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Home for Christmas
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We would all agree that no child should go hungry or without – not in this country. But, some do. Two retired United Methodist farmers are working to make sure that their neighbors are well fed, clothed and embraced with the holiday spirit. It’s quite a challenge for them on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Mission, S.D. |
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This is the second poorest county in the nation, the highest suicide rate in the nation both with adults and youth, 87 percent unemployment. This is a culture in despair.
In this desolate stretch of land in the middle of South Dakota, hope is branching out of the home of Pat and John Luecke.
Pat Luecke, Tree of Life Ministry:
“The first of November we turn it into a store. We bring everything that has been sent to us all year that is new for Christmas; we bring over here.”
Pat calls it their Tree of Life Ministry.
John Luecke, Tree of Life Ministry:
“A whole bunch of utensils.”
The basic necessities are sometimes difficult to find on the Rosebud Reservation.
Pat Luecke, Tree of Life Ministry:
“They get a variety of things. They’ll get one big toy such as maybe this, and they’ll get one large item of clothing, which may be just a shirt or maybe just a pair of pants.”
One of the ministry’s most precious gifts – two boxes of food per family.
Pat Luecke, Tree of Life Ministry:
“The people that we try to help are already trying to help themselves. There’s a large segment of the Indian community, especially among the women, that are working really hard trying to better their lives.”
This United Methodist ministry works year-round to support their neighbors spiritually, emotionally and physically.
“I think John is the luckiest person in the world. He has to haul a lot of boxes, but he sees the joy that it brings.”
Tag:
Last year, the Tree of Life ministry delivered gift boxes to 800 families on the reservation. This year they are hoping to deliver a thousand. Most of the gifts are donations from people across the country.