Mission of Love trip to Oglala, South Dakota
Lakota Circle Village
January 24-Jan. 29, 2008
 Leonard Little Finger

     The Mission of Love group of volunteers arrived on schedule the morning of January 24, after staying overnight in Interior upon landing at the Rapid City airport late the night before.  They were from Ohio, California, Florida and Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

     It was great to see all the friends who came during the summer. Snow banks surrounded the building, and the drifts of a snow storm two days earlier, made for some difficulties in parking, but the truck had no difficulties backing up to the door the allow the unloading. I arrived at around 9 am, to find Bill parked in the nearby church lot. He said he had slept in the truck arriving in Pine Ridge late at night. His sprint cell phone did not work out here; we are serviced by ALLTEL, and felt completely lost. I was a newly acquired friend. Kathy and the team were 1 ½ hours out, so I directed him the Casio, Prairie Wind, for a bite to eat at their breakfast buffet. The group arrived after picking up Albert and his crew of volunteers in Kyle. Traveling was difficult, since the snow had drifted into packed snow drifts, and roads were abit slippery. Before mid-day, all the items were unloaded and safely stored into the building. Mary Fast Wolf brought her children, Perry and Lakota Breeze to help unload the truck.

     A formal welcome brought everyone together, those who came with the Mission of Love team, along with our local volunteers. After a prayer led by Albert Red Bear, prayed in the Lakota language, introductions were made by everyone gathered. Around 22 people were present, equally between those who came from afar, to those who were from the area. Work immediately began with the goal to finish the flooring, to sand and coat to entire flooring, install the plumbing fixtures, place the cabinets into the kitchen, and paint the walls. James Under Baggage and son Jace began to work on the placement of the remaining maple flooring in the classroom, and sub flooring in the bathrooms and apartment. John Little Finger began nailing the sub-floor in the apartment. Varden Fast Wolf worked with Donnie Shockey, his uncle, and Tommy High Eagle, where ever help was needed. Albert Red Bear began working on the maple floor placement, and later with the sanding. Carl Shockey began sanding the maple desk tops, preparing them for use in the school. From the Mission of Love volunteers, Bob Elston, Ohio, his 10^{th trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation, worked on the placement of the maple flooring and electrical lights. Tom Wilson, a volunteer from California, worked on the sanding and student lockers. This was his 3rd trip to Lakota country. Mike Studer and daughter, Karen, from Florida, both on their 2nd trip, and Bill Jones, from Ohio, worked with Howard Boyle, South Dakota, began the electrical placement of fluorescent lights, fans and switches. Kate Jones, Ohio, began the installation of all the blinds. Later, she would also prepare lunches for the group, along with painting the display case. As with the three previous gatherings, everyone became busy as bees. A meal of sloppy Joes and fixings allowed for a brief break, before finishing out the day, by checking into the Prairie Wind Hotel, conveniently located 10 miles from the work site.}

^{Day Two.}

^{Work began picking up where the day ended. The contractor who installed the furnace and water system completed the work necessary to have the furnace warmly heat the building. By midday, they had installed the toilet and wash stand, while the water company came and turned the water on. Great accomplishment as we now have an indoor toilet, and a water source. It was beginning to feel like a home. The previous evening had ended with a completion of the sanding and waxing. There were a few minor adjustments, but the wood floor is looking absolutely beautiful, it was a voice speaking to all in the beauty of the wood, brought alive, and to be there for generations of children to walk on. Another great experience quietly enjoyed by all the people who had seen the work from the installation of the first piece. A lunch break of food prepared by Francine Little Bear, shared from a traditional recipe using buffalo for stew, accompanied by a dessert of wojapi [a pudding of blueberries] and fry bread. Truly a feast of ample proportions that was enjoyed by everyone.}

^{Again, as in the past, the day progressed with people arriving curious to see what is happening, some coming to pick up jackets, children and adult clothing including warm jackets, brought by Kathleen.}

^{Work progressed for the day, taking up where the day had ended. Teams were formed some to finish the laying the flooring in the classroom area, some to continue work of waxing and polishing the floor in the large open area designated to become the kitchen and dining area for the children. Others were busy in setting up a temporary food preparation area, putting a temporary covering for the bathroom, painting the display cases that will contact cultural items.}

^{Many visitors came this day, including the President of a major Native American foundation that specializes in assisting non-profit organizations. This was truly a special day for the next steps of making this school an actual functioning school designed solely to preserve our Lakota language.}

^{The day ended well into the night, as usual, with much of the planned work accomplished.}

