Who We Are
Shelter For Life International (SFL) is an international faith-based relief and development organization with over 30 years of experience in providing sustainable development and humanitarian assistance to post-conflict countries around the world.
We believe that sustainable communities are built through the shared involvement of local people who are empowered to be an integral part of the rebuilding process. With this grassroots approach, SFL enables people devastated by conflict and disaster to become part of the solution.
We strive to be socially and environmentally sustainable by employing cultural sensitivity, community participation, appropriate alternative technologies, and cost-effective methodologies to our programs, which are underpinned by human-centered design. Our results go beyond new shelters, roads and water systems. SFL’s comprehensive approach rebuilds communities, offers hope, restores dignity, develops local capacity and creates environments in which communities can thrive.
01
OUR MISSION
Demonstrating God’s love by enabling people affected by conflict and disaster to restore their lives and rebuild their communities.
02
OUR VISION
To be one of the leading international Christian humanitarian aid organizations, providing disaster relief with long-term development and sustainability.
03
OUR APPROACH
We address disaster relief and the long-term development needs of the communities we serve, by tailoring and implementing a range of contextually sensitive programs.
Our programs are organized around the following areas:
Shelter and infrastructure restoration and building
Education, training and awareness campaigns
Food security, agriculture and natural resource management
Irrigation systems and access to water
Livelihood and economic development
Capacity building, self-sufficiency and sustainability
Risk mitigation from geological and weather phenomena
Health, hygiene and sanitation
As a faith-based relief and development organization, we are dedicated to:
Showing God’s love through humble, compassionate, sacrificial service
Serving the needs of vulnerable populations, such as refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), women, children, elderly, the disabled, ethnic and religious minorities, and other marginalized groups.
Providing holistic, culturally-appropriate community-based programs that bridge emergency relief with long-term, sustainable development
Facilitating communication and working relationships between grassroots movements and government authorities
Educating communities to maximize local resources
Promoting self-reliance and settlement for communities in their current locations
Upholding professional excellence in program delivery through accountability and transparency
Our Story
Our work began when the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan sent millions of refugees into Pakistan. Thor and Debi Armstrong moved their team to Pakistan, launching a pilot project funded by the UNHCR to build geodesic domes for Afghan refugees.
1982
Registered as a 501(c)(3), headquartered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Gulf War sent millions of Kurds fleeing their homes, and SFL responded — launching the organization internationally.
1991
Renamed Shelter For Life International to reflect our commitment to community development and holistic programs, rooted in Isaiah 58:7 — "to provide the poor wanderer with shelter."
2002
Headquarters moved to Minneapolis, MN, and we began work in what is now South Sudan.
2006
2012
Re-established an office in Tajikistan and began work in Senegal and Liberia.
SFL has served across Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Macedonia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Western Sahara — funded by USAID, USDA, WFP, and BPRM.
Today
Our Leadership
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Brint Patrick is the Executive Director of Restoration Gateway. The mission of Restoration Gateway is to bring hope and healing to the war-torn people of northern Uganda through the focus of orphan care, medical and dental care, and empowering Ugandans through ministry-related activities. Prior to Restoration Gateway Mr. Patrick was the Director of Operations for Mateffy Engineering,Inc., and before that was Office Manager for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He has also worked as a Consultant for All Peoples and was the Vice President of Administration for Coldwell Banker, Jim Stewart Realtors. Mr. Patrick contributes management, business development, as well as technical expertise in construction and design to Shelter For Life International. He holds a Bachelor of Administration from Baylor University, and an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design from Texas State Technical College. Originally from Waco, Texas, Mr. Patrick has demonstrated ongoing involvement with work in developing countries— from medical clinics in Guatemala and China, to business development in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, to outreach in Latin America and Europe. Brint has lived and served in London and Singapore. Brint and his family currently reside in Waco, Texas.
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Gordon A. Wright is Founder and President of over 40 years with JIMI International and is an Elder at Tulsa Christian Fellowship. Mr. Wright owned and operated a lawn and tree service business for nearly 15 years. Mr. Wright also served with the US Army for three years in the 1960s.Two of Mr. Wright’s years were spent in South Korea as a Brigade Intelligence Sergeant. Mr. Wright has provided mentoring and counseling to spiritual leaders around the world; with specific attention to individuals in Russia, Ukraine and former Soviet Bloc countries. Mr. Wright helped to found and direct East/West Resources International and Global Assistance Partners International. Mr. Wright has served as one of the original founding board of directors for Shelter For Life International. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Gordon grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Victor A. Weir, III, or Trey, is Managing Partner for Bull Session, Inc., and Trey Weir Media, LLC. Prior to these roles Mr. Weir was Partner for Spectraband Inc., a company that specialized in providing Mergers and Acquisitions consulting to telecom and internet companies. Before working with Spectraband, Mr. Weir was Director of Strategic Development for CoServ, an electric cooperative serving members in North Texas. Prior to CoServ, Mr. Weir was Strategic Development Manager for US Wavelink, Inc., a wireless network developer specializing in LMDS technology. Mr. Weir holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Finance, Entrepreneurship and Real Estate from Baylor University. He has over 15 years of experience with financial analysis, contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, strategic business development, and capital funding and management. Originally from Arlington, Texas, Mr. Weir has knowledge of telecom, internet, deregulated power, and digital media industries. Trey currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Kyle A. Newkirk is Director of Commodity Risk Management for S&D Coffee. Prior to holding this post with S&D Mr. Newkirk was Senior Manager of Global Risk for The Hershey Company, and before that was Senior Global Sourcing Manger for General Mills. Mr. Newkirk also has work experience with USAID as a Foreign Service Officer. He holds a Master of Science degree in Animal Science and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Oklahoma State University. He has public and private sector experience in Asia, South America and Europe. In addition, Mr. Newkirk has knowledge of government contracting and assistance regulations, USAID programming and foreign assistance, sustainable agriculture development, and global supply chains. Originally from Kansas, Kyle has lived and worked overseas with USAID in Afghanistan and Thailand. Kyle resides in Concord, North Carolina.
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Thomas M. Lane is owner of Advanced Metal Roofing, a construction company that manufactures and installs metal roofing. A retired carpenter and ironworker with over 45 years of experience in the construction industry, Mr. Lane has a wealth of expertise in drafting, design, sheet metal work, plumbing, electrical, roofing, steel fabrication and erection, wood construction and excavation. Mr. Lane also has experience in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture. Tom and his wife, Michelle, have eight children and live in Chardon, Ohio.
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Mustafa Omar has worked for Shelter For Life International in the field and Headquarters management positions; managing projects, leading new business development, and guiding operations around the world. Mr. Omar was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan and has worked in post-conflict reconstruction, Disaster Risk Reduction caused by human or natural phenomena, and market-revitalization efforts in Central Asia, East and West Africa, Europe, and Middle East for the past twenty (20) plus years. Mustafa holds graduate degrees in business administration and urban planning and is working on a PhD at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. Topics of research and professional interest include Market Resilience and Social Risk-Management, Influence of Environmental Degradation on Fragile Markets, Impact of Improving Physical Space on Lasting Peace, and the Interaction between Modern Governance and Informal Market Structures.