The theme that abounds at the Tree of Life ministry center in Mission, South Dakota is, make a difference, like no other. The idea is that from the moment you enter the grounds or one of the buildings you feel a difference is being made like no other place on the Rosebud Reservation.  Here are some examples how Tree of Life is making a difference in lives.

A boy came in to the thrift store one day. He saw that they had Nike socks, but the cost was two dollars for each pair. He asked his grandma to purchase a pair of socks, but she did not have enough money.  Sonny Prue, the manager at Tree of Life Boutique, asked the boy if he was going to be at the Rosebud Fair parade that Saturday. He said he would, so she told him to watch for the Tree of Life float, they would be throwing out Nike socks. Saturday morning came and sure enough, Pure saw the boy running along side the float.  He yelled at Sonny, "Look I got five pairs. Thanks!" 

Another boy was overheard teasing a little girl about her shoes, outside the thrift store. She stated that she did not have any other shoes. The boy took it upon himself to take her into the store, help her find a pair that fit, then signed so that she got them for free.  He made a difference like no other!

A volunteer group of college students brought prom dresses to Tree of Life.  They stayed the weekend to help the local students get fitted in the dresses for their local prom.  One young lady came in with a magazine page showing a fancy dress, saying that was the one she wanted.  The volunteers did their magic, went to the rack, praying there would be something close.  There was the dress, almost a match.  It was the right size.  The young lady put it on and looked gorgeous.  The gal who donated the dress was in the group helping, when saw the recipient in her dress, she cried.  She had thought she might not donate the dress because she feared it would not be good enough.  Both young ladies had their picture taken—the giver and the receiver.

One young lady went in to try her dress on and came out to show it, but couldn't get it zipped.  Linda Garriot, director at Tree of Life, was helping and said, “Well surely that should zip up for you. Garriot was judging by the girls stature and the dress size, that the dress should fit.  It was soon discovered she had her jeans on under it.  She had never worn a dress before.  Everyone including the girl got a chuckle out of that one. Photo: Flowers in the Tree of Life gardens.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) make a difference.  Teams and staff have been working to make a walkthrough garden for people to enjoy. What use to be a patch of weeds is now a vision of beautiful flowers.  Another garden area has plants that were original to the prairie and used as medicinal by the people.

Make a difference like no other by sharing the love of Christ with our friends and neighbors. 
Call the Tree of Life  (605-856-4266) or e-mail asking for a speaker to come share the stories. You can also arrange to visit the Tree of Life yourself.  Donations of toiletry items and disposable diapers are always needed. 
Another great way to help is send a gift card or check; both help the local economy and the people.