Teaching in New Area (Taito) & Annex Prison
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.
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New Discipleship Group in Wiyeta
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.
October 4, 2019
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and gone, and we are now into the month of October. October is a big month for our family as I (Nathan) celebrate a birthday later this month, and my wife and I celebrate our anniversary together. God has blessed me with a wife who truly loves Him, sacrifices daily, and is a great mother to our daughters. I think of Proverbs 31:10, which says “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” This update will share current ministry progress, as well as prayer requests.
I (Nathan) have recently started a new discipleship group in a village called Wiyeta, which is about 30-40 minutes away. God has blessed and provided around 3-4 men that I meet with regularly. I desire to teach them the Scriptures, so they in turn will go out and teach others. Wiyeta is a big area in need of teachings and eventually churches, so please pray with me that God would continue to work in the hearts of these men as I teach them. So far they have been receptive to the teachings and welcoming. My desire is to put them through the whole course, Lord willing. Please pray the men would be faithful to not only come, but to go out and reach those in their respective areas. I go by public transportation, as the road is narrow and there are many potholes on the road, so I would appreciate prayers for safety as I travel. God is faithful and helps each step of the way.
Please continue to pray for Emmanuel, the younger Kenyan man that I am discipling in Milimani, where we live. He has been a good student and showing progress. He and his wife recently welcomed a baby boy into their family, so please pray for them during this time, and for the days ahead. I will keep you informed of this ministry as well.
The Annex prison is continuing along well. We recently studied about Moses and the burning bush. We saw that although Moses felt he was not adequate, God called and used Him to do His work. Exodus 3:14 says ” And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” The great “I Am” was with Moses throughout everything. All things were created by Him, and all things are under His control. He is truly greater than all, and how we need to worship and praise Him. Please pray for the prisoners and their continued spiritual growth.
Please pray for the new Christian school in Kitale. My wife volunteers several days a week, teaching classes and helping with administrative duties which keeps her busy. She is very thankful for the opportunities she has to serve. Our daughters also both enjoy the school and the new friends they are making. This has given them the socialization they have needed for so long. Please pray for new students to come as well, so the school can expand and grow over time.
That is all the current news from here. We appreciate each of you so much and thank God for 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.
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Discipling Emmanuel in Milimani
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 5, 2019
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed, and we are now nearing the final months of 2019. There is much to update about, and various prayer requests. We thank the Lord for each of you, and you are such a blessing.
Our girls are still faithfully attending the new Christian school in Milimani, where we live. They are really enjoying it and making many friends. The school is very good for them, as it keeps them active and busy, and gives them many projects. They also have homework, which keeps them busy. This has helped greatly with the much-needed socialization we have prayed for over the years.
There is a prayer request that we have currently for our girls. Another family has just arrived in Kitale and has children that make great playmates for our daughters. They are currently pursuing their work permit, which you must have to legally stay in the country. They are currently on visas, so would you please pray with us that their work permit would be granted soon, without any issues? They would be a great addition to the Kitale group of missionaries. We are praying for them, and would appreciate anyone else to pray about this as well. God is in control, and we trust Him. Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” God will work it all out for His good and glory.
I (Nathan) am continuing to disciple Emmanuel in Milimani, where we stay. Emmanuel has been a very good student and a big blessing. He has been very busy with his job, and makes time to study the Word of God. One of the main things I am searching for is younger Kenyan men who are employed, to train to go out and reach others. I plan to teach him soon on Inductive Bible study, where he can study the Word of God for himself. I use the model of Ezra, who studied the Word for himself, practiced it, and went out to teach others. Ezra 7:10 says “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Please pray for Emmanuel and his continued spiritual growth.
I am also continuing to teach at Annex prison. We recently studied about Abraham and Isaac, and the great test of faith that Abraham faced. We learned of Abraham’s complete faith in God, and how God blessed Him for his obedience. How difficult it must have been to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to God, yet Abraham never wavered in his faith. There are so many lessons from Genesis 22, which I did my best to teach to the prisoners. I like Genesis 22:14, which says “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” I think of Jehovah jireh – “The Lord will provide.” As Abraham obeyed in faith, God did a miracle – he provided a ram caught in the thicket. God will provide for us also, as we step out in faith and obedience.
We thank each of you so much for your sacrificial giving, prayers, and encouragement. We will be sure to keep you updated.
Until next month,
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
Studying Genesis in the Annex Prison
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.
June 4, 2019
Dear praying friends,
Another month has come and passed, and we are now halfway through 2019. Where has the time gone? Time passes so quickly, and may we be mindful of the opportunities that the Lord gives us to serve each day. This update will share current ministries as well as prayer requests.
