Let it snow, Let it snow!!!

Just had to let you know, that even though we are in Africa it SNOWED!!!

Last night when we went to bed it suddendly got very cold and then a lightening and thunder storm, then the heavens opened up and the hail hit hard. We had to wake early to go flat hunting again and I looked out the lounge window and much to my huge suprise everything was covered in a white blanket of snow....I could hardly believe my eyes!
I called Felito and he just stood (with mouth open) in amazment. So after putting as much layers as we could without looking funny we ventured outside to go flat hunting.

Memories of being in Canada came to mind as we walked.

The guys guarding the tent in Palm Ridge phoned us with much excitement. They are both from Mozambique and had many questions, but yet were so excited. The tent has fallen due to the weight of the snow, but praise the Lord no damage.

Gods Open Doors

Dear Friends

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

We are HOME

We are home in AFRICA!! Last Monday we arrived back in South Africa. Though this time we flew through Sydney (is a shorter flight compared to going thru Asia) we were hit hard with jetlag. Been getting up at odd times & falling asleep during the day. It was so great to be able to fly with my dear husband, at least he didn't snore on the plane. The flight from Sydney was very bumpy, so we had to wear our seatbelts all the way. We must have looked terrible going thru customs & immigration cause we got some funny stares, but I realized when we reached our little flat that our faces were so pale & our eyes looked like we had just had eye surgery, there were so bloodshot. But with bout 15 hours sleep & 3L of water we were on our way back to normal looking eyes....

Please keep us in your prayers. We are having a spot of attack, we must be annoying the devil so. As we have been granted temporary land for the church and our approvel to have the church comes through in 3 weeks which has been a long time coming - but we are both so very excited....but on Tuesday the washing machine broke, on Wednesday the CD player broke & then on Friday our new car that we brought and which has only been used for a month since it was done up broke complety down and died. Because of the car dying we were unable to go to Maputo for Felito's older brothers wedding and also has totally stopped us for preparing the land for the tent and starting to advertise. Please pray that we can get the washing machine fixed & also that we can get the car started & running.....

The weather is VERY COLD (ok its only 15, but still!) So today we went & brought hotwater bottles....

It was very wonderful to see everyone while we were back in NZ & thank you all so very much for your prayers & support! Thank you!!! We love you & God Bless you all
Felito & Anna

My Beloved....HE's HERE

After one sleepless night, then a WHOLE day of getting ready....tidying the room, getting a double bed (that weighs a ton), getting enough blankets.....then getting ready - needed a bit of makeup to hide the dark circles under my eyes....

MY HUSBAND ARRIVED!!
Ok, so plane landed at 11.45pm - my parents decided to leave for the airport at 11.30pm and its a 40min drive....I was beside myself. I had this feeling that his plane would be early. I would have felt terrible if that had happened...but that didnt happen. We arrived just on midnite (I think my Daddy wants to be a racing car driver..hehe). I left everyone getting out of car & walked briskly to the arrivals...and we waited....& waited....& waited. By 12.45am we were the second to last family...my heart rate was picking up and the worriedness had settled and all the little stories were swimming around & around in my head....then cause my mum has no fear of man she spoke to a guy in a green uniform and asked him "have you seen my son-in-law?" he simply replyed "customs is doing their job mamam"...that sent my heart rate through the roof....then the family that was waiting with us they left with their people they were picking up....every time the security door opened I leaped up to look....but at 12.50am - the doors opened and there was standing my beloved....tired, but phew....he has finially arrived!

The relief has set in and he is here! Thank you God for opening those doors.....

Me & My Sisiter

OK - not very often your whole immediate family flies halfway round the world to your wedding. A photo of me and my sister.

Anit she a beauty?

One More Sleep to Go

Am so excited...14 hours to go.....

Ok, am so very excited. Not long to go until my beloved and are together again after a too long a time apart.

Am excited....can't wait to see him and hold him tight, and won't be letting him go....

Thank you Jesus for being so amazing!

Hallejuah!!!! He is coming....

Yay, whose excited???

OK, so after a very LONG time apart (5 weeks) hubby & I will finially be together. Oh yea!!!

On Wed at mid-nite my beloved was granted his visitors visa to come to NZ. So then we franticly rearranged his tickets for him to come. He is now in waiting for his Ausi transit visa to be approved, but they have said there will be no probs!!! (THANK YOU JESUS)

Which means....Felito will be finially arriving on SAT 21 at MIDNITE!!! Which is 7 days & 8 hours & 5 min...Argh, cant wait to see him, hear him laugh & pray & just simply hold him tight.

Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support over this long time awaiting for his visa. We are so both very greatful for everything you have done, not to mention to being a should to cry on and a listening ear.

Just a heads up - once he is over the jet lag we will be having just a little get together so you awesome bodies can finially met my man! But will keep you post.

Blissfull 5 Months

(This is a photo of us on my birthday, the day before the wedding)

Well, we have been blissfully been married for 5 months! I totally encourage everyone to get married - its awesome. Its like having your best friend with you to have sleep-overs forever!!! But honestly - God has just totally blessed me with the most amazing man! I am so thankful and greatful for this gift and will continue to treasure him for always.

