Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [February 2015]
February 3, 2015
Dear praying friends,
We thank the Lord that He has brought us through another month, as He has watched over us, and been so faithful. We hope each of you are doing well as you follow and serve the Lord in the United States. This update will give a current report on the ministries here.
Currently, we have visitors from America here. Pastor Darrell Messer and his wife, Mrs. Shirley Messer, from Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bellbrook, Ohio have come to visit here in Kenya and see what the Lord is doing. Pastor Messer has served faithfully as a Baptist Faith Missions board member for many years. They have come to visit the Tate family and also to see some of our ministries, such as the church planting, prison ministry, and hospital ministry. This is their first time in Africa, and we pray that this trip will be informative about the challenges that we face on the mission field, and how to pray for us and the people of Kenya. It has been a joy to have them and please pray for their trip back to America in a few days.
The prison ministry is continuing along well. I just finished teaching on Adam and Eve, and the entrance of sin into the world. I did my best to show the results of sin and how sin separates us from God. We saw through the lesson that we are all sinners, and in need of a Savior. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This is foundation teaching for the men to learn and please pray that the Lord would work in their hearts as the Gospel message is presented to them. It has been exciting to see the
men coming faithfully and learning much from the Word of God.
My partner Roger Tate and I have been praying about another area to reach in Kitale with church planting. We both agreed after prayer that a good area to start is called Robinson. There are many people in this area who need to be reached with the Gospel and taught how to follow the Lord. We just started last week with our first lesson, so please pray that the people would continue to come faithfully, and if it would be the Lord’s will, that a church could be started in that area later. We trust the Lord with all these plans and lay them before Him. We can do nothing without Him. Psalm 37:5 says “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass.” We are following by faith and trusting the Lord to work in His time and plan.
In family news, the girls are continuing along well. We appreciate your prayers for them for friends their age to play with. This is one of the major challenges here. Also, our daughter Camille has been complaining of stomach aches for several weeks. We went to a good doctor here in Kitale and got her good medicine. I just found out about this doctor a few weeks ago, as he is located in an area that I rarely go to. It is a blessing to know that a good doctor is nearby and able to diagnose well. Anyway, she finished with the medicine and we got her tested at a lab, and her tests came back negative for any parasites or other things. It is challenging here as the medical care is always a challenge, especially with little ones. A fever and chills here could mean different things, and sometimes you have to do your best to look up the symptoms online and try to diagnose yourself. These are just some of the challenges with living here, but we praise the Lord that Camille is doing well now.
That is the current report. Please keep us in your prayers, and thanks again for your cards,
letters, emails, or other forms of encouragement. We love and appreciate all of you.
Serving in Kitale,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
Read more
Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [November 2014]
November 5, 2014
Dear praying friends,
We hope this update finds each of you doing well. It is hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us, as I am thinking specifically of Thanksgiving for this month. May we be thankful for all the Lord does for us, provides for us, and how He is with us always as we serve Him. What a mighty God we serve! As someone has said, “Count your blessings, not your problems.”
It is always difficult to be away from those we love during the holidays, so we would greatly appreciate your prayers for us at this time. Missing friends, family, those we love, and our culture is especially hard at this time. Homesickness is something that many missionaries struggle with, not just ourselves, so please remember all who serve overseas. God’s grace and strength are very helpful, and how we need to rely upon Him not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Verses such as this are such a help and encouragement.
The Annex prison ministry is continuing along well. There is a group of men who seem to be serious in their study of the Word of God and desire to grow spiritually. This past week, I taught on our enemy, Satan, and how we can rely on the Lord in our spiritual battles. The men seemed to enjoy the teachings and verses such as 1 John 4:4, which states “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.” There are many more studies to pass through, so please continue to pray for the men as they learn more from the Word of God.