One of our current prayer requests is for the health of our daughters, the teachers, and the other students at the new school in Kitale. This past week was a rough one, with our daughter McKenna missing several days and Camille also missing a few days. Several teachers were also struggling with sickness, so please pray that everyone will get back to good health soon. We are so thankful for the school and the many activities it provides for children in the Kitale area. Today they had their field trip, to the Saiwa Swamp. The girls were so excited, wanting to find the Sitatungas (small antelope like creatures), as well as looking at the monkeys and variety of birds. There are a few field trips during the year, and both our daughters were so excited for this one. Please pray that the school would get new students as well, and that God would provide the teachers and staff that are needed.
I (Nathan) am continuing to disciple a younger Kenyan man named Emmanuel. Emmanuel has been such a good student and has a good attitude. He is currently taking the teachings I have been teaching him and going out to teach others. We recently considered the lesson “The will of God.” There were many good teachings in this lesson, and multiple verse references. One of my favorite verses in the lesson is Psalm 37:4, which says “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Also, the Lord Jesus Christ laid down a principle that should govern all our life. In Matthew 6:33, we read “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Please pray for these teachings to seek deep into Emmanuel’s heart and life, and for him to go out and reach others. What a blessing he has been.
I also am continuing at the Annex prison. I am thankful for the chaplains and the head officer for allowing this ministry to continue. We are currently in Genesis, and we recently studied about creation, as well as God creating Eve from the rib of Adam. Lord willing, next week we will consider the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and the terrible consequences. From there we will proceed to Cain and Abel, the Tower of Babel, Abraham and Isaac, etc. Please pray for the prisoners and for me as I teach them weekly. Thanks to each one who sacrificially gives or prays for this ministry.
My wife is staying busy volunteering at the school and also enjoys the hospital ministry. She has been much busier and much happier this term, and we are so thankful for the opportunities that God has given her to serve here in Kitale.
The road near us has finally been tarmacked, so we are thankful for this. There are big speed bumps along it to discourage any speeding. This is a huge blessing and help, and now my wife can finally drive again.
God bless you and thanks to each of you for your interest in what God is doing in this corner of the world.
May God bless 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
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
Teaching in Three Places
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is church planting.
January 26, 2019
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has been a long, hard month and I cannot remember being this tired for this prolonged of a period. We have worked really hard this month and it has left me feeling ragged and worn out. But that is not to say that the work hasn’t been rewarding, nor has it been drudgery. But it has been exhausting. I don’t know, maybe I’m just getting older and my mind and body just can handle what it used to be able to handle. I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m complaining, because I’m not. I’m just telling you all where I’m at right now.
Work at the Upper Room Baptist Chapel has been going well. Our attendance for the month has kind of been all over the place but our “regulars” have continued to come each and every week. On one of the Sundays this month we did experience our highest attendance to date with 28 people! While I’m not getting caught up in any numbers games, I did think this was a great attendance and I was very excited that so many people heard the Biblical message that week. Of course, the next week our attendance was about half that amount. I was telling a local pastor friend of mine about our fluctuating attendance and he gave me this perspective. He said, “Roger, you are the only full-time member of the Chapel”. I thought that was an interesting perspective. Anyway, I have been teaching each week on the parables that Jesus taught from the book of Luke. Through these parables I want the people to see into the heart and mind of Jesus and the Father. I think Jesus’ parables are one of the best ways to see how God thinks about things and they reveal the heart of God in an extraordinary way. And I want the people of Kitale to know this heart of God.
In addition to this Julie has been working extra, extra hard with the directors (and our dear friends) of the school Chloe goes to in order to help them start a new international branch of the school called Milimani Christian Homeschooling Community. She has been working very hard with them for over a year to help them get this started and my plan is to let her write the newsletter update for next month and explain, in her own words, this ministry that she has become heavily involved with. I am mentioning it this month because I have been asked to teach a math class at the new school. I accepted this ministry and now get to daily invest into the lives of some lovely young students at the school, as well as doing the morning devotions. But, again, I hope that Julie’s voice can be heard on this ministry next month.
Roger at the Bible College
And, now, throw into the mix that I taught a week-long class at the local Bible college on Biblical Financial Management and I can honestly say, I’m tired. But I always enjoy investing into the lives of the future pastors and church leaders that attend the college. Three of my students from this week were from South Sudan and plan, upon graduation, on returning to the war-torn region of their country and spreading the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
We pray that God would continue to bless our feeble efforts, expand His Kingdom in this part of the Earth and glorify His name.
Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.
For the glory of God in Kenya,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Amy, Josiah & Chloe)
rojuta[at]gmail.com
Visit their blog!
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
Back to School & Continuing to Train Young Kenyan Men
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.
January 3, 2019
Dear praying friends,
Happy 2019! We wish each of you a happy 2019 as you serve the Lord this upcoming year. May we truly be busy serving God, as we don’t know how much time we have to serve. Time passes so fast, and how we need to prioritize and put His kingdom first. I am reminded of 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.”