In New Zealand

Sorry about not writing for ages.

Am back in the land of the Kiwis, without my dear husband, but soon he will be joining me once his visa is approved. Then we are going to be hanging out with family and friends and also doing a bit of tourist things to show off the beauty of this land....am looking forward to that.

Hopefully will be able to catch up with everyone while we are back for our 3 weeks before we head back to the land of the rainbow - South Africa.

Flooding in Mozambique

For the last 3 weeks, torrential rains have swamped areas of southern Africa from Angola to Mozambique. Some of the countries that have been affected are Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia & Swaziland but Mozambique has been hit the hardest. The Zambezi River in Mozambique has again bursts its banks. This is due to the heavy rain & also because of where Mozambique lies it acts as a drain for the water.
People in Tete, Zambezia & Mancia procinces haveb been badly affected. Nearly 100,000 have had to leave their homes & farms due to the rising water levels. Over 500,000 have been affected by the flooding & losing their livestock & farms, though their houses are somewhat safe. 40 people have died. With the water level rising & more rain forecasted the water level will be higher than that of the flooding six years ago, when 800 people were killed.

The Mozambiqican Government has stepped in & helped by putting up temporary camps living in tents & have started airlifting people out where the roads have been covered by water & also those affected in the rural villages. The South African Government has also been helping with airlifting people to safety. Many nongovernmental groups have also been amazing with helping those in need, with extra shelter, food, blankets & comfort. The Mozambique Govern,ent are looking at airlifting in the food to those are still stranded, mostly in rural areas. Many of those in the temporary camps are running low on food, fuel & basic shelter.

Please keep these countries, especially Mozambique in your prayers. We are thinking of going to help those in need in Mozambique. We are wanting to help. If you would like to donate, please email me at anna@africaonfire.com with "flood relief" in the subject lines & we can give you all the details.

Thank you & God Bless
Felito & Anna

Feliz Novo Anos

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Am in Maputo with my dearest husband, experiencing my first married New Year....

The weather is getting hotter & hotter. Who would have thought that 35C was actually comfortable to bear compared to 45C & 50C....its very humid here in Maptuo, much prefer the dry heat.

Today, i'm HOT...so HOT, I feel like I'm melting. I am not sweating, I am dripping, its just pouring off me....totally not a good look....We went to the beach and everyone starred at me, not because I had white legs, but because its not commen for women to swim, especially at the beach...I DONT CARE - it was either that or explode.

Its hard, even though I speak basic portuguese I still struggle with understanding. Am finding it super frustrating in trying to understand the WHOLE story, especially if everyone starts joing in. Thank God for my darling husband who can translate when I've lost the plot....what would I without him????....

One good thing is that I have learnt to cook on COAL - yip - I can do this! Much to the delight of my new husband and my Mum-in-law. Even one better, I still haven't burnt the rice....oh yea! (God is on MY side). A downside to cooking on coal is that is takes twice as long, if not longer....

HAPPY NEW YEAR peoples!

South Africa - Kruger Park

Ok, so we have been married for a few days!! Its all good!

We set off to the Kruger National Park to finish our honeymoon off in style! Oh, it was amazing! Everyone has to go! The animals are really BIG and stunningly beautiful. God is an wonderful and creative person. The weather was hot, the food was good, the company - wouldn't swap it for the world! And the view was priceless!

The BIG Day

...To have and to hold....

The day that I'd been dreaming for years was finially upon me... I wanted to cry, but had makeup on. I wanted to see him, but we were in separate rooms until it was time... as my heart was racing, I knew he was the one...

The wedding day was amazing! It was perfect, it was special, it was beautiful - Gods presence was just incredible. The joy that I felt and also the happiness in watching family and friends celebrating was just pricless and such a Godgiven gift.

With two days of celebration we had feed well over 2,000 people, ate 9 wedding cakes, had ten thousand photos taken, sore face muscles from smiling and about six hours sleep.

It was awesome!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

2 Cor 13:4-7

Hong Kong

(Mum, me & Gran at the flower market)

On our way to the wedding we had a stop-over in Hong Kong. Girls, this is the place for serious bargins on almost everything we could ever want.

Must admit though, travelling with six people its hard, even if it is your family. I found out what my Gran meant when she said that she snores loud - its worse than a train going past your house. Also found out that my mother and I do have very different tastes when it comes to clothing and some perfumes....

We did the Flower market, bird market, Ladies Market, the food market - which included a 10min walk thru an huge open space separated into areas with chickhen, beef, fish both dead and alive...not good if you have just eaten...the smell was shocking...
Each market was very busy and interesting with people bargining, yelling, bumping into eachother, swaping of money and plain hussle and bussle. If you are into a good feed - then Hong Kong is also the place to be, the food is great and not to mention cheap! My little brother Micah was delighted to find that McDonalds there still had McFlurrys and they were cheap even with the $$ exchange, so he practiclly lived on those while we were there...But all in all, it was a good time...

