Zach and Jane Keller Training to Serve in the Philippines Zach in Haiti: Day ?
Everything is extreme here. We flew to another orphanage. It was nice by Haiti standards but still very sad. Father John, who runs the orphanage, was very glad to see us even though we only brought a r44 load of baby food. That will get them by for a few days, and we lined up an A Star 350 that is going to sling in 1 ton of food for them. We do a lot of networking for people. Father John, out on the island of El la Viche, has no idea how to get a substantial amount of food quickly. And that was the bigger goal we had, to make sure he was legit and there really was a need. Then we use our contacts to get them some serious food.
So anyway, I was talking about the extremes; we leave this sad but functioning orphanage and in 10 minutes we land on a secluded Caribbean beach to take a 20 minute dip to cool off. Then in another 40 minutes we are in the smoke, dust and grime of Port-Au-Prince. It feels unreal at times. And now I am sitting in the orphanage, which is a resort by Haiti standards, listening to a couple of doctors and nurses re-run the gruesome events of the day over dinner. Gangrene…infection…amputation…skin grafts…chest tubes…shunts…setting bones…re-breaking bones…crushed pelvis, foot, leg, arm, finger…burns…sutures…still born…it doesn’t seem to end.
I don’t know if I am getting used to the chaos or if things are really slowing down. I felt things settle a little about 5 days after I got here but it is more noticeable now. We are on the downhill slide, which is bad for Haiti because the needs here are probably going to increase. Hopefully people stick around even though the photo-ops are decreasing. I am convinced that some people show up just to look, like it is some kind of a show. Thanks for the prayers.
Zach in Haiti: Day 9
I cant even begin to describe what all happened yesterday, but it was long, sad, happy, hard and dirty. I need to write something down about each day because they are all beginning to blur together. I can’t spend much time writing because I have to get ready for today.This may sound strange, but I just suddenly realized that with the help of God we were able to help save the lives of a little baby and a 7 year old boy yesterday. I only suddenly remembered it because I experience a lot of sad things every day that can overwhelm the good that happens.
I had a guy ask me yesterday when I have to get back to the states and get back to work. My immediate response was, this IS my job. And suddenly I was filled with gratitude for our supporters who make it possible for me to be here working. There are very few people down here who have the flexibility in their work schedule that I do. Maybe you could pass that on to them in the next update.
Zach in Haiti Day 6 & 7
I just heard from Zach. I was able to talk to him two nights ago and he assures me he is doing well. He is always exhausted at the end of the day and sometimes it takes more energy than he has left to email a note and upload pictures. I’m so glad he did today! Throughout the day I’m always wondering what he is doing and what he is seeing and the pictures really help satisfy my curiosity. It sounds like they are keeping really busy. Zach’s original return flight from Florida was scheduled for this Saturday, but we just changed it to February 16th. He will return home sooner if it happens to work out that way. He’ll need to get back to McNeal to do his advanced training in February while John Mark (his flight instructor) is available.
Because he may stay a few weeks longer, the kids and I have put together a package of goodies and other specified necessities. Our NTMA co-worker and close friend, Clif Huntting, is also helping out with the relief work in Haiti and is copiloting a caravan back and forth from Haiti nearly everyday for MFI (Missionary Flight International) and because of this valuable connection I am able to mail a package directly to the hotel where he is staying and he’ll then be able to deliver it to PaP and into the hands of my Zachy. I’m not sure how he is able to keep going without a ready supply of red vines/planters peanuts and chocolate chip cookies (as he is so used to.)
Thank you to all of you who have expressed concern for the kids and I while we are separated from Zach. We are so proud of him and happy that he is able to be available in this way…we count ourselves blessed to be able to do our part on this end. I wish you could hear the kids discussing the situation in their sweet & simple way, sharing with one another that they miss him but are glad daddy can help people who are really hurt bad and need his help.
It rained most of the day today, a welcome change in the desert, and gave the day a cozy feel that the kids and I took full advantage of. We played Rummikub, snacked on popcorn and snuggled up on the couch with the original Winnie-The-Pooh Stories by A.A. Milne. Don’t be concerned about us…the grace and peace of Father surrounds us and we are very aware of it.
I am including notes from two of Zach’s emails representing 2 different days and some fantastic pictures.
Day 6
Had another good day. We took a team out to a couple different villages to asses the needs. It’s expensive but there is no other way to figure out who needs the most help. We landed at two coastal villages that where really pretty. If I had more time we would stop and swim several times a day. I only fly 2-3 hours a day (if that) but I don’t know how much more I would want to fly. The heat and continuous stress takes it out of you.
Today we got kicked out of our little landing site at the airport. It was commandeered by mortuary affairs; they are the people that deal with the dead bodies being shipped to the states. They had hundreds of caskets stacked in my landing site when I got back from one of the flights-kinda grim. Its about 10000 degrees in this room, I gotta get out of here and take a shower.
We did medical flights today and got done early so I tried to help out in the hospital a little bit. Definitely not what I am cut out for. It doesn’t bother me in passing but I don’t know how the doctors work on these patients all day long. Today we brought a 2-5 year old boy out, his parents had been killed in the earthquake and the poor little guy was dehydrated and starving. We don’t know his age because he is so stunted in his growth. He is here at the orphanage now and his life should improve drastically. It is emotionally draining, I just hope we can continue to help the people that need it the most. The little boy in the pictures is the one whose parents died.
