nursing profession. Now picture NCF nestled amidst the flurry of activity, providing a steady reminder of our purpose as followers of Jesus and the wellness he provides as we serve people through this profession of nursing. NCF will continue our annual ministry at the NSNA Convention by hosting various activities including a breakout session, entitled "Wellness from the Inside Out", led by NCF staff member, Skip McDonald, daily devotions, a fellowship event and the opportunity to interact with staff at the NCF booth. There you will also find information about the national organization, NCF literature and the Journal of Christian Nursing. If you plan to attend, you can join us in communicating Jesus' presence at the convention. Watch for details in the Convention newspaper-but if you know you're going, contact Renee Lick at nursereneel@yahoo.com--we'd love to connect with you. For more information on NCF at the 2005 convention, check out http://ncf.intervarsity.org//student/nsna05.html.

Bible Study Guide Review

Sometimes groups are looking for applicable Bible study guides for nursing students. We have many available in our Publications and Resources section (http://www.ncf-jcn.org//publications.html) but it can be difficult to know which to pick. So, I am going to try to do an occasional review to share highlights of some of them.

Following Christ in Nursing (A Look at Jesus in the Gospels) by Mary Thompson is a great study guide for both new and seasoned Christians. It examines how Jesus and his disciples responded to some difficult situations. Study questions help you to apply the same principles to your role in nursing. The guide includes six studies:
• Committing Myself to Christ's Team
• Comforting Relatives Experiencing Grief
• Relating to a Needy Woman
• Meeting Participants in a Tense Interaction
• Communicating Forgiveness
• Offering Peace to People Facing Death.

Examining these topics from a Christian worldview will prepare you to face them in your nursing practice. We pray that you find opportunities to share Christ and his love through nursing wherever God places you!