Love Is an Action Word
The Luke TLC Medical Mission Team of Suncheon City
Written by Arlyn Creus Sim.
As the family was driving to my in-laws, I heard my husband saying, “How I wish I could have much more time to just rest, play, or sleep!” I wonder how many Koreans think this way as they anticipate Chuseok and Seollal, the much-awaited Korean holidays spent relaxing together with family.
To most Koreans, such holidays are a time of rest and enjoyment, but there are some Koreans who choose to be away from their families and render free services to unknown people. The Luke TLC Medical Mission Team of Suncheon City is a church-affiliated group committed to reaching out to different countries through free medical and dental services. The team is under the supervision of Nambu Presbyterian Church in Geumdang, Suncheon City, and it has helped people in countries such as Cuba, Thailand, Pakistan, Russia, and the Philippines, to name a few.
Most recently, the team finished its eighteenth overseas medical mission in the Philippines last year (from September 11 to 14). The team went to the United Christian Church in Trece Martirez City, Cavite, and a church in San Pedro City, Laguna. Composed of 23 Koreans, a pastor, doctors with one to three family members, and some volunteers, the latest team rendered free medical and dental services to Filipinos for two days. It also provided free medicine and reading glasses as well. This year, if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, the team would for sure have done its next volunteer mission in the same country.
In the Philippines, most of the patients needed tooth extractions and were asking for free reading glasses. The individual dental, ophthalmology, internal medicine, pediatric, orthopedic, and acupuncture teams were all very busy. The largest team is the dental team. We usually have around three to four dentists (one Korean and the rest Filipino) with their assistants. This team also needs volunteers for the sterilization of tools and equipment.
Some of the patients had minor colds or light orthopedic problems. In some cases, minor surgical procedures were also carried out. Last year, we had an operation that lasted for maybe 15–20 minutes. In another case, a man had a boil on his back for more than two years and finally had it opened. Without a doubt, the pharmacy team is always the busiest, for they are the last station for all patients.
Some of the mission team doctors had their own private clinics while others were employed in public hospitals, so after completing their duties, they traveled for about six hours (two hours and 30 minutes to the airport and more than three hours by plane) at night to reach their destination. The team always started each mission with a joint worship service with the Filipino team of volunteers from the churches they visited. Two days of hard work and a day of relaxation while visiting some beautiful scenery in the country before going back home completes their four-day, three-night trip. Early the next day, they are all back to their own personal jobs again.
Even though they have a very hectic schedule from Day 1 to Day 4, you cannot hear any word of complaint from the team members. They still manage to share a smile with everyone and just ask for a cup of coffee as an energizer.
Their dedication and devotion are unbeatable. Their determination has inspired a lot of people. Their precious time and exerted efforts are really priceless evidence of love in action. Personally, I can say that they are the good Samaritans of today. Their limitless service is enviable. For them, happiness is found in serving others. I salute these people for their unselfish love for service, especially since during the Chuseok and Seollal holidays they go and reach out to the needy in foreign lands. There are also Sunday afternoons when they offer free treatment to Koreans in churches nearby. Along with free treatment and medicine, they also offer free perming for elderly women. For them, serving is not out of duty but out of love.
I have been with this team for almost eight years now. From my first involvement until now, I have really been amazed by their devotion as they serve during the missions. I personally witnessed their dedication; heavy rains, floods, hot weather, and blisters on their hands have all failed to stop them. Last year, because of a flood, a bridge was closed, blocking their bus from entering a small street. So, they all walked across the closed bridge and rode tricycles to reach the designated place.
Being with this team has taught me many things. Money is not the real source of happiness. They also exposed me to lots of beautiful and memorable experiences one cannot learn from books. I was also able to teach my daughter the realities of life without even saying a word. The moral values I could not fully explain because of language deficiency were learned by her personally as she witnessed it in the mission field.
Not all of us can do the same sacrificing services like the mission team does, but there is one thing we can learn: The motive of our service, not its scale, is what really matters. It is love in action that is needed. No matter how small our acts of kindness are, they are important. As I have said, the size of our kindness does not matter. What matters is the amount of love sprinkled on our actions. Your sand-like small services can build a castle. Practice small acts of kindness every time an opportunity arises. Radiate and give love, and it will come back to you.
THE AUTHOR
Arlyn Creus Sim is a Filipina who has been married to a Korean living in Suncheon City for almost 20 years now. She is currently a part-time English teacher at Eie Amy Academy and Yoon English School. Instagram: @lcreus24