Rough Trip Back to Kenya
January 5, 2022
Dear praying friends,
We hope this update finds each of you all doing well. We wish you each a Happy New Year. It is hard to believe that it is already 2022. Time passes so fast.
As I type this prayer letter, I (Nathan) am currently in a guest house in Nairobi with the family. We had a rough trip back to Kenya and unfortunately, our luggage for the whole upcoming term did not make it on our flight. So, we had to wait a few extra days in Nairobi for the luggage. We praise the Lord that our luggage did finally make it this morning, so we are planning to return to Kitale tomorrow morning, Lord willing. We thank the Lord that we have all our items with us.
What made this past trip so challenging was all the Covid protocols at all the airports and the various flights. We had to show all our documentation at each airport, and had to have a negative Covid test for all our family within 72 hours of traveling. Europe is also stricter now and has had a recent breakout of Covid cases, so it was challenging traveling there as well.
All in all, we praise the Lord that we have made it safely back to Kenya and we are looking forward to getting back to our familiar surroundings in Kitale. Please pray with us for this upcoming term, that all we do would bring honor and glory to God. We desire to please Him and serve where He leads.
There are many things that we need to get accomplished in the upcoming days, to resume ministry and life in Kitale. Please pray for us as we readjust and get set up again. We look forward to sharing more in next month’s update. We appreciate each of you so much and your heart for missions.
I will leave you with 1 Peter 5:7, which says “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” May we cast all our cares upon Him this upcoming year, trusting Him for all the results.
Blessings,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya 30200
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Preparing to Return to Kenya
December 3, 2021
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are officially at the end of 2021. What a challenging year it has been, yet the Lord has been with us through it all. Through these challenging times, may we trust the Lord more than ever before. 1 Chronicles 16:11 says “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” Amen. May this be the desire of our hearts.
We have officially booked our return to Kenya, later this month. We were delayed a little, as I (Nathan) contracted coronavirus last month and had to quarantine. It was not a bad case, for which I am thankful, but there were definite symptoms, such as cold-like feelings, and a lot of lethargy. I had a great decrease in energy upon my diagnosis. Those who have also contracted it probably have had similar symptoms. I had to rest for several days and recover. This was one of the major delays, but I thank the Lord I am strong and healthy again.
Please pray for my wife as she is very stressed right now, trying to remember to pack everything, all the school materials, supplies, and making sure we have everything we need. She does a great job at it, but please pray for all of us, that we would do our best, cross off all our to do lists, and be able to get everything done in a timely manner. The weeks before is always the most stressful, but I hope and pray we get it all done.
Please also pray for this new strand of coronavirus called Omicron. It is already in various African countries (southern Africa), but it will probably be just a matter of time before it makes its way across the continent. We are trusting the Lord to keep us safe and healthy during our travels back, and also while we live in Kitale.
There are always adjustments upon our return, so please pray for us upon our return. There are also many things to do upon our arrival to catch up, so I (Nathan) need prayer that I will get all the major items done upon our return.
We wish you each a great upcoming holiday season. This Christmas, may we enjoy our time with friends and family, but never forget the birth of our Lord and Savior. I will close with Matthew 1:23, which says, ”Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” May God bless you for your heart for missions.
Merry Christmas,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Preparing for Return to Kenya
November 5, 2021
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now nearing the end of 2021. Hard to believe how quickly this past year went. Lord willing, as we all plan to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday later this month, may we not forget the Lord or all the blessings He gives. Psalm 100:4-5 says “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” May we truly not forget the blessings the Lord provides each day.
We are nearing the end of our time of furlough and doing some planning for our return to Kenya. There are still some things to sort out, and hopefully by next month, we will be on our way back to Kenya. We appreciate each one of you so much for your letters, emails, words of encouragement, and prayer support. Your sacrificial giving is much appreciated as well. You all mean more to us than you will ever know. May God bless you for your heart for missions.
In regards to prayer requests, please be in prayer for Kenya and the coronavirus. Coronavirus is still very much a factor not only in Africa, but all over the world. I read recently where Europe is getting hit hard with the virus presently. It seems to go in waves. We know the Lord is in control of all these things and we trust Him.
Kenya I am sure will be in some form of lockdown or curfew, so please pray for us as we adjust to whatever the plans are for coronavirus. We hope and pray that things will subside and get back to normal soon. We will remember you all here in America as well with the challenges of coronavirus.
Also, please continue to pray for my wife as she homeschools our daughters. As I watch the levels of study and projects increase each year, I am more aware of how much work and preparation must go into teaching them. My wife is truly a servant and a gift from God. She sacrifices each day on the mission field, and also is a great assistance to our family. What a blessing she is not only to us, but many others as well. Proverbs 31:28 says “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” Amen.
