Off to Tree of Life

This is pack up and get ready day.
I am excited about the week, in part because I am ready for some change in routine, and not having sermon prep for the week! I told the group to check out the Tree of Life website and also read Wilma Robert's blog. Read Jeff Reed's recent blog posts on Tree of Life also. Here is a link for some background on Wounded Knee which is about an hour and a half away. http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/woundedknee/WKIntro.html

A note on Tree of Life Ministry (that I found by link from the Dakotas Conference website)
"An Ecumenical Cross-Cultural Service Effort and Presence of the United Methodist Church of the Dakotas."
For more information, contact:Russ and Donna Masartis140 S. Roosevelt, PO Box 149Mission, SD 57555 605-856-4266
phone605-856-2396 fax
treeoflife@gwtc.net
General Advance Special #123615-2 Dakotas Advance #466
The Tree of Life Ministry began in 1990 as a "ministry of presence" on the Rosebud Reservation; the work camp ministry began in 1995.
Tree of Life hosts Volunteer in Mission groups from across the United States, with more than 1,000 individuals visiting each year. Tree of Life is a service ministry, showing Christ's love to the Sioux on the Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Crow Creek, Lower Brule and Spirit Lake Nation Reservations.
We want to overcome the history of oppression, distrust and hatred that existed between the Sioux and the Christian Church, so local residents might receive our message of the Good News. We offer a caring ministry of stewardship that addresses human need and pain, and shares the blessings God has given us.


School Supply Distribution: One of Our Biggest Events
Back-to-School Supplies Come from All Over the United States In 2004, Tree of Life distributed 620 school kits. The 2005 distribution topped 1,714 school kits and 100 teacher kits. Every year, the numbers grow!Office Depot donated 400 backpacks and Quill Corporation donated 300 binders in 2005. The United Methodist Church Midwest Mission Distribution Center supplied 1,000 student kits and 100 teacher kits.All other materials came from churches and donations to complete basic kits and create additional full kits.We distributed in 2005 enough supplies to equip the following schools and teaching staffs:
Spring Creek School - 98 students, six teachers
Norris School - 90 students, seven teachers
Okreek School - 40 students, seven teachers
White Eagle Academy - 15 students, three teachers
In addition, we supplied 53 kits for children in foster care through the Department of Social Services, and 60 kits for the St. Francis Youth Center. All other kits were distributed through our Clothing Room.