Missionary Update: The Radfords on Furlough from Kenya [February 2014]
Nathan and Carrie Radford serve the Lord in Kitale, Kenya. Their main ministries include indigenous church planting, a prison ministry, and a hospital ministry for mothers with premature babies.
February 5, 2014
This prayer letter will share some things that have been on my heart recently in regards to the harvest, as we will see from the book of Matthew.
It is hard to believe that we are already into February 2014, as time is passing so fast. It is also hard to believe that our second daughter, Camille, will be turning three years old later this month. McKenna will be six years old in April. Where has the time gone? It seems like they were just babies. Time really does fly.
Recently, as I have studied the Scriptures and examined myself in regards to the harvest, I have been very challenged. Our Lord cares so much for the harvest and those that need to be reached, yet so many times it is easy to develop a cold heart and a forgetful heart in regards to my responsibilities.
Please consider the following challenging verses from Matthew 9:36-38.
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Let us notice a few things from these verses. The Lord was moved with compassion toward the multitudes. Why? Because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. When I read these verses, I have to ask myself, Do I have a heart of compassion for the lost? For the multitudes? Do I truly see them as the Lord did, as sheep having no shepherd?
Do I truly pray for the harvest the way that I should? How will I get involved in the harvest? Would I truly “sign up” to be involved in the harvest, even if it meant many difficulties, burdens, challenges, etc? These are questions that I have had to ask myself when I read these verses. I hope and pray that I would. How we need to remind ourselves of verses such as these and see the heart of the Lord. I believe if we truly examine these verses, we will be personally involved in the harvest in some way, whether that is by praying, giving, or going. How is the Lord leading you to be involved in the harvest field? Will we truly have a heart of availabilty? One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 6:8, which says ” Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
I pray we would respond, “Here am I; send me.” May the Lord bless you all this month and through the rest of 2014. Thank you so much for being mindful of the harvest in Kitale, and for your prayers and your sacrificial giving. We could not do this without your support and prayers. Each of you are such a blessing to us.
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