Reflections on the 49th Medical Mission to Clark, Philippines

Medical Mission Schedule

March 16

  • 6:00 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport

  • 8:45 p.m. — Depart for Clark, Philippines

March 17

  • 6:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 6:30 a.m. — Morning worship

  • 7:00 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 7:40 a.m. — Arrive at the hospital

  • 8:00–11:00 a.m. — Set up the medical equipment and conduct patient examinations

  • 11:20 a.m.–12:50 p.m. — Surgeries for 5 patients

  • 1:30–2:00 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:30–5:50 p.m. — Surgeries for 11 patients

  • 6:00–7:00 p.m. — Clean up and organize the operating room

  • 7:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

March 18

  • 6:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 6:30 a.m. — Morning worship

  • 7:00 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 7:50–9:20 a.m. — Arrive at the hospital and prepare for surgery

  • 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Surgeries for 12 patients

  • 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:30–6:50 p.m. — Surgeries for 15 patients

  • 7:00–8:00 p.m. — Clean up and organize the operating room

  • 8:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

March 19

  • 6:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 6:30 a.m. — Morning worship

  • 7:00 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 7:30–9:00 a.m. — Arrive at the hospital and prepare for surgery

  • 9:10 a.m.–12:50 p.m. — Surgeries for 12 patients

  • 1:30–2:10 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:30–6:50 p.m. — Surgeries for 15 patients

  • 7:00–8:30 p.m. — Pack and organize the equipment

  • 9:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

March 20

  • 7:00 a.m. — Wake up

  • 7:30 a.m. — Morning worship

  • 8:00 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Visit two Aeta villages and provide medical outreach

  • 4:00 p.m. — Late lunch and rest

  • 8:00 p.m. — Dinner and travel to the airport

March 21

  • 1:15 a.m. — Depart from Clark International Airport

  • 6:00 a.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport

Mission Reflections

By Mi Sunwoo, Outpatient Nurse

I had always been interested in medical missions, but because I worked as an outpatient nurse, I assumed that I would not have many opportunities to participate.

When I was told that I would be joining a medical mission to Clark, Philippines, in March 2008, I felt very worried. It was my first time traveling abroad not for vacation, but for a mission, and there were many things I did not know.

However, perhaps because I enjoy flying, once I arrived at Incheon International Airport, my worries began to turn into excitement. I started looking forward to the people we would meet and the experiences that awaited us during the mission.

On the morning of March 17, we began the mission with worship.

As the time for surgery drew closer, I carefully recalled everything I had learned in Korea before our departure. I remained focused because I wanted to be helpful to the team rather than become a burden.

Surgeries continued throughout the mornings and afternoons of March 18 and 19. There must have been many difficult moments, but whenever I heard that patients had returned the following day in tears to express their gratitude, the people of the Philippines—who had once been complete strangers to me—began to feel much closer.

I shared in their happiness as though they were members of my own family. Their stories moved me deeply and often brought tears to my eyes. I felt incredibly grateful that I had been given the opportunity to participate in the mission.

On our final day in Clark, we changed our original sightseeing plans and visited the Aeta communities served by local missionaries.

We distributed rice and bread, applied ointment to children who had limited access to medical care, and gave them necessary medications. As a nurse, I felt deeply proud and fulfilled to be able to care for them directly.

Throughout the mission, prayers could be heard both inside and outside the operating room. As the days passed, Dr. Gyung Bai Choi’s cries of “Hallelujah!” grew even stronger.

It felt as though the entire hospital in Clark was under God’s protection.

During the six-day mission, I experienced the power of prayer in a profound way. It was a truly precious and meaningful time.

“Whoever speaks should speak as one delivering the words of God, and whoever serves should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:11