Life in Kitale
April 29, 2022
Greetings from Kenya!
I pray this update finds everyone doing well. This is Carrie writing this month for the annual missionary wives’ prayer letter. I hope the weather is getting warmer for all of you. I’m sure you’re ready for nicer weather after the winter months. Here in Kenya, we are finishing dry season and entering rainy season. The dry season was long this year and especially hot (up to 90 degrees and no air conditioning anywhere). Everything became very dry and dusty and lack of water was a concern. But thankfully, the rains have started and things are beginning to turn green again and the temperatures are cooling down a bit.
Currently there is a fuel shortage in the country. The suppliers are trying to increase the price, but the government is refusing to pay it, so there is a stalemate. The government is working to get the suppliers to lower the cost, but it’s taking a while to do it. There have been reports of people waiting in lines at the gas stations for up to 8 hours to get just a bit of gas for their vehicles. This is really affecting the livelihoods of people such as taxi drivers and piki=pikis (motorbike taxis). In addition, there are fewer supply trucks to bring goods, such as food, from Nairobi to Kitale. We’ve had extremely limited milk for the past couple weeks, and the price of goods is also increasing rapidly, which causes a huge burden on all families and businesses here. The people are struggling to buy the food they need for their families. Please pray that the fuel situation gets resolved quickly and that prices reduce for the people of this country.
Homeschooling continues to go well. The girls really enjoy their classes and are doing a great job working diligently. We’ve been doing some PE activities as a family, such as morning exercise, which has been really nice. Cami enjoys learning to cook and Kenna has taken some drawing classes online, which has been a huge blessing. We’ve gotten a new kitten who is an endless delight for the girls. He’s a snuggly little guy and such a blessing for us.
Please pray for the girls as they are needing friends. We had a family with some girls their ages here, but they’ve moved to another part of Kenya. This has been a big loss for our girls as they were close and played a lot together. There have been a lot of changes in our community with families leaving and we’re all struggling with it to some extent. Please pray for us as a family. Missions can be so difficult with all the goodbyes we say. There are very few “wazungus” (westerners) left in our town. Please pray for strength and for new families to come.
Thank you all for the encouragement you send and the prayers you say on our behalf. We appreciate them more than you know. Each of you is a blessing to us and we’re thankful for you. God bless you all as you head into the summer months.
In Christ,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 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
Training & Discipling Young Kenyan Men
April 6, 2022
Dear praying friends,
We hope and pray this finds each of you doing well. We appreciate each one of you so much for your heart for missions. Your faithful prayers, sacrificial giving, and encouragement mean so much to us. Each of you are such a blessing. This update will share current prayer requests as well as updates.
We praise the Lord that all of our work permits were renewed recently. This is a big blessing, especially given the challenges of covid. We submitted our paperwork before our furlough, then followed up on it when we returned. We are very thankful that all of our permits have been renewed for a three-year period. We thank each of you so much who prayed for this and these renewals.
Concerning the weather, it has been very hot for the past few weeks. April is rainy season, and it has finally started raining, and we are waiting for the heavy rains to come soon. Could you please pray with us that the long rains would arrive soon so the farming seasons can go on as planned, and the temperatures would cool to normal? This would be much appreciated.
I (Nathan) have begun meeting with younger Kenyan men in the village of Taito, about a fifteen-minute drive from Kitale town. A Kenyan man who I have known for years is allowing me to train and disciple the men at his house, which is a big blessing. The men also have their own employment, which I am very thankful for. This is part of the model, for the men to work with their own hands and support themselves.
Lord willing very soon, I will be teaching on salvation and evangelism. There are many verses concerning this, such as Mark 16:15, which says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Also, Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Please pray for me as I teach and disciple the men, and also for the students, that they will have the desire to be taught, then Lord willing, to go out and start churches later as the Lord leads them. I trust the Lord for all the results.
We wish each of you a very happy upcoming Easter as you spend it with family and friends. I will close with John 11:25-26, which says, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Amen.
Until next month,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
naterad[at]yahoo.com
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 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
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
Prepared for Furlough; New Young Men Interested in Discipleship Course
Dear praying friends,
We hope this finds you all doing well. It is hard to believe that we are in the month of October already. How time flies. This update will share our current plans as well as our upcoming time of furlough.
