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Welcome homes for mission workers

Our homes

The Shunem Trust was formed in 1978 to provide affordable temporary accommodation for mission workers and their families when they are back on home leave, relocating at the end of their overseas service or forced to return due to circumstances such as evacuation, visa problems or ill health.

Taking as its inspiration the woman of Shunem, who provided ‘a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp’ in her guest room for the travelling prophet, Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10), the Shunem Trust was launched with just £10 and faith in a God who provides.

Today, the Trust has two furnished homes in Thame, Oxfordshire providing family accommodation for periods of two to six months.

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What makes Shunem Trust special?

  • Affordable: We offer accommodation to mission workers at below market rent, aiming simply to cover our running costs which we strive to keep as low as possible.
  • Flexible: We don’t require deposits or charge when external factors force mission workers to change their plans resulting in alterations to their bookings.
  • Pastoral: We aim to offer more than just a home, with our local volunteers on hand willing to assist our guests as needed.

Thame Houses

Why is this service necessary?

  • Most mission workers either don’t have homes in the UK to return to or have rented them out and don’t want to evict long-term tenants in order to have somewhere to stay for a matter of a few weeks or months.
  • Few friends or family have sufficient spare space to comfortably accommodate mission worker families for more than a few nights.
  • Having their own home to stay in makes their home leave far more relaxing and can enable mission workers to host their friends and families. Relaxing family time together is of special value for those families whose children are usually away at boarding school.
  • Renting holiday accommodation is often prohibitively expensive for mission workers and generally does not allow sufficient flexibility when mission workers are forced to change their plans for unforeseen reasons.
  • Most mission agencies are not able to provide accommodation for the home leave of their mission workers.

What people say

“We have been blessed to stay in a Shunem Trust house on our last six home leaves. Whilst it is sometimes possible to stay with family or friends, we really value somewhere on our own where we can unwind and relax and have time together and with the Lord. The Shunem Trust doesn’t simply provide affordable, short-term accommodation but real homes that are well maintained and equipped. Those involved in Shunem are friendly and pray for us during our stay which means a lot. We are tremendously grateful to the Lord for this wonderful provision which helps make our home leave a joy.”

John and Abi Hunt serving in Nigeria

“When I returned after 13 years overseas, I had no home to come back to and was still serving with my mission organisation in a self-supporting role. I was facing a much higher cost of living than I was used to on the field coupled with a decreasing supporter base. Being able to stay in a Shunem Trust home for my first half year back gave me an affordable place of my own while I processed the past season and made plans for the new season. It really was an enormous blessing during a time of major upheaval.”

Zoe Alexander served in Egypt

“Staying in a Shunem Trust home was a gift of God as we began our sabbatical. Having space of our own, not living out of a suitcase, having time as a couple to talk, rest, pray, reflect and be on our own schedule without needing to be social…  it was so what we needed!  We would often just sit there and marvel at how quiet it was and how much that ministered to our tired and stressed hearts! It was a time of just BEING, and we loved every minute of it. Shunem is truly meeting a need that so many are not aware mission workers even have.”

Paul and Stephanie Whitney serving in Kenya

“We absolutely loved the house – it’s in such a wonderful location, so well set up and provided for. The kids had a whale of a time and we felt so happy, settled, and content coming back here after relentless trips travelling all over the country. 

We have huge admiration for the vision and dedication of Shunem to create something so ‘behind the scenes’ and yet so valuable to the wellbeing of many in ministry overseas. It’s hard to imagine what we and many others would do without them. Shunem is making a huge difference in the lives for people like us, sustaining and encouraging us.”

Chris and Ros Howles served in Uganda

Contact us

If you wish to enquire about booking one of our homes,
please use the appropriate Booking Enquiry Form.
For all other enquiries or to join our mailing list, please use the form below.