Steve 8L Shawn ALLEN

501 N. COMMONWEALTH

APT,. #37 FULLERTON, OA 92631

714/992-0917

Shawn, Victoria, and Steve

November, 1989
"THE WORLD CONTROLS YOU . . . AS LONG AS YOU WANT WHAT IT HAS.'

We felt it appropriate to start our letter with this saying because it states one of the most rewarding lessons we have learned while in California. Because of limited resources, Shawn and I have cut out a number of things in our life that we are accustomed to. This has been very rewarding in that
now we decide what we need rather than what we think we need.

I think we have finally adjusted to California "culture shock." I learned how to merge onto the free

ways California-style. AU you have to do is close your eyes and hit the gas. It works every time.
California law is something that has been very hard to figure out as well, and I still don't think I understand. For example, they have a seat belt law to protect us when we have an accident but they don't have a motorcycle helmet law to protect them when they have an accident. The only thing I can figure is they are trying to eliminate all the motorcycle drivers. Who knows.

Shawn and I were fortunate enough to spend our two-year wedding anniversary at Disneyland (thanks to those of you who helped finance that). We left Tori with a babysitter for the entire day and had a wonderfully needed time together. The rides were great, but the heat was terrible and, to top it off, the day we went there was first degree smog alert out. A quick note for all you "fresh air" peo ple on the East Coasta first-degree smog alert is the worst there is and has caused the schools to close on occasion. It is what they use in place of "snow days." Recently, Shawn and I took a drive over to see Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral. It was incredi ble. I don't want to say too much, but let me just tell you how glad we are to be going to Africa where
Sunday morning services and Bible studies are held under the trees.

That reminds me of another interesting experience I was involved in this past month. A friend of mine was taking a class at Fuller Theological Seminary that required him to spend three nights with the homeless. He asked me to do this with him for safety's sake. It was a very unique experi ence . . . did I leave the next morning thankful for how God has provided and taken care of us! As
we returned to his car, we found out that it had been broken into and his car stereo stolen. He was pretty upset as we drove home, but I told him to be thankful that we are even able to drive "home"

and aren't still on the streets with aU those people we spent the night with. The night really put
things in perspective for both of us.

Now for the most important news of all... an update on my wonderful, beautiful, exciting, little boy I mean girl (I sometimes get confused). She recently had her one-year birthday, but acts like it was her fifth. Presently, she is able to run, walk heel-to-toe, stack blocks five at a time, and has almost figured out how to climb over the gate in our door. I don't know what we are going to do with her. I have suggested sending her to (Georgia to live with her grandparents but all they say is that I am
Christian Missionary Fellowship Prayer Newsletter

getting paid back for the way I treated them. Oh well, you know the saying I'm sure-"W7ia^ goes
around comes around."

Both Shawn and I are doing great. The church out here has been in a period of transition, but by the
time you get this letter will have a new minister, Doug Osness.

It has been great watching the process of a church selecting a new minister. I have been allowed to at tend all the elders* meetings (deacons' meetings for all you "good" Baptists), and observe them discuss the qualities they are looking for in regard to the specific needs of this church. It has been a great learning experience and I know that I will use everything I learned when we start planting churches
in West Africa.

This faU involves the taking of two classes at Fuller Theological, the teaching of an adult Bible study class, my internship, and working part-time assembling fUrniture. Shawn will also be reading all the material from my FuUer classes, teaching a four to five year-old Bible study class, attending two wom en's Bible studies, and taking care of Tori (a fiiU-time job in itself). We will stay very busy, but that is the Cahfornia way. Stay as busy as you can possibly stand.
Thanks to one ofyou for all your prayers and letters. We want you to actively be a part ofour mmisby and love hearaog from you as you have time to write or caH Please keep us in your daily as we do the same for aU ofyou.
Our MAJOR prayer request for this fall involves my taking a trip to West Africa. It is being arranged through the Christian Missionary Fellowship and is presently set for the month of January. It will be for a minimum of two weeks, a maximum of one month. I will be going with Ray Giles and Justin Sylvestre, both experienced missionaries to Africa. The trip will involve research in Benin. While there, we will talk to mission and church leaders to find out the best place to concentrate our work as well as the best way to enter the country.
We are asking for your prayers that I will be able to go and visit the place my family and I will work
and live.

In service for Him,

Steve, Shawn, Tori, and ? Allen

,|

P.S. Shawn and I recently took the Wagner-Modified Houts Spiritual Gifts test and both tested serving as a missionary in a cross-cultural setting as our highest gift. Another confirmation to us that we are right where God wants us. Praise Him for His leading.
Editor's Note: The AUens would like for Steve to be able to spend more time in his evangelistic responsibihties at the church. This would be made possible by the addition of more individuals who /

would make the monthly commitment to send $10, $20, $25, $50 to them until January, 1991. Please make checks payable toChristiaii MIssioiiazy Fellowsliip, RO. Box 26306, Indianapolis, IN^226.
11/89

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