COVER STORY 28 JULY 2023 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition “In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success” (Proverbs 3:6, TLB). This is the life verse of Don Campion, co-founder and president of Banyan Air Service, Inc. and his wife, Sueanne Campion, who have spent the last 15 years rebuilding the mission hospital compound in Egbe, Nigeria, where Don was raised in rural West Africa. Their efforts have made such an impact in that community that leaders conferred on Don the Chieftaincy Title of Alatunse of Egbe Land, meaning “Restorer of Our Village,” literally crowning him as a chief. And he accomplished this while continuing to lead his team at Banyan Air Service, Inc., based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, to be the Number One Fixed Based Operator (FBO) in America, recognized by Professional Pilot Magazine as a customer-driven company focused on service and excellence. A full-service 24-hour business aviation organization, Banyan provides support for owners, crews, passengers and aircraft. “The quality of our work is the platform of our witness,” said Campion. “When we use our God-given talents to the best of our ability, I believe it is a form of worship and a way to glorify our Lord.” Having witnessed Don’s passion for excellence and for the people of Egbe, Nigeria, many in South Florida have been drawn to join his efforts, traveling to the region on shorttermmission trips or donating funds and equipment. Partnerships have also been forged at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s School of Nursing and the Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University, creating community bonds across continents. It all started in 2008 when Don returned to Egbe, Nigeria, with his wife Sueanne to attend a celebration marking 100 years since Christianity was introduced to the nation through a Canadianmissionary named Tommie Titcombe. It was the story of this pioneer that inspired Don’s parents, Dr. George and Esther Campion, to establish the mission hospital in Egbe. “During this trip I was just showing Sueanne where I grew up and representing these missionaries at the town celebration,” said Campion. However, they discovered the hospital had deteriorated so much that it was basically a rundown clinic about to close. There was no running water, no electricity and the roofs were all leaking. The community was pleading for the hospital to come back to life and Don understood its importance. “In this area of Nigeria, when a child has malaria, dysentery or appendicitis, it is almost a certain death sentence because there is no medical care for over 100 miles of treacherous roads.” The couple returned to their busy lives, then Don said, “We just felt God calling us to rebuild the hospital, though it felt impossible being so far away.” Sueanne said, “Don requested that all the missionaries and volunteers who had ever served on this mission station pray for this project, and the doors blew wide open as God had everything lined up ready to go.” Miraculous moves Don recalled four distinct miracles that paved the way. Because the Campions could not be missionaries in the field full time, they were initially turned down for help by SIM (Serving In Mission), the international missionary organization his parents served under before the hospital was transferred to ECWA (Evangelical ChurchWinning All), a Nigerian mission organization. However, weeks later t l i B s n h w S L Th c g m s F C o a D a p i D a n f D c h D h w G a v c m p c a i o a r n T a E c s v s r b e Campion’sVision toRebuild aMissionHospital in Nigeria Connects Communities Across Continents Shelly Pond Good News Editor Don and Sueanne Campion, with his sister Betsie Campion Smith The building above is the mission hospital as it appeared in 2008. The second image shows the ECWAHospital Compound in Egbe, Nigeria, as it appears today. Photos courtesy of Egbe Medical Mission THEN NOW
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