May 1, 2005

Dear praying friends, 

Another month has quickly come and passed, and there are many items to update each of you on.  This month, my wife and I were able to attend the BFM Conference in Lexington, Kentucky and it was so good to see many that I had not seen in many months, as well as discuss future plans for the ministry in Kitale.  It was a very good time of preaching, worship, and discussion of strategic plans for my next term in Kitale, Kenya.  I am so fortunate to have had this time with the mission and to see many that I have not seen for so long.  It was a great time for both of us, and we appreciate BFM for all they do for us.

This month, I have chosen to write on a topic that is very applicable to my spiritual growth this past year. It is the all-important subject of faith. Many Christians, myself included, lack faith, or trust in the Lord. When I started to raise support to go to Kitale in 2001, sadly, many Christians doubted this call from the Lord and also if the Lord would provide the funds for me to do what He had called me to do. Raising funds is extremely difficult, and indeed, this is a major factor in discouraging Christians from attempting to go to the mission field. To step out in total faith in the Lord can be challenging, and many doubt the Lord. I have had struggles with this issue in the past, and continue to struggle with it, but there are so many verses from the Scriptures that have encouraged my heart. One verse that immediately comes to my mind is Jeremiah 32:27, where the Bible says "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?" Other famous passages are in Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11:1 states "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Later in the chapter, in verse 6, it states "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." These verses tell us many things about the Lord and faith. First, as we see in Jeremiah, there is absolutely nothing that is too difficult for the Lord. What an encouragement! What trial are you facing today, what test is the Lord putting you through, and yet perhaps you are wavering in your faith or doubting the Lord? Claim this verse as an absolute promise from God, and Satan will flee from you. Hebrews 11:1 states that faith is "the evidence of things not seen." Is it not difficult to believe in something that you cannot see? We are a culture that wants evidence, or proof. Many times, the Lord doesn’t given us that evidence at the time. He just says "trust Me." Are you and I willing to step out and trust Him completely? What does He want you to step out and trust Him for? Are you willing? Am I willing? These are questions that we must answer, for without faith it is impossible to please Him. 

This issue of faith is central and crucial to missionary work, for it is entirely faith based. A missionary must step out in total faith and trust that the Lord will provide. My wife and I trusting the Lord by faith and believing that the Lord will continue to burden others to help us with reaching Kitale, Kenya for Christ. We don’t know where the financial provision will come from, but we just believe what God has said in the Scriptures and trust in His provision alone. Would you pray, and ask the Lord what He wants you to do in response to these verses? Perhaps He is asking you to surrender an area of your life and go in a completely different direction, but you lack the faith to pursue it. Perhaps He is asking you to leave all and trust Him in a third world country. Whatever He is asking you and I to do, we must act obediently and prayerfully, and believe that He will be with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9) My wife and I still need additional funds, and by faith, we are believing that the Lord will speak to others to assist us with this work before we return in October, Lord willing. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us to reach Kitale, Kenya for Christ and becoming a part of this faith adventure? 

God bless you and I will continue to keep you updated month by month. 

Tunaishi kwa imani,  (We live by faith - Swahili language)  

Nathan and Carrie Radford 

For ministry donations:

Pastor George Sledd
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL  32747-1280