My first class

Tonight was my first MSW class of 2010. It was good to be back, in a place with new ideas and discussion, but it is also daunting, knowing that my life will soon be consumed with Social Work- papers, tests, readings, thoughts, etc.

This class, Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE) is focusing on groups and communities this semester. Our professor brought up the recent crisis in Haiti to consider several things:

Imagine a community being completely demolished- all the systems and people in place are suddenly gone. There is literally no government. What would we do? Where is our role? What skills do we have to aid?

And most importantly- do we turn away from tragedy, violence, need, or do we face it head on?

He challenged us to not get stuck in a rut, but to keep pushing ourselves to uncomfortable places (both literally and symbolically).

So, my questions follow, for prayer and meditation:

What do I do in the face of such tragedy? What is my role?

How do I/we balance our zeal as Americans to go help everyone with an understanding of culture, that we cannot save everyone, that sometimes we can do more harm than good?

Sometimes we need to learn, to observe, to gain an understanding of culture before rushing in and trying to promote our ideals and our values, our ways of saving people. Yet in a crisis (such as Haiti), there is no time to do these things, people's very lives are at stake. Still, even in a crisis situation we have to be careful that we are not just giving to give, and that we are actually helping rather than making things worse.

Lord, give us wisdom, grace, inspiration. For those suffering around the world, especially in Haiti, give them peace, strength, grace.