My First Medical Mission: Dominican Republic
| By Kelly ChajKa

As Arise and Walk Ministries Foundation joined Urban and Global Missions Alliance (UGMA) in the provision of free healthcare to the poor in the Dominican Republic, Dr. Mayra Suero-Wade met several first time missionaries and asked for a written account of their participation for our newsletter. The following write-up from Kelly Chajka is a blessing and will stimulate others to experience short term missions!

It was a day like any other. My friends and I were in the library taking a breather before our next class. While checking my email, I came across some information about a medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic, organized by the UGMA. I knew right away that I had to be a part of it. I felt in my heart that it would be a great way to help people in need, to practice the skills I had learned in my first year at SUNY Optometry, and to meet new people. All of these expectations were far surpassed during my six days of service.

When I arrived at the airport, I knew only a few of the other optometry students going on the trip. I was unsure if I would be accepted by the group and didn’t know exactly what I was getting into. What I soon learned, however, was that I was privileged to be on a mission with over sixty of the nicest, most accepting, most caring people I’ve ever met. Over the next six days, we visited four sites and provided free medical care to the local people. All of our group members, from those working in triage, to general medicine, to dentistry, to pharmacy, pushed themselves physically and emotionally to make sure that as many patients as possible could be seen.

As part of the ophthalmology team, we saw almost 1,000 patients during our short week. We performed refractions and ocular health screenings and then provided glasses and eye medicines to those who needed them. It was difficult work; the heat was stifling, the stream of patients was endless, and I sometimes didn’t know if I would physically make it through the day. But what really kept me going was knowing that I was making a difference in people’s lives. When a man puts on a pair of reading glasses and his whole face lights up because he can now read small print, that is a feeling you’ll never forget. When a woman hugs you and thanks you for helping her, you get that extra push of energy you need. One of the doctors on the trip told me that in all of his years as a physician, he has learned that it’s not so much the medical care you give people, but the way that you treat them and the kindness you give them that will be remembered. These are words I will live by throughout my career. Thanks to this trip, I know I will make mission trips a regular part of my life. I already can’t wait until next year when I will get to see all of my new friends again and to embark on the next mission!

AWMF Helps US-Based Nigerian Pastor to Bring Health to Nigeria

Last year, Arise and Walk Ministries received an urgent call from a pastor from New York that simply said “It is very important that we meet because we share the same Godly vision of bringing health and healing to the African people.” We met Reverend Reuben Chizor, Pastor and Founder of Hope Restoration Ministries, and we were impressed with his passion and vision to help the people of his homeland, Nigeria. He feels strongly that the wealth of a nation is directly related to the health of its people. As a result, he is working diligently to help the people of Nigeria become healthy so that in time, they can become a self sufficient people. Rev. Chizor has for many years travelled to Nigeria on medical mission crusades with medications and members of his congregation to provide free medical care in several rural communities in Delta State, Nigeria. So popular are his short term clinics that people wait for him yearly for their medical check-ups by the thousands and churches in Nigeria are requesting that Pastor Chizor find time to make a stop to be a blessing to their local church.

Pastor Chizor shared his vision with Arise & Walk Ministries Foundation and indeed we felt his deep commitment to help the Nigerian people. Arise & Walk donated oral health products, medications, 70,000 units of multivitamin pills, clothing and shoes for their 2007 trip. He states in a
news article from Nigeria that when people found out that he bought multivitamin pills, they started traveling to see him from everywhere. He said “the Lord told me to give everyone 20 multivitamins and pray for each person… the next day even more people gathered again”.

Thanks be to God, Arise and Walk was able to provide help and plans to support Pastor Chizor’s 2008 medical mission crusade with more vitamins, toothbrushes, toothpaste, prayer and much more. They need more medical workers, so if you find it in your heart to participate in short term medical missions, let us know by calling our office at 201-825-3073.

Arise & Walk Ministries Foundation, Inc. Emergency Response to Hurricane Katrina

With the help of missionaries, supporters, and organizations that were moved to do something Arise & Walk Ministries Foundation responded with a medical disaster relief team, visiting the area that was hit most by Hurricane Katrina; Slidell, MS. Arise & Walk rented a recreational vehicle in which part of the team traveled and brought with them medication, toiletries, child care necessities and the like to the Feed the Children warehouse where we were stationed.

While in Slidell, MS, we worked diligently to set up a make shift clinic in a local church. There we met a God fearing couple who worked fervently to prepare the space for us to see patients. Within twenty-four hours, the clinic was open to take care of the people who were in need by giving out medication, examinations, prayer and comfort. Patients received care from our physicians in the short-term clinic and the patients were treated with medical attention ranging from tetanus shots, vaccinations, screenings, to orthopedic care. Even other volunteers from around the country who were there providing assistance came to our makeshift clinic for medical attention. Here in the North-East region, we can only imagine the desolation that was witnessed by the residents of this torn area. Yet with God's grace, mercy, and favor, we were able to see many faces smile from the service that was provided by volunteer workers, missionaries, medical physicians, organizations and all of our supporters.

The Tsunami-Torn Countries: A Missionary’s Experience | By Dr. Mark J. Wade

In my last newsletter of September 2004, I spoke of my excitement and anticipation for what God was calling us to do in 2005. “Great is the call, greater is the work to be done, but greatest is He who has called us and the reward He has in store for us if we remain faithful to the call and see it through to the end!” The call has come and we have our orders.

