We Made It Home!!!!

Today at about 1:30 pm, after flying for 2 1/2 long days, we landed at Bowman Field in Louisville, KY. I want to thank everyone for their support and donations. Without you this trip would not have been possible. We are happy to have made a difference in the lives of many Haitians in need. I will be posting more pictures and video of our mission trip to Haiti over the next few days.

Trying to come Home

Well, we attempted to make our way home today but encountered bad weather as we were trying to cross the ocean to the Turks and Caicos. We had to turn around and return to the Dominican Republic. Tonight we are staying in Santiago...hope to leave at the crack of dawn...everyone keep their fingers crossed for Miami by sunset!!!!!!

Photos by Julie Platner, Photo Journalist (below)

Julie Platner for the Wall Street Journal

Julie Platner for the Wall Street Journal

Julie Platner for the Wall Street Journal

While staying in Port-au-Prince, Patrick and Tom met a group of photographers and journalists at a hotel where they stayed, one of which was Julie Platner (Photo Journalist) who took these pictures. You can also check this link to see more photos of her coverage in Haiti.

http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2010/01/22/photographer-julie-platner-documents-chaos-in-haiti-for-wsj/

Please send donations for Haiti to:

Haitian Relief Fund

122 Fairfax Ave.

Louisville, KY 40207

Photos from Patrick

Patrick and Tom are now in Santo Domingo, having the helicopter serviced before the long flight home. They are hoping to leave tomorrow, but might have to wait until Thursday because the helicopter mechanics are really busy right now. It sounds like they are ready to get home.

Not quite sure...?

Patrick and Tom are sending emails and pictures whenever they can. They have been really busy and because of the unreliable internet connection, it is hard to get an exact description of every photo. I'm not exactly sure where this was taken...but it's interesting.

Rhonda

Note: At some points, this blog is used as a communication tool between Patrick and Rhonda and Tom. Pat, If you can log on...please tell us where this photo was taken! I hope you took your hand sanitizer. Love, your wife.

photos from Patrick

A propane tank exploded during the earthquake, killing many people and destroying a number of automobiles. Here is one of cars from the wreckage in front of the newly replaced tank. (above)

The Big One!!!

Some more...

Dr. Patrick Keesee, dentistry in the orphanage

Downtown Port Au Prince by Car

Downtown Port-au-Prince

It is scary to drive in Haiti. There are no lanes and no rules.

Tom and I took a taxi to downtown Port-au-Prince where the destruction was the worst.

Buildings are completely destroyed with thousands of people still buried under the rubble.

Much of the work is being done by hand and I can't imagine how long it will take to fully repair this city.

Garbage is everywhere and people share the streets with pigs and goats.

Pepperdinkle supports the Haitian Relief Fund!

PEPPERDINKLE is coming to

TOAST Restaurant

on Market St. (downtown Louisville)

Saturday, February 27

9:45 am - 11:45 pm

Everyone is invited to come and meet Pepperdinkle in person!

Pepperdinkle is raising funds for Haiti and has been working closely with

Tom Eifler and Dr. Patrick Keesee.

All of the proceeds will go directly to the Haitian Relief Fund.

Your support makes a huge difference!

Photos

Please send donations to:

Haitian Relief Fund
122 Fairfax Ave.
Louisville, KY 40207

Pepperdinkles in Haiti!

Mary Beck, founder of Pepperdinkle & Pals, donated Pepperdinkles to the children in Haiti. Patrick and Tom took as many of the little stuffed animals as they could fit into the helicopter. The Pepperdinkles, stuffed between dental equipment, food, tents, clothes and other necessities, made the long journey to Haiti and were able to bring smiles to the faces of many kids at the orphanage!

Dr. Keesee, his patient and "Bad Cat", one of Pepperdinkle's pals (above).

Patients in the orphanage.

Here are some of Dr. Keesee's patients in the orphanage.

View from the helicopter.

The helicopter and Tom Eifler (pilot)

Tom Eifler's talents have proven to be invaluable in Haiti. Travel by car can be agonizingly slow due to poor road conditions and the mountainous terrain. He has been able to provide efficient transportation, in some cases turning a 12 hour car ride into a 1-2 hour helicopter flight. Tom has flown Edge Outreach representatives to Jacmel and Port-au-Prince, transported nurses to a clinic in Leogane and has been flying to Les Cayes to pick up supplies for Hope for Haiti.

Haiti earthquake damage.

Earthquakes in Haiti

There was another earthquake in Haiti at about 1:30 this morning followed by tremors at around 2:00 am. Fear that the earthquake would compromise the integrity of the structure forced everyone to move their mattresses outdoors. People are continuing to sleep outside for now.

Here is the link for today's earthquake in Haiti:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010tbal.php

Patrick and Tom have moved to a hotel to make room at the orphanage for Samaritan Air representatives. Part of the hotel where they are staying (above) has collapsed but they have been reassured by engineers that the the structure is safe. Many other US citizens are also staying there.

Make sure you check the older posts for more photos and video of Haiti.

Aftershocks in Haiti!

Patrick has been trying to send new photos but has had trouble accessing a solid internet connection. He was able to send a text saying that there was another earthquake this morning at around 5:00 a.m. and that more houses collapsed. He wondered if the internet service might have been damaged and says that his cell reception is poor right now.

I found the documentation of the earthquake, if anyone is interested, from the USGS.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010taau.php

Hopefully things will be better tomorrow.

Patrick Keesee, Mark Hogg (photo)

Patrick and Tom spent the day working with Mark Hogg and Bowin Tichenor (photo above), from Edge Outreach. They have been busy, flying to the rural areas of Haiti for Edge Outreach and Hope for Haiti.

Please send donations to:

Haitian Relief Fund
122 Fairfax Ave.
Louisville, KY 40207

I am updating the blog often, so check the older blogs to see other photos and video.

Haitian Orphans

Patrick is staying in the orphanage where he will be seeing more than 100 people in his "make shift" dental clinic. He said his first night at the orphanage was good, though both he and Tom Eifler did agree that the the same lizards were climbing on the walls where they were sleeping. They were, however, sleeping in totally different places. I guess the lizards are plentiful in Haiti!

The orphanage is a Christian orphanage in Haiti and Patrick said that he feels safe. He told me in a text that he is staying in an area with "really good people". He has a room where he is able to keep supplies locked up and the orphanage is gated and secure. Patrick started the morning at 6:00 a.m. and attended church at around 8:30 a.m. and Patrick and Tom Eifler were meeting with Mark Hogg and Bowin Tichenor from Edge Outreach this afternoon.

Patrick plans to begin seeing patients tomorrow. These are some photos (above) of some of the special needs patients he will be treating.

Streets of Haiti

Patrick and the helicopter

Patrick Keesee (above)

Tom Eifler tending to the helicopter (above)

Shelter in Haiti.

Photos of the devastation in Haiti.