Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [September 2012]
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.
September 4, 2012
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we only have a few months left in the year 2012. As I reflect on this past year, I ask myself, “Where has the time gone?” I am sure that many of you can identify with this. Our lives are so brief, and we need to be serving the Lord while there is still opportunity. May we be thankful for the opportunities He gives us to serve Him, and make the most of them. This update will share current ministry progress as well as prayer requests.
The church in the village of Shangalamwe is continuing along well. Shangalamwe is quite a drive out of Kitale town and is bordered with another large village called Coast. We have had some visitors from there, for which we thank the Lord. There are many in Shangalamwe to be reached with the Gospel message. We thank the Lord that the members are continuing to go and share the “Good News” with others.
Nathan Radford & Roger Tate with some of the people in the village of Shangalamwe.
We are progressing well through the teachings from God’s Word, and my prayer for them is that they would desire to study the Word more and grow stronger in their relationship with the Lord. Please continue to pray for my friend Roger and I, as we work with these dear people. Please pray that we would be steadfast, not grow weary, and be faithful to the call here. One of my favorite verses is 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” This is a verse we can claim wherever we serve the Lord, and our labour is not in vain. Praise the Lord!
The Annex prison is continuing well. The head office and chaplains are supportive, for which I thank the Lord. This past week was a blessing, as many new visitors came after being transferred from another prison. This happens quite regularly. We are now in the New Testament, studying the life of Christ and His ministry while on earth. We have many lessons ahead, and we ask you to please pray for these men, that they would stay encouraged and continue to grow spiritually. Please also pray that these believers would share their faith with the other prisoners. Matthew 4:19 says “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” We will keep you updated of this ministry.
We have big news in the family as our daughter Camille is now walking. She is not steady on her feet yet, but making good progress. It won’t be long until we have to chase her all over. I am sure other parents can identify with this. She is doing very well. McKenna will be five years old next year and starting school soon, which does not seem possible. We love our daughters dearly and they are a great blessing. Please pray that we would be the example that we need to be before them, and raise them in the ways of the Lord.
The elections here in Kenya are supposed to be around March of next year, as far as I have heard. Please pray that the election would be done in a good manner and that there would be no unrest. We can trust the Lord even during this time, and what a privilege it is to pray. I read a quote recently that challenged me. It said, “If we only pray when we are in trouble, then we are in trouble.” How true, and how we need to pray often throughout the day, even when things are going well. Prayer is truly a privilege.
God bless each of you so much and we will keep you updated. Thanks for your prayers, encouragement, and sacrificial giving. It means so much to us.
Serving in Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [August 2012]
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.
August 3, 2012
Dear praying friends,
It is now the month of August, and we are past halfway through the year 2012. What a blessing it is, the time that the Lord gives us to serve Him. May we be faithful to serve Him, whenever or wherever that is. One of my favorite Scripture verses is Isaiah 6:8, where the Word of God 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 hope and pray this is our desire before the Lord.
In ministry news, the church in Shangalamwe is continuing along well. Over the past few weeks, I have really seen how the people here need Biblical teaching from the Word of God. My good friend Roger Tate and I have been working with the people for months now, and it has been exciting to watch them grow spiritually, take in the Word of God, and follow it. Our challenge to them is not only to know the Word, but follow it, practice it, obey it, and reach others. Several have been visiting, so we are thankful for this. We ask you to pray for us, that we would have His help in all areas and progress of this ministry. Please pray for us as we teach, that the teaching would be understandable and that they would not only hear the Word, but be doers of the Word. Please also pray that the people would trust the Lord, wholly and completely. Isaiah 26:4 states “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” We will keep you updated on the progress of this ministry, and we appreciate your prayers.
The hospital ministry is going well. My wife enjoys this and has been doing this work with the mothers and babies for a few years now. It is a blessing for her to be able to be involved with this. Many of the mothers and children there have been reached with what God has provided, and what a joy it is to serve them. Proverbs 19:17 says “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” What a challenge from Scripture this is. Thanks to each one who has sent supplies or given sacrificially to this ministry. Some of the babies there are abandoned, and have many struggles, so we would appreciate your prayers for them also. May God bless you for your heart for missions.
The Annex prison is continuing well, for which I thank the Lord. The Lord has provided good students of the Word, those who seem to be genuinely interested in knowing and obeying the Bible and what it teaches. We are now in the New Testament of the teachings, and will soon be looking at the ministry Jesus had while on earth, as well as other teachings. Just recently, I taught some from Luke 1:37, which states “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” What is impossible with man is possible with God. We serve an all-powerful God!
