Terry Allen, for several years, was pastor at Elim Covenant Church in this small Alaskan Village.  He and his wife Teresa sacrificed

and endured many hardships in order to bring the Good News of our Savior to the native people of Elim.  An update from Teresa on their lives after leaving Alaska follows:

We have truly made some huge changes in our lives as you might have guessed.  We left Elim at the end of July, took 4 weeks vacation that we sorely needed, and then went into semi-retirement (Terry won't be 62 until May 2010).  There were a number of factors that figured into our decision but none of them had to do with our love for the village or the people.  The last 4 years took a serious toll on our health and it was a "time" for change much like Solomon talked about in Ecclesiastes.  We have now settled into our little retirement home in South Dakota.  Most days Terry putters around the house and I am working a few hours a week at the local lumber yard/hardware store to help a little with our expenses.  Nearly 2 years ago Terry started making writing pens out of exotic woods and Alaskan Moose, Reindeer, and Caribou antlers.  To begin with, it was just a hobby to help him with stress during the long winter nights of the sub-arctic.  He just loves it and so started making a lot of them.  During the 12 weeks or so prior to Christmas we are involved with going to Craft Shows in North and South Dakota to sell them.  About a year ago our son, Bill, moved to this same small town in South Dakota and married a wonderful widow here.  Our daughter, Jennifer, and her family have lived in Montana for many years but now they are also moving and will be just 4 blocks from us.   Needless to say our life won't be boring.  At any rate that is our news.  We are so grateful for your love and prayers.  God bless you just bunches and bunches.

Teresa Allen

Our mailing address is    
PO Box 912   Eureka, SD  57437  
exoticwritingpens@yahoo.com

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