Reflections on the 39th Overseas Medical Mission to Yanbian, China

This medical mission to Yanji, China, from June 11 through June 15 was my first experience participating in an overseas medical mission.

During the flight to Yanji, one passenger suddenly became severely ill with indigestion. With the assistance of Dr. Gyung Bai Choi and one of the nurses, the passenger was able to reach Yanji safely.

Although it was an emergency, they responded calmly and professionally. Seeing this made me feel that our mission was off to a meaningful start.

Our mission team had visited China many times before, but customs procedures had become more stringent, causing an unexpected delay.

After arriving at our accommodations and setting down our personal belongings, we immediately traveled to Yanji Welfare Hospital to set up the surgical equipment.

The First Day of Surgery

On Monday, the first day of surgery, the outpatient department was crowded with patients throughout the day.

We were told that many local residents had been eagerly waiting for the Korean medical team. Some patients even urged the staff to make sure that they would also be examined and treated.

Surgeries were performed from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and 24 patients received sight-restoring cataract surgery that day.

Most of the patients had more advanced cataracts than the elderly patients commonly seen in Korea. However, we were told that their conditions were still less severe than those encountered at some of our other mission sites.

The Following Days

We performed surgery for 26 patients on the second day and 14 patients on the third day, bringing the total to 64 sight-restoring cataract surgeries.

Throughout the mission, I gained a deep respect for the physicians, medical professionals, and missionaries who had devoted themselves to serving in a foreign country.

It also seemed that many local residents had been deeply affected by the missionaries’ dedication and faithful service.

I was especially moved by the testimony of one person who said that, although accepting faith was difficult at the moment, they hoped to believe in God before the end of their life.

Even when their faith is not immediately visible, I believe that many people in the region are already becoming aware of God. Someday, they may hear the Gospel more fully and open their hearts to receive it.

Through this mission, I also realized that God had led us there to use the talents He had given us—not only to restore sight, but also to help lead precious souls toward salvation.