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"I was sick and you looked after me” Matt. 25:36 Welcome to One Mile Clinic! Introduction
Since Joe and Rosa Belle Cannon arrived in P.N.G. in 1971, the Church of Christ has reached out into the community by offering health care to those in need. Initially, Rosa Belle opened a “back door” clinic at their home and served hundreds of people needing first aid and basic medications. By 1979 many other believers were involved in serving the sick and a small aid post was built behind the church building nearby. During this same period the Coles had also settled in the Waria Valley and Ruth provided nursing care for this isolated district in Oro Province for the eleven years they were there. From 1979 to 1991 Janet Cope and many others served through “One Mile Clinic”, continuing the work Rosa Belle had started; providing first aid, treating skin diseases, malaria, and assisting the ill in accessing local health services. The early nineties saw a change in government regulations and urban aid posts had to be supervised by registered nurses. In the meantime Janet Cope had relocated to Canada, as well, and the clinic was closed. At this time the Papua New Guineans sent out a plea for help. Could someone come to their assistance? God hears and answers prayers! Both those in need and those wanting to serve are heard. Although Velma Forman thought she was heading to Zambia after her studies were completed at Mission 1000 in 1992, the Lord had other plans. The Papua New Guineans warmly welcomed Velma to Lae in May 1993 and she (along with the P.N.G. believers) has served since then at “One Mile Clinic”, reaching out to the urban poor in Lae and isolated villagers in many areas throughout Papua New Guinea. We desire to serve the whole person, providing preventative and curative primary health care so that individuals can enjoy spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health while here and rejoice in eternity with Jesus! Please come with us as we visit some of our patients, brothers, sisters and friends!
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