Day 3 Placements Mr. Tuit

This morning I did some research for the course, but I also went back to look for Gravedigger, whom I met on Division Tuesday. I didn't find him, but I'm to go back again tomorrow and next week until I find him.

Here's why: My awareness of the importance of relationships has been starting to grow. I've always thought of what I do as a teacher as being relationally-based. In fact, I've thought of my personal mission as "forming relationships that equip people to become the person God created them to be." I haven't always taken that idea into my interaction with homeless people. Then my interaction with Gravedigger on Tuesday was warm and personal. Today, Lisa talked to us about her work at Family Promise and gave us ideas about how we can help the homeless, and the first main point was to "see the homeless as people." Some of the most exciting things that have happened among students placements have been when students have gotten to know the people they serve by name.

I need to do a better job of building relationships with those I serve--particularly in the regular contact I have with people on the street or on corners holding signs. I can't just toss a dollar bill out the window--that's not affirming an individual. For my "placement time" in the next week, one goal I have is to go back and talk to Gravedigger some more, getting to know him as a person (and probably buying a walking stick). A second is to make some little packets for the people I see on the street corners, then spend some time with at least one of them in a significant way, learning their story and getting to know them before offering help.