^{Day Three:}

^{The day started out continuing the work that had been started, everyone being busy, no one was standing around or being idle. Everyone had a job to do. More material was needed so Kathleen and Sieglinde, decided to go to the nearest lumber store to obtain the material, In a rural setting on the Pine Ridge Reservation, this is not a short journey downtown to obtain what is needed. There shopping trip entails a trip that is 100 miles one way, as there are several store, Menard’s and Loew’s, located in Rapid City. It takes approximately 1 ½ hours to get there, so off they went with their list. While shopping, it was accomplished team work style, but several times they lost each other, only to reunite using their cell phones. The list included many items which were all finally secured after 4 hours of intensive shopping. Arrangements were made for bringing the items back to Oglala, by asking Rusty Puckett, our local contractor, to bring the items back. The only problem being that his trailer did not have tail lights. The sun was setting as they began their journey back to Oglala. Kathleen, "tail-gated" the trailer, traveling as close as she could without bumping into him, all the way back without mishap or coming into contact with a highway patrol car. They arrived back at 8:30 pm with a fully loaded trailer, delivering the items. Another day of helping to build the school had ended.}

^{Day Four:}

^{With all the projects identified for this mid-winter trip by the Mission of Love team well underway, there was a sense of urgency to work faster in order to complete as much as could be done, the volunteers arrived early at the school. The urgency was also to work against the weather, as forecasted by the Weather Service was the arrival of a storm driven by winds from the north called the "Arctic Express". This change in the weather was expected to arrive sometime in 36 hours. They were calling for temperatures in the single digits, driven by winds in excess of 45 miles per hour. This morning a southwesterly breeze blowing warm air was beginning to melt the early morning frost from the night. With the melting of snow during the previous days, everyday would end with mud being tracked into the building. Temporary sidewalks of wood and paper pieces torn from packing boxes were laid down to provide some relief. This helped somewhat, but at the days end, they too, became soaked with water and mud. Kathleen, Sieglinde, and Leonard, went back to the Prairie Wind Hotel to develop plans for the next steps towards an eventual dedication and school starting date.}

^{While all the building and planning activities are taking place, another group of local volunteers are beginning preparations for a Wopila Dinner. "Wopila" is a Lakota language word that expresses "Thank You", but perhaps more in a deeper depth of feeling for the help that has been given. (A copy of that statement, bearing the reason can be found attached to this report.)}

^{In the midst of all the building activities, the pounding of nails, the whining of the power saw, the yelling back and forth of instructions, laughter and hollering of children, the quiet visiting of the elders, food is being brought into the temporary setup of tables by those who have prepared the meal of Wopila. The days activities are winding down, brows are being wiped, sore and aching muscles are evident by those who come in to sit down to await the meal. It is now nearly 8pm, and Leonard begins the expression of giving "Wopila".}

^{After a short presentation thanking all those who took time away from their home and business life to come to Oglala, at their own expenses, time and effort to contribute their services, a prayer is offered by Albert Red Bear. A meal is served, enjoyed by all. Following the meal, a birthday cake, accompanied by balloons, and a gift is brought forward. It is the birthday for Maza Shockey, the youngest helper who will be 8 years old, on the following day. Maza, is the grandson of Donnie and Susan Schockey. Maza is a Lakota word for "Iron", and at this early age, he has already lived up to his name. He has been with his grandfather, during the three times that the group has gotten together. Especially, during the summer, when the heat was intolerable, he worked with his grandfather as they toiled outside in the hot wind painting the building. Maza wants to attend the school when it opened, and will have the distinction of helping to build the school that he will attend.}

^{Day Five:}

^{Today, marks the last day that Mission of Love will have to work on the building. The day again seems like a spring morning as the sun is shining, no clouds in the sky with the continuing melting of the snow. The warmth of the sun is invigorating, but there is also an impending feeling that change in the weather is upon us, supported by tinges of pain in the joints of some of the elders, including myself.}

^{The interior of the building has changed remarkably with the flooring beginning to show the beauty of the maple wood where the stained and polished areas have been completed. In the corner of the classroom stands a newly constructed book cabinet, custom fitted and built by Rusty Puckett and his relatives into a recessed area.. Individual lockers, 20 in all, are being worked on to allow the students private storage of their materials. Each will eventually have locks, with individual names to each locker. These will also be in the spacious classroom. Flooring is being installed in the apartment that will provide constant presence of someone who will assure that the building will be protected at all times. On this flooring linoleum will be placed. The boys and girls bathroom are now ready for the linoleum flooring. The furnace of on, warming the rooms to a comfortable temperature. Final sanding of the hardwood flooring begins as Donnie Shockey starts up the rented sander. Howard Boyle arrives to complete the installation of light fixtures, already the lights, where completed, show ample lighting. Howard is accompanied by his wife, Leah, to the work site. Howard is the elder of the work group. At the age of 82, he is actively working as a certified electrician, along with ministry work for many years amongst the Lakota. They have been married for 57 years. They are a remarkable couple, and a greatly appreciated for their involvement in the building of the school.}

^{At approximately 3:30 pm, the Arctic Express arrives from the north with a blast of cold air blowing at 50 miles per hour. It was expected, and all the work had been planned around it’s arrival, but now it’s time to think about shutting down. In Lakota belief, "Wazi" is the name given for the north wind. It purifies the air and everything that comes into contact with it. The direction of the north also is connected to age, meaning that this is the time that starts with the beginnings and ended in the north. With this in mind, Leonard stresses that the time has come to end the work, even if it is not finished. That the next time will come another day, but now it is time to find a comfortable place to be until Wazi has finished it’s responsibility.}