As I shared last month, there has been a big “to do” list before shutting down for furlough. You don’t really realize it until you start shutting down. You need to figure out how to pay bills in Kenya while you are in America, try to find someone to stay in your house while you are gone, get necessary work permit paperwork done before leaving, and the list goes on. I am very happy and feel we are in good shape and prepared for our upcoming furlough.
We plan to be in the West Virginia area starting in December 2020. If anyone knows of any housing in the area between Charleston and Huntington, that would be very much appreciated. Finding housing on furlough is one of the biggest challenges, and we are trusting God to provide something in this area within our budget. If anyone has any leads, please email me at naterad@yahoo.com and we can discuss more of the specifics. We know God will provide in His time and plan. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” Also, Philippians 4:6, which says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” We are trusting God to provide for this need and we appreciate your prayers with us for housing.
Coronavirus has really disturbed things here in Kenya. Schools will not reopen until January of next year. So many things were closed down, for about a five-month period. There were no international flights for some time. You had (and still do have) to get your temperature taken before entering supermarkets, etc., as well as washing of hands. Thankfully, we praise the Lord that Kitale has been spared the brunt of the cases and not that many to date have been sick. Please pray for Nairobi and other large cities that have borne the brunt of the cases. We know it has been difficult in America as well. We remember you in prayer as you please remember us as well. It has been a challenging year to say the least. Obviously, I (Nathan) have not been able to continue with the prison ministry, as it is a hot spot for the virus. Please pray for the prisoners and their health, all over Kenya.
I did receive some encouraging news about the ministry in Taito, a village located right outside Kitale. One of my students has been very encouraged and built up spiritually through the discipleship course, and he has gone to his village himself to invite other young men to the trainings. I have been informed there are around four other young men who live in the area who have seen some of the teachings and are excited to come, study, and learn. I understand that they are independent-minded and want to learn the Word of God. This discipleship course is so foundational as so many of the men have lacked these teachings from the start. They need to get grounded before they go out and teach others, eventually leading to planting churches, Lord willing. The course has received very positive feedback and I am thankful for this. Obviously, with preparing for furlough, I am not able to start with them now, but this will be a good lead for next term, Lord willing.
One of the things that has been emphasized to me over and over is to get youths to train, usually around 20 to 25 years of age. They should have some form of employment, as this will help them to be independent thinking and not depend on the missionary. Also, they should have a heart for the Lord and a true desire to serve. After receiving the trainings, they should start groups in their respective areas, with people they know, such as friends, neighbors, and family. This should be the start and they can build off that. I have been pleased with the results I have seen with this model this term and ask that you would pray with me that God would provide this type of men from the start. We are trusting God to provide this type of men and ask that you would pray with us for this.
One of the big prayer requests that has been answered is friends for our daughters. The mission field can be a challenging and very lonely place. Homesickness is a constant battle, and it is increased with there is a lack of friends, especially for children. There is a new family in Kitale that has a girl that has been such a good friend and blessing to our daughters. They have so much fun playing together. What a wonderful provision for our daughters and an answer to prayer. Please pray for the new family and their adjustments, as well as for our girls, in regards to friends for them. God has been so good to provide and we trust Him to provide for them for the future.
We appreciate each of you so much. Your prayers, sacrificial giving, and encouragement are always such a blessing. Please pray for our upcoming furlough, as we want God to receive the glory for all that is said and done. I am reminded of Isaiah 42:8, which says, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Also, 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” May this be our true desire, to bring honor and glory to God in all that we do.
Blessings,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
naterad@yahoo.com
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
Renewing Work Permits & Planning for Furlough
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.
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are entering the last part of 2020. Time really does pass so quickly, and may we be busy serving where the Lord has us. This update will share current prayer requests as well as current updates.
This past month has been very busy. So many things to do. We made a big “to do” list, and you never really realize what a job it is until you start shutting down for furlough. Various insurances to be paid, trying to find someone to stay in our house while we are away, arranging for paying bills here while we are in America, and the list goes on and on. It can be overwhelming and you have to take one thing at a time. We are thankful to have neighbors now so if there are any urgent matters, they can inform and assist us.
