Martinez couple to recount Haiti trip

Martinez missionaries who lived through the devastation inflicted by an earthquake last week in Haiti will tell their stories Thursday.

//

Donnie Rogers, pastor of Life Ministries in Martinez, and his wife Cindy were preparing to return home from a medical missions trip at a leper colony on an island off the western coast of Haiti when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck. The couple and their traveling companions -- Life Ministries children's pastor Lisa Adams and Tennessee physician Marty Schnell -- were at a hotel in a suburb of Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12 when the ground shook, buildings were leveled and thousands were killed and injured.

"Because we were more or less stranded at that point and we have medical backgrounds, we ended up walking to a makeshift clinic, and that's what we did for several days," Mrs. Rogers said.

Mrs. Rogers said she treated Haitians with broken bones and gaping wounds.

With medical supplies limited, Mr. Rogers said he broke up wooden pallets to make splints.

The couple will recount more of their experience at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at Savannah Rapids Pavilion, where their church meets each Sunday for worship services. They hope to use the event as a fundraiser to aid earthquake victims.

IF YOU GO

What: Missionaries recount experiences in earthquake-ravaged Haiti

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 Evans to Locks Road, Martinez

More: www.lifeaugusta.com