Gary & Penny Seithel

GARY & PENNY SEITHEL ~  

 Faith Promise Missionaries serving with 

United World Mission, England

     

     Gary is chair of Across Havering, a network of churches that facilitate evangelism, church renewal and church mobilization. The Seithels partner with churches in East London and in the southeast of England for evangelistic outreach using events called, On the Move BBQs. By hosting these barbeques, churches can creatively connect to the community with the message of Jesus and follow up with discipleship support. Gary is also a Rail Pastor and shares a story below.

  

      Rail Pastors have this beautiful opportunity on the railway station platforms. The challenge is initiating conversations! Approaching someone and asking simple questions like "Are you alright?" gives God a chance to make an opening. Recently we had two significant interactions - one was a policeman who had witnessed many traumatic events. As we talked it gave him an opportunity to share some of the burden. As we said how thankful we are for the difference he was making - emotions rose to the surface. Later we met a man who had been struggling with suicidal thoughts. Both he and his friend were Christians but had experienced a tremendous amount of grief and loss. We know very well that believers are not immune to negative thoughts! What a privilege to be able to pray together with these men and feel God's comfort wrap around them. 

 

 

     Penny is the founder of I Got Shoes. Penny & Gary recently shared with some friends, the WHY behind I GOT SHOES:  

     

     Our friend told his story of growing up in Africa and the reality of hardships experienced there. His path is now dramatically different through opportunities given from education, hard work and the kindness of others. ⁠We loved hearing his heart and why he partners with our work.⁠ ⁠Then he said, "I don't just want to give. I want to change someone's life." ⁠ 

 

     What a perspective to bring . . . knowing how easily we can change the lives of many children through the work of I GOT SHOES, which our partners so generously enable us to do!    

 

     We went to Uganda in February to see all that God has been doing with the schools and to share with the students, encourage and clarify vision with the staff of the school. Our teams in Rakai and Kampala had worked to prepare the school sites and classrooms, painted, purchased supplies, and local women tailors excitedly made the uniforms. Additional desks were built, as well as the fence to make the site safer. Pray for His Spirit to empower the staff and students to grow in faith, knowledge, and godly wisdom. 

 
                         

It's one of those moments that make you catch your breath! We were welcomed at Shalom Primary School in Rakai with sheer excitement. Children began running down the hill from their classrooms, lining up and creating a path for us to walk through. I held hands with Justine, our Ugandan partner, and we walked up the hill together whilst the children sang and danced. I didn't realize my husband captured this on video, and seeing it later . . . I thought, '"this is a tiny glimpse of eternity". Two completely different cultures jointly transforming the narrative for these beautiful children. After a fantastic reception, over 127 of the 350 students at Shalom were soon to receive new shoes and school uniforms. We loved watching Justine orchestrate her team into action organizing uniforms by size and year groups. Before distributing uniforms and shoes, two large basins were brought out to wash the children's feet.  

It started with Ben, the director of the school, and Gary washing the feet of these beautiful ones. In John 13, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. This moving act changed the lives of His followers. Ben explained to us what he was praying for each child. He was speaking against any curses of failure, rebellion, stubbornness, and traditional cultures that could affect children from pursuing their dreams. Then, he released a prayer of "new beginning" over them. He reminded us of the story of Lazarus when Jesus said, "Come forth. Loose him and let him go." He described the loosing of each student, releasing them to step into their destiny where they truly belong. We followed his lead. I began washing and praying over each young girl. Naboth, the head teacher, also joined in this act of love with us. Later Ben shared, "This will be a story they tell their children one day. Whether it was the head teacher, the Mzungus, or me . . . they will remember the blessing spoken over them. And that no one has done this before." For me, this is a moment that will forever be etched in my heart.    With much love & gratitude - Pen X *************************************************************************** PRAYER & PRAISE ~May 24-30, 2023

5/24 DALE & CAROLE HOSKINS
Wycliffe Bible Translators, USA/Africa   
Pray for Dale as he continues checking the book of Acts remotely with the translation team in East Africa with two of his consultant trainees (CiTs).

5/25 J & P
Central Africa
Pray for J & P as they return to their ministry country today. Pray for all those who sought Truth during Ramadan and for all the workers there as they have extra opportunities to proclaim the Gospel.

5/26 VERAL BLAKE
Ambassadors for Christ International, West Indies
Pray for the very well attended seminars on Pastoral Care and Marriage & Family, which Veral conducts. These are serious issues in West Indies which need to be addressed from a Biblical perspective. The Lord has been opening many doors for Veral to minister not only amongst churches in SVG but within the region as they have been encouraged by his testimony.

5/27 ANDREW & ANNA GORSKI
In Touch Mission International, Poland   
Please pray for the great favor of God as the Amazing Grace Church and Evangelical Poland is believing God for a new building. Please pray for an EP Training Center as they are raising money and talking with the owners of a former hotel building.

5/28 K & C
USA/Middle East
Pray for K the end of May-June 22, ministering to their ministry group people in several countries. Later in the fall, K & C will travel together. They feel this is a great opportunity for both to brush up on the language and reading the Gospel of John in their language!

5/29  FOTIS & MARY ROMEOS
AMG International, Greece
Pray for the ministry among the Arabic speaking people and especially for the internet radio operating from Athens Ministry Center in downtown Athens. Pray for their Logos (The Word) bookstores sharing the Gospel with many people who visit them every week.

5/30 GARY & PENNY SEITHEL (This week’s blog guests)
United World Mission, England
On their recent trip to Uganda, Gary and Penny saw the responsibility that their partners Ben and Justine carry for their church, other church leaders, and two growing schools with almost 800 children! Pray for them to be sustained as they set a priority to bring Christ and a Christian world view into each lesson and reach the children and their families for Jesus.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 (NASB) 

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