June 4, 2005

Dear praying friends,

Another month has come and gone very quickly, and there are many important items to update each of you on. I thank the Lord for good health, strength, and a fantastic wife. The Lord has truly bestowed His blessings upon me, and I am very grateful. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

First of all, I want to thank those who have either sent cards or letters and understand the reasoning to stay in the United States for a year after marriage before leaving to return to Kenya, East Africa. I truly prayed about this issue for months, and asked counsel from many pastors that I respect in the Lord, and each one advised me to remain here for a year to work on my marriage. This also gives us the additional time to travel to churches, raise support, and prepare to leave, to just name a few of the important activities. My wife and I are so grateful to each of our supporters, for their understanding, prayers for us, and continued financial giving, as we have many expenses here in the States as well. We truly are thankful for each of you, as you encourage us so much, even when we are here, and also will be overseas serving the Lord.

This past month, my brother-in-law and sister were able to visit Kitale, Kenya for five weeks along with seven other students from the University of Michigan. They had many ministry goals and activities, but their main ministry was to go and evangelize to the students of Moi University, which is located in a town named Eldoret, around one hour’s drive from Kitale. My brother-in-law and sister have a campus ministry to the students of the University of Michigan, and they wanted to take other students along to explore ministry opportunities overseas as well. I heard very encouraging reports about this trip, and this team from Michigan was able to do many exciting missionary opportunities. One of the highlights for my brother-in-law, Graig, was to fly with Helimission, a helicopter mission that flies to unreached people groups in mountainous regions to evangelize. I have attached a picture of him speaking through a translator to the Pokot tribe, one of the 41 tribes in Kenya. This picture certainly allows you to see parts of Kenya that many others will never see. It is my goal to also join with Helimission, perhaps to start churches, if it would be the Lord’s will in the future.

In other news, I have a serious prayer request this month. To stay in the country of Kenya to do ministry, a missionary is required to obtain a work permit from the government. This is recognition from the government that allows you to continue with your ministry in Kenya. Every two years, a missionary is required to submit this documentation to the government for their approval. My renewal is due this month, and I would ask you to pray that my permit would pass through the government quickly and that there would be no problems. I do believe that the Lord has called my wife and I to do His work in Kitale, but we need this vital document to continue to minister for another term. Please pray that this process would go quickly and smoothly.

Concerning items for prayer, please pray that I would get the opportunity to speak in more churches and also with more individuals about the work in Kitale. Please pray that the Lord would open many doors and churches to present the work in Kenya, as we continue to raise our necessary funds. Our expenses have increased significantly since marriage and we truly need more funds, but we are praying and trusting the Lord for our needs. He will be faithful to provide for us as we trust Him. (Philippians 4:19) Would you pray, and ask the Lord what your role would be in our ministry? We don’t force anyone to give to our work, we just pray, and ask the Lord to speak to those and burden those who He would want to become such a vital part of this work for the purpose of reaching others for Christ. We trust Him and believe that He will answer our prayers. If we call upon Him, He will most certainly help us in our time of need.

Another item of prayer is for the prison ministry to continue to run smoothly in my absence. I receive very positive feedback and reports on this ministry each month, but how Satan would love to interfere with God’s work and destroy it. Please pray for the national leader that is teaching in my absence, and for the many prisoners that are hearing the Word of God taught each week. Pray for their continued spiritual growth and also for many prisoners to be reached with the gospel. The prison has so many that are unreached, as it has around 1,300 to 1,400 in size, so please also pray that I would be able to reach those that I was not able to reach during my first term.

God bless you and thank you for your prayers, giving, and interest in the God’s work in Kitale, Kenya.

Until next month,

Nathan and Carrie Radford

For ministry donations:

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