Reflections on the 50th Medical Mission to Yanbian, China
Medical Mission Schedule
March 30
7:20 a.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport
9:40 a.m. — Depart Korea
12:00 p.m. — Arrive in Yanbian
1:00 p.m. — Sunday worship service
2:00 p.m. — Arrive at Yanbian Welfare Hospital and prepare for surgery
5:30 p.m. — Dinner and rest
March 31
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 and prepare for surgery
8:50 a.m. — Begin morning surgeries
12:00 p.m. — Complete morning surgeries for 12 patients
2:15 p.m. — Begin afternoon surgeries
4:10 p.m. — Complete afternoon surgeries for 11 patients
5:30 p.m. — Dinner and rest
April 1
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 and prepare for surgery
8:30 a.m. — Begin morning surgeries
12:10 p.m. — Complete morning surgeries for 10 patients
2:10 p.m. — Begin afternoon surgeries
4:20 p.m. — Complete afternoon surgeries for 9 patients
5:30 p.m. — Dinner and rest
April 2
7:00 a.m. — Wake up
7:30 a.m. — Morning worship
8:00 a.m. — Breakfast
12:55 p.m. — Depart from Yanbian Airport
4:30 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport
Mission Reflections
From March 30 through April 2, we traveled to Yanbian for a medical mission. The area reminded me of a quiet rural town in Korea. It was not as cold as I had expected, and because this was my second visit, the surroundings no longer felt unfamiliar.
The staff members of Yanbian Welfare Hospital welcomed us warmly. I was also very happy to see them again after such a long time.
On the first day, we attended a Sunday worship service. I prayed that the day would soon come when more people in China would be able to freely learn about God and worship Him.
Cataract surgeries began on the second day, and a total of 23 patients regained clearer vision.
Using a surgical technique that Dr. Gyung Bai Choi had first encountered and continued to study following an earlier medical mission to the Philippines, even patients with difficult and advanced conditions were able to undergo surgery safely and without major complications.
Some cases were especially challenging. However, through God’s grace, Dr. Gyung Bai Choi’s experienced surgical care, anesthesia provided by Ms. Yeon Ja Lee, who had received training in Korea, assistance from Nurses Kim and Ji, and the support of the other local nurses, every procedure was completed safely.
Seeing the patients leave with joyful expressions filled my heart with warmth.
On the third day, an additional 19 patients underwent cataract surgery.
During the surgical schedule, the hospital’s sterilization equipment broke down, delaying the procedures for more than an hour. Despite the unexpected setback, every patient who had been scheduled for surgery received treatment and returned home with improved vision.
One patient jokingly asked Dr. Gyung Bai Choi to move to Yanbian, bringing laughter to everyone in the room.
Another patient with severe myopia had visited several hospitals before ultimately coming to Yanbian to receive surgery from Dr. Choi. We were told that Dr. Choi had already become well known in the area and that many patients were eagerly waiting for the opportunity to be treated by him.
Over the course of two days, the team completed cataract surgeries for a total of 42 patients.
Perhaps because we were serving ethnic Koreans living abroad, the experience brought an especially deep sense of fulfillment and quiet emotion.
The patients included not only ethnic Koreans but also Han Chinese residents. I wondered whether seeing a highly skilled physician from Korea volunteer his services might also have given the local Korean community a greater sense of pride.
Once again, I give thanks to God for using JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC to carry out this meaningful work.
