Missionary Update: The Radfords on Furlough from Kenya [May 2014]
Posted on 7May CATEGORIES: Mission Sheets Newsletters, Nathan & Carrie Radford [Kenya] Tags:Tags: Carrie Radford, culture shock, furlough, Kenya, Nathan Radford, reverse culture shock
May 5, 2014
Dear praying friends,
As I write this prayer letter, my mind is already thinking to about a month from now, when Lord willing, we will be boarding a plane to head back to Nairobi and our life in Kenya. It is hard to believe that our furlough here in the States is almost over. It seems like just a few weeks ago that we were heading back to America. It is honestly amazing how quickly time passes.
Please pray for us and the upcoming term. There is a lot to pray about. Please pray for our family and the adjustments ahead. Our daughters will now have to be in an adjustment phase of their lives, and we will all need time to adjust back to life in a different country thousands of miles away from our home country. We will probably face some issues of “reverse culture shock,” which basically is adjusting back to a different country and ways of doing things. We go through “culture shock” when coming back to America after living overseas for many months, then go through “reverse culture shock” when returning. So, it is always some form of cultural shock and adjustments.
The Lord will help us through it all, I am confident. We trust in Him, pray to Him, and rely on Him through all these challenges. I like Jeremiah 23:23-24, which states “Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” It is wonderful to know that God is near, not afar off, and will help us each step of the way.
Please pray for the country of Kenya, the people there that we desire to serve and reach, and for us through the daily challenges. We thank the Lord so much for each one of you who prays for us, gives sacrificially, and has partnered with us in any way to reach the people of Kenya. You mean more to us than you will ever know and we are so thankful to you.
I will do my best to give you a current update once upon arrival back to Kenya, Lord willing. The main thing to pray for at this time is what I have previously mentioned and our upcoming trip across the world. Traveling with children is a challenge, so we would covet your prayers for that also. We appreciate each of you so much and will keep you updated. Take care and God bless you.
Serving in Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
315 College Street
Youngsville, PA 16371