Fwd: The Averys, October 2025
leeye...@yahoo.com
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From: Tim and Carol Avery <thatword...@30086507.mailchimpapp.com>
Date: October 25, 2025 at 2:02:53 PM EDT
To: leeye...@yahoo.com
Subject: The Averys, October 2025
Reply-To: thatword...@gmail.com
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Kenya in October
Dear friends,
"I know a guy." One of my favorite things about living in Kenya is how many different goods and services are offered by enterprising individuals. You just have to "know a guy." I really like being able to support entrepreneuring Kenyans of all sorts. Last week, Alfonso called me on Monday to tell me my sourdough loaves were ready to be picked up (or "picked" as the locals say). Jamal delivered smoked cured bacon and sausages he made himself. I bought goat-milk soap from someone at church. Susan made me bagels that are way better than what I would have expected to find so far from NYC. I've been in touch with Derrick about building bunk beds for the girls. Later today when I go to the farmer's market, I'll be buying local vegetables and fruit from Margaret and Irene. Joel always greets me warmly with a handshake and sells me camel milk. He'll carry my bags back to the van if I go to the market without Tim.
The camel milk I buy because for several months I've had to avoid dairy since Eleanor has seemed to have an allergy. I am very grateful for locally available camel milk because it isn't bad in a cup of tea, but I am really missing butter and yogurt. Would you pray that Ella outgrows her allergy and for wisdom in when/how to introduce dairy into our diets? I'm bewildered by the differences between the advice given by the allergist I saw here and what I think is more common practice.
We began our homeschool year in August. This year I have two little scholars. Madeleine is in second grade and Daphne is now a kindergartener, and I'm enjoying watching her learn how to read. It's hard work! A couple of my biggest challenges are calling the girls back to work when they'd rather be playing outside and keeping Eleanor from assaulting the dog with affectionate pats. Her first word is "doggie."
A highlight for us this term has been the homeschool co-op. I've been so glad to see the older two girls engaged in their different classes and not needing me to remain beside them. They are eager to play with friends afterwards.
I am glad Freya is a patient doggie. We celebrated two years with her earlier this week.
The colors of October are different here. Jacaranda trees are strewing the ground with their lavender blossoms. My children like to gather them and feed them to the appreciative sheep.
At the end of August, my brother and his family visited. We went to a natural hot springs, and a highlight for me was seeing this 400-year-old mugumo tree on the property.
Seminary teaching The second, and last, term of the year just concluded for NIRT (Nairobi Institute of Reformed Theology). Tim had a part in teaching Greek 2 and Medieval Church History.
During the Medieval Church History oral exams this past week, more than one student told Tim that they had always previously thought of the medieval era as a "dark age" in which nothing meaningful happened in the church. They appreciated being exposed to the rich Trinitarian theology of Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, and Aquinas—though it certainly was not easy.
For Greek 2, NIRT teaching assistant (and final-year student) Raymond Ndung'u taught many of the classes and did a great job. It is encouraging to have local instructors stepping in and serving our students well. We pray the Lord would raise up many such instructors for NIRT.
We also give thanks that NIRT has just been approved as a project with Faith and Learning International, providing a smooth and trustworthy way for international donors to give. If you'd like to donate to NIRT, you can now do so here.
Christian publishing and non-formal training
In Tim's other role here, as publishing manager for Ekklesia Afrika, one focus right now is revising some of the materials used in Soma, the non-formal pastoral training program run by Ekklesia Afrika. One of the changes will be slowing the pace at which Soma students work through their assigned books, to try to better meet these pastors at where they are in terms of reading ability and allow them to get more out of the material in their cohort discussions.
Watch a 2-minute testimony from a pastor in the Soma program.
Also, in August, Ekklesia Afrika published the first booklets of the new Africa Statement on the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith Theology. The statement can also be read and signed online here. A pastor here in Nairobi made a first draft of this statement and then brought in some other African pastors to fine-tune it. Tim and his colleagues were glad to help prepare this statement for physical publication and support its initial distribution. We pray God uses it to save many from confused and false teachings on these matters.
Give thanks:
- For the homeschool co-op that has blessed my children and me
- That Tim's new work permit was issued. We now await Eleanor's dependent pass.
- For the completion of another good term at NIRT
- For Kenyan pastors forming more biblical convictions through the Soma program
Please ask:
- For wisdom with the Soma curriculum revisions as well as Ekklesia Afrika's other publishing projects
- For Tim's planning for next year's Greek 3 and 4 and Hebrew 1 and 2 classes
- That we'd make some happy memories here this holiday season, even as we miss family
Warmly,
Carol and Tim (and Madeleine, Daphne, Sylvia, and Eleanor!)
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