Church planting is continuing along well, for which I thank the Lord. My friend Roger Tate and I are continuing along with the foundational teachings that those we train should know, understand, and practice. The churches need to be independent, self-supporting, and self-reliant, trusting in the Lord to provide for them. The leaders need to know and practice the teachings of the Word, such as Philippians 4:19, which states “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God will supply their needs, and they need to look to Him and trust in Him for all things. It has been exciting to train qualified men and watch their growth as they grasp these truths. They are many more teachings to give to the men, so please pray for us as we continue to teach and train.
May each of you have a great Thanksgiving holiday ahead. Enjoy the time with your friends, family, and those you love. One quote I read that really challenged me was “Never take those you love for granted.” May we always make the time for others and enjoy our time together. God bless you and we will keep you updated.
Serving in Kenya,
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
Read more
Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [October 2014]
October 5, 2014
Dear praying friends,
We hope this update finds each of you doing well as you serve the Lord. We appreciate each of you so much, more than you know.
It is hard to believe we are only two months away from the end of 2014. As someone has wisely said, “Now is the time to invest in eternity.”
We thank the Lord for each of you who have written to tell us you are praying for us, or sent cards, etc. Your thoughtfulness means so much and we thank God for you and your encouragement. We are upcoming on a difficult time of year, as the holidays are coming soon. Homesickness is one thing we really struggle with at times, and we rely on the Lord to help us through it. It comes and goes at different times and in different periods of intensity, yet the Lord is so faithful through it all.
Church planting is progressing along well, although there are major challenges. My friend and partner, Roger Tate, and I are doing our best to teach Kenyan men to rely on the Lord and not us. This is a challenge for many of the men, but something they definitely need to see from the Word of God and apply to their lives. Psalm 34:8 says “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” We will keep you updated on the progress of training qualified Kenyan men to go and reach their own people and start churches in the Kitale area.
I thank the Lord that He has kept the opportunity of ministry open to the Annex prison. The chaplain there was so nice and helpful and I really thank the Lord for that. Please pray for the men there, that the light of the Word of God would shine there and many would be saved. Acts 26:18 states “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
The children are doing well and growing up too fast. McKenna has been in homeschooling for several weeks now and both McKenna and Mom seem to be doing well. Camille will be having her time to start schooling soon. This is definitely a new period in all of our lives and stretching for us. I am so thankful for my wife and her sacrificial spirit to work with each of our daughters each day. Not only is she a great teacher, but also mother and encourager to me. I am truly blessed. Please pray for this school year, that all will go well and much good knowledge will be learned and applied.
We thank the Lord for each one of you and your interest in missions. We will keep you updated. Have a wonderful upcoming holiday season.
Serving in Kenya,
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
Read more
Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [July 2014]
July 4, 2014
As we reflect on this 4th of July holiday, may we remember to pray for our country, its leaders, and our future. A couple of verses come to mind. One is Proverbs 14:34, which says “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Another verse to consider is Psalm 33:12, which states “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” May we always remember to keep our country in prayer as we continue to serve the Lord. We hope that each of you have a great holiday, with friends, family, and others at this time.
We praise the Lord that we have arrived safe and sound back to Kitale. It is one thing to travel to Kenya, and another entirely to travel to Kitale. Kitale is around 7 hours north, and is an exhausting trip by itself. We are thankful that we arrived back and were able to recover from jetlag, although it took a couple of days. It was so nice to see friends in the missionary community and meet new missionaries who have come before we arrived back. We are so thankful for those of you who helped us in any way with our travels, and who prayed for us as we traveled. We greatly appreciate it.
Please be in prayer for my wife and the hospital ministry as she is waiting for her permit to be reviewed. We have applied for it, filled out the papers, and now are awaiting a response, hopefully by next week. We trust the Lord will keep the door there open as long as He wants her to serve there. Psalm 86:11 says “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Thanks for your prayers for this ministry.
I thank the Lord for the plans that we have for this term in church planting. Lord willing, the plan that my partner Roger Tate and I have is to train Godly, qualified men to go out and start churches in Kenyan villages. We have rented a small room on the outskirts of Kitale town to begin our training. Please pray for us, that the Lord will lead and guide us in these endeavors. We can do nothing without Him, and we need help from Him each step of the way. We are excited about what God will do this term, and we will keep you updated.
