LANCING, WEST SUSSEX, UK (ANS) -- In 2006 Dr. Ray White retired after many years in Christian ministry, first in South Africa with Youth for Christ, then later in the UK where he ran a Christian counseling center.

Dr. Ray White

After retirement Ray and his wife Marilyn wanted to travel, but following many years in Christian work they did not have the money and so looked for an alternative. They discovered a secular house-sitting site and decided to give it a try.

That Christmas found them housesitting in France and they discovered this to be an interesting experience. But they had no Christian fellowship and found the owners of the house where they were staying had some very strange beliefs which made them uncomfortable.

Marilyn suggested that for the future they try to use a Christian service. However, to their surprise, they could not find any. So they decided to launch their own called Christian Housesitters International.

Marilyn White

In essence one signs up as a house sitter. Or, if you are the house owner then you would sign up as having a house to offer. There has been huge interest with houses being offered not only in the UK where Ray and Marilyn are based but also in the USA, France, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Holland, Italy, Canada, South Africa and Australia.

During this time of international financial crisis many people are finding it increasingly difficult to afford a vacation. And Christian Housesitters is the ideal way to have an affordable vacation whilst at the same time providing house owners with the security of knowing that their homes, and in some cases pets, are well looked after.

Research has clearly shown that during times of severe strain and pressure, vacations can be more important than ever and can help prevent many stress related health problems.

More than just holiday accommodation

Logo

Ray and Marilyn see Christian Housesitters as a ministry. It is not a business that they run to make money. Membership for home owners is free whilst registration as a sitter costs $40 a year. All the membership fees go to the Home of Peace Children’s Home in Kenya. So even if you register and never use their services your money still goes towards supporting a good cause.

Their church became involved with this ministry in 2004 when it was just a room with a few children sitting and sleeping on the floor. Then in 2010 the church felt that they could not continue to support this work financially due to the many demands on the church finance. The Whites immediately jumped in and took it upon themselves to support the work. After much prayer Marilyn White, who was then managing Christian House Sitters agreed to take on the responsibility for all the finances and for the training of the staff. She is now part of the management together with James Onyango and is in contact with them several times a week. She also keeps an eagle eye on how the money is used. Every cent is accounted for.

Children enjoying a meal at the orphanage

A quick look at the situation shows that there is an urgent need for sponsors for food for the children at the Home of Peace Children's Home at just $25 per month. They are also looking for people to sponsor the staff who get no salary at present. They just get a gift of around $20 per month each.

The Whites are hoping that as the word spreads about the unique housesitters ministry that many of the members will take on the responsibility of supporting this needy work and get their churches to do the same.

Full details can be found at www.Christian-housesitters.com
 

Nico Bougas is the International Development Director for Hellenic Ministries. He has a master's degree in communication from Wheaton Graduate School and M. Div and D. Min degrees from Trinity Theological Seminary. He is the author of five books. He previously worked for Youth for Christ in South Africa and was Editor of IN Magazine and Christian Living TODAY and currently serves as Consulting Editor for JOY Magazine and is on the Board of Trutees for Radio CCFM and was one of the founders of Sports Outreach Africa. And previously served on the national executive of the SA Association of Evangelists and as a Trustee for the Bible Institute of South Africa and on the advisory board for the South African Theological Seminary and on the executive of The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund (SA). For further, information contact: nico@bougas.info