It seems like it has been such a  long time since I last sent out a newsletter.  Please forgive me for not communicating more regularly.  It's not that we don't think about all of you...in fact, we think fondly about all of our friends back home and around the world!  The truth is that life and ministry are keeping us extremely busy.  2007 has already brought lots of incredible "highs", and a few tough "lows", but generally, the Allen's are loving life and serving God in South Africa!  It's hard to believe that Liberty turned 16 last month and that Justice is about a week away from turning 14!  Joe still is our only non-teenager, but that will all change next April when he turns 13.  That will mean that we will do 3 teenagers in the house at the same time for the 2nd round ( Andrew, Tony, and Jesse being our first ).  As a dad, I'm proud of our kids and the way they have embraced their new life so far away from home.  The other day, Libs was telling us something about the youth group, and she said "Dad, us black kids don't like that kind of music!"  I guess that will give you an idea about how  thoroughly we've been assimilated!  Justice is tall and handsome, and Joe keeps us laughing with all his rascally and teasing antics.  Patty is the greatest partner a husband could ask for...we just celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary and our 41st year of friendship.  She still can set me straight with that lightning wit ( some of you know what I mean ) and those piercing blue eyes!  I'm blessed!

A big blessing for our family is the new addition to our cottage!  After almost three years of living on top of each other, we were finally able to enlarge and build two new rooms, a bedroom for Liberty, and a nice family room for everybody else.  Right now we are putting on the finishing touches like moldings etc., then it's carpet, and we're done...hooray!  It's been a two month project with 4 or 5 guys in the house everyday and dust everywhere!  Patty's very ready to have things return to normal.  Believe me, the boys are ecstatic to get Libs out of their room ( she can be a bit messy ) and Libs is beside herself to have her own room!  

The Storehouse, our church, has exploded this year!  Pastor Dallas and I have taken great pains these last two years to ensure that a proper foundation was being laid.  Sometimes, the going was slow, but now we are seeing the fruit bursting forth in every area.  Then, with the ordaining of our two young pastors, Leon and Marshall, we were taken to another new level.  God is giving us great favor in the community, especially with the young people.  Our Friday night youth meetings are drawing kids from across this whole area who are hungry and looking for something fresh and different.  Even Moslem kids are giving their lives to Jesus!  We now have several different dance groups and choirs and a worship band that is constantly being asked to minister at other churches and youth rallies.  Praise God for His faithfulness.  Speaking of dancing, our guys are incredible.  I have dreams of them dancing in the U.S.  They are radical and as good as anything I've seen in the movies....I'm serious! The most wonderful thing is still the coming together and the bond of love between the races.  To actually see Black, White, and Colored people worshipping together and learning to love one another is still pretty rare in South Africa...it makes the Storehouse something very different and very special.

On a different note, because of the terrible crisis in Zimbabwe, thousands of Zimbabweans are streaming into South Africa every day.  Usually, they live here in isolated communities without a lot of real acceptance by South Africans.  I believe that because Ps. Dallas and I love Zimbabwe, and because of our apostolic connection to Apostle Chisango, we are now seeing quite a few Zims becoming a part of our church family.  They are such beautiful and gentle people and our respect for them climbs daily.  So you see, our spiritual family is truly a rainbow of colors and nations, a beautiful representation of the multi-faceted Christ.

The Bomans - We now have a brand new family from America as a part of our team.  The Bomans arrived last week and we are extremely excited that they are here.  Dave and Jill, and their children, Hannah (15), and Luke (12), are a great family from the Okanogan valley that knew Dallas and Jody years ago.  Dave came for a visit last year and fell in love with the African people.  Dave has a wonderful ministry to people of all ages, plays and writes music, and has an easy, loving way of connecting with everyone.

Dave really hasn't stopped crying since arriving.  It's easy to see that God has put Africa in his heart.  Please keep this special family in your prayers.  Along with the Bomans, we've had a steady stream of friends and visitors this year.  Our oldest son, Andrew, was here in February.  We had such a great time with him and he really loved Africa so we expect to see his whole family here very soon.  Pastor Dave Robbs and his friend, Gale Alberts,  were with us for a month.  Dave did lots of training and met with many of our couples who are starting businesses, and now he's planning a return trip, and an even longer stay, with his wife, Dayle.  We are really looking forward to seeing them in October.  In addition, a business team will be joining Dave in November to do some further training.  Two lovely young ladies from Washington, Rachel and Leslie just left us after being here for two weeks.  When you add in my 5 week trip back home and a week in London for Patty, Libs and myself, you can see that we've all been on the go! 

Some of you were aware that I got very sick shortly after returning from the U.S.  I got one of those nasty African flu's that put me flat on my back, and by the time Patty got me to the doctor 5 days later, I had a raging case of pneumonia!  Because of my history and other medical issues, pneumonia is a big problem for me.  The doctor insisted that I go into the hospital immediately.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous about being in the hospital in Africa...had a few anxious thoughts about whether I would ever get out!  But, except for the food and the hardness of the bed, I was well taken care of and now I'm totally back to normal ( well, not sure I've ever been normal! ).

A Tribute - I mentioned earlier that we've had some hard things this year too.  Last month, our dear friend and spiritual daughter, Cathy Falgout, died of liver failure.  Cathy was truly one of the most inspiring persons that Patty and I have ever known.  Her faith in Christ and her love for people constantly ministered to us.  Cathy, and her husband Ray, loved the work here in Africa.  They have been huge supporters, visiting and encouraging us at our base, telling everyone they knew about what God was doing here, and sowing generously for the last 5 years into Africa.  In March, Ray and Cathy flew Patty, Libs and I to London to pray over the launch of their ministry there.  We spent one glorious week with them in their flat, praying, laughing and eating our way around London.  They wanted to just bless us and give us a rest from our busy schedule.  We had the time of our lives!  That's what Cathy loved to do...she loved to bless the people that God brought into her life.  "Cathy, we are going to miss you".  I want to ask all of you to join us in praying for Ray, for Mackenzie, her granddaughter, for CCPC, and all those who are feeling her loss.  I thank the Lord for bringing this choice servant of God and sweet daughter into our life and for giving us the opportunity of being so wonderfully impacted by her.  We heard that when Cathy was dying that some were interceding and praying for her.  One of those who was praying felt like she could hear African children singing over Cathy.  That blessed me.  Because of her great love for Africa, I have it in my heart to build a dormitory here on the base for young people and dedicate it to Cathy.  If you feel the Holy Spirit speak to you to help us, please write us and let me know.

Let me close by offering a word of encouragement.  Jesus said, "With God, all things are possible."  But friends, we need to remember what this promise does and doesn't imply.  First, it doesn't imply that  all things are easy.  Often, accomplishing the impossible typically takes extended effort.  Second, it doesn't imply that all things are immediate.  Reaching worthwhile goals often requires a long-term investment of time.  Third, it doesn't imply that all things are painless.  Personal sacrifice is always part of the process, right?  So, it may not be easy, immediate, or painless, but for those willing to step out in faith, for those bold enough to trust God to do the impossible, the reward will always be greater than the investment.  As Paul said...

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21

Stop and check all those lists one more time.  Is there any impossible thing in the works? 

God bless you, dear friends.  We miss you all so much.  Please keep us in your hearts and prayers.