Beginning of Year Two

We're back! Sorry it's been so long since we've updated. Hopefully over the next couple of months we'll be able to update more.
We've had a good time re-adjusting to life here after Christmas. It was fun returning and seeing all our friends in the community. We were sad however to see that our garden didn't survive our vacation. But it was okay because mango season was in full force and we have plenty of trees to pick from. One day we decided to try making jam because there were more mangos than we could keep up with. It was so good and so easy to make that we started to look into the possibility of the women here making it for an income generating activity. So we made a day and taught the women how to make it and they really enjoyed it and were interested in selling it to the people in town. Then we did something really fun-- we went with the ladies into the town to do taste testing and a survey. It was definately the first time that anyone here has experiencedthe whole free taste testing thing. The survey also helped to increase the women's confidence in the project as they heard the many positive responses and the estimated amounts that people would be willing to pay. So now we are just collecting jars and waiting for next mango season.
Also, within a week from getting back we were excited because the class for the deaf had started! It was so awesome the first time we got to observe the class! You could tell that the children were so happy to be learning and to have new friends who were also deaf. The enrollment is continuing to increase as well. So we have teamed up with a local organization to begin writing grant proposals for boarding facilities and other small resources. The teachers were excited to receive someof the supplies we were able to give them for the VBS at Countryside FM and Fitness Finders. (Thank you!)
With the church project things are moving along nicely. We helped them plot out a plan for building and so far the members are coming together really well. Right now they're crushing stones for the foundation and will begin to mould bricks as the rains let up. They will be doing 100% of the labor and doing what they can to raise funds for the materials. So far it looks as if they will have enough funds to complete the foundation and walls, which is a good start towards a permanent structure but a long ways from being complete. We will keep you all posted as the project progresses. Let us know if this project sounds like on you'd be interested in helping to support. We try to help with the project in any way we can but they might be hesitant to let us help with the manual labor now since Stephen crushed his hand instead of the stones. He just knicked the side of his hand so it wasn't too bad. It just bled a lot and took a few weeks to heal. I felt like a pathetic bush wife because the sight of his gash nearly made me pass out.
Now for the projects we are really interested in. :) We are in the beginning stages of making a Zambian music video. So far we are thinking of using the Michael Jackson song "Beat It" and centering the plot on two gangs. Picture it with us...one gang member steals a rival gang member's sack of potatos but as he is running away with them he is seen by the rival who replies "Steal my potatos? You'll see!!" Then starts the music. It has a lot of potential.
Also, Stephen is making plans to build a weight room in our backyard. Most of the equipment will be made out of bricks and sticks with the weights themselves being plastic bags full of dirt. To start with he'll have a bench press, curling bar, and squat rack to add to his chin up bar. So when the rains finish in the next few weeks he'll begin construction. It will give our neighbors one more reason to stare at us and think we're completely out of our minds. :)
Well that's about all for now. Oh, Stephen had a wonderful b-day on the 9th. We had a feast with some fellow Peace Corps friends and ate cake (a double decker chocolate covered cake) which I was able to whip up in the ol'mud oven. Also, last Sunday I made my debut singing in the women's choir. It went really well with only one minor glitch...I only was taught one song and they sung two...so I just made up the second one and Stephen said it looked natural. Anyway it was fun and the congregation really enjoyed it.
We hope all is going well Stateside. We'd really love to hear from you and get updates on how everything is. We love and miss you!
Stephen & Heather

P.S. For those who may not know, we have become an aunt and uncle to one more little boy! Cameron Harlen Beckett was born on Feb. 22! Congratulations Matt and Jamie!!!