Firemen's Grapevine

Firefighters Teach Haitian Children

By Rick Godinez, Captain, LAFD

The sixth Firefighters For Christ Emergency Response Team that has traveled to Haiti since the devastating 2010 earthquake recently returned after another successful effort in the beleaguered Caribbean island nation. A mixed bag of firefighters, nurses, a chiropractor, a second grade teacher, music teacher and a LAFD wife made up the twelve-member team. Their mission was to assist in an orphanage that provided an English Camp to 250 kids. Byron and Shelly Tuluchek run Maranatha Children’s Home, along with their seven children, who assist in every aspect of the day-to-day operations. They are a very special family, who God has called to minister to the people of Haiti.

The team taught science, music, physical education and Bible classes. In addition to instructing, the team helped prepare breakfast each morning for the kids. 

Using a rudimentary schoolhouse with dirt floors, some of the firefighters in the group - including Bob Ameche (Ventura County) and Tom Zeulner (San Luis Obispo FD) – joined me in teaching ropes, knots, fire safety and burn prevention. It was sad for the team to hear about and witness the scars of many children who had suffered burn injuries, in part because of the crude and cramped conditions in which most of them live.

I related to the kids the story about my daughter Marisa, and how she had recently been severely injured in a fall. I explained how God had intervened and continues to help heal Marisa from her life-threatening wounds. “Bandages and splints are important and do help,” I told them, “but in some cases, like Marisa’s, God is our only hope for healing.”

While other team members performed various chores in support of the camp and orphanage, Thea Van Gordon and Jennifer Elizarraras taught Bible classes each day. Read more…