Mission of Love began our work on the Pine Ridge Native American Indian Reservation in
1996. I would sent trailers of AID and food for our First Native Americans every six
months. In 1998, I decided to take a few friends and visit Wounded Knee, S.D.
While visiting the memorial site of Wounded Knee, I met Gary and Kathy. We
immediately knew that we had something to do together to help the Lakota Families so I asked what
we, as the Mission of LOVE building team could do to help the Wounded Knee community.
Gary requested that we help to build a community building in Wounded Knee, S.D. A promise was
made and within a few months our Mission of LOVE building volunteer team arrived with
building material, tools, paint, hope and love. The Lakota community came together to pray
and work with us daily. Our Mission of Love Family was now part of the Lakota
Families.
There are no words to describe what I felt when I witnessed first hand the suffering of what
these Lakota families had to go through on a daily basis just to survive. How could this be in
America? Pine Ridge Native American Indian Reservation was and is worse than any third world
that I had visited. After hearing and seeing first hand the plight of our indigenous, I
felt committed to do whatever I could to keep the Lakota traditions, language, and culture
alive.
Our volunteer work of compassion and love has continued over the years. Lakota homes,
schools, hospices, greenhouses, educational offices, Chamber of Commerce buildings, and much more
have been built by our all volunteer Mission of LOVE.
Our grass roots Mission of LOVE has built over thirty homes for the Lakota nation with NO
grants or government funding. Let's together continue our Lakota Mission of LOVE for the
families in need, ONE Lakota family at a time.
Listen to Leonard Little Finger as he talks about
Pineridge & Mission of Love
Read some of our previous newsletters that
describe many of our building trips to Pine Ridge, S.D.
"with building of Lakota Sacred Homes, you have Lakota Families, with Lakota Families you have
Lakota Community, with Lakota Community you have Lakota Language, Lakota Culture and traditions,
and Lakota Spirituality. "
Kathleen Price
Mission of Love / Founder - Director 1989
"YOU are not here to save the world but are here to touch
the hands that are within your reach."
Ever thought about going on a Mission of
LOVE?
WORDS OF
GRATITUDE
LISTEN TO JANE
GOODALL
"In the short time they were here
with me, they altered the course of my destiny and changed how I view the world.
The Mission of Love is a group of life changers at the most basic sense of the
words. The idea that someone may come to help and their consideration was just
enough to spark the hope that it would happen. This is to thank Kathleen Price and
her “priceless” spirit, “can do” attitude and her volunteers. The Mission of Love
restored faith, hope, strength and courage." Sandra Byrd
"We are very thankful and appreciate
the help and assistance you have given to us in continuing the construction of our
Community House at Kiza Park. With all of the plumbing and electrical work, we are
now in the modern times! No more outhouse and no more hauling water!" Debra White Plume
"In the last five years the Mission
of Love and their stalwait friend Rusty Puckett have provided us with a Roots and
Shoots office, tools and equipment, and now they've helped us finish the greenhouse
and farmers market building, thus fulfilling dreams of ours."
"It is with true generosity and
organization and people working together that good things happen, we all know that
we need good things to happen in this land of 85% unemployment, inadequate housing
and medical care, high youth suicide rates, high diabetes sickness, etc.
We wish to say "Wopila" (thank you)." Alex White Plum
"It has been such an inspiration
since you came. Miracles do come true when you are around. All the donations you
have brought is Christmas day to my family and I, may God bless you and all the
donors who helped us with all our everyday needs and essentials. This winter my
family and I won’t freeze." Harry Yazzie Jr. and Family
"There is
NO word to describe how appreciative we are to the Mission of Love Foundation in
building homes in our Pine Ridge Reservation and elsewhere." Joe American Horse
"My heart is so overwhelmed with JOY
and l owe all this to Kathy Price and the Mission of Love.
My family and I won't freeze this
winter - because Kathy Price made this all happen. I want to thank her, all of the
Mission of Love workers and all the local people who helped me.
Thank you Kathy, for not only getting
me a home, but giving back my self-esteem. I guarantee you that you will see me
along with Kathy Price and the Mission of Love helping other
families." Harry Yazzie Jr.
"I am in
the process of getting my prosthetic legs and very anxious and happy ~ my prayers
have been answered, thanks to Kathy and the Mission of Love. Know that without
these things happening this week, I do not know where I would be today. I just want
to take this time to really, really thank the Great Spirit and Kathy Price and the
Mission of Love for everything that they have done for my family and
me." Kevin Poor Bear
"As I offer my Wopila-thanks, these
thoughts cross my mind. For you, Kathleen, and the all the volunteers who come on
your Mission of Love, expressing the wholeness of Tunkasila, and his desire for
mankind's help to one another with unconditional service. Truly
God-Tunkasila, holds your hand as you journey through life, hand in hand. The
purity of your work is the way God,Tunkasila intended all mankind to do from the
very beginning of Creation, and I am a recipient of this wonderful work that has
been accomplished in such a short time." Richard Broken Nose
"Mission of Love was here on the REZ
doing touch ups on the Lakota Circle Village School, so when the fire happened I
called Kathy and she and the Mission of Love volunteers came right out to see
us.
Kathy left a few days later and
started working immediately on our house plans and began gathering things to
replace what we had lost. I will always be so thankful for all the help and hard
work that they put into making this possible for our
family." Mary Fast Wolf
"I really believe that you were sent into my life and
others to show us the true meaning of love and help. you made me realize that
people do care about each other and that thru belief and hard work we can help each
other. you are a blessing as i said an angel in disguise who asks for nothing but
gives everything. thank you mission of love for helping me get one step closer to
my dream to bulid a home for a family." Victorio Camp
Listen to Jane Goodall talk about partnering with the Mission of Love
Jane Goodall and Mission of Love Founder, Kathleen Price
LETTERS FROM
VOLUNTEERS
"I am richer for this experience. I
too want to thank Kathleen and her staff and everyone involved with The Mission of
Love Foundation.
Looking into the eyes of the little
ones....I'll miss them when I leave, but their pictures I'll have Great memories
like dust covered chimes.." Richie Plass
"We would like to formally request
your assistance and guidance to bring our nursing students to the Pine Ridge
reservation this spring. Without your help this trip would be extremely difficult,
or very possibly would not occur. We have worked in the past with you and the
Mission of Love and loved the opportunities that you provided for the students and
faculty.
You are a wonderful example for what
one person can accomplish, and I want my students to know you and work with you. We
have worked extremely well in the past, and you serve as a mentor for me as I begin
to plan national and international community nursing service."
Mary Lou Ferranto MSN, CNP Program
Coordinator of the BSN Program, Kent State University