Please keep our family in your prayers, for safety, health, faithfulness to the Lord and the work here in Kitale, and that we would be the examples before our children that we need to be. Camille is now nearly walking, which does not seem possible. What a blessing she is to our family. McKenna is the typical little girl, lots of energy and into many things. They keep us on our toes, to say the least. Pray for us as we seek to lead them in the ways of the Lord. God bless you all so much, and we will keep you updated.
In Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [July 2012]
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.
July 3, 2012
Dear praying friends,
We have now passed the halfway point into the year 2012. As I reflect on this past year, and how quickly time passes, I am reminded how we need to be investing ourselves in service to the Lord and His kingdom. Our life here on earth is just a breath compared to eternity. James 4:14 states “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” May we use the opportunities the Lord gives us to serve Him. This update will give ministry progress as well as share prayer requests.
This past month was an exciting one in relation to church planting here in Kitale. My good friend Roger Tate and I have been teaching the Word of God to a special family in a small village named Shangalamwe which is located here in Kitale. We have covered many different studies with them, and prepared them to become a church of the Lord Jesus Christ. On June 24th of last month, we had an official ceremony to open Shangalamwe Baptist Church. What an exciting time it is for these people. Please pray for this church, and also for the people in the village of Shangalamwe. Pray for my friend Roger and I, that we would continue to be faithful to help and assist these people through mentoring them to grow spiritually, and reach others for Christ. Please pray that the Lord would raise up leaders for this church that love the Lord and desire to faithfully serve Him. Please pray that these people would continue to pray, rely on the Lord, and study the Word of God. The Word of God is profitable in so many ways, and how we need to faithfully study it. 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The Annex prison ministry is continuing along well. The Lord has provided faithful men to come and study His Word. It has been exciting to watch how the Lord has been working in their lives, and I thank the Lord for each one who has been coming. I also am thankful for the cooperation of the officials at the Annex prison. We are now over halfway through the course “Firm Foundations – from Creation to Christ.” I am aware of all the many challenges that these men face, and am thankful for their faithfulness. Many of them receive discouragement in many ways, yet they continue to faithfully study. Please pray for these men and also for their spiritual growth. Pray that I would be faithful to share the Gospel message as well as teach the Word, relying on the Lord for the results. Nothing can happen without the Lord and His help. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” May we all remember to rely on the Lord as we serve Him.
In family news, it has been exciting to watch our daughters grow and develop. McKenna is now four years old and very active. She is such a blessing and what a privilege it is for my wife and I to be her parents. Camille is 16 months old, and has not yet started walking, but is certainly crawling all over. It will not be long before she is walking. She can mutter some words now and then, such as “dada,” which thrills my heart. What a blessed man I am, with such a wonderful wife and daughters. Please pray for unity in our family, and that my wife and I would be the examples before our children that we need to be. It is a big responsibility. Our children watch our actions more than our words. A statement that has really challenged me is “Example speaks louder than words.” May we be the examples for the Lord that we need to be throughout our daily lives.
We hope you all have a great fourth of July there in the States as we celebrate here in Kenya. May we be in prayer for our nation, and the leaders of the United States of America. How we need to heed the words of Proverbs 14:34, which says “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” God bless you and we will keep you updated.
Serving in Kitale,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [May 2012]
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.
May 2, 2012
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed so quickly, and we are now nearly into the middle of the year 2012. It is hard to believe how quickly time passes by. What a challenge there is to us to make the best use of the opportunities that we have to serve the Lord. What a great reminder we have from the Word of God, which states in Ephesians 5:16, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” This update will share current ministry progress, as well as prayer requests.
In regards to church planting, my good friend Roger Tate and I are continuing to pray, seek the Lord’s guidance, and work with groups of people in different areas of Kitale. We praise the Lord that one of the groups has already expressed a desire to definitely move in the direction of a church. Recently, a different group has also expressed the intentional purpose of moving towards a church. We are so excited with what the Lord is doing here.
In a different group, false rumors have been spreading in an attempt to divide and disrupt the ministry. We know that the enemy is not happy and he is opposing what the Lord is doing. While it may seem that this would be discouraging, we are actually excited to see how the Lord is working. This reminds me of Ephesians 6:12, which states “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” We are definitely involved in a spiritual battle, and we would covet your prayers for us as we continue in these ministries. A verse that often comforts me is 1 John 4:4, which says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” We are thankful for what we see God doing amongst the people.
