Reflections on the 57th Medical Mission to Beijing, China
Medical Mission Schedule
June 21
11:00 a.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport
1:40–2:50 p.m. — Fly from Incheon to Beijing
4:00–6:00 p.m. — Complete customs procedures and travel to Zhuozhou
6:30–8:30 p.m. — Arrive at the hospital and set up the surgical equipment
8:30 p.m. — Dinner and rest
June 22
5:30–6:00 a.m. — Prayer meeting
6:00–6:30 a.m. — Breakfast
6:30–8:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Cataract surgeries for 20 patients
12:30–2:00 p.m. — Lunch
2:00–6:00 p.m. — Cataract surgeries for 15 patients
6:30–8:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest
June 23
5:30–6:00 a.m. — Prayer meeting
6:00–6:30 a.m. — Breakfast
6:30–8:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Cataract surgeries for 21 patients
12:30–2:00 p.m. — Lunch
2:00–4:30 p.m. — Cataract surgeries for 7 patients
4:30–6:00 p.m. — Pack and organize the equipment
6:30–8:00 p.m. — Dinner and travel to Beijing
8:00 p.m. — Rest
June 24
5:30–6:00 a.m. — Prayer meeting
6:00–7:00 a.m. — Breakfast
7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. — Visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, and a circus performance
8:00–8:30 p.m. — Dinner
8:30 p.m. — Rest
June 25
7:30–8:00 a.m. — Prayer meeting
8:00–9:00 a.m. — Breakfast
9:30–10:00 a.m. — Travel to the airport
11:55 a.m.–3:00 p.m. — Fly to Incheon International Airport
4:00 p.m. — Closing prayer and dismissal
Mission Reflections
From June 21 through June 25, I participated in a medical mission to China.
Although I had previously traveled to countries such as Vietnam and Senegal for volunteer work, this was my first mission trip. I felt excited, but I was also overwhelmed with worry and anxiety.
Because it was my first mission and my responsibilities included setting up the surgical instruments and loading intraocular lenses—tasks with which I was not yet completely comfortable—I felt a great deal of pressure.
Before the trip, I even lost sleep worrying about whether I would perform my role properly, whether something might go wrong, or whether I might become a burden to the team. The Lord was the only one I could rely on, so I prayed again and again.
Finally, the day of our departure arrived.
I traveled to Beijing with members of JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC and the Good People Blindness Prevention Volunteer Team, who would assist with the surgeries.
After arriving in Beijing and completing the necessary procedures, we traveled to Zhuozhou. Contrary to what I had expected, the hospital there was quite large.
With help from the hospital staff, we moved the equipment into the operating room and completed the surgical setup. At that moment, it finally felt as though the mission was truly beginning.
After setting up the equipment and having dinner, we went to accommodations located next to the hospital.
The following morning, we received a wake-up call at 5:00 a.m.
Although I was tired, I got out of bed thinking about the patients who were waiting for us.
At approximately 8:00 a.m., we completed the surgical preparations. After a prayer led by Dr. Gyung Bai Choi, the first surgery finally began.
About ten minutes later, I heard the words, “Thank you for your hard work,” and the first procedure was complete.
I was so nervous that I prayed silently countless times—during every moment and for every patient.
Perhaps because of those prayers, even though I had been awake since early morning, stood all day, and felt pain in my legs, I continued to find renewed strength and a deep sense of peace.
On the second day of surgery, I was able to adjust more easily because I had learned a few practical techniques and better understood how I needed to respond in the operating room.
We completed most of the surgeries during the morning and treated the remaining patients in the afternoon, allowing us to finish earlier than expected.
During the mission, 35 patients underwent surgery on the first day and 28 on the second day, for a total of 63 patients who were given the opportunity to see the world more clearly again.
Whenever patients left the operating room, they bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude. Seeing them made it impossible not to feel a profound sense of fulfillment.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Gyung Bai Choi, who worked tirelessly to operate on so many patients; the nurses who served alongside him; the senior deaconesses and deacons who provided tremendous assistance; and the Chinese nurses who showed us great kindness and support despite the language barrier.
Although the mission was brief, I give all praise and glory to the Lord for allowing me to participate, draw closer to God, and learn a deeper sense of gratitude.
I was overjoyed to feel that this mission had helped guide more people toward God.
Throughout the journey, I personally experienced the Lord’s presence and help, making it an especially meaningful time in my life.
I offer my deepest thanks to God for allowing all of this to take place.
Shin Yeo Kim, Nurse
