Hospital spokeswoman and head of its public relations department Lea Malul took part in a number of discussions in the US with the Protestant church group, and finally a delegation visited the hospital on Sunday.

Hospital director Dr. Shimon Sherf received a "modest donation" that established the formal connection with the group.

Among the participants was Joel Rosenberg, a Washington-based evangelical Christian and president of the Joshua Fund, a non-profit organization whose mission is "to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus." The fund aims to invest at least $1.2 million in humanitarian relief over the next year for Israeli, Lebanese and Palestinian families devastated by war and terrorism.

Joshua Fund director-general John Moser also attended the meeting, as did David Donaldson, head of the Convoy of Hope organization; Taysir Abu Saad of Seeds of Hope; and Calev Meyers, a lawyer who represents the evangelical organizations in Israel.

The visitors praised the hospital's treatment of violence victims and promised to help raise the funds needed to complete Barzilai's new hospitalization wing and purchase vital medical equipment.