Tree of Life Ministry Center, located in Mission, South Dakota, reaches out to the people of the Rosebud Reservation through: the Warm Welcome­­­­­, a food pantry and hot meal program; the Tree of Life Boutique, a thrift store that sells clothing and small household items and the construction ministry. Every day over 300 people are served.

United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (VIM) teams come to Mission to serve in the various aspects of the ministry and learn about the culture. In the summer of 2015, a VIM team arrived at Tree of Life from Illinois.  One of the women in the group wanted to learn how to make star quilts.

In the Lakota tradition, a star quilt is given to honor someone for their accomplishment or in appreciation or as a gift to families at the time of the death of a loved one.

The volunteer from Illinois had the opportunity to learn how to make star quilts. She went back to Illinois to share her newfound talent with her fellow quilters. The group of quilters made star baby quilts.

This past summer, some of the same VIM team members from Illinois returned to Tree of Life. After the VIM team had arrived, a package of star quilts from the quilters in Illinois also arrived. 

During the week the team was in Mission, tragedy struck the Rosebud Reservation: a car wreck that caused the death of five people, including a baby named Brayden and his mother. 

People were coming into the Tree of Life boutique asking if they had any baby star quilts. Prayers were answered in the form of the package that had arrived. 

“It was wonderful for some of the group to be able to go home and tell the quilt ladies they had seen their star quilts given out, even though it was for a very sad reason.” said Sonny Prue, manager of the Tree of Life boutique.

Another day Sonny Prue and the other staff of boutique were bemoaning the fact that they just didn't have many household items.  Prue said, "Let's pray about it."

Later that day, a truck pulled in. It was full of household items. The staff helping Prue unload the items jokingly said, "OK, Sonny, you can stop praying now!"  

Photo: Sunny Prue, manager of the Tree of Life boutique describes what happens at the the thrift store on a daily basis. Photo by Dakotas Conference Communications.

Many times folks ask what they can do to help. Individuals are encouraged to go online to one of the discount stores K-Mart, Target, Wal-Mart. Items can be ordered that are desperately needed: disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, napkins, children and adult underwear and other items.  These items can be shipped directly to Tree of Life, 140 S. Roosevelt, Mission, SD 57555. Most stores will waive the shipping fee, if the amount purchased is over an amount specified by the store.  If you would like to know about specific needs before you order check in with Shakira, manager of the Warm Welcome or Sonny at the Tree of Life boutique.  

“Thank you to all who donations and support all of our mission sites,” said Rev. Linda Baldock, board member for Tree of Life and pastor at Whiter River / Mission UMC.  “Spirit Lake and Tree of Life ministry centers serve the poorest of the poor in our (Dakotas) conference.”

Contact information for Tree of Life Ministry Center:

Phone:  605-856-4266
Fax:  605-856-5835                                                                                      Email:  treeoflife@gwtc.net