Very few things in this world are more rewarding than working with orphans.  Despite this blessing, we need to be careful in our visits to these orphanages/Care Centers not to undermine the Nigerian staff who care for these orphans year after year and in reality function as the kids' parents.  When visiting, we need to be certain to:

1)  Respect and appreciate the staff and elders by greeting them first and not in any undermining their relationship with the children.

2)  Strengthen the bonds between the staff and the orphans by not giving any gifts directly to the children.  All gifts for orphans and other needy people should be given to our Nigerian staff, who will then distribute it themselves to the orphans. 

3)  Bring gifts that can used by all children--such as a soccer ball or books.  Peter Fretheim can provide even more information about what is most needed.

We also have hundreds of donated clothing items we are always trying to get to our orphans.  If you would be willing to take some with you on your trip, please let us know. 

Thank you!   -Rick Whittlesey  (214) 708-5059 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Short-Term Missions Teams 

Each year City Ministries hosts church teams from around the world who come to Nigeria to help with our ministries in a variety of amazing ways. Groups of usually 5-20 individuals typically stay for a week or two and experience in depth what God is doing here as they work with orphans, widows, on construction projects, in blind town, at various CARE centers, etc.! Hosting these teams is a huge boost to our work here and never fails to encourage our missionaries as well as greatly deepen the spiritual walk of those who make the trek to Africa!

We need people who want to help at any level with the following:

Therapists/psychologists specializing in youth trauma
construction & maintenance
nurses & doctors
plumbers & electricians
farming & livestock
discipleship & Bible teaching
education & literacy
water well & bore hole drillers
sports & games
auto mechanics
working with the blind & deaf/disabled
evangelists

In the U.S.:

ministry awareness & fundraising
distribution of our orphan & widows’ crafts
encouragement of long term missionaries