Meet One of Our Board Members, Donna Henson

For over 10 years, Donna Henson has been making medical mission trips to Terrier Rouge alongside orthopedic doctors, nurses, and therapists. This gift of service is a part of who she is and how she conducts her life. Today, Donna is an active part of the Board of Bethlehem Ministry, helping to effect change in Haiti not just on the ground there but from right here in the States.

Here’s her story…

Donna Henson, left, with a young patient, Pere Bruno, and the child's mother on one of her many medical mission trips.

"Over 10 years and 7 visits to Haiti, I've seen a lot of changes in northeast Haiti, but the people are just as warm and welcoming. Better roads, a new airport, and electricity all the way to Terrier Rouge! Clinique Espérance et Vie now has a surgical suite, a pharmacy, and offers treatment and services every day.

Many years ago, on our first orthopedic surgery mission trip, we had to load all of the equipment and supplies onto a truck and take them to a small hospital in Fort Liberte. Only 1 operating room, we cleaned and scrubbed the walls and floors. The hospital had plastic over the windows, a portable air conditioner outside with PVC pipe for air flow, chickens roaming the courtyard, and problems with the autoclave that had us borrowing one from another clinic. Despite the challenges, we operated for 3 days and really made a difference in the lives of the people we served.

The next time we were there, we were able to use the new operating room at Clinique Espérance et Vie that had been converted from an exam room and storage area. Today, we can do surgery, give the patient time to recover, and send them home. Sometimes on the back of a motorcycle!

Each time we go, we see the change. Helping people that could not get advanced treatments or afford care or transportation to treatment. Every day the work continues at Espérance et Vie -  mother/baby care, hypertension, tropical disease testing and treatment, eye care for glaucoma and cataracts, and dental care. The Haitian staff of doctors and nurses and lab techs work hard to provide health care for the community and families.

Bethlehem Ministry continues to support and aid the people of Haiti and the medical clinic but the needs are ongoing and urgent. Please visit our website, www.BethlehemMinisty.org for more information on how you can make a difference."

Donna Henson, LPN Athens Orthopedic Clinic

Meet jeff chambers

Jeff Chambers has been involved with Bethlehem Ministry for nearly a decade, most recently as a sponsor of our upcoming Athens, GA fundraiser, Hops for Haiti. We are eternally grateful for the way Jeff shares his gifts with the people of northeast Haiti. He has organized multiple medical mission trips, bringing medical expertise to many who would not otherwise have access.

Left to right - Carlton Guthrie CRNA, Jeff Chambers PA-C (holding Iselande, a patient, post-surgery), and Chip Ogburn MD

"My association with Clinique Espérance et Vie began shortly after the 2010 earthquake. Trey and Anna Scott asked me to go down to Terrier Rouge with a group of students, and work in the Clinic. I was “hooked” from the beginning and have been proud to be a part of the volunteer medical service to the Clinic. It became apparent early on that a real need was surgical services, especially orthopedic surgery. Many of the residents had unmet needs and could not afford surgery at other facilities. Our first surgical mission was put together on donations from Athens Orthopedic Clinic and St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, GA. We had no shortage of volunteers from both facilities, and the mission proved to be a success. Since that time, we have had several missions to Terrier Rouge, as well as sister missions providing plastic surgery and oral surgery by teams from Atlanta. Our goal from the start was to provide a consistent surgical service to assist and train the Haitian medical teams. I have no doubt that Clinique Espérance Et Vie can be the “gold standard” for clinics in Northeast Haiti and look forward to helping in the future."

Jeff Chambers, PA-C

Urgent Care of Oconee

Spotlight: Deb Myers

It has been my privilege to serve on the Board of Bethlehem Ministry for the past five years and as a volunteer for seven. As a Board member, I visit Haiti 1 – 2 times a year with a team of U.S. volunteers to tour the projects that Bethlehem Ministry sponsors, provide service to the people of Northeast Haiti, and deepen my relationships with the people working on our projects and living in the communities we serve. The most impactful parts of my visits are building relationships and being in fellowship with Haitians, learning more about Haitian lives and culture, and having time to reflect on my own American life and how I might live out the lessons that I learn from my Haitian friends.

I have developed a deep respect for the people of Terrier Rouge and those living in outlying communities. The genuine care and concern people have for the wellbeing of their neighbors, their promotion of youth development, and their entrepreneurial spirit are enviable! Haitians are also some of the most welcoming and open people I have met. Bethlehem Ministry’s partners are always out and about in the streets of Terrier Rouge listening to and ministering to people, seeking ways to provide assistance in solidarity with the community, and empowering Haitians to improve their own situation.

Over the past 7 years, the changes that I can see in Terrier Rouge are palatable. The school has grown, businesses have been established, housing and sanitation have improved, and access to high quality health care is constantly expanding. People also walk a little taller, children look happier, and there is a buzz in the streets that was not there when I first visited Terrier Rouge. Residents know that Pere Bruno and his projects have made a significant

difference for them and they all readily welcome his American guests.

I am proud to be a part of Bethlehem Ministry and am honored that I can make a small contribution to a large effort that is making great strides for the empowerment of the people in Northeast Haiti. I plan to be a part of “B’Min” for years to come!

Deb Myers

Board of Directors

Deb leads a team of volunteers on a trip to Terrier-Rouge at least once a year.