December 3, 2003

Dear praying friends,

Greetings from Kitale, Kenya. This past year has gone by so quickly, and we are now near the Christmas season. I get amazed more and more how quickly time goes, and how much we need to use our lives for the Lord in service to Him. In this letter, I will give you an update on the current progress of the ministry, share prayer requests, and also give some exciting news that has recently happened in my life.

I continue to pray about the prison ministry, and it is very exciting what God is doing there. I recently finished a class in evangelism called “Sharing Jesus Without Fear.” I trained seventeen men prisoners in this program. Each of the men had to take an in-depth exam of what they learned during the course, and they also were required to share their faith with at least ten other prisoners using the materials that I taught. This was all to be done before they could officially graduate from the class and receive a certificate. This past week, I asked for an update on how the men are proceeding with these requirements. I was very surprised to find out that over half of the men have already shared their faith with at least ten other men in the prison, and one prisoner by himself had already shared with twenty-two other prisoners, with many of them placing their faith in Christ! I am so ashamed when I think of this, as these men are under very harsh conditions in the prison, with little more than the clothes on their back, yet they continue to be so faithful to the Lord, and to reach others for Him. It truly makes you take a “second look” at your true priorities in life, and how much you really want to do for the kingdom of God. It is experiences such as these that continue to challenge me in my faith, and to reach even more for the kingdom in the days and months to come. Please keep this ministry in your prayers.

This past Sunday, I was able to visit the second church that has recently started here in Kitale named Imani Baptist. I was very moved and touched by the service, and the good spirit that I saw among the people. The people were very warm and friendly to me, and I could really sense the Lord in the service. I was also excited to see the young people that I have trained involved in the church. There are many young people that were in the last evangelism class at Calvary Baptist that are faithfully going out each Sunday. Many of these youths are not much older than thirteen to fourteen years old, and have much potential. One of the students is also reporting to me about the discipleship ministry for the new believers, making sure that each of them are receiving further materials about how to grow in their faith and walk with Christ. I was very encouraged with what I saw in these youths, and I want to work even more with them and give them even more Bible teaching and responsibility in the future. Please pray for each of these youths and their development in their faith.

I have some very exciting news to report. Many of you have prayed for a wife for me for many months, even years. I am happy to say that I am now officially engaged! My fiancée is from Pennsylvania, and her name is Carrie. Carrie and I began writing and getting to know each other very well over this past year. After much prayer regarding the direction of our relationship and what God would have for us, she decided to come here to Kenya in August of this year to meet me, and see the ministry. God worked in her heart very much during the trip, and she loved her time here. She truly saw how the Lord could use her in this ministry, and she has always wanted to be in missionary work, one of the major reasons that I have selected her to be my “helpmeet.” We are planning to marry in Pennsylvania on October 16, 2004. You are all invited to the wedding, and to share in this special moment with us. If you would seriously be interested in attending this wedding and our celebration, please email me at the address above, and I will make sure that you receive an invitation. Carrie really is a jewel and a blessing to me. God has been so good to provide for me a wonderful future wife. Thank you to all who have prayed for me, as your prayers have not only been answered, but exceeded. 

That is all the current news from Kitale, Kenya. Please keep both Carrie and I in your prayers, and also for our future life together. Please keep every aspect of the ministries here in your prayers, as Satan is not happy with what is going on, and would like to destroy the work of God. Thank you so much for your prayers, emails, and encouragement. God bless you, and happy holidays.

Sincerely,

Nathan Radford