Bitsomang Medical Outreach for Korean Reunification
Part 2: Daecheongdo Island
“Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal.
Neither enjoyment nor sorrow is our destined end or way, but to act so that each tomorrow finds us further than today.
Art is long, and time is fleeting.
In the world’s broad field of battle and along life’s long journey, do not become like a helpless creature driven onward. Be a hero in the struggle.”
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It seems that Dr. Im Kwon, the medical staff, and the Bitsomang Medical Mission Team returned with even more than they had given through these two medical outreach missions.
They gave up not only their summer vacation but also the entire special holiday weekend surrounding Korea’s National Liberation Day to provide medical services far from home.
Yet when they returned, their faces were so bright that the entire clinic seemed to light up.
We sincerely hope that this warmth and brightness will also be shared with every patient who visits our clinic.
Mission Reflections
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, the Bitsomang Medical Mission Team traveled to Daecheongdo Island in the West Sea during the National Liberation Day holiday to provide medical outreach.
After departing from Incheon Coastal Passenger Terminal, we traveled for four hours by high-speed ferry before arriving on Daecheongdo Island.
A public bus was waiting to take us to our destination, Satan-ri.
Daecheongdo consists of seven villages, numbered from Village 1 through Village 7, arranged around the island.
Village 4 was renamed Satan-ri by the Japanese during the colonial period. The name is said to mean “sand hill,” and the area later became known as Satan-dong.
On a hill in Village 4 stand the picturesque Siloam Church and a Catholic church.
However, local residents were more familiar with the name Satan-dong Church than Siloam Church, which sounded somewhat uncomfortable because of its resemblance to the English word “Satan.”
On the first day, we held a grace-filled arrival worship service.
We then went to the beach, where the sound of the waves seemed like the voice of the Lord and the fresh sea breeze felt like His gentle touch.
Holding hands, we offered a prayer of thanksgiving and entrusted the mission plans ahead to God.
The Second Day
At 8:00 a.m., we began with praise and attended Sunday worship.
Medical outreach began at 10:00 a.m.
During the day, the team provided care to:
72 patients through general medical services
50 patients through Korean traditional medicine
60 ophthalmology patients
70 patients through ultrasound examinations
50 dental patients
Antiparasitic medication was distributed according to the number of members in each household, and both Western and traditional Korean medicines were dispensed according to each patient’s prescription.
The beauty service team also provided perms for 32 local residents.
The township chief and the head of the local Coast Guard station visited the site and expressed their gratitude.
They praised the outreach as one of the most substantial, well-organized, and meaningful medical service events the community had ever received.
Daecheongdo Island had a population of approximately 1,143 residents, including about 70 people living in Satan-ri.
Most local residents supported themselves through lodging services, farming, and other small-scale occupations.
Only 14 people regularly attended the local church.
When the 53 members of our mission team joined the 14 local believers for worship, the sanctuary was completely filled.
We prayed earnestly that one day the church would always be filled in this way by members of the local community.
Daecheongdo is a small island located only about 8 kilometers in a straight line from North Korea. The island itself is approximately 8 kilometers long and has a circumference of around 18 kilometers.
Because of its location, Daecheongdo is clearly an important outpost for sharing the Gospel toward North Korea.
We sincerely pray for the evangelization of Daecheongdo and for the island to become a spiritual bridge toward the people of North Korea.
