God answering prayers – Hospital Re-opens!

See end of story for update.

Kudjip, Papua New Guinea:  Please pray for Kudjip Nazarene Hospital and Melanesia Nazarene Teacher’s College in Papua New Guinea.  Four men who had previously caused problems with the hospital’s hydro project, were recently arrested for stealing from the project.  These men were soon released on bail and immediately began to seriously threaten the hospital and hydro project.

Arrests are often almost impossible unless tribes hand over the guilty.  While many community people strongly support the hospital, there are some who are willing to hide these men, which has now forced closing the operations of the hospital since October 14th. We are praying that God will intervene in a miraculous way.

We can only operate the hospital as long as the conditions are such that  staff feel safe in their working environment.   In this present situation it is necessary to hold people responsible for their actions and to ensure that the surrounding communities fully support the hospital rather than allowing the protection of those who would create problems.

This is a situation that often occurs all over the country in many ways and is one of the forms of corruption that is so damaging.  The Church, together with many in government, is trying constantly to take a stand against this. The Church faces these challenges not only at the hospital but at other institutions including Melanesia Nazarene Teacher’s College.  The Church is passionate about raising a standard of righteousness in all of its work.

Please pray for protection and discernment for our leaders in the hospital and college.  Pray as well for unity and support amongst area church leaders and the surrounding communities.  Pray for a spirit of conviction and understanding in the community so that people will see their need for God.

The Field and Asia-Pacific Regional leadership are following the situation closely and are taking these extra precautions of closing the hospital to ensure the safety of staff.

Update Friday October 18th, 2013

We are praising God with the reports being received out of Papua New Guinea.  The community has been coming together in support of the Nazarene Medical Ministry in Kudjip resulting in the decision being made today to re-open the hospital.