By Angela McCann
Because Christ heals us, we should comfort and share Christ with others who are hurting. This belief inspired CRAM (Christ Reaching Asia Missions) to design and build the Shin Hae Medical Clinic. CRAM, an organization of missionaries that serves Northeast China and North Korea, recently dedicated the medical center in North Korea.
The May 26 dedication in Rajin City is noteworthy for two reasons: (1) The North Korean government permitted a missionary group to construct such a building, and (2) it is the first medical clinic in North Korea constructed through the support of Christian churches.
The Shin Hae clinic has 17 staff members””doctors, nurses, and general workers. The clinic focuses primarily on basic surgery, internal medicine, gynecology, and some dental work. Shin Hae is not a hospital, and its services are somewhat limited, but already there have been 20 babies born there (as of mid-July) and the clinic treats about 70 patients a day.
The clinic seems to have eased access for foreign medical practitioners. On June 10 a team of two dentists, one doctor, and two nurses from Australia arrived in Rajin. Over the next three days at Shin Hae, 150 people were treated. The team from Australia is the first foreign team to assist in treating patients. God is making a way in an area where there had been no path.
Less than two weeks after Shin Hae opened, CRAM launched the Bee Pa Medical Clinic (June 2). It is small””with only one doctor and one nurse on staff””but it is proving beneficial.
CRAM already has a third project underway. The You Hyun Medical Center should be completed by the end of the year. Construction is taking place in an area populated by about 4,000 outside Rajin; You Hyun will be the only medical center available to people of this area. The staff will include 14 doctors and two nurses.
Shin Hae, the first medical center, cost $150,000 (U.S.), so the cost of the You Hyun Medical Center will be considerable. More financial assistance is needed.
The North Korean people are hurting both spiritually and physically, and God seems to be providing for both needs. Christ is making himself known through the love his servants are showing the North Korean people, and this is the greatest medicine of all.
Years ago it was unheard of for a Christian organization to attempt anything in North Korea. It will be interesting to see what doors God opens up in the future.
Questions or support for the You Hyun Medical Clinic may be directed to CRAM Worldwide Inc., P.O. BOX 563, Bedford, IN 47421; e-mail [email protected].
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