tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17644652410956401752024-03-13T04:13:54.844-07:00Ghrist GazetiJosh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-32442041189168009862011-11-19T11:15:00.001-08:002011-11-19T11:22:23.310-08:00<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
The mind of Caleb...</div>
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Today is Saturday. I like to pretend that means it's a day to sleep in. Having 3 small children means I can only pretend, or face the consequences. Today was a day of facing the consequences. I ignored the little blond head next to my bed at 6:30 this morning, telling me it was time to get up and get him some hot chocolate. That little blond head should not be ignored as it is full of ideas and plan B, C, and so forth. I found out what he was up to a couple of hours later. Matthew did sleep in (children start to do that once they are school-age). I went to wake him up so we could go get donuts and noticed his bed was soaking wet. Suspecting foul-play, I asked what happened.<br />
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Caleb said, "I poured water on his bed so he would think he wet the bed and get up and play with me."<br />
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Never ignore the little blond head.<br />
<br />Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-55672388511841852552011-11-19T10:52:00.001-08:002011-11-19T11:06:10.297-08:00<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
It was a blustery, autumn day....</div>
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It all started when Mom drank 3 cups of coffee. She doesn't do that too often. Daddy was gone for the weekend, so she decided to get us donuts for breakfast. She doesn't do that too often either. The combination of caffeine and sugar got her all inspired to do some yardwork. She said it was because Daddy hates yardwork and we were doing him a favor. I think that she did it secretly because she enjoys it. Mom also said something about us having some energy to burn off. Either way, a leaf blower, a yard full of leaves, and us kids were a recipe for FUN!<br />
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Mom used the leafblower, but wouldn't share. She said we didn't know what we were doing, but I think secretly she was being selfish. Caleb and I ran around the yard, with leaves blowing into our hair and down our shirts. We solved that problem by taking off our shirts. Fall in Texas means it's not really cold enough for clothes. We had lots of fun running around, with leaves falling all over us. Being from Africa means we don't get to do this too often.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imaginary snow</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We also pretended it was snowing, because it might be the closest we are going to get to snow. As the leaves piled up, we realized Jordan was nowhere to be found. Caleb and I ran through all the piles of leaves, scattering them everywhere we went. We searched in the drainage ditch in our backyard to see if he ran away. We couldn't find and him and got a little scared. As Caleb began to bawl, which he does often, Mom finished blowing the leaves with a satisfied smile on her leaf and dirt-blown face. She took us by the hands, picking up our discarded clothes. We went inside, and peaked in on Jordan, fast asleep in his bed. Oh. We finished off our blustery autumn adventure with a bubble bath, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and a nap. For Caleb, of course. I don't take naps- I'm five, you know. <br />
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<br />Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-58607270463720924532010-07-18T09:53:00.000-07:002010-07-18T10:58:29.922-07:00First trip to the ER<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TENATzuGldI/AAAAAAAAAFg/-gfOPFsSh_8/s1600/Caleb+cast+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 98px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TENATzuGldI/AAAAAAAAAFg/-gfOPFsSh_8/s200/Caleb+cast+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495306679367407058" border="0" /></a><br />We have 3 little boys, and I've known this day was coming. I even knew which child would be first. I just wish I had been wrong. Saturday was an eventful day of potty training, going to a birthday party, then going to see Shrek 4. The evening ended with two very tired and silly little boys jumping on the trampoline, and Caleb falling off and breaking his leg. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TENAUAdXaCI/AAAAAAAAAFo/et-xvoj-nnY/s1600/Caleb+cast+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 130px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TENAUAdXaCI/AAAAAAAAAFo/et-xvoj-nnY/s200/Caleb+cast+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495306682786867234" border="0" /></a>It was just a hairline fracture, but a cast is a cast for an extremely active, independent 2-year old boy. He's figured out he can scoot around on his bottom, but he prefers ordering the rest of us around like servants. I predict he will be the CEO of something one day, maybe of an adventure sports company. Hopefully the cast comes off in 2 weeks, but it could be 4. Praise God this is the cooler time of year.Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-21056131727129036892010-07-09T22:47:00.000-07:002010-07-09T22:54:32.129-07:00All God's Creatures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TDgKzv3MSBI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ystN2bTNXgc/s1600/dung+beetle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TDgKzv3MSBI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ystN2bTNXgc/s200/dung+beetle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492151629715884050" border="0" /></a><br />One of the fun things (for little boys) about living in Africa, next to the ocean, is the variety of creatures that find their way into our yard, and sometimes into our house. In the last 48 hours, we have had:<br /><ul><li>-a 10 inch millipede</li><li>-2 fuzzy caterpillars</li><li>-a dung beetle</li><li>-a hermit crab</li><li>-and LOTS of mosquitos</li></ul>come to visit. Not my favorite aspect of living here, but the kids definitely enjoy it! Except for the mosquitos. :)Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-10047034669667042812010-07-09T22:18:00.000-07:002010-07-09T22:31:23.257-07:00The VisitorLast week, as I was taking out the trash, a man outside the gate called to me. He explained he was from South Africa, was on a spiritual journey, and just needed a safe place to stay for the night. Josh got him a place to stay in the clinic wards (since we really had no idea who he was), and he left the next morning after a kind word of thanks. It seemed a little bizarre, but we were glad to help. Ashay (the guy) came back after a couple of days, feeling really sick. He must have gotten the flu like everybody else in Mombasa. We gave him some food and gave him his place to stay until he got better. Josh had the chance to talk to him about his "spiritual journey" (which was an all-inclusive view that all roads lead to Heaven.) Josh shared with him the truth about Jesus being the the only way, and hopefully planted a seed in his heart. Please pray for Ashay that he will keep searching and think about the things Josh shared with him.Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-6610754757905437972010-07-09T22:06:00.000-07:002010-07-09T22:17:54.153-07:00Winter in Mombasa has arrived<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TDgCMxhrPII/AAAAAAAAAEw/hO9vVeNS76k/s1600/Matt+blanket.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/TDgCMxhrPII/AAAAAAAAAEw/hO9vVeNS76k/s320/Matt+blanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492142164054588546" border="0" /></a><br />Mombasa is a tropical, humid climate just under the equator. What this means is from November to March it is EXTREMELY hot and humid. If the power goes out (which it does frequently), I'm usually ready to pack my bags and move to Alaska. However, in April, it starts to cool off, and the days are beautiful (and somewhat rainy). We have enjoyed putting on our sweaters and jeans and closed-toe shoes. Some days, it gets down to 72 degrees! We even turn off our fans for a little while. Crazy weather, I tell you. <img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Maggie/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Maggie/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.png" alt="" />Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-70581188151723175792009-11-12T23:08:00.000-08:002009-11-12T23:20:14.588-08:00Our crazy boys!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sv0IDDLOPrI/AAAAAAAAAEk/scqkCQqaRgA/s1600-h/Matthew.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403483976399470258" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sv0IDDLOPrI/AAAAAAAAAEk/scqkCQqaRgA/s320/Matthew.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the most recent picture I have of Matthew. Clearly, I need to take more pics! He's all silliness though.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sv0G9C7qXoI/AAAAAAAAAEc/M7jSGoybfdo/s1600-h/C+with+chockik.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403482773743361666" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sv0G9C7qXoI/AAAAAAAAAEc/M7jSGoybfdo/s320/C+with+chockik.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Caleb really like chocolate, or, as he calls it, "chockik". I couldn't resist getting a picture of him- sorry it's gross!Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-67409592949421055122009-11-12T22:56:00.000-08:002009-11-12T23:04:57.210-08:00Term over and holiday plans...Yesterday was the last day of teaching until January, so we are relieved to have that finished with as we begin our holiday season. Josh's guitar class and my English class are going well, and we enjoy the interaction with the students. They are a joy to spend time with.<br /><br />Thanksgiving is coming up, and I hear rumors that you can get turkey here, although I haven't seen any! I think we'll be celebrating with some other missionaries, and I'm planning on having some special items brought out, like cranberry sauce, french-fried onions, and canned pumpkin to make pumpkin pie!<br /><br />We'll be gone to South Africa for most of December visiting my family. My parents, Bob and Susan Evans, live in Johannesburg now, so we'll spend a few weeks with them. My sister, Mary, will also be visiting on her Christmas break, so I'm excited to see her again!! It's hard being spread out all over the world!<br /><br />Josh and I will be celebrating our 6th anniversary this Christmas, so we are hoping to get away for a weekend while we have some eager grandparents willing to watch the boys!<br /><br />Will update with pics as these exciting things happen!!!Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-82777931418995528732009-11-11T23:05:00.000-08:002009-11-12T01:18:20.411-08:00El Nino<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Kenya has been in a drought for a while now, so we've all been praying for rain. Well, we got it, at least for a few weeks! Here is a picture of the flooded roads, and another picture of our sandbagging efforts to protect the slope of the Lighthouse compound. It has been dry again for the last couple of weeks, so we're praying the rain comes back, just not so heavy as before!