Who We Are
SAM, International (Spiritual Awakening Mission) is a 501 (C) 3, NGO, medical mission and relief organization which aims to provide medical care as well as humanitarian aid to the world’s poorest and forgotten people throughout impoverished and desolate areas. Through our actions and words principled upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we strive to heal people physically and renew them spiritually. SAM is able to quickly mobilize doctors, medical teams, medicines, medical supplies, equipment and medical survival kits in order to assist disaster relief efforts in devastated regions. Since 1998, SAM, International has provided over 50 million dollars in medical relief, assistance, and humanitarian aid to the devastated people of North Korea, China, Russia and other remote regions around the world. SAM, International’s continual ability to maintain a year round, strong medical presence in precarious regions such as the border between North Korea and China, enables the organization to quickly mobilize assistance to those populations formerly considered unreachable. SAM, International’s mission is to provide hope, health and love through the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to save lives and save souls.
History
In 1988, through an invitation by the North Korean Government, Dr. Sai Park, M.D. visited Pyong Yang, North Korea, (North Korean capitol) for the first time. While there, he was startled by the poor and virtually non-existent state of the North Korean medical infrastructure due to a lack of the most basic medical supplies, medicines and equipment. Plagued by extreme food shortages due to a series of natural disasters and failure of North Korean economic policies, it was at this time that evidence of a mass starvation of the North Korean population became apparent. This severe lack in food supply coupled with an absence of even the most basic medicines and medical supplies caused unprecedented human suffering and the tragic loss of millions of lives (reported by the United Nations). He rallied friends and medical colleagues and together they raised funds through a “SHARING MEDICINE THROUGH LOVE CAMPAIGN” in both South Korea and the United States. Dr. Park became the instrumental force behind the building and opening of the Pyong Yang Third Hospital in Pyong Yang, North Korea. He and his medical colleagues then became the first foreign medical team to perform surgeries and provide direct medical care to the North Korean people via the Pyong Yang Third Hospital. In 1998, Dr. Park and his colleagues established Spiritual Awakening Mission (SAM, International.)
In 2000, SAM, International built the Dan Dong-CMWM Hospital in Dan Dong, China. This hospital located a mile from the North Korean borders has functioned in many capacities. It allows full-time medical personnel to be stationed there year-round offering free medical care and humanitarian services to not only the local Chinese population, but to the suffering people in those volatile and precarious border regions. The Dan Dong-CMWM Hospital also serves as a connecting point to the hurting people of North Korea. SAM, International is able to quickly, effectively mobilize and distribute medical supplies, medicines and equipment and humanitarian goods within North Korea with control and transparency because of its strong presence in that area of the world. In addition, SAM, International runs charity clinics which span the entire 1400 km border region between North Korea and China. SAM, International has the ability to quickly mobilize doctors, medical teams, medicines, medical supplies, equipment and medical survival kits to set up field clinics to assist disaster relief efforts in devastated regions.
Christian Witness
Matthew 28: 19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this - that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”
SAM, International’s Christian witness is to save souls through the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In a world that is tormented by pain and suffering, we believe that total healing and well being comes not only from the physical body being made well, but also spiritual healing and strength. We believe that restoring spiritual health comes from knowledge and acceptance of the light and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Resulting hope and joy arises from the new life in Him. We believe in the power of the Gospel to transform people’s lives from being once hopeless and dejected, to becoming empowered and inspired. We believe in spiritually awakening the souls of men, first, within ourselves, then throughout the world.
Matthew 5:17 “Let your light shine before man, that they may see your good works and glorify your father who art in heaven”
SAM, International is a non-denominational Christian organization which aims to share the love of Jesus Christ through our expressions of love, care and concern. Through our service to others, it is our intent to impart a message of life saving hope to the hurting and suffering people around the globe. We extend our services to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. SAM, International also partners with over 300 churches of all denominations the world over and collaborates with many religious and secular organizations, all with the intent to end suffering, to save lives and to save souls.
About Dr. Sai R. Park
Dr. Sai R. Park, M.D. is the Founder and President of Spiritual Awakening Mission (SAM, International). Dr. Park earned his medical degree from Seoul National University Medical School. He taught as an Associate Professor at both Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and the University of California-Davis Medical School, in Davis, CA. He also served as the Director of Gynecology at the Northern California VA Medical Center. He resigned all of these commitments to devote himself full-time to medical missions and humanitarian activities.
Dr. Park maintains a very busy schedule with lectures, speeches, sermons and testimonies. He is the author of five books. His latest book a testimonial of his medical mission activities over the last twenty years spent eight months on the Korean National Best Seller List.