Reflections on the 56th Medical Mission to Yanbian, China
Medical Mission Schedule
May 24
12:30 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport
3:00 p.m. — Depart Korea
4:30 p.m. — Arrive in Yanbian
7:00 p.m. — Complete customs procedures
7:30 p.m. — Arrive at Yanbian Welfare Hospital
8:30 p.m. — Complete surgical preparations and have dinner
May 25
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
9:00 a.m. — Begin cataract surgeries
12:00 p.m. — Complete morning surgeries for 13 patients
12:30 p.m. — Lunch
2:20 p.m. — Resume cataract surgeries
5:00 p.m. — Complete afternoon surgeries for 12 patients
6:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest
May 26
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
8:40 a.m. — Begin cataract surgeries
12:40 p.m. — Complete cataract surgeries for 18 patients
1:00 p.m. — Lunch
2:30 p.m. — Begin lacrimal procedures
4:30 p.m. — Complete lacrimal procedures for 3 patients and pack the equipment
6:00 p.m. — Dinner and rest
May 27
7:30 a.m. — Wake up
8:00 a.m. — Morning worship
8:30 a.m. — Breakfast
12:30 p.m. — Depart Yanbian
4:00 p.m. — Arrive at Incheon International Airport
Mission Reflections
Ever since I was young, my dream had been to become a nurse. After becoming one, my vision was to share the love and presence of Jesus through medical missions.
As a newly graduated nurse, I had participated in a medical mission to Cambodia through my first workplace. However, this mission felt very different. I was filled with both nervousness and fear, perhaps because I was deeply aware of how inexperienced and inadequate I still was.
As I prepared through prayer, however, I began to believe that God had given me this vision long ago and had been preparing me for this moment. Gradually, my fear was replaced by anticipation and excitement.
On the first day, we boarded a 3:00 p.m. flight and arrived at Yanji Airport.
At the time, novel influenza, or H1N1, was spreading, so the airport was conducting strict health screenings. During the inspection, a Japanese woman who had traveled on the same flight was found to have a fever.
Airport officials began distributing masks and gloves to all passengers, and we were temporarily placed in quarantine.
We waited without knowing how long it would take.
As I waited, many anxious thoughts filled my mind. I was frightened and wondered whether we might remain quarantined and be unable to return to Korea. I also worried about what would happen to the medical mission.
Thankfully, the woman was found to have an ordinary cold, and we were able to leave the airport after waiting for approximately three hours.
At that moment, I realized how foolishly I had spent those three hours worrying.
I had forgotten that God was with us in every situation and had focused only on my fear and anxiety.
As I left the airport, I reminded myself once again that God remains with us in all circumstances. I also resolved to remain grateful, no matter what situation He allowed us to face.
On the second day, we performed cataract surgeries in both the morning and afternoon. On the third day, we performed cataract surgeries in the morning and lacrimal procedures in the afternoon.
Thanks to the local physicians, nurses, and staff who assisted us, as well as the many colleagues at JC BITSOMANG EYE CLINIC who supported us through prayer, each patient was able to undergo surgery safely.
Before every procedure, Dr. Gyung Bai Choi prayed for each patient individually.
As I watched him, I also prayed silently. Just as their physical sight would become brighter through surgery, I earnestly prayed that the light of the Lord would also enter their hearts.
Although I still have many shortcomings, I was filled with joy and gratitude simply because God had allowed me to be used as one of His instruments.
I pray that I will not seek God’s love only when I need Him, but that I will always remain in His love and share that love with others. I also pray that all of us will live in this way.
I give all glory to God, who remained with us throughout the entire mission.
Hallelujah!
Yu Mi Park, Nurse