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Svu2O7WlW-I/AAAAAAAAAEM/wmRf1HOpzu8/s1600-h/Flooding.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403112545527880674" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Svu2O7WlW-I/AAAAAAAAAEM/wmRf1HOpzu8/s320/Flooding.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SvvSJWRBCYI/AAAAAAAAAEU/bXyKrKteePU/s1600-h/14634_1201643495270_1654077193_490426_3239978_n%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403143235998648706" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SvvSJWRBCYI/AAAAAAAAAEU/bXyKrKteePU/s320/14634_1201643495270_1654077193_490426_3239978_n%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-41245648320722870112009-10-04T07:53:00.000-07:002009-10-04T07:57:17.402-07:00Baby, BabyJust a quick announcement....<br />Baby #3 will be making his or her way into our household sometime mid-May 2010! What a surprise to us! We will deliver here in Mombasa, as we did that with Caleb, and it went just fine. At only 8 weeks, I'm feeling first trimester blahs, feeling very tired, and somewhat queasy. However, I'm not nearly as sick as I was with my first two pregnancies, so we are praying this is how it will be! (And who knows? Maybe we're having a girl! Miracles can happen.) Updates to follow.Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-34371789354940842402009-10-04T07:36:00.000-07:002009-10-04T07:52:02.195-07:00New Church in Kilifi, Kenya<div><br /><br /><div>Last week, a team of guys from Grace Community Church in Tyler, TX came to Lighthouse to help build a church for one of our pastors here in Kenya. 3 guys came to help Josh build the church, and the other two held a pastor's conference for all of Lighthouse pastors and Bible students. It was a great week. The men were all tired at the end of the week, but the church got built and it was so great to have friends from home. Thanks to Joel Estes, Justin Hooper, Mark Miller, Jeff Johnson and Tom Nesbitt! Here are some pics from the church building project.</div><br /><br /><div><a id="myphotolink" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2403903&id=688784454&op=1&view=global&subj=1654077193"></a><a id="myphotolink" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2403903&id=688784454&op=1&view=global&subj=1654077193"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssi1aF6_ARI/AAAAAAAAAD4/53sR1O375lA/s1600-h/10126_1169969463439_1654077193_415732_5940734_n%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388756414019600658" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssi1aF6_ARI/AAAAAAAAAD4/53sR1O375lA/s320/10126_1169969463439_1654077193_415732_5940734_n%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssi2aY_83DI/AAAAAAAAAEA/qGKgZvnQYqY/s1600-h/10126_1170934767571_1654077193_417594_8197376_n%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388757518652333106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssi2aY_83DI/AAAAAAAAAEA/qGKgZvnQYqY/s320/10126_1170934767571_1654077193_417594_8197376_n%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><a id="myphotolink" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2403903&id=688784454&op=1&view=global&subj=1654077193"></a></div></div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-11301243182708319272009-10-04T05:50:00.000-07:002009-10-04T07:34:18.747-07:00Long time, no posts<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssiv9PhCOfI/AAAAAAAAADY/p2rqi-dB0bU/s1600-h/kids+in+sandbox.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388750420820769266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssiv9PhCOfI/AAAAAAAAADY/p2rqi-dB0bU/s320/kids+in+sandbox.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I guess we got busy living, and forgot to update the world on what we are up to. Will try to keep this brief, but let you know what we have been doing since the last post...</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Our container did arrive, after waiting anxiously for it. We were able to get it with relatively no problems, and were not hassled about any of the items inside. The biggest thing they were concerned with was the 20 boxes of old books, since all that stuff was supposed to be "personal"! Josh just said his wife really liked to read!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Josh quickly got the computer room set up, and it works great with 12 computers with flat screen monitors. The library is still a work in progress since we are waiting to get some more shelves built to house the large number of books we had donated. However, many of the books are already being put to good use. Thanks so much for all the donations!!!!</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssiv9gAhZMI/AAAAAAAAADg/xhtkVgNaALs/s1600-h/library.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388750425247802562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssiv9gAhZMI/AAAAAAAAADg/xhtkVgNaALs/s320/library.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssiv-AsMTaI/AAAAAAAAADo/NEmjOBuYi5I/s1600-h/new+comp+lab.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388750434020904354" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Ssiv-AsMTaI/AAAAAAAAADo/NEmjOBuYi5I/s320/new+comp+lab.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We are into the 2nd term (out of 3) of our school year with the Bible students. We have 8 students in the senior class, and they are a joy to teach. Josh is continuing with his guitar class, and I am teaching English, using a great new curriculum that I found!!