The 52nd Medical Mission to Jingxin Town

Mission Dates: July 15–20, 2008
Location: Jingxin Town Health Center, Hunchun, China
Participants from JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC: Dr. Gyung Bai Choi and five staff members

Detailed Schedule

Day 1 — Tuesday, July 15

7:20 a.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport
9:50–11:15 a.m. — Fly from Incheon to Yanbian
12:30–2:00 p.m. — Complete customs procedures and have lunch
2:00–4:00 p.m. — Travel to the hotel in Hunchun and check in
4:40–7:00 p.m. — Travel to Jingxin Town Health Center and set up the surgical equipment
7:00 p.m. — Return to the hotel in Hunchun, have dinner, and rest

Day 2 — Wednesday, July 16

First Day of Surgery

6:00–6:30 a.m. — Worship service
6:30–7:00 a.m. — Breakfast
7:00–7:30 a.m. — Travel to Jingxin Town Health Center
7:30–9:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Morning surgeries for 11 patients
12:00–2:00 p.m. — Lunch
2:00–6:00 p.m. — Afternoon surgeries for 13 patients
7:00 p.m. — Return to Hunchun, have dinner, and rest

Day 3 — Thursday, July 17

Second Day of Surgery

6:00–6:30 a.m. — Worship service
6:30–7:00 a.m. — Breakfast
7:00–7:30 a.m. — Travel to Jingxin Town Health Center
7:30–9:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation
9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Morning surgeries for 15 patients
1:00–2:00 p.m. — Lunch
2:00–5:00 p.m. — Pack the equipment and close down the surgical site
5:00–7:00 p.m. — Travel to Yanbian
7:00 p.m. — Dinner

Day 4 — Friday, July 18

6:00–6:30 a.m. — Worship service
6:30–7:00 a.m. — Breakfast
7:00–11:00 a.m. — Travel to Mount Baekdu
11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Visit Mount Baekdu and have lunch
5:00–7:00 p.m. — Travel to Erdaobaihe
7:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

Day 5 — Saturday, July 19

6:30–7:00 a.m. — Worship service
7:00–8:00 a.m. — Breakfast
8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. — Visit Longjing and return to Yanbian
3:30–6:00 p.m. — Shopping and free time
6:00 p.m. — Farewell dinner and rest

Day 6 — Sunday, July 20

7:00–7:30 a.m. — Worship service
7:30–8:00 a.m. — Breakfast
8:00–11:00 a.m. — Rest and travel to the airport
12:15–3:45 p.m. — Fly from Yanbian to Incheon
3:45 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport

Mission Reflection 1

Volunteer Service in Jingxin Town, Hunchun

From July 15 to 16, I accompanied the medical team from JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC in Korea to Jingxin Town in Hunchun.

Having received training at JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC for three months in 2006, I was very happy to be given the opportunity to participate in this volunteer mission. At the same time, I felt both excited and afraid.

Because this was my first experience with this kind of medical service, I kept wondering whether I would be able to do my job well and whether something unexpected might happen.

Before traveling to Jingxin Town, we completed cataract surgeries for 42 patients at Yanbian University Welfare Hospital over approximately a day and a half.

That afternoon, we boarded a bus with the JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC medical team and members of the Good People Volunteer Team, an organization I had never heard of before, and headed for Jingxin Town.

We first arrived in Hunchun and briefly stopped at the hotel. We then traveled another 30 minutes by bus before finally reaching Jingxin Town.

The surgical site was a small, two-story building beside the road that looked more like a neighborhood clinic than a hospital.

We began by cleaning the rooms and arranging the surgical equipment. By the time we completed all the preparations and returned to the hotel, it was around 10:00 p.m.

The following morning began with a 5:00 a.m. wake-up call.

Although I was tired, I got out of bed thinking about the patients who were already waiting for us.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., we completed the preparations. After a prayer led by Dr. Gyung Bai Choi, the first surgery finally began.

About ten minutes later, we heard, “The surgery is complete. Thank you for your hard work,” and the first procedure was successfully finished.

One of the senior deaconesses, despite her age, crawled underneath the operating table to help move surgical equipment.

A deacon remained beside each patient, holding the patient’s hand throughout the procedure and guiding them safely out of the operating room afterward.

Seeing their devotion made it impossible for me not to work harder.

Even those of us who were younger felt pain in our legs after standing all day and often wanted to sit down. Yet the volunteers remained constantly beside the patients, caring for them without complaint.

One patient remains especially memorable.

