The fruit of partnership: Kudjip hospital dedication

Kudjip, Papua New Guinea

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Partnerships, at every level, are the real story behind the Friday, January 30, dedication of the new Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Hundreds of people, representing various organizations, churches, and denominations, gathered early for the event in a procession through Tari Gate on the mission station. The Lutheran Marching Band led the way. Others sang and threw flower petals.

General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf, Asia-Pacific Regional Director Verne Ward III, and Chaplain Taime Dirye led marchers to the site of dedication beneath a large, open tent in a local school's rugby field. Festive music and numerous speakers filled the three-hour ceremony.

Australian Deputy High Commissioner John Feakes attended the event, along with Australia PNG Incentive Fund Representative Paul Constable, and other AusAid representatives and PNG national leaders.

Local community leaders, hospital staff, and Nazarene church leaders expressed deep appreciation to the government and people of Australia for their generous support of the hospital project.

Before a growing crowd, Middendorf reminded hospital staff and missionaries that their service is the extended hands of Jesus, reaching out to the sick and injured in an expression of God's love.

Following this inspiring message, the crowd marched to the new Nazarene Hospital for a prayer of dedication, ribbon cutting, plaque unveiling, and the first official tour for the visiting dignitaries. Lunch was provided in three different areas of the station for more than 1,000 participants.

The beautiful, practical structure of the hospital is a reflection of the way God has worked through Nazarene medical missions in PNG across the years. The first clinic at Kudjip was founded in the early 1960s in a small structure that was later converted to a house. Funds for the current hospital were raised at the 1964 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, largely at the urging of Hardy Powers. Three years later, the 96-bed hospital was completed, going on to serve 180,000 inpatients and many more outpatients in the past four decades.

The new hospital, with room for 134 beds, is in the final stages of completion, with plans to be fully functional in mid-2009. It is owned and operated by the Church of the Nazarene International with support from the Government of Papua New Guinea through Church Health Services.

Please continue to pray that materials and supplies will arrive in a timely manner, and that qualified skilled laborers will be available to complete specific areas such as the autoclave installation in the new hospital.

Melanesian Nazarenes are excited to see all that God has planned for the new facility. They pray that it will be a blessing to the surrounding communities through Christian compassion, high quality medical care, training and education, community development, and discipleship.  
--PNG missionaries Michael Chapman, who is overseeing the construction project, and Hospital Administrator Bill McCoy (Slideshow available)

 

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