We also were working on our work permits that expire next April. We did get the documentation done, and there are just a few minor items to send in soon. We are thankful for the progress that we made on the permits, and ask that you would pray with us that they will be renewed without any issues.
In health news, I (Nathan) had to see a dermatologist recently and she recommended the removal of seven different moles. There is a history of melanoma in the family, so I need to be seen regularly and need to be careful with sun exposure. I did have all seven moles removed and have been able to recover well, for which I am thankful. The sun is strong here in Kenya and you need to take precautions. Thanks for your prayers in regards to not only my health, but the health of the entire family.
We appreciate each of you so much. Thanks so much for your prayers, sacrificial giving, and encouragement. You are such a blessing.
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
naterad@yahoo.com
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
Kenyans Receptive to Gospel Message
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 4, 2020
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now over halfway through 2020. Time seems to pass so quickly, and the days, months, and years just speed by. May we be busy in the Lord’s work, putting Him first, and working faithfully for His kingdom. Also, a happy fourth of July to all of you in America at this time. I am reminded of Psalm 33:12a, which states “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” Also, Proverbs 14:34, which says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” May we continue to pray for our country and for God’s leading in the future. This update will share current prayer requests and progress with the coronavirus in Kenya currently.
Currently, many restrictions are still in place in Kenya for the coronavirus. As of this writing, it seems the cases are spiking and increasing rapidly, with the capital city of Nairobi having the majority of the cases, although many are sick all over the country. There is still a curfew from 9 pm, no public gatherings (churches, schools, etc), and a lockdown within the capital city of Nairobi as well as other areas. We recently heard that schools will not be resuming until next year, probably January.
As far as ministry projections, there is currently no way to tell right now. The President is expected to address the nation on July 6th, and there are different thoughts about what restrictions could be lifted, if any. We will just have to wait and see.
It seems many Kenyans are receptive to the gospel message at this difficult and trying time, and many are taking the Swahili tracts that I have been passing out while going around. Even in a difficult time such as this, God will use it to bring glory to Himself. He will bring the increase. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:6, where Paul says, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” That is still true today. We can plant the seed, but we have to trust God to bring the increase.
Obviously, with all the restrictions, prisons are closed at this time as well. The prisoners live in an enclosed space close together, which is easy for the virus to transmit. Please be praying for the prisoners, and the staff there, for their health at this time.
Our daughters are really enjoying homeschooling and are able to keep up with their current schedule. We are so thankful they can homeschool and will not get behind in their studies. My wife, Carrie, has a degree in education, so this is a very good use of her education and a hands-on approach. God has been so good to provide this homeschooling opportunity for them. We are also very thankful that the new family in Kitale is reaching out to our daughters and they are able to play with another American girl their age. This has provided the much-needed friendships they have needed for so long, so God has been so good to them.
We will update each of you on the progress next month. Please pray for the many businesses that have been impacted by the virus, even tourism and transportation industries. We hope and pray things get back to normal soon. We are thinking of and praying for you all in America as well at this time of difficulty.
We appreciate so much your prayers, sacrificial giving, and thoughts for us. It means so much to us.
Blessings to each of you.
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Contact Info:
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 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
Teaching in the Annex Prison, Praying for Rain
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 2, 2019
Dear praying friends,
It is now the month of April, and we have many things to update you on. Thanks again so much for your prayers, encouragement, and sacrificial giving. We appreciate each of you so much.
April is a big month for birthdays in our family, as my wife (Carrie) has hers in the middle of the month, and our daughter McKenna has hers towards the end of the month. What a blessing they both are to our family and I thank the Lord for them.
This month is a break from school. Last week was the final week of school until the end of April. The students put on a very nice end of term program. Both of our daughters are enrolled in the school and doing very well. It was amazing to watch our daughter McKenna speaking French for five minutes with her friend. Both our daughters are learning basic greetings, etc. and doing very well. Their teacher is fluent in French, so we hope they can continue to develop, grow, and learn in the language. They are also studying Swahili, the language of Kenya, so two languages at once is challenging. My wife has stayed very busy with teaching 3 days a week at the school and helping with administrative duties. We are so thankful for this new Christian school and ask that you would pray for the directors, teachers, and students alike.
