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.
Read more
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
Teaching 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.
August 3, 2019
Dear praying friends,
We hope this finds each of you doing well and staying busy in the service of our Lord. Hard to believe that it is already August. Time goes so fast. This update will share current prayer requests, as well as ministry updates.
I (Nathan) am continuing to disciple a younger Kenyan man in Milimani, near where we live. Emmanuel has been a very good student and seems to really have a hunger for the Word of God. We recently studied a lesson entitled “Other Christians.” This lesson gave us a good understanding of how we are to relate to fellow believers. What are some things we are to do? We are to pray for each other. We are to serve each other. We are to love each other. We are to forgive each other. Colossians 3:13 says “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Also, John 13:35, which says “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Please continue to pray for Emmanuel and his spiritual growth. I have seen much progress in his life since beginning the teachings, and I pray that he goes out to teach others.
I also am continuing to teach at the Annex prison. I am very thankful for the prison officials for being welcoming and allowing this ministry to continue. We recently studied about the Tower of Babel, and how God humbled the people there. Ultimately, their plan of building a big Tower was defeated by God, as He caused them to speak different languages and they could no longer understand each other. God is sovereign, rules over all things, and He alone is the mighty God. I think 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.”
What a lesson from the Tower of Babel. May we live humbly, walking with God, and giving Him the praise the belongs only to Him. Please pray for the prisoners that come, that they would continue to grow spiritually.
Please continue to pray for the new Christian school here in Milimani, where my wife serves and volunteers. Please pray for God’s leading in all that is done, that there would be many students who have a desire to follow Him, and for possibly even more international students to come. We leave this all in His hands, and trust Him for the results.
We appreciate each of you so much. Thanks so much for your encouragement to us. You are all such a blessing to us.
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 about Daily Devotions with Emmanuel
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, 2019
Dear praying friends,
We wish you each a great day of celebrating independence in America. This is such a special time to be with friends and family. May we be a nation that honors God and desires to please Him. I am reminded of Proverbs 14:34, which says “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” May we be a people with the desire to please God and serve Him.
It’s hard to believe we are already into the month of July. Time passes so fast. This update will share current prayer requests, as well as ministry updates.
I (Nathan) am continuing to disciple a younger Kenyan man named Emmanuel here in Kitale. I am pleased with the progress he is making and the spiritual growth that I have seen in him. He has much potential, so please pray for him, that he would take these teachings out to reach his own people. We recently considered about “Daily Devotions,” or taking time out of each day to be alone with God and hear from Him. There were so many important teachings in the lesson, such as finding a good time of day (preferably morning before the activities of the day), a good place (a place where you will not be disturbed), and taking a pen and notebook to record what God is saying to you. There are also questions to be asked of each passage, questions that dig deeper in the Scriptures and help one to understand it better. Please continue to pray for Emmanuel and his spiritual growth and development.
I am also continuing to teach at the Annex prison. I recently taught on Noah and the Ark. There were many things to consider from this lesson, but I wanted to point out that the people of Noah’s day were given a very long time to repent and agree with God. Because of their hard heart, they refused to heed God’s warnings and were punished in the end. I am reminded of 2 Peter 3:9, which says “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” May we be aware of the dangers of having a hard heart, and hear the warnings that God gives us. This is a wise way to live. Please pray for this ministry and the prisoners who come to hear and be taught the Word of God.
We are thankful that the hospital ministry is continuing along well. My wife has a servant spirit and has reached many mothers and babies with much needed clothing and supplies, as well as Gospel tracts. Please pray that many would be reached and much glory would go to God. He deserves all glory and praise.
We appreciate each of you so much. Thanks for your notes, cards of encouragement, sacrificial giving, and prayer support. You are such a blessing to us. 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
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
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
Road Improvements, New School Wing, and Discipling
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.
February 1, 2019
Dear praying friends,
We are now in the month of February, and there are many things to update you on. We ask that you would please pray for us in the areas provided, as there are some things we need prayer for currently. Thanks so much to each of you for your heart for missions. We truly do appreciate you.
One prayer request we have currently is for the health of our family. There is work being done to tarmac one of the main roads in Milimani, where we reside. This is actually a very good thing and will bring many improvements, such as removing the potholes from the roads, reducing the amount of dust in the air, providing smooth transport for those in Milimani, etc. It is always challenging to drive in rainy season, as the roads are mainly hard forms of mud and when it rains, the vehicles go over the road, creating big ruts and potholes. Now, with the tarmac (hopefully to be completed by March this year), this will be greatly reduced. However, a big problem is the amount of dust created from digging up the road and smoothing it. McKenna and I both struggle with asthma and this dust is making it worse. McKenna has had to miss some school days, so we would appreciate your prayers not only for us, but for all those within the Milimani area. Please pray that they would conclude the tarmac project on time, as this will be a great help.
Please also pray for the new school wing that my wife and daughters are involved with. There have been some bumps along the way, as is expected, so please pray for the beginning of the school, for the teachers, the parents, the students, and the directors. Please pray that God would be glorified and all would be done for His glory. Please also pray for our daughters and the friendships that they are currently making. God is in control and we trust Him for all these things. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
I (Nathan) have been discipling a younger Kenyan, Emmanuel, in Milimani. He has done very well so far through the course and is volunteering to lead once a month in a home group Bible study. I think there are around 14 families attending this study, so this is a big step for him and a great way to reach multiple families. Emmanuel has given very positive feedback to the course so far, so please pray for him as he now plans to start teaching others. This is the model I wish to pursue currently, to train, disciple qualified Kenyan men who God will raise up, who in turn will go to teach others. This reminds me of the model given in 2 Timothy 2:2, which says “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” One of the key phrases in this verse is “faithful men.” I would covet your prayers for God to raise up “faithful men” who will go and teach others.
Something that has been emphasized to me (Nathan) while training is to work with employed young men, ages 20-30. Why? I have been told from several people that have lived here for years that youths don’t have the same level of expectations to receive material items from the missionary. This doesn’t mean that there are not some expectations, but hopefully they will be reduced by working with youths. Hopefully this will help with the dependency issue some. Also, to work with those that have jobs. Why? Because those with jobs already have taken the initiative to provide for their families and have a strong work ethic. This also should help some with the dependency issue. So, please, please pray for God to raise up employed young men to train. I would greatly appreciate prayers about this. I am willing to be patient and wait on the Lord to provide these kind of men. God will provide in His time.
We will be sure to keep you updated and we thank the Lord for each of you. May we commit ourselves fully to the Lord in 2019, serving until He comes.
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
