October 5, 2005

Dear praying friends,

This month is filled with excitement, as my wife and I plan to leave for Kenya, East Africa, on October 12th.  I appreciate all your prayers for this past month, as there was so much to do and very little time to get everything done.  We had a major shipment that we had to get to Africa Inland Mission late last month, and I praise God that we were able to get it completely done by our deadline.  The Lord truly gave us strength to help us, as we were very tired by the end of this past month.

As I look to this next term, there are many things to pray about.  First of all, pray for our cross-cultural adjustment, as living in a different country is very overwhelming at times.  Please pray that both my wife and I would adjust well, especially in the first few months, as we prepare to live and minister in the African culture for a two year term.  One of the major adjustments is leaving friends and family, so please pray that this time will go easily and that the Lord would give us the grace and strength that we need to follow His call to us in Kenya.  It has been a year and a half since I have been in the country, so please pray for me as well, that I would adjust quickly also.  There are so many changes in the first few months, so please pray that we will get the help from the Lord that we need.  We need to trust in Him at all times, and He will help us if we seek His help.  (Psalms 34:17)

I am excited to get back into the prison ministry in Kitale and see what the Lord has done in my absence.  I have trained a Kenyan to take over the ministry in my absence, and he has done a great job.  I am praying about possible future opportunities to do other ministries with him, as he is scheduled to get out of Kitale main prison in the near future.  Please also pray about the possibility of a church plant in the prison.  I was ordained last summer, so there is a definite possibility of a church, but this also involves the cooperation and understanding of the top government officials.  The Lord directs and guides, and we know that He controls all things in His sovereign plan for our lives.  If it would be the Lord's will, I would like to pursue this church plant opportunity, but it must be in His timing and His plan.  Please keep this important request in your prayers.

There are expenses that we did not originally figure into our budget, and costs have increased since I have left the country.  Prayer is essential to everything we do, whether concerning financial needs or regular, day-to-day missionary living.  D.L. Moody, the famous evangelist, said, "Every major movement of God has begun with a kneeling figure."  We are praying and waiting on the Lord to provide this money.  It is a concern, but we know that when we seek Him in prayer, that He hears us and will answer our prayers.  We trust in the Lord and believe He will answer our prayers as we request His help.  (Psalms 34:4, Psalms 34:19, Mark 11:23)  Would you pray, and consider how God would use you to further His kingdom in Kitale, Kenya?  We continue to pray and wait on the Lord to provide for us.  He will be faithful to us as we remain faithful to His calling upon our lives.

That is all for this month.  Please pray for our safety as we travel, that the Lord would protect us all the way to Kenya, an 18 hour flight.  Also, please pray for all the adjustments that we will be making in the next few weeks and months.  Next month will be written from the mission field, Lord willing, and I will bring you the latest news from Kenya.

God bless you.

Nathan and Carrie Radford