Please also pray for the prison ministry, as I plan to go there soon to begin again, Lord willing. We lay all of our plans before the Lord, and trust Him each step of the way. He is so faithful, and it is a privilege to serve Him. God bless each of you for your interest in missions around the world. We will keep you updated. Please notice our change of address.
Serving in Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa, 30200
Read more
Missionary Update: The Radfords on Furlough from Kenya [November 2013]
November 1, 2013
Dear praying friends,
Lord willing, by the time you receive this prayer letter, it will be almost the end of the year 2013. We are now back in America for our furlough, and are greatly enjoying our time with friends, family, and supporters. We would appreciate your prayers for us during this time, that we would get a much needed break and be able to reconnect with our country, culture, and friends once again. This update will share prayer requests and ministry progress.
Please pray for the people of Kenya. On September 21st, at around 12 noon, terrorists entered the Westgate Mall in Nairobi. We have visited this mall before, so it was quite a shock when we received the news. The terrorists did major damage, and killed over sixty, also injuring over 200. The siege of the mall lasted for four days before it was put to an end. During the attempt to overtake the terrorists, three floors of the mall collapsed. I have seen images of the mall and it is devastating. It is not certain if the mall will be rebuilt or demolished. In any case, I am certain there will be a memorial of some kind for the victims. This was shocking news around the world, and we ask that you pray for Kenya, for the continued safety and security of the country, and also that those who did this crime would be caught and punished. As I write this, I am honestly still in a state of shock. We know the Lord is in control at all times, and that we need to trust Him. I have read reports of where they think the attackers were actually working in the mall and planning this for a while. The nation of Kenya needs much prayer for healing, recovery, and strength at this time.
Please pray for the churches that were started this past term. As I stated before, my friend Roger Tate and I both agree that the best way to proceed forward with church planting in Kenya is to train nationals. Things always seem to go smoother and progress better when we use this method. Please pray for the church in Shangalamwe that was started last term, and also for the churches that the national that we trained started, with the Lord’s help. We plan to recruit men who are Godly, qualified, and love the Lord to go and start churches. I believe this is a very wise approach, given the results that we saw between us going personally and training others. I have talked also to a friend who had the same experiences and completely endorses this method of starting churches. We thank the Lord for each of you who pray for the churches, for the men we are working with, and for the continued progress of the ministries. Without the Lord, nothing is possible, but with Him, anything is possible. John 15:5 says “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” How we need to remember this, and trust the Lord for everything.
Please continue to pray for the prison and hospital ministry. There are a few specific requests. The Annex prison went well this term, and I would appreciate your prayers for the permit that is needed to continue with this ministry. Please pray that it would be renewed without a problem, if it would be the Lord’s will, and that things would go smoothly upon our return to Kenya next year, Lord willing. I was very pleased with the progress that I saw in the men that the Lord brought, and this was probably some of the better students I have had since going to that ministry. They had a hunger for the Word of God, desired to grow spiritually, and had a heart for serving others. Matthew 23:11 says “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Please keep this ministry in your prayers.
Also, for the hospital ministry, the government has changed things recently. Now, they are requiring my wife to get a special permit from the government to do this ministry. In the past, she was always a dependent on me and my work permit, and this was acceptable. However, now, she is required to obtain her own permit. We trust the Lord for this permit also, and if it would be the Lord’s will, for it to be provided when we get back into the country. Please pray it would be granted without any delay, frustrations, or problems. We know the Lord is sovereign, in control, and we trust Him. Thanks to each one who sacrificially gives to this ministry, has personally visited it, or sent supplies. The Lord bless each of you.
