Reflections on the 60th Medical Mission to the Solomon Islands

Cataract Surgery Mission Schedule

Tuesday, December 8

  • 5:00 p.m. — Gather at Incheon International Airport

  • 7:35 p.m. — Depart Korea

Wednesday, December 9

  • 6:20 a.m. — Arrive in Brisbane, Australia

  • 9:30 a.m. — Depart Brisbane

  • 1:30 p.m. — Arrive in the Solomon Islands

  • 1:30–3:00 p.m. — Immigration, customs, and baggage claim

  • 3:00–4:00 p.m. — Travel to accommodations and have a meal

  • 4:00–4:30 p.m. — Travel to the National Referral Hospital

  • 4:30–7:00 p.m. — Set up the operating room

  • 7:00 p.m. — Dinner, return to accommodations, and rest

Thursday, December 10 — 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 the hospital

  • 7:30–9:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation

  • 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Morning surgeries: 16 patients

  • 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:00–5:00 p.m. — Afternoon surgeries: 10 patients

  • 5:00–6:00 p.m. — Clean up and return to accommodations

  • 6:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

Friday, December 11 — 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 the hospital

  • 7:30–9:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation

  • 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. — Morning surgeries: 16 patients

  • 1:00–2:00 p.m. — Lunch

  • 2:30–4:00 p.m. — Afternoon surgeries: 7 patients

  • 4:00–5:00 p.m. — Clean up and depart

  • 6:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

Saturday, December 12 — Third 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 the hospital

  • 7:30–9:00 a.m. — Surgical preparation

  • 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Morning surgeries: 14 patients

  • 2:00–3:00 p.m. — Lunch

  • 3:00–5:00 p.m. — Pack and organize the medical equipment

  • 7:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

Sunday, December 13

  • 8:00–9:00 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Sunday worship at Agape Full Gospel Church

  • 12:00–6:00 p.m. — Lunch and sightseeing at Dolphin Island

  • 6:00 p.m. — Farewell dinner and rest

Monday, December 14

  • 9:00–9:30 a.m. — Worship service

  • 9:30–10:00 a.m. — Breakfast

  • 10:00–11:00 a.m. — Travel to the airport

  • 2:30 p.m. — Depart the Solomon Islands

  • 4:45 p.m. — Arrive in Brisbane

  • 4:45–6:00 p.m. — Immigration, customs, and baggage claim

  • 6:00–7:00 p.m. — Travel to Brisbane Full Gospel Church

  • 7:00–8:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest

Tuesday, December 15

  • 5:00–6:00 a.m. — Early morning worship service

  • 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. — Sightseeing in Brisbane

  • 6:00–7:00 p.m. — Dinner

  • 7:00–9:00 p.m. — Evening worship service

  • 9:00 p.m. — Rest

Wednesday, December 16

  • 8:20 a.m. — Depart Brisbane

  • 5:45 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport

Mission Reflections

During my time at JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC, I had participated in several medical missions. However, when I heard that our next destination would be the Solomon Islands—a place I had often heard was beautiful—I prepared for the trip with a mixture of excitement and curiosity.

Because the Solomon Islands are located near Australia, I had assumed that the country would feel somewhat similar to Australia. When we arrived, I was initially surprised by how different the local population and culture were from what I had expected.

However, as I met the local people and experienced their kindness, warmth, and sincerity, my preconceived ideas quickly disappeared. I was then able to focus fully on examining and caring for the patients.

On previous missions, worship services had usually been attended only by the volunteers traveling with us. During this mission, however, we worshiped together with young adults from Brisbane Full Gospel Church, young adults from Sydney Full Gospel Church, and local residents of the Solomon Islands.

Seeing their passionate faith was deeply inspiring and challenged me in many ways.

The mission could certainly have been physically demanding, yet many of the volunteers had paid their own expenses to participate. Seeing their dedication gave me renewed strength and encouraged me to serve with greater commitment.

I also felt deeply grateful that I had been given the opportunity to participate in such meaningful work.

Perhaps because my attitude had become more positive, the surgeries were completed more quickly than expected. The patients’ postoperative intraocular pressure measurements and surgical outcomes were also stable, which gave us great reassurance.

The entire schedule proceeded smoothly.

I believe all of this was made possible through the earnest prayers of the church elders and senior deaconesses who supported us from outside the operating room, as well as through God’s gracious answer to those prayers.

Should I be given another opportunity to participate in a medical mission, I hope to prepare with even greater joy, prayer, and dedication so that I can serve more people.

Eun Hee Park
Nurse, Examination Department