Packing

Still trying to work out if I like doing this - but it usually means something excitng at the other end.....

The Countdown

It has began, or should I say, its almost done.....

I have 4 hours to finish packing and tidying my room. In 7 hours I will be on a plane making my to Auckland. In 10 hours I will on my way to Hong Kong - just the beginning of this amazing jounery.

Truth be told I started counting down 20 days ago and I'm excited - WHY?
1 I'm in love
2 We are getting married
3 I love Jesus
4 Church Planting
5 Living my dream
6 Blessing others

OK - so they are in radom points - I am so excited. I am so blessed. Its not every day that your WHOLE immediate family get to travel half way round the world to come to their eldest daughters wedding (who is marrying a wonderful young man, with a passion for Christ and to see nationS transformed) and also get to visit one of the most beautiful countries in the world and meet my mans amazing family. The thoughts of - oh dear they dont speak the language have run thru my little mind over the last couple of days - but who needs words and language when fellowship, friendship is just a smile or a simple gesture? Have thought of how they will get on? The answer - simple - just brillantly - both families are amazing. Language is not a barrier - just takes a little longer to understand. Besides its funny hearing my parents trying to speak portuguese!

The TIME TRACKING
We leave Auckland at 2pm and arrive in Hong Kong at 8.40pm (same day). Then we are buzy little bees walking around Hong Kong taking up the sights and sounds and smells and just generally haveing a great time....
Then on the 23 Oct we leave HK and fly to SA - yip yet another continant - but a bigger one. Where I hope that we will be met and greeted possibly by my Man! If he cant come - I still love him just the same.
Then eventally depending on my mothers map reading skills they will arrive safely at the finial destination in Maputo, Mozambique.

Bless you all.

Amost Done

Well, cant believe that I've been in the Land of the Long White Cloud for almost 8 weeks. Some days have gone fast and some days have gone really slow.

God has been so amazing! He has given me so many opporunities to shout His name, and to receive His love and grace and mercy and also blessing. But since I have been back, God has showen me time and time again, that He LOVES ME and no matter what He is always there for me. His provision is awesome! I love the way he always shows me the way....

One of my first blessings was to arrive back in Wellington to know that my Mum was doing a lot better and a huge answer to prayer at how fast she recovered.
Another blessing was to be able to catch up with my family and friends, especially my best girlfriend Ella - whom we've been friends for almost 8 years....
God blessed me with the most amazing temp job and the team I worked with were amazing and so very helpful. I learnt lots and will remember them always.
It was great to be welcomed back by everyone, even though I did leave my heart in Mozambique, and africa.
Being able to share at different churches and homegroups have been amazing. God has been so very faithful and His presence has been incrediable. I give all praise and glory to Him - because without him we are nothing, there is no purpose.

Have learnt to be more thankful for the many things in my life and the people whom God has placed in my life - without them I wouldnt be who I am today.

I leave you with this....

Our Greatest Fear
Marianne Williamson from her book A Return to Love


Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Wedding Plans

I'm Getting Married in the morning.....

Ok – so the wedding plans – I must admit getting married in another country is such an exciting thing….I totally cant wait…..things will be so different – bring it on!

From the girl side of things
• I have my dress (needs to be shortened)
• Flower Girls Dreses look amazing! They are going to look like princesses - DONE
• Waterproof mascara - DONE
Buying the family presents to bless them - DONE
• Sign the licence when I arrive
• Buy my man a wedding present - DONE
• The flowers arrived, bit of twicking and its all sorted - DONE

From the boys side of things
• Have the licence and need signatures
• Have the rings
• Get a translator for my babe’s family
Preparing for the wedding and celebration - hes doing a good job with his family
• Have our director to marry us

Updating

Boa Tarde

Its time to update you folks…..

I have been back in the “land of the long white cloud” for just on 8 weeks and in 3 weeks time, I will be in the country I now call home; looking forward to our wedding!

Since being back I have:

• Gone to Auckland for the Manifest Presence Conference
• Survived a minor flood
• Surviving the weather of windy, chilly Wellington
• Catching up with family and friends
• Been treated for intestinal worms and hookworm in my foot
• Cried my self to sleep
• Phoned Mozambique once a week
• Haven’t practiced my Portuguese as much as I want too
• Worried about my weight
• Brought my wedding dress
• Had my yellow fever vaccination
• Missing Mozambique
• Wished I was somewhere warmer
• Dreamed about my hunky man
• Gone numb on several occasions
• Though of my beloved just about every hour

Have also started reading a book “Heavenly Man” by Brother Yun. It is truly a must read! It has totally brought me to tears, and brought me to my knees before my creator asking forgiveness in simply just not trusting him, serving him, loving him enough. This book has totally inspired me and brought me closer – I want this faith and understanding and courage this awesome man of God has! How to do this? Simple, get on my face before my King and get to know him more and more! Learning to surrender is not an easy thing, but it says in the good book to die to ourselves and take up the cross daily – I choose that path again! I want to be remember not only as a women after God’s heart, but as a heavenly women!!!

Love you all
Anna

A Picture is worth.....

This is I, attemping at making Xima