Since its founding by Gordon and Elaine Hoskings in the late 1960s, the Redbourn Missionary Trust has held a special place in the hearts of missionaries who have stayed in its homes in Hertfordshire.
The Trust consists of five temporary let houses for missionaries and five flats for more elderly or retired missionaries. Built in the cul-de-sac of Harding Close, it was summed up by a missionary couple on leave from Kyrgyzstan who said, 'It has just the atmosphere we needed. It's been a good, peaceful time when we needed a rest. We appreciated being left alone until we were ready to join in with the rest of the neighbours at the prayer meeting. It's so relaxed.'
Now the Trust has found another special place - under the wing of the Pilgrims' Friend Society (PFS) which took it over in April, 2010. It was a natural transition because of the organisations' shared Christian ethos and principles. PFS has roots going back to 1807 with the founding of the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society, and today has 12 schemes in different parts of the country. The Redbourn Trust is part of the PFS along with the Ernest Luff Homes and Pilgrim Homes.
It's been a good, peaceful time when we needed a rest
The move has released more temporary accommodation for missionaries throughout the UK. Most PFS schemes have sheltered housing in the form of bungalows or apartments, and where there is a vacancy these can be rented at reasonable cost by missionaries. An unusual bonus is where an older parent needs respite care. A missionary family temporarily renting an apartment in a PFS home was able to arrange respite care for their father in the residential care home on the site, so their mother could enjoy a rest and a holiday with them in the apartment at the same time.
The houses at RMT are fully equipped, and where accommodation is arranged elsewhere similar arrangements are put in place. Whether the stay is arranged at Redbourn Missionary Trust, or at one of PFS schemes, missionaries benefit from the Christian ethos and shared values.
