Healing Guatemala has a God-sized dream, and they are calling on South Carolina Annual Conference United Methodists to join them in helping to achieve it.
Dr. Luke Rhyee, a South Carolina elder who founded Healing Guatemala, said the ministry is embarking on a plan to extend Hospital Bethesda, adding a concrete metal building spanning 27,000 square feet and consisting of six stories, each measuring 4,500 square feet.
10-year Dream Becomes a Reality
Rhyee said this project is essential for Bethesda to serve more people with improved quality of service.
“Last February, I experienced a unique moment during a pediatric ophthalmology camp at Bethesda. It took place in our surgery room, where many surgical operations were being performed. It was a moment to see clearly that all the dreams that I have dreamed with the Lord are being realized right before my own eyes,” Rhyee shared.
He noted that 10 years ago, Bethesda was just an empty cornfield filled with weeds. Today, numerous sick individuals have been restored to health through their medical and surgical services in internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, obstetrician and gynecology, odontology and other areas.
Rhyee said God laid a vision on his heart that Bethesda would not only provide specialty-level medical and surgical treatments, but also subspecialty-level services.
Currently, Bethesda serves about 150 outpatients daily and performs around 70 to 80 minor or major surgeries each month, with a staff of about 50 employees.
Expansion Will Serve More Patients
With the expansion, the first floor will house an emergency department and three surgical rooms. The second floor will contain a neonatal intensive care unit and an ICU and three operating rooms for OB/GYN. The third floor will house specialty and subspecialty outpatient clinics. The fourth floor will feature a hemodialysis center, a physical therapy room and additional outpatient clinics. The fifth and sixth floors will include inpatient wards.
“I am confident that this expansion will elevate Bethesda to a new level of health care and provide more comprehensive and holistic healing to the communities in the Lord’s name,” Rhyee said.
He said they will also need to install elevators.
The total budget for the extension is $1.8 million (US).
They plan to divide the total construction into two stages. In the first stage, they aim to finish the first and second floor, along with the installation of two elevators. The budget for the first stage will be approximately $800,000. Following the completion of the first stage, they will proceed with the second stage, completing the rest of the work.
“We are confidently taking the first step, trusting in the faithfulness of the Lord as demonstrated during the construction of the current Bethesda Hospital.”
For questions about donations or how to help, email Rhyee at rhyeemt@gmail.com; write Healing Guatemala, P.O. Box 1835, Duluth, GA 30096; or visit https://healingguatemala.org. If sending a check, write “Bethesda extension” in the memo line so they can allocate the funds properly.
Your Generosity Helps Others
By supporting your local congregation’s outreach ministries, you impact lives of your surrounding communities and those around the world. No matter what part of the world we live in, your generosity can reach across oceans and help conferences like South Carolina help those that are less fortunate.
story by Jessica Brodie, editor, South Carolina United Methodist Advocate newspaper
This story represents how United Methodist local churches through their Annual Conferences are living as Vital Congregations. The overarching purpose of The United Methodist Church is to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." A vital congregation is one that is effectively engaged in this mission. Together, we become a powerful force for healing, growth, and transformation—living out the Gospel in every corner of the globe.