Zach in Haiti: Day 4
I realized today as I was flying back from a mission that I love what I am doing. I feel guilty for having fun in a disaster area, but the work is so rewarding and so challenging that no flying will ever be the same again. We brought a load of doctors and nurses to a rural village to help with the influx of wounded that are trying to get out of the city. It was an amazing landing site. The village was in the hills but on the coast and down in a little hole. Helicopters only landing area-very fun.
There are countries from all over the world set up down here at the airport and they are doing and amazing job. I walked around a huge tent hospital that they have set up on the airport, it is jam packed with hurting people, totally heart breaking. But on the positive side at least they are being cared for in a clean air conditioned tent. Without this huge outpouring of help I think more people would die after the quake than in it. The most simple wounds that are not taken care of get infected and cause amputations and death. I wish things could work together a little more smoothly but at least things are getting done.
We had a cool miracle yesterday. The airport ran out of Av-Gas for who knows how long but as the empty fuel truck drove away a big twin engine airplane pulled up. As a joke I said our gasoline just pulled up, but then thought that was a pretty good idea and we went and asked. He drained enough gas out of his wings to keep us going today, and hopefully he will show up tomorrow and give us enough for tomorrow. Keep praying that we can keep going. Everything is day to day here.
Zach in Haiti: Day 3
Zach in Haiti: Day 2
Zach sent me some news tonight. I am so glad that he is able to communicate with me and I can then pass it on to you. Here’s some of what he said about the day he had today.
Tired but satisfied. Hardly slept last night because of jets taking off and a rooster that crowed all night long right next to the tent. I hope to catch up on a little sleep tonight. We are not sleeping on the airport, we are at an orphanage that is right next to the airport. They have a guest facility and they are the ones with internet. I thought I was going to fly this morning with a guy to go pick up a little girl that he had adopted but couldn’t get to, but plans changed at the last minute and I ended up driving around the city the whole day (with a driver) trying to round up medical supplies to be flown out. Crazy day but we made good progress. Right now we don’t have a ton of flying to do. There is lots of work that could be done but it is a logistical nightmare to corrdinate things between relief agencies, governments, and unreliable cell phone communication. Just when you really need to talk to someone you can’t get through. It feels ridiculously slow but there is nothing to do but press on, unless you want to quit but that’s just not an option. Tomorrow I think I will be flying out medical supplies to a doctor that needs them badly. I landed on my first roof today dropping off some boxes of food, pretty cool.
It seems we can be praying specifically about fuel (it’s not always available) and the logistical nightmare he mentions. There is so much to do, and so many desperate situations…it is a shame to think that progress would stop because of communication issues.
Zach is Going to Haiti
A lot has happened since our last post, but in an attempt to bring you up to speed quickly I’ll jump to the present. The kids and I just returned home from another trip to California.
Zach just completed the Robinson Safety course in L.A. and while he was in classes the kids and I had a lovely visit with mom and dad, Grandma and Aunt Sandy. Zach was able to join us for two days before hopping on a flight to Florida. He was invited to Florida by a fellow believer and friend of NTMA who is also a Pilot/helicopter business owner and wanted to give Zach the opportunity to build hours and valuable experience, for free! This has been an amazing answer to many prayers.
When Zach arrived in Florida 4 days ago we learned that he might have the opportunity to help with the relief work in Haiti. We didn’t want to say anything, until we knew for sure, but I just got a call from him this morning saying that they are in fact leaving to fly down there. He and another pilot are flying the R44 down along with two other pilots in a Jet Ranger, they are flying for Samaratain Air and you can visit they website here. They are already on their way and will be flying most of the day, over lots of water. Who knows what they will encounter when they get there. I can only imagine what a life saving help they will be. Please be praying for Zach and the pilots he is partnering with, for their health and protection, and that they would sense the Lords presence and leading as they extend His grace to the hurting people of Haiti.
View the New NTMA Video
If you haven’t seen Flight, the new NTMA video, I encourage you to take a look. It does a wonderful job answering the question- “what does aviation have to do with tribal evangelism?”
If you watch closely you’ll see that Zach makes an appearance a couple times.
Back in McNeal
We made it to McNeal! We drove 4700 miles from AK to AZ – whew! I have to admit I wasn’t very enthusiastic about the long drive but, much to my surprise and delight, it was really fun. Zach and I were a bit concerned when 2 miles out of Palmer Tov chimed in with an, “Are we in Arizona yet?” No kidding.
The whole adventure ended up being such an unexpected blessing. The kids had fantastic attitudes, the truck didn’t skip a beat, and the roads were pleasant and for the most part, traffic free. We so enjoyed our short but sweet time with the Spear family and our friends at Bennett Creek. Uncle Dave and Aunt Carol spoiled us rotten in the short time we were with them …and the country we passed through was so beautiful! We were able to visit (drive though) over 10 national parks and one Dinosaur Museum.
Zach started flying right away and has been busy with some maintainence projects. I’ve been getting the family settled into our new home for the next 5 +/- months and the kids and I have been happily reacquainting ourselves with old friends and making lots of new. We were able to take our very first helicopter ride with our favorite pilot. It was awesome! Come down here and visit us and the chances are very good that you will get one too 
WANTED: Hours
Zach has found a helicopter pilot to instruct him