April 3, 2003

Dear praying friends,  

Greetings from Kitale , Kenya . We are now in the fourth month of the year 2003. The year has been going so quickly, and it has been very exciting to be involved with what God is doing in Kitale. I will now give you an update of the ministry here, as well as prayer requests for now and the future.  

I have now finished teaching the final week of “Sharing Jesus without fear,” the evangelism program from the States which I have taught last month. I was very encouraged with the attendance at each of the seminars, as we had an average of 15 people each week. I was very busy translating all of the materials into the national language of Swahili, as well as teaching in Swahili. It was much work, but I was pleased to be able to see progress in the language. I have a long way to go, and have just started, but I am trying to teach more and more in the language so that I will be able to more effectively communicate with the people in their own language. I was especially encouraged with the progress of three of the youths who took the evangelism training. They were very active in the seminars, and were really understanding and applying the materials. Each student will be required to do an in-depth exam next week of the materials that we covered together. Please pray for each student, that they will do well and progress well with this course. I was encouraged as one of the youth in our church and myself went to visit a family that had been to our church. The husband was saved through the evangelism of one of our church members that I was able to disciple before leaving for Tanzania . However, he mentioned that his wife was not saved, and needed to be reached with the gospel. The youth that accompanied me proceeded to use the outline that we studied together in our class, and went through all the diagnostic questions with her, and she expressed a desire to receive Christ as Savior. It was such a blessing to see God using a youth that is only fourteen years of age to reach another soul for the kingdom. God is truly faithful to bless when we are obedient to the commands of the Scriptures.  

The prison ministry continues to go well. This past week, I was able to start with two new groups of prisoners. On the first week with the first new group, I presented the gospel. After I presented the gospel, four trusted Christ as Savior. At the beginning of this week, I was able to share with the other new group, and three trusted Christ as Savior. It is truly exciting to be a part of the ministry here in Kitale, and to see God bless His Word and His ministry. I have received many letters from the prisoners who have expressed appreciation for the ministry outreach that we have in the prison. There are many needs that the prisoners have expressed, and it is challenging to attempt to reach the needs that have been presented. I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom as I continue with this ministry. Thank you so much to each one that has been praying for this ministry, and who have sent me letters of encouragement. May God richly bless you.  

Concerning prayer requests, please pray for a continued growth in the language of Swahili. Another language is a major challenge, and many times it becomes tiring and overwhelming. I would appreciate prayers for continued development in Swahili, as it is very important to be able to communicate with the people in their own language. Also, please pray for my health, as it is now the rainy season and there are many changes in the climate. It is important to stay healthy so that the ministry can continue and develop. Also, I am praying about purchasing a vehicle in the near future. My parents and I have been sharing a car, and it is now a necessity to have my own vehicle so that we can expand and go to other areas of Kitale. I am praying about the funding for this vehicle, as cars here are shipped from other countries and are quite expensive. If you would be interested in helping with this need, please email me at: naterad@yahoo.com and I will be sure to give you more information. Please pray for this important need as well.  

Thank you so much to each person who has been so faithful to write and encourage me with the ministries here in Kenya . May God bless you richly.

Sincerely,

Nathan Radford