The patient had not originally been scheduled for surgery. Near the end of the surgical schedule, however, we received a phone call explaining that the patient had previously undergone surgery on one eye and was determined to receive treatment for the other.

The patient traveled approximately 30 minutes by car, underwent an examination, and successfully received surgery before returning home with heartfelt thanks.

Although the surgeries had ended, there was still a tremendous amount of work to do.

Unlike at our hospital, we had brought everything ourselves—from cleaning supplies and surgical consumables to the microscope, cleaning cloths, and even fly swatters.

The team had transformed an empty room into a complete surgical environment by bringing every necessary item from such a great distance, cleaning the space, and setting up the equipment.

Thanks to everyone working together, we were able to pack approximately 16 boxes of surgical equipment.

My body was completely exhausted, but as a nurse, my heart was filled with pride and joy.

This volunteer mission helped me realize how many people are still in need of medical assistance.

Should another opportunity arise, I hope to offer even my small abilities to help them in any way I can.

Thank you.

Hae Yeon Kim
Nurse, Yanbian University Welfare Hospital
July 22, 2008

Mission Reflection 2

Six Grateful and Joyful Days in Jingxin Town, China

First and foremost, I give all praise and glory to the Lord for allowing us to complete every surgery safely during the six-day mission and return home to Korea without incident through His goodness and protection.

This was my second overseas medical mission with the JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC team.

My first mission had been to the Philippines. I had traveled there intending to help local patients, but I returned having learned so much and received tremendous grace myself.

Wanting to experience that same gratitude and inspiration again, I decided to participate in this mission to Yanbian, China.

Throughout this mission as well, I was able to feel and experience the Lord’s presence with us.

One of the first difficulties we usually encounter during an overseas medical mission is clearing customs at the local airport.

Because we transport expensive and heavy medical equipment from Korea, spending several hours at the airport is common.

However, as Manager Jae Gyu Bae noted, this time we completed all the customs procedures in less than two hours—something he described as a record.

God had clearly prepared the way ahead of us.

Because the customs process at Yanbian Airport was completed more quickly than expected, we were able to reach the hospital, unpack the equipment, and complete the medical setup without delay.

Seeing God’s gracious guidance on the first day made me look forward to the surgeries ahead and wonder what kind of work He would accomplish through us.

The First Day of Surgery

Although we arrived at the hospital early in the morning to prepare, many patients were already waiting.

Some had already covered the eye that would undergo treatment and were anxiously awaiting their turn. Seeing them naturally moved me to pray.

By the time all preparations were complete, it was approximately 9:00 a.m.

My main responsibility was to organize the patients and their family members waiting outside the operating room and determine the order in which patients would enter according to which eye required treatment.

I also helped patients change into surgical clothing, placed caps over their hair, and guided them to the anesthesia area.

From time to time, I emptied the waste containers from the operating room and returned them for continued use.

The weather was hot, and standing for several hours while assisting patients was physically demanding.

However, each time a patient emerged from the operating room after receiving treatment, I gave thanks to God.

The greatest source of encouragement for my tired body and mind was seeing the change in the patients’ expressions.

Before surgery, many of them had appeared anxious and frightened. When they came out of the operating room, however, their faces were filled with joy and gratitude.

They thanked me and everyone else who had served them.

Although my responsibilities may not have seemed impressive or especially significant, I felt a strong sense of pride and fulfillment.

The Bible teaches that those who are faithful in small things bring joy to God.

Thinking that God could be glorified and pleased even through my small acts of service gave me renewed strength and peace.

The Second Day of Surgery

On the second day, I adjusted much more easily because I had learned practical lessons from the first day and better understood what I needed to do.

We were able to complete all of the surgeries during the morning.

During the mission, 23 patients underwent surgery on the first day and 16 on the second day, for a total of 39 patients.

They returned home with renewed sight and new hope from the Lord.

Just as the name JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC represents light and hope, I give all glory and thanks to God for giving those 39 patients in China the gifts of renewed light and hope.

This medical mission in Yanbian allowed me to experience the same grace I had received during my earlier mission to the Philippines.

I could easily have become absorbed in worldly concerns and lived without truly knowing the Lord.

Instead, this mission became a place of miracles where I was reminded once again what it means to serve and where I experienced the love and peace that come from God.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the elders, senior deaconesses, deacons, Dr. Gyung Bai Choi, the nurses, and every other team member who served so faithfully.

Although the mission was brief, I give praise and glory to God for calling me to China and renewing my spirit once again.

I sincerely pray that I will be given another opportunity to participate in a medical mission with the JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC team and once again share the love and presence of Christ.