</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SsiyFi7FG2I/AAAAAAAAADw/Jxa-Rar7WNg/s1600-h/Seniors.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388752762492492642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SsiyFi7FG2I/AAAAAAAAADw/Jxa-Rar7WNg/s320/Seniors.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>That's probably enough for one post- just wanted you to know what we have been up to. Love everybody and miss you!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-39715943410883520932009-06-26T00:28:00.000-07:002009-06-26T01:05:57.902-07:00Birthdays and the BeachIt's been a time of celebration around our house as Caleb turned 1 last month and Matthew turned 3 yesterday!! My boys are getting so big! My parents, Bob and Susan Evans came to Mombasa for a week to spend time with us before they moved down to South Africa. We had an awesome CARS birthday party for Matthew with all his buddies. We had plans for a party at the park, but that idea got rained out and we turned our house into party central- 10 kids under the age of 6- that's a lot of energy!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR9Q6_IP1I/AAAAAAAAACo/3Vcpwd6VGz8/s1600-h/Blowing+out+candles.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351539986888408914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR9Q6_IP1I/AAAAAAAAACo/3Vcpwd6VGz8/s320/Blowing+out+candles.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR-zTTgE_I/AAAAAAAAADI/OCDEqABmUds/s1600-h/party+room1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351541677043487730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR-zTTgE_I/AAAAAAAAADI/OCDEqABmUds/s320/party+room1.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR-zOaCmpI/AAAAAAAAADA/aHO0-rA68aY/s1600-h/Matthew+the+mummy.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351541675728738962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR-zOaCmpI/AAAAAAAAADA/aHO0-rA68aY/s320/Matthew+the+mummy.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We spent a weekend at a beach cottage with my parents, just enjoying being together. The tide was out every morning, so we took early morning walks, and Josh explored the reef. We ate fresh fish everyday, and Matthew even went "fishing" in the fish pond with his net. We fought off the monkeys, wishing dear Aunt Weezy<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR-yq44COI/AAAAAAAAAC4/7A1sFxOJ-bU/s1600-h/living+rom+cottage.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351541666194393314" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR-yq44COI/AAAAAAAAAC4/7A1sFxOJ-bU/s320/living+rom+cottage.JPG" border="0" /></a> was here to <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR9QlyLiTI/AAAAAAAAACg/LeKGYN476Z0/s1600-h/beach+cottage.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351539981196953906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR9QlyLiTI/AAAAAAAAACg/LeKGYN476Z0/s320/beach+cottage.JPG" border="0" /></a>defend us. All in all, a good ti<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR_gv4gR8I/AAAAAAAAADQ/EWddapvZ114/s1600-h/walking+on+water.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351542457808996290" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR_gv4gR8I/AAAAAAAAADQ/EWddapvZ114/s320/walking+on+water.JPG" border="0" /></a>me. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR9RLQmMTI/AAAAAAAAACw/W3usUycXlSo/s1600-h/chillin.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351539991256641842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SkR9RLQmMTI/AAAAAAAAACw/W3usUycXlSo/s320/chillin.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-81846325261271052192009-06-06T03:39:00.001-07:002009-06-06T03:56:35.455-07:00Fun at Home<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SipKoBFCHPI/AAAAAAAAACY/rf04s7JrTbU/s1600-h/friends.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344165959173283058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SipKoBFCHPI/AAAAAAAAACY/rf04s7JrTbU/s320/friends.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We've been pretty busy lately, but in a good way. We've been enjoying our friends here in Mombasa, and we are so thankful that we have friends. Much of our first 2 years here in Mombasa we were on our own, and we learned that "no man is an island." Praise God for friends. </div><br /><div></div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-44829731805456807372009-05-23T06:22:00.000-07:002009-05-23T06:27:02.161-07:00Riots in townOn Friday, I was going to embark on my first real drive into "town"- a much noisier, crowded, busy place than the part of Mombasa I usually drive in. I was going to take our friends, the Browns, to a fast food place with a play area for our kids.<br /><br />We got turned back by all the commercial vehicles, and had to deviate into other parts of town, some roads resembling alleys more than actual streets. Thankfully, Justin had a better sense of direction than I, and we headed home after we received a call from Josh, saying to come home because there was fighting in town.<br /><br />Apparently the police were trying to get rid of the hawkers, who decided to fight back, and cars were being burned. You could see the smoke from our house. Thankfully, God paved the way, and we got home without a problem.Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-62788834450902760452009-05-18T03:19:00.000-07:002009-05-18T03:26:01.074-07:00Goat Slaughtering in English Class<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/ShE3PjTwEFI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ynaWnVh6BDM/s1600-h/Goat_Slaughter_in_our_Backyard_2%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337107773726396498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 167px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/ShE3PjTwEFI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ynaWnVh6BDM/s320/Goat_Slaughter_in_our_Backyard_2%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Some teachers have to put up with distracting, unruly students. I have to put up with animals being slaughtered outside my classroom window.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Right behind our classrooms is an apartment complex, with a parking garage on the bottom floor. Apparently, since nobody has a car, it's an excellent space to wash clothes, and prepare food..... from scratch.... Today during class, we had to talk over the bleating of a goat, who was slaughtered, strung up, skinned and gutted- all while we talked about God's plan for our life.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Perhaps the plan for the goat's life was lunch.</div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-81407384768862667302009-05-15T06:28:00.000-07:002009-05-15T06:43:40.464-07:00Back in the Driver's Seat<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sg1xQmkY68I/AAAAAAAAACI/4j1Yb_4-m30/s1600-h/232719582_fc22e16d0f%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336045663548926914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sg1xQmkY68I/AAAAAAAAACI/4j1Yb_4-m30/s320/232719582_fc22e16d0f%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">So today I drove in Kenya for the first time since we have arrived back. I only had two rules to remember- 1) Stay left, and 2) Use the horn. And don't get hit... or hit anybody.,.. OK, so maybe more than two rules. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">I forgot how much I need to use all my mirrors to drive here, and almost rear-ended a casket hanging out the back of a sedan. Except for dishonoring the dead, there might have been worse things I could have almost run into.... </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">All said and done, I got back home safely with my groceries, and didn't have any incidents. I pray harder living in Kenya, that's for sure.</span> </div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-29770389232728148202009-05-13T11:32:00.000-07:002009-05-13T12:03:05.820-07:00At home in Kenya<div><br /><br /><div>We have arr<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SgsYgrl7qBI/AAAAAAAAACA/Z_eR8xm4F70/s1600-h/M+in+UHaul.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335385133287188498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SgsYgrl7qBI/AAAAAAAAACA/Z_eR8xm4F70/s320/M+in+UHaul.JPG" border="0" /></a>ived! After 2 eight-hour flights, with only a very short layover in London, we arrived in Nairobi, with luggage and sanity intact. We had a good 3 days with my parents, and celebrated Caleb's first birthday (a little early). We got to Mombasa on Monday, and hit the ground running! We are still unpacking our 12 bags (they allowed us TOO much luggage) and trying to get our house back in order.<br /><br />Lighthouse Bible School started yesterday, and I had my first class of English today- I loved it! I have 9 students, and am excited to see what this year brings. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SgsYgYIjlFI/AAAAAAAAAB4/JFhSrjNbc8k/s1600-h/airplane.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335385128063702098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/SgsYgYIjlFI/AAAAAAAAAB4/JFhSrjNbc8k/s320/airplane.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids are loving being back- since in Mombasa, they have shared a room and both slept all the way through the night!! Caleb is busy exploring our house, and we have realized we have to find a way to block our stairs- he's earning himself the nickname "Bruiser!"<br /><br />Until next time, content and almost over jet-lag, Maggie</div></div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-21008224591097639652009-04-16T11:49:00.000-07:002009-04-16T11:57:44.405-07:00Packing!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sed-wWftPsI/AAAAAAAAABw/OT9s-bsisw8/s1600-h/Packing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325364453526290114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xzMUz9-4LQQ/Sed-wWftPsI/AAAAAAAAABw/OT9s-bsisw8/s320/Packing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We are busy packing. This is what our house looks like right now. We have been collecting books to take back to the Bible Institute library, and computers for the computer lab.</div><div> </div><div>We also take back things like taco seasoning, diapers, chocolate chips, battery-operated fans, and children's tylenol, just to name a few of the things that we love from here, and just can't get over in Kenya. Or if we can get it, it's just not the same!</div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1764465241095640175.post-29036496239027032702009-04-16T08:38:00.000-07:002009-04-16T08:43:13.926-07:00A new blog for the Ghrist's<div>Dear friends,</div>
<br /><div>The only reason I'm blogging is to share what's going on in our lives with those who are interested. Josh and I head back to Kenya in 3 weeks, after a wonderful 6-month stay in Tyler, TX. We know how easy it is to be disconnected with us when we are so far away, and want to share bits of our lives with you, if you want to stay updated on our lives. We had been blogging in a xanga account, but it wasn't user-friendly, so we've switched. We hope to get up stories every week, and lots of pictures.... </div>Josh and Maggie Ghristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277919088387731303noreply@blogger.com0