We will continue to keep you updated. Please continue to keep us in prayer, and Lord willing, may you all have a wonderful time of being with family later this month. I will close with Psalm 103:1-2 which says “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” May we bless the Lord with all that is within us.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Waiting on Passport Renewals
October 5, 2021
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now into the latter months of 2021. While there have been so many challenges this past year with the coronavirus pandemic, it still seems the year has gone quickly. This month holds two important dates for our family, with me (Nathan) turning one year older on the 21st, and my wife and I celebrating our 17th anniversary on the 16th. What a blessing my wife has been to me over the years, and may God give us many more years together to serve on the mission field.
Please continue to pray for Kenya at this challenging time of coronavirus. Things are continuing, but in a limited capacity. My understanding is that religious gatherings can still meet, but at 30% capacity of what they were meeting at. So, there are still obvious restrictions. I am sure you still have to wear masks in public, as well as sanitizing as you go around town. Please pray for all missionaries and servants in Kenya at the present time, that the Lord would watch over them and protect them. As we go out and come in, wherever we are, God is watching over us. Isn’t that wonderful? Psalm 121:8 says, “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Amen. May we trust God as we go out and come in, even with the challenges of this pandemic.
My wife is staying busy with homeschooling our daughters. She is doing well this year and our daughters are both doing well. They are absorbing the materials well and progressing in their studies. Our daughter McKenna is doing a new math program and is catching on quickly. Camille is also doing well, and of course I am thankful for my faithful wife for investing so much time and energy in teaching them and preparing them well in their studies.
We are nearing the end of our time of furlough and would ask that you would pray for us. I (Nathan) still plan to share, preach, and present the ministries in Kenya as God opens the doors. We are still waiting on our passports to be renewed, so this is a big prayer request at this time. Our paperwork has been submitted and we are waiting for the renewals. God is in control and we trust in His timing. We are waiting on the Lord and seeking His will.
I will close with Lamentations 3:25, which says “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” In our times of waiting in our lives, may we seek Him with our whole hearts. He is good and faithful. May God bless each of you for your heart for missions. We will keep you updated.
Blessings,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Partial Lockdown in Kenya
September 2, 2021
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now at the end of summer and beginning the school year. It seems like the summer months just flew by, and now we are in the later months of 2021. It is hard to believe the school has already started. May we remember the students, teachers, and parents during this challenging year with coronavirus. We pray that all will be safe and healthy. We hope this finds each of you doing well and we thank you so much for your interest in missions around the world.
Please continue to pray for Kenya and the coronavirus. Our understanding is that there is a partial lockdown in the country now, with religious gatherings meeting in a limited capacity. There is also an extended curfew, which has been going on for months. Kenya is now getting some of the vaccines shipped to them from overseas, so please pray that the vaccines will get into the right places quickly and prevent the virus from spreading further. We trust the Lord in all these things and know He is in complete control.
Jeremiah 32:17 says “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Also, Psalm 121:2, ” My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” These verses remind us that our help comes from the Lord, and that nothing is too hard for Him. When we are going through challenging times, such as this past year, may we get into the Word and remind ourselves of the great promises of God. He will be with us and take care of us. May we trust Him always.
I (Nathan) am continuing to travel and report on the ministries in Kitale, Kenya. Please pray for me as I travel, for safety, as well as good meetings in the churches. So many of you have asked how you can pray for us, encourage us, etc. We are so thankful to each of you and your heart for missions. We could not do this without you and we are so thankful for your support and encouragement.
This month marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington. May we be mindful of those who lost their lives on that tragic day, and keep the families in our prayers. Also, for the brave responders who perished in the efforts to save others. How we need to keep America in our prayers, for safety, freedom, and for the people to remember the Lord. In closing, I love Psalm 20:7, which says “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Amen. We will keep you updated.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Numbering Our Days
August 2, 2021
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now heading to the end of summer and school is almost starting up again. Where has the time gone? The summer months are definitely busy, and time passes so quickly. May we make the best use of the time that God gives each each day, as we will never get time back once it is gone. Time is truly a gift from God. Psalm 90:12 says “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Amen.
Please continue to pray for Kenya and the struggles of coronavirus. Our understanding is that public gatherings and meetings have been closed for the past several weeks, and this is likely to continue if the coronavirus cases continue to rise. Neighboring Uganda has also been hit with the coronavirus, and much of Africa. It seems just like when things start to get better, then cases start to break out again and many things are either locked down or shut down.
We know that God is in control of all these things and we trust Him during these challenging times. I like the statement “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.” May we trust God during these difficult times, all over the world. This pandemic has really stretched our faith and taught us to trust God more. God frequently tests our faith to see if we will falter or trust Him during the uncertainties of life. May we trust Him more than ever before.