In family news, it is so good to be home this year to celebrate the holidays with family. These times are difficult when we are separated from thousands of miles, so we are thankful for the time He has allowed us to be with family this year. This is one of the biggest sacrifices of missions, being separated by so far when special times of the year come. McKenna and Camille are both doing well. McKenna is now at the age to be starting school, which doesn’t seem possible. Please pray for her as this is a big change in her life. Also, please pray for Camille as she grows and progresses along, and is learning to relate with us and her sister.
Concerning furlough, our current need that we have is for housing. If anyone knows of any housing in the Charleston/Huntington WV area or surrounding areas, we would be interested. It would be preferable around the middle of December of 2013 and the very latest, at the end of December. Even if you know of someone who rents out, has housing available, we could contact them. We had many expenses when leaving Kenya, so we would need to talk about the finances with whatever the Lord provides. You can contact us at the email listed below. God bless you for your prayers in this matter for us.
If anyone would like to contact me about a visit to your church, the email address is: naterad@yahoo.com. Please pray also for myself and a good friend in Illinois as we work on the DVD for the missions presentation. This is a lot of work, and required a lot of time, commitment, and working together. There is so much to pray about. May we never give up on prayer. I will close with 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.” God bless you all. Please note our new mailing address below.
Serving in Kenya,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
315 College Street
Youngsville, PA 16371
Read more
Missionary Update: The Radfords in Kenya [November 2012]
November 1, 2012
Dear praying friends,
Another month has quickly passed, and we are now at the end months of the year 2012. It is hard to believe that 2013 is just around the corner. Each year seems to go by faster and faster. I pray that we will commit ourselves anew to service to the Lord, wherever He leads us. I like Deuteronomy 13:4, which says “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” I pray that this would be our heart’s desire, that we would walk with the Lord, fear Him, keep His commandments, obey Him, serve Him, and cleave to Him. What a challenging verse from the Word of God.
The church plant in the village of Shangalamwe is continuing along well, for which I thank the Lord. My friend Roger Tate and I have been working with these dear people for several months now, and we have been able to see spiritual growth and progress. Some of the church members have grown discouraged as they have been faithful to go and share their faith, yet the work has been difficult and others have been giving excuses, etc. I tried to encourage them by sharing the verse in Galatians 6:9, which states “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” I reminded the church that we are to be faithful in serving the Lord, and leave the results with Him. Please pray for these members, that they would find strength and encouragement from the Lord and faithfully serve Him, no matter what the difficulties are.
We are also now meeting with a national, as he has been faithful to go and start different Bible study groups in the Kitale area. We have been meeting with him, sharing with him and training him to go and teach the lessons to other groups. The time will be coming where he will ask to see if the groups desire to be churches of the Lord Jesus Christ, so please be praying for him in the days ahead, that the Lord’s will would be done. It is good to do church planting using different ways, to compare and and see which is more effective in this culture. We covet your prayers as we continue to plant churches, with the Lord’s help, in the Kitale area.
The Annex prison ministry is continuing along well. We are now near the end of the course “Firm Foundations – From Creation to Christ.” The men coming seem to be really growing and doing well. I thank the Lord for this, and for their faithfulness to come and study the Word of God. I am also thankful for the cooperation of the head office of the Annex prison and also for the cooperation of the chaplains. Please pray for these men and their spiritual growth as they learn from the Word, as well as for the other men who have not yet decided to trust Christ and follow Him. How we need to share the Gospel message and share it with the lost. I love Luke 19:10, which says “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” We will keep you updated of this ministry.
In family news, please pray for each of us, and for our health and safety daily as we serve here. There are many health hazards here, and we would appreciate your prayers for our continued health as we serve in Kitale. Please also pray for us as it is now near the holiday season, and it is always hard to be away from those that we love. The Lord gives strength daily, and we are thankful for this. His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. We wish you all a great holiday season in America, and will be sure to keep you updated. God’s blessings to each of you.
Serving in Kitale,
Nathan and Carrie Radford
P.O. Box 4150
Kitale, Kenya
East Africa 30200
Click here to donate to BFM.
Read more