Buying a House That Pays Its Own Mortgage
Lemon Grove, CA - Gary and Saundra Carpenter spent most of their lives on the mission field. They were never in one place long enough to own a home. When they left the mission field in 1985 they rented a home, but they still dreamed of owning their own home. In 1999, their rental home was put up for sale. They applied for a loan to buy it for $135,000.
“They said, ‘You’re old. You’ve never made any money, probably not going to make any money.’ And they turned us down,” Gary says. “So we went back and said, ‘God, do you still want us to buy a house?’ And He said yes. So we went out looking and looking. Finally we came to this one and it just glowed. It’s just beautiful. But we told the lady that was showing it to us, ‘We know we can’t qualify for a loan for this because it is $220,000.’ She said, ‘Okay, we will see what happens.’ ”
The Carpenters’ missionary income was always modest. But they have always been faithful tithers. They are also CBN partners.
“We have a special place in our hearts for The 700 Club. Anytime we have a decision to make or something; or if we’re sick or whatever, we call up The 700 Club,” Gary says.
That’s what Gary and Saundra did when hope of owning their own home dimmed. They called The 700 Club. Shortly thereafter, they received a stunning call from their real estate agent.
“She calls us up and says, 'Have I got a deal for you. AT&T wants to put up a cell phone antennae on the back of that property. They’ll pay $10,000 a year for 30 years.’ ”
“So we went back to the bank with that and they said, ‘Welcome back old friend, old man,’ and was glad to loan it to us,” Gary recalls.
Six months later, Sprint came knocking with a similar offer that, coupled with AT&T’s, pays the Carpenters’ full mortgage every month. All they had to give up was a few palm trees to hide the towers. Several years later, their home skyrocketed in value.
“They started putting up these million dollar houses and half-million dollar houses; and that made the property go way up. We’ve been offered, frequently been offered, $600,000—for just the half of where our house is,” Gary smiles.
The Carpenters are now comfortably retired in scenic Lemon Grove, California. They attribute their home to the faithfulness of God, their faithfulness in giving, and prayer with a CBN prayer counselor.
“I believe that’s probably the reason we got the house,” Gary says.
“We don’t make a lot of money, but we do have plenty to live on. It makes us very happy to give,” Saundra adds.
“Make sure you are giving it to the Lord and not just giving to get something back. God always rewards his faithful servants. You be faithful to Him and He’s always faithful to you when you walk in faith.”
Being obedient to God's truth made an incredible difference for this family. They made themselves available for God's love to flow through them to others, and they are reaping a blessing themselves as well. Join them in partnering with CBN. You will make a difference in lives around the world through medical missions, food and clothing programs, humanitarian outreaches and so much—all in the name of Jesus. Please join today.