The Annex prison ministry is also continuing well, for which I thank the Lord. We are continuing in our studies of the course “Firm Foundations – From Creation to Christ.” The men who have been coming seem to be growing spiritually from the teaching and studies that they are receiving. These men seem to be taking seriously their study of the Word of God. How we need to study the Scriptures well, and apply ourselves to digging deep into the truths of the Bible. 2 Timothy 2:15 states “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” I am thankful also for the support of the staff at the Annex prison, and ask you to please keep this ministry in your prayers.
In regards to the country of Kenya, please be praying for the upcoming elections, as this is an election year. Every five years, an election is held. As far as I know, there has not been a definite date selected. I have heard December of this year, and also March of next year. When the time for the election draws near, please be praying for fairness in the elections and also for the safety of the people of Kenya and those that work and minister in this country. There was a lot of violence in the country during the 2007 election and we do not wish to see these actions repeated. We know God is in control, and we can trust in Him at all times. What a mighty God we serve!
Please keep us in your prayers for our safety, health, and faithfulness to serve here. Also, please pray that we will rely fully on the Lord to help us each day. We are so thankful for each of you and greatly appreciate your cards, emails, or letters of encouragement. May each of you have a great 2012. We will do our best to keep you updated.
In Him,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [April 2012]
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.
April 3, 2012
Another month has come and passed so quickly, and it is hard to believe that we are already in the month of April. May we be committed to serving the Lord, wherever He calls us to serve, and use our opportunities that He gives us for Him. This update will share ministry progress, as well as prayer requests.
We would request prayer for the health of our family. It is difficult to stay healthy here. Our daughter Camille contracted malaria, right after her first birthday. I recently contracted amoeba (a stomach illness), and am doing much better now. Camille is also doing fine now. We praise the Lord for the good medical facilities that we have here in Kitale, and the good care we have received. There are good places to go for medical help here, and we praise the Lord for this. Please pray for our continued health, as we are now upon rainy season, which brings more mosquitoes for malaria and water-borne illnesses.
This month, we celebrate two birthdays of people who are very special to me. McKenna has a birthday later in the month, and my wife has a birthday the middle of the month. I thank the Lord so much for both of them and how much they mean to me. Camille turned one year old in February, and is already crawling well, and will be walking soon, Lord willing. Please pray for our family, that we would stay in unity, love each other, and be committed to serving the Lord. One of my favorite quotes is “The family that prays together stays together.”
The Annex prison ministry is continuing well. I praise the Lord for the cooperation that I have seen of the chaplains, as well as the staff, and their support. So many prisoners feel forgotten and struggle in many areas. Hebrews 13:3 states “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” I recently received news that one of the main chaplains that I have worked with from the beginning of this ministry is being transferred soon. Please pray for him and his adjustments ahead, as well as for myself and the prisoners as we continue with the ministry.
As far as church planting, one of the groups my friend Roger Tate and I have been working with has expressed a definite desire and purpose to move in the direction of becoming a church. The people coming have been active in sharing their faith and teaching others as well. How exciting this is, and we ask prayers for us, as we continue to teach and train this group in church planting. We need a lot of wisdom from the Lord, and would covet your prayers for this. James 1:5 says “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” We will be sure to keep you updated on the progress of this ministry as well.
We hope each of you are continuing well in the year 2012, and we thank the Lord so much for your sacrificial giving, prayer support, and encouragement. We appreciate each one who sends a card, letter, or email. It means so much to us. There are many challenges here, and God many times tests our faith in Him. What I have discovered is that God is so faithful, even during the difficult times. God tests our faith to teach us to trust Him, and I am sure that many of you can identify with that at home as well. May we be faithful to serve, love, and surrender ourselves to Him. 1 Corinthians 4:2 states “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” I hope and pray that this is our desire. God bless you all and we will be sure to keep you updated.
In Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
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Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [March 2012]
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 and premature babies.
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed so quickly, and we are now already in the month of March for the year 2012. I am amazed at how fast time passes, and how we need to serve the Lord while there is still time and opportunity. One of my favorite quotes is: “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” This update will share ministry progress as well as family updates.
