Sawubona (hello). Can’t believe that it has been four weeks since we have arrived back in the Rainbow nation. And though times have been rocky, God is so amazing.
AFRICA ON FIRE CHURCH – The Beginning
Great news! After six months of planning and preparation, we are finally underway. Yes, we have started the church plant in Palm Ridge. A township one hours drive from the Johannesburg International Airport and our little flat.
The road to this point has not been easy or quick, but God has this vision in His hands and all timing is according to His purpose. Until the middle of May, we had been unable to find land on which to start the church. After many attempts with city governments, we were led to a plot of land by a man who is not a Christian, but wanted to help us. Through him, we were able to secure a large, central location, which we are currently borrowing from another Pastor who has advised us to apply for the land permanently.
Once we received the paper to say we had officially borrowed the land, the work began. There were many things that we needed to accomplish before we could start church services, one of which was getting a fence to surround the tent. After price shopping at several places, we found a man selling fences on our way to the land. This man helped us organize people to clear the land. We believe that as they burned the brush and rubbish, God was spiritually clearing the land and preparing it for encounter.
We also had to build a small house on the property for a couple people to stay and keep watch (our friendly guards).
The day before we began church, we bought an 18 by 7 metre tent and 100 chairs.
The man who sold us the chairs gave us a very good price and offered to supply us with 50 to 80 free loaves of bread to give out at the end of every month. Ironically, this man has a brother who is a leader at the biggest mosque in Palm Ridge (Palm Ridge is known for its Muslim inhabitants – during apartied Palm Ridge was where the Indian community lived).God is just so good! The favour of God is being shown already from people who are not even believers. There are many more stories that must go unwritten for the time being.
And so, after two weeks of hard work and taxing anticipation, we had everything ready for church.
THE FIRST SERVICE
Sunday, June 9, we had our first service. We had a surprisingly good turnout and community members have been very welcoming (even wanting to advertise us with a blow horn on the back of a pickup). The first service was the dedication of the land and the tent, patterned after 1 Chronicles 7 when Solomon dedicated the Temple to God. After a brief message, an altar call had three young men and a bunch of children come forward to receive Jesus. Since then, the young men are hungry for God and have formed a choir with our resident missionary, Eric Brumbaugh (from the USA).
NIGHT MEETINGS
We have also been having evangelistic meetings every night and have seen God beginning to move. It has been a blessing to see the people’s hunger as even the small children sit and listen attentively to every word of the message.
Throughout the whole process, we have clearly seen God’s hand in directing the right people to help us at the right time. There are so many names I could mention, without whom this church would not have happened. God is truly sovereign and the King of this church. It is just another testimony that when God calls someone to do something, He is abundant in His provision. In accordance with Jeremiah 1:12, we have seen God act upon His Word.
We hope that this newsletter encourages you to follow what God is speaking to you.
PRAYER REQUESTS
· Please pray for provision to fix at least one car (my two cars are currently broken)
· Please pray for provision for rent and a new place (closer to the church land)
· Please pray For God’s presence to increase every day in the tent
Thank you for your prayers and support.
God Bless you richly & love
Felito & Anna Utuie
CONTACT DETAILS
Address: Africa on Fire Ministries
PostNet Suite #117
Private Bag X1
East Rand
1462, South Africa
Website: www.africaonfire.com & www.yaysmilesalot.blogspot.com
Felito Cell: +27792852946 & Anna Cell: +27735261753
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