My wife and I have recently sent our youngest daughter off to university and are in a position to take advantage of a term-time ministry opportunity with a seminary in Spain from February of next year.

Our eldest is now married but we still have two children of university age and would like to be available for them outside of term time in the UK.

Does anyone in the OSCAR community have experience of this type of situation i.e of being empty nest missionaries or in transnational ministry?

In particular we need help on the issue of housing.  We do have a home in the UK but this is currently let out.  If we were to cease the letting arrangement and make use of the house during holidays it would be empty for the rest of the time which is not good. 

Does anyone have experience/advice on short-term letting of their property, that would enable us to "book it out" for certain weeks but the house be let the rest of the time?

What other options are there if we don't use the house?  We have lots of friends and supporters we can stay with for short periods but this isn't practical for longer ones.

Thanks,

Jim

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  • Good afternoon, Jim, Thanks for sharing., Will give thought to the idea. I am sure there some creative options "out there". Guess you know about CHS:  http://www.christian-housesitters.com/#sthash.b8fQCacN.dpbs their MD is a OSCARactive member... Ray White.  You might also like to check with Milssion Assist [part of WBT] If I can assist any further  do be in touch. Have just been to Tenerife to visit onboard the Logos Hope. david@shortonideas.org 

    CHRISTIAN HOUSE SITTERS
    Worldwide Christian house sitting service bringing Christian home owners and house sitters together. Offering rent-free accommodation world wide. Pro…
  • Hi Jim

    we are missionaries in Poland and are talking through the same issues right now. We sold our property last year but up until then were taking on a series of short lets (3-6m contracts) then it was available when we went back to the Uk in the summer/Christmas.

    We are now thinking of rebuying ready for retirement but are deciding on similar things as you. Have you thought of maybe offering it for rental to fellow missionaries or ministers for holidays at a basic cost and keep certain dates free for yourselves?

    we also face the headache of finding accomodation when visiting back in Uk as we dont want to overload our kids. We usually look at house- sitting although there are never too many in Wales or mission assist have been very helpful in the past. 

    I dont think there's an easy answer to this but if you find one let us know ;)

    lynne

    • Thanks for your response, Lynne.  Our house is in Northampton so it is hardly a holiday location!  We are open to the idea of renting it to friends/minister/missionaries but would struggle to manage that from afar I think.  As you say, no easy answers, but let's keep thinking and praying.

      Jim

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