I (Nathan) am continuing to teach Emmanuel through our discipleship course. He is doing very well as a student and is taking it seriously and growing spiritually. He has a good attitude and wants to take these teachings to go teach others. We recently studied “God is our Heavenly Father.” In this lesson, we saw that God loves us with an everlasting love, (Jeremiah 31:3), He protects us, and we are not to worry, but to trust Him to provide and care for us. We are to seek His kingdom first, and trust Him to lead and guide us through life. One of the key verses in the lesson is Matthew 6:33, which says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” What a great verse to claim throughout our lives. Please continue to pray for Emmanuel, his spiritual growth, and those that he plans to teach in the future.
I (Nathan) thank the Lord that the Annex prison ministry is continuing along well. I have been doing ministry in this prison for the past several years, and am thankful that the opportunity is still there to teach the men who desire the teachings. I recently taught them on “God Alone.” This lesson had many teachings, with the idea that God is eternal, needs nothing, knows everything, is everywhere all the time, and greater than all. One of my favorite verses from the lesson is Psalm 147:5, which says “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Please pray for me and the students, as we continue along in our study of the Word of God.
One final prayer request we currently have is for rain. It has been so hot and dry lately, and many of the crops, etc. are suffering. We are usually in rainy season at this time, but this year has been unusually hot and dry and the rain would be a much needed welcome. We hope and pray that the rains will start soon, and we know God is in control.
May God bless each of you. We will keep you updated.
In Kitale,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 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
Young Kenyan Man Teaches About “The Faithful God”
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.
March 4, 2019
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now into March 2019. Hard to believe how quickly the time passes. We are thankful to God for His care for us, His protection, and His leading. One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 5:7, which says “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” We have so many cares to this life, day to day, and how comforting that we can cast them on Him, knowing that He cares for us. What a great God.
Currently, the road on which we live is being worked on. There has been so much dust produced from the large construction vehicles moving the dirt, going over the potholes to reduce them, laying the road foundation, etc. Supposedly they will begin laying the actual tarmac this week. Please pray with us that the work will be finished soon. This new road will be a huge blessing to our family for a variety of reasons, including an improvement in our health. I, Nathan, and our daughter, McKenna, both struggle with asthma. The new road and elimination of dust would be a huge relief for breathing issues, colds and allergies. It also would help other people in our area, specifically with lowering maintenance needs for vehicles due to the reduction of potholes. We are trusting that this much needed work will be done soon.
We are so thankful for the good school that God has provided for my wife and our daughters. It is truly a miracle. My wife teaches several days a week and helps with administrative duties. This all keeps her much busier and happier. Our daughters are also doing much better, making much needed friendships with other kids their age. Friends were lacking here for so long and we are thankful that God has provided beyond our imaginings. Please pray for our daughters, and for my wife, as she prepares weekly for the lessons she teaches. Please also pray for other missionaries and people in the community to consider enrolling their children in the school as well. The directors and staff are truly being a light in this area and satan is not happy about it. Please pray for encouragement and for wisdom and strength as the directors, administrators and teachers continue to trust God.
I (Nathan) have been continuing to disciple/mentor a younger Kenyan man (Emmanuel) in the Kitale area of Milimani. He has had a good attitude, seems to have a hunger for the Word of God, and desires to take the teachings I teach him to reach others. Recently he told me that he taught his Bible study group on “The Faithful God.” He taught them many different aspects of God’s faithfulness, and he told me it was very well received. He desires to make himself available more to build into their lives with the Word of God. I am very pleased with his progress and ask that you would please pray that God would raise up other young men like him, who have jobs, desire to be independent, trust God, and teach others. God is faithful and will raise these men up in His time and plan. How I need to wait on God and trust in His timing. Psalm 27:14 says “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” How important it is to wait on God and His timing, trusting in Him each step of the way.
We are now entering into rainy season soon, so we would appreciate your prayers for safety as we travel. The rains cause the roads to become muddy and slippery, and there are more accidents. Please pray for all those going around Kitale during rainy season, for God’s watch care and protection. May God bless each of you and we thank you for your heart for missions.
In Kitale,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 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