God is calling us to do work in the Tsunami torn country of Indonesia which became prey to what is now known as the greatest natural disaster, in terms of loss of human life, in the past 100 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that to date the death toll exceeds 280,000 people, with more than 5 million people affected and more than a million people displaced as a result of the destruction. In March 2005, the Lord saw fit for me to travel to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia under the banner of Arise and Walk Ministries Foundation (AWMF) as a part of a mission team from Nyack College at the invitation of Dr. David Schroeder, President of Nyack College. Upon our arrival, three months after the Tsunami hit, we were confronted with an unprecedented presentation of destruction and devastation.

As far as the eye could see, there was scattered debris, flattened cement buildings, and piles of ruins where there had previously been homes, schools, businesses and places of worship. The people God allowed me to meet expressed feelings of “numbness” and “a sense of hopelessness and despair.” According to 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Our Father of mercies” is the “God of all comfort… that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.” I believe that God has called AWMF, with your support, to be an instrument of comfort. We are called to build a healthcare delivery facility in the name and love of God in this area that has been a historical Muslim stronghold. This facility will not only meet the overwhelming healthcare needs of this region, but will open the door to evangelism through the powerful demonstration of God’s power and His love for all people!

As AWMF prepares to make a meaningful impact on the physical and spiritual well-being of those impacted by the Tsunami of 2005, we beseech you to join us and help us to do the will of God. What an awesome opportunity to use our God given talents, resources and relationships to restore and save the physical and spiritual lives of hundreds of thousands to the glory of God by helping to restore brokenness.

Help is on the Way to Nigeria!
AWMF partners with Bethel Gospel Assembly to supply needed medical equipment.

On the last day of a four day medical mission trip to his hometown of Eku Delta State, Nigeria, Africa, Mr. Freebourn was approached by a young woman living with a cancerous tumor growing on her left cheek. She had been waiting for days to see a doctor and came into the tent with a specific request. At the age of 40, this woman had been to many doctors who told her there was nothing they could do for her. In a moving moment, she came to the clinic set up by the missionary team of Gospel Bethel Assembly that traveled to Nigeria, and simply made her request known. She asked if the doctor could remove the growing tumor. Mr. Freebourn recalled how he had to sadly tell her that they did not have the facilities or equipment to do the type of surgery required to assist her properly. Her humble, yet powerful reply was one of confidence and hope, “I am going to pray to God that He will send you back to do the surgery for me.” And so, the stage is set for a return trip. After seeing 1,500-2,000 patients, countless people in the small village openly expressed their hope and gratitude for healthier physical and spiritual days ahead. Being a “hometown” boy of this village, many came to Mr. Freebourn saying things like, “We are grateful that you came back home to help us. Thank you.”




This missionary trip was made possible by the efforts of the mission team of Bethel Gospel Assembly from New York City. Arise and Walk Foundation, in recognition of the great work of Bethel Gospel Assembly, donated several pieces of medical equipment to accompany the team to Nigeria, Africa. Equipment donated included a dental chair and dental equipment, x-ray machines, lab equipment, and lab refrigerators. Mr. Freebourn picked up the equipment from AWMF’s storage facility in New Jersey and says that it is through the generous support of Arise and Walk Foundation that they will help equip the hospital in Nigeria which is in dire need of everything. Bethel Gospel Assembly has expanded its mission field to touch the lives of people beyond the shores of the North American continent to Central America, in Guyana and the Caribbean Islands of St. Vincent, Montserrat, Aruba and Haiti.

In July 2005, Bethel Gospel Assembly took the largest core of doctors that they have ever assembled on a six day medical mission to Venezuela. On the recommendations of Venezuelan pastors and more than nine months of planning, 32 doctors, dentist, dental staff, pediatricians and an ophthalmologist went to offer medical and spiritual healing to 3,000 people. Lord willing, with support like this, the prayer of the Nigerian woman may be answered in the not too distant future.

In Haiti - Bethesda Ministry Plans to Complete Clinical Building By Year’s End

In December 2003, AWMF traveled on a mission trip to Haiti with Antioch Baptist Church under the guidance of Bethesda Ministries. We were blessed to witness the outpouring of help given to the people in the mountains of L’Aviel by Antioch Baptist Church and the ministry of the Joseph family and it’s leader Dr. Jacqueline Joseph. Bethesda Ministries’ Compound as it is called, is comprised of a church, a medical clinic (under construction, to complete this year) and a school (will start construction in 2006). Although the clinic was not completed, we were still able to provide medical care to the masses who came for care and the Gospel. The children receive their lessons under a tent and are patiently waiting for the construction of their school.

We were so moved by the love and dedication of the Joseph family that we vowed to join forces with them in order to aid with the cause of helping the people of Haiti. AWMF was happy to provide to Bethesda Ministries a completely outfitted medical van donated to AWMF by Preventive Plus, Inc. medical services of Paramus, NJ. The van will be shipped to Haiti and allow them to reach the people seeking medical care in areas where medical care does not exist. In addition, at the 2004 Arise and Walk Ministries Foundation Awards Dinner, Bethesda Ministries was awarded $7,500 towards the work of completing the clinical building. $5,000 of the award from AWMF was donated by Morningstar Community Tabernacle in Linden, NJ. And who could forget the awesome demonstration of “reaping and sowing”, when Dr. Larry Jones, President/CEO of Feed the Children, signed over his award check of $10,000 to Bethesda Ministries, (by this time the place went crazy!) also to go towards the clinical building. We are still in awe at how God moves on the hearts of His people to get His work done! The clinical building is almost completed.

The goal is to raise funds to help complete it this year. Your financial help will be very much appreciated. The truth of the matter is that once completed, this building will be a beacon of light where the hurting can come and receive health care and the love of God. Let’s do it! Let’s help complete His clinical building. Thank you in advance for your support.