Please pray for me (Nathan) as I am continuing to travel and report during our time of furlough. I am thankful that our vehicle has done well throughout all the traveling and I would ask that you would pray it would do well throughout the duration of my time reporting in the States. So many of you have been so kind, friendly, inquired about the ministry, etc.
This means so much to us. We truly do appreciate each of you and God will bless you for your heart for missions. I am reminded of 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.” We thank each of you for your mindfulness of missions, either by praying, sacrificially giving, or going personally to see what God is doing all around the world.
Please continue to pray for my wife as she is educating our daughters. She does a great job at homeschooling and has her degree in education. She is an excellent teacher but there are certainly more challenges in the coming years as high school is approaching. Please pray for her for wisdom, guidance, and direction as she does the best she can to educate our daughters. I am truly blessed to have a wife who has served faithfully in Kenya alongside me. She is truly a blessing and helpmeet.
We will be sure to keep you updated. Until next month, may God bless you all.
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Wrapping Up Furlough Church Visits; Pray for Kitale
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are halfway through 2021. Hard to believe how quickly time passes. I am reminded of Ephesians 5:16, which says “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” May we make the best use of the opportunities that the Lord gives us to serve Him, realizing that the time and opportunities are only for a short time. May God give us strength to serve Him faithfully each day.
Please pray for Kenya at this time of coronavirus. Things were going better for a time, and getting back to normal. Unfortunately, there has been a resurgence in cases in our county in Kitale (Tranzoia) and now things are closing down again for a month. No church services, public gatherings, increased monitoring of the virus, etc. They are going to reassess after this month-long shutdown, so please be in prayer not only for Kitale, but the rest of the country. Uganda has also gone into varying forms of shutdown, so Africa is getting hit hard with the coronavirus. We trust God in these challenging times.
Please pray for me as I (Nathan) have been doing a lot of long distance traveling for reporting on the ministries in Kitale. It is coming to a close, but it has been a very challenging past few weeks with the driving, staying alert, etc. Please pray for God to give me the strength I need to finish well, and to rely on the Lord for each trip. God has given grace and strength for the journey. 1 Chronicles 16:11 says “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” Amen.
The family is doing well. We are so thankful for a good year of school and the progress that we are seeing in our daughters. McKenna will be in high school in a few years, so please pray for my wife as she seeks to get the best educational materials for her. My wife has a degree in education, so that is definitely a plus. Please pray for her and all the challenges of each year.
We will definitely keep you updated as we continue with furlough, as well as the situation with coronavirus in Kenya. God is in control. Thanks so much to each one for your prayers, sacrificial giving, and encouragement. You each mean so much to us.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
Visiting Churches on Furlough
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now officially halfway through the year with the summer months coming ahead. It is hard to believe we are already into the summer months, and we love seeing the changing seasons and getting to experience them while we are on furlough. Each of you are such a blessing and we appreciate your interest in the ministry in Kitale, Kenya.
I (Nathan) have been busy traveling, scheduling, reporting on the mission work in Kenya, and preaching the Word of God. It has been a blessing to see each of you and I am genuinely thankful to each opportunity with the challenges of coronavirus. We know different parts of the country have been affected in different ways, and our prayer is that things will be back to normal all over America. Prayer makes a big difference. I love the quote “prayer changes things.” I think of Colossians 4:2, which says “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;” and also Psalm 145:18, which says “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” May we call upon the Lord daily, trusting in His strength for the challenges of life.
Nathan Radford visiting New Life Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.
After presenting the ministry in Kenya, he and his friend Judson shared a special song with the children in attendance.
My wife and our daughters are staying busy with homeschooling. My wife has a degree in education, and does a great job preparing and teaching our daughters. Homeschooling has been a great experience for her and our daughters.
Our understanding is that Kenya has reopened now from the previous restrictions of coronavirus. There are still cases in various parts of the country, but at least you can fly into the country now and not be restricted in any way. As I stated before, Nairobi and five other counties were on lockdown but those restrictions are now lifted. For this we are thankful. Please pray that the cases would continue to decline so that everything would get back to normalcy soon. That is our prayer for America as well.
We understand that there is a new supermarket coming into Kitale that stores many of the items that we like. We are excited about this and are hopeful that it will be opening soon. This is a big blessing for my wife and makes her weekly grocery shopping much easier, as she had to go to several different stores last term. What a blessing this is.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we continue in our time of furlough. We are thinking of you all as well and appreciate each of you so much. May we continue to trust the Lord day by day, month by month, year by year, following His guidance. I will leave you with the famous verses of Proverbs 3:5-6 which say, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Amen. May this be the desire of our lives.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
Furlough Address
1126 Smith Street
Milton, WV 25541
For ministry donations:
Pastor George Sledd, Treasurer of BFM
P.O. Box 471280 | Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280
or click here to donate to BFM online.
Read more