This past month was a sad month in the life of our family. My grandfather, Mr. William Harris, passed away in February. What great childhood memories I have with him, and what a special member of our family he was. He is greatly missed by all in our family. We are thankful that he trusted Christ just a few days before he passed away. What an answer to prayer this is, and a reminder to never give up praying and to persist in prayer. It reminds me of the verse Luke 18:1, which says, “And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” May we never stop praying, no matter how discouraging things may appear or seem. We thank each of you for your prayers, love and encouragement that you gave to my grandfather over the years.
Our daughter Camille turned 1 year old this past month. That is hard to believe. She is now getting close to crawling, but not quite there. Please pray for us as parents, that we would lead and guide her in the ways of the Lord and be the example to her that we need to be. We are so thankful to have her in our family.
The church planting ministries are continuing well, for which we thank the Lord. My friend Roger Tate and I have been working to begin house churches in the Kitale area. It is exciting to watch those who have been coming to put into practice what they have been learning. Some of our goals are that the works would be sustainable and reproducible. In other words, that the people can sustain the ministries without us, and that they can reproduce to others what they are learning. Some of those coming have already led others to Christ. Others have shown or expressed excitement to teach others as well. Praise God! We are so excited about this and will keep you updated of these ministries.
The Annex prison ministry is continuing well. We have progressed through several of the lessons of “Firm Foundations – From Creation to Christ.” The men seem to be enjoying their study of the Word of God and growing spiritually, for which I thank the Lord. It reminds me of 1 Peter 2:2, where the Bible says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” It is exciting to watch that God is doing in their lives and we will keep you updated of this ministry.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We need the Lord so much for all that is going on here. One thing I have discovered long ago is that the Lord doesn’t need us, but we certainly do need Him! Pray that we would stay close to Him, rely on Him, and trust in Him to lead and guide us and to follow where He leads. We appreciate each of you so much and thank you for your heart for missions. We will keep you updated.
In Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
Read more
Missionary Update: Nathan & Carrie Radford in Kenya [February 2012]
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 and premature babies.
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed so quickly, and we thank the Lord for His care, protection, and guidance. What a great God we serve, and what a privilege it is to work for Him. God is so faithful, and we appreciate the opportunities we have to serve Him each day. This update will share ministry progress as well as prayer requests.
I realize that I don’t write a whole lot about our family, so I thought I would write a little about them. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and two daughters that I love so much. Camille, Lord willing, will turn 1 year old later this month. Where has the time gone? She crawls all over, keeping us busy, and has even started taking steps when we hold her up. It is a joy to watch her grow and develop each day. McKenna is the typical 3 year old and she is also such a blessing. She turns 4 in April, Lord willing. She loves playing outside with our dogs and snuggling with her little kitten. She loves reading books and plans to start homeschooling in the future. Please pray for us as parents, that we would lead them in the ways of the Lord and be the example to them that we need to be. One of my favorite quotes is: “The family that prays together stays together.” How true this is.
The Annex prison ministry is continuing along well, and the Lord has provided good, serious Bible students who seem to be growing spiritually. I also am thankful for the administration for being supportive of this ministry and allowing it to continue on. We have studied several lessons of the course “Firm Foundations – From Creation to Christ.” It is a joy to minister to these men, when so much of society has forgotten them. The men seem to be enjoying the teaching and are also being challenged from the Scriptures. The Scriptures profit us in so many ways. 2 Timothy 3:16 states “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” We will keep you updated on this ministry and we thank you for your support and prayers.
Please pray for myself and my good friend Roger Tate, as we continue to work in Kitale in church planting. There are many challenges here and we would covet your prayer support. Please pray that the Lord would provide faithful servants to carry on His work here. We are working with different groups in their homes, teaching them the Word of God and challenging them from the Scriptures to carry it on to other villages that need the Gospel and churches started. It has been exciting to watch the Lord work in hearts and see men who want to take the teachings and reach others. In other words, reproduction. Please pray for us, that the Word would be taught with clarity, so that the Word of God would spread and many churches started in the Lord’s timing and plan. There are many challenges, but God is faithful and will help us each step of the way. I read a quote recently that I really liked. It said: “Nothing is too big for God.” What a great reminder this is, no matter what the task ahead of us is. Please keep this ministry in your prayers also.
We are so thankful to each one who writes us, encourages us, sends photos, etc. You all are so thoughtful and such a blessing. We appreciate each of you so much. Thanks also for your prayer support and sacrificial giving. We could not do this work without you. We will keep you updated of what God is doing in Kitale.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
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