Please pray for my wife and daughters, as they will be going back to school this next week. My wife will be teaching on Thursdays and Fridays, and assisting where she can. I am thankful for her servant spirit and making herself available to serve. Our daughters have been getting bored as the break has been long, so we are thankful that they will be going back to school soon to be with their friends again. This school has been such a huge answer to prayer in regards to the much needed socialization for our children, and having activities to do. They will be studying the languages of Kiswahili and French, as well as staying busy with their studies. Please also pray for Julie Tate, my wife’s friend, as they both will be assisting with the new curriculum during the week.
I (Nathan) am continuing to disciple the younger Kenyan man in his home village of Rafiki. We have gone through many Biblical teachings together, and recently we studied about the need for daily devotions. We looked at how we need to spend time with God, praying, studying the Word of God, and entrusting to Him all the activities of the day. He seemed to appreciate the teachings and it challenged him in regards to his quiet time with God. I hope and pray that the teachings will be a blessing to him. He has told me that he has been growing spiritually, for which I am thankful. I feel that the men need to be grounded and pass through the discipleship course before they are sent out to start churches. This is the way I feel led at this time and I pray that you would pray that God would bless and provide the right men to train. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:6, where Paul says, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Without His blessing, nothing will work, but I am trusting Him to give the increase. Praise God.
I am also continuing to train another younger Kenyan man in the area of Milimani, right outside of Kitale town. This young man also seems hungry to learn and be discipled, for which I am thankful. He has given positive feedback to the training, and I thank God for that. Please pray for both of these men, as they have jobs and are busy, but are desiring to be taught and trained in the Word of God. I will continue to wait, pray, and trust the Lord to provide the right men in His timing and plan. I appreciate your prayers for me as I continue to train and leave the results to God.
We appreciate each of you so much. May God bless you for your prayers, sacrificial giving, and notes of encouragement. You are each a blessing and we thank God for you. We will keep you updated.
Blessings,
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
Teaching and Training in Kitale
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.
December 3, 2018
Dear praying friends,
We are now at the end of 2018, with 2019 right around the corner. As I (Nathan) look back on this year, I am amazed at how quickly the time passed. I am reminded of Psalm 39:4, which says, “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” May we make the best use of the days that the Lord gives us, as each day is truly a gift. This letter will share ministry progress as well as prayer requests.
Please pray for us and other missionaries during this holiday season. It is not easy to be separated from family and friends at this time, but God gives grace. Christmas is such a special time of the year, and during the busyness, may we not forget the true reason for our celebration, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We wish each of you a very merry Christmas and a happy upcoming 2019. We are thankful for the missionaries who are here in Kitale now, who we will be getting together with during this holiday season, however, our hearts and thoughts are with our families as well. We have many exciting things to look forward to in 2019, one of which is the new school that God has provided for our daughters in Kitale.
We wish to thank anyone who donated to the shipping and set up costs for the new school. My wife and Julie Tate have been working hard to ensure that the right materials have been shipped into the country. Praise the Lord, some of the curriculum has already arrived and they plan to start training teachers this week. This curriculum is very new to the teachers and they are not familiar with it, so please pray for my wife and Julie as they invest their time and energy into training them. My wife has been praying about how to be more involved in the school, and she has decided to volunteer to co-teach the language arts block and history with Julie. Please pray for her in this endeavor as well, that God would help her and she would be a blessing. This has been a long break for our daughters, and they sometimes get bored, but they are looking forward to starting school with an international curriculum the beginning of January, Lord willing. We will keep you updated on these things and we appreciate your prayers.
I (Nathan) am continuing in the discipleship course in the village of Rafiki with a younger Kenyan man that I have been meeting with for the past several months. I have been encouraged in his spiritual growth, and I hope and pray the teachings have been a blessing to him. I want to give him a solid foundation before training him in church planting, as I feel there are many teachings the men need before being sent out to start churches. Recently we looked at a lesson titled “The Faithful God.” In this lesson, we saw many things about His faithfulness. We considered things such as God’s faithfulness has no limits, His faithfulness does not fail, and His faithfulness is great. Psalm 36:5 says “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.” In Psalm 37:25, David wrote “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” God will take care of us as we serve Him. He is a faithful God, and we can trust Him.
Please pray for me as I continue to disciple another younger Kenyan man in the area of Milimani, near where we stay. He has been busy with his job, but desires to continue studying and learning the Word of God. I am trusting God to provide the right men to train in His plan and timing. God is faithful and I will trust Him.
We will be sure to keep you updated and we appreciate so much your prayers, letters of encouragement, and sacrificial giving. You are each a blessing to us and we wish each of you a very merry Christmas and happy upcoming 2019.
Blessings,
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
