Aileen Coleman - Emeritus (2023-2025)

Aileen Coleman first visited the Middle East as a young Australian missionary nurse in 1956. She met Dr. Eleanor Saltau, an American, in the late 1950's while working at a Western funded tuberculosis hospital in Arroub, near Hebron. Aileen and Eleanor, sharing a love for the Bedouin people, felt called by the Lord to start a hospital in the desert of Jordan. They chose the name Annoor, which is Arabic for "Light." Many individuals and organizations told them that opening this hospital would be impossible. They sought out good friend Roy Gustafson, who encouraged them to fearlessly follow God's will. He challenged them to take a step of faith saying, "What are you doing here in my living room? Just go!" So, in 1965 she and Eleanor returned to Jordan and dedicated their hearts and lives to ministry to the Bedouin people, co-founding Annoor Sanatorium for Chest Diseases. The nomadic Bedouin tribes affectionately call her “A'Raiisa,” meaning Leader or The Angel of the Desert, though she calls herself the Desert Rat! 

The Sanatorium treats tuberculosis specifically and lung disease generally, providing excellent medical care in the name of Jesus. Honored by the late King Hussein of Jordan and by Queen Elizabeth of England, Aileen has been called by one dignitary “one of the greatest servants God ever put on this earth.” Aileen has spent most of her life there, faithfully sharing the love of Christ into her 90’s. The Lord has brought many refugees from Syria as well as those from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict who need medical care. The nation of Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah, has escaped the fighting and remains a sanctuary for those fleeing the conflict.

Aileen Coleman, age 94, peacefully entered the presence of the Lord whom she loved so much on July 9, 2025. Though our hearts grieve her passing, we rejoice that her deep longing to see her Savior face-to-face has finally been fulfilled and she is experiencing perfect joy in His presence.

We ask you to join us in praying God’s comfort for the staff and volunteers of Annoor Sanatorium for Chest Diseases as well as the many, many people all over the world whose lives have been touched by Aileen. May the true Light of the Gospel of Jesus continue to shine brightly through her faithful, well-lived life and the work her hands established.