One of the many privileges of staying with the Lottering’s, is that I’m getting so much more than your average touristy experience of a country. The Lotterings are showing me all sorts of quirks, they’ve taken me off the beaten track – quite literally, in most cases! These guys have ‘experienced experience,’ and second hand experience is just as good as first hand (yes, I have just quoted Pat Parelli…)

One of these off the beaten track experiences is coming to Fox Farms in Mufundi. The Lottering’s have come on holiday to the Fox Farms lodge a couple of times, and apart from being astounded by the hospitality of the owners, and the natural beauty of the place, they (Anja in particular) were impressed by the Foxes involvement in the local community. Geoff and Vicky Fox really are extraordinary people and are involved on all fronts; from building schools and hospitals, to training local villagers, to employing people, and educating adults. As well as running the NGO (non-government organization, for the blonde's in our midst) the Foxes have set up safari lodges across Tanzania, and manage tea-leave growing on a pretty large scale, and are breeding horses to bring a larger breed of horse into the country. I don't think I need to mention that they're AMAZING people. Anyway, the thing that grabbed Anja’s attention was the orphanage work, which is why she decided to spend her Easter holidays volunteering at the orphanage; I was attracted to anything with the words 'horse' 'orphan' 'mountains' 'cousin time' 'more horses' and 'open land' oh and of course 'sunnyish weather' - which all pretty much sums up Mufundi/Fox Farms.

Preparations to come here were pretty fun, Anja and I did a fund-raising presentation in front of her class, and then headed off to the market to buy tons of kids clothes/shoes/and a couple of toys. WE also planned games and activities, as we'll be managing the Easter celebrations this year :D

Anja and I thought that SEW had put us into the volunteers mindset; after a week of doing without electricity and water, sleeping on cement floors, and eating the same meal day in day out, we were charged up for TWO MORE weeks of serving! Not so… we seriously have landed with our bums in the butter, its only day 2 of volunteering at the Foxes, and we have been spoilt SO much! For starters, we’re in the old farmhouse, a pretty comfortable place with amazing views. We’ve been eating meals in the Foxes home, and have had packed lunches to eat wherever we fancy, today we wandered down to the stream and ate there (followed by a snooze of course.. something tells me I’m getting old…)

I really have been humbled by this whole serving thing. In both cases (Bagamoyo and here), I have been served just as much (if not more) as I’ve served. I go expecting to give, but I gain so much more than I realize. For starters, when we think ‘HIV Aids Orphans,’ we think of some malnourished, depressed, deprived, half naked kid that is just desperate for our attention, but all the kids we’ve related to so far have the biggest smiles on their faces. Materialistically, they have so little, yet they have such personalities and joy. Really does challenge our Western mindset, on which the pecking order is based upon social status and wealth. Here, if you’re capable of smiling, you’re in. Having said all that, Anja and I are full of energy, and are happy to help wherever needed. The children’s village is divided into four houses, each of which is overseen by a housemother. These mama’s have an incredible amount of work, as they are basically nurturing and caring for a family of 12. The washing, cooking, and cleaning are endless, not to mention keeping the kids occupied and up to date with their schoolwork. So far, we’ve helped out on all fronts – and the mama’s were touched to see that we wanted to do the dirty jobs as well; I reckon it’s a first to see young Wazongo wanting to clean.

My favourite is definitely the little kiddies, there are always teeny tiny little ones to be cuddled, and I spent all afternoon with the incredibly energetic (naughty!) toddlers. We spent most of yesterday with the older kids and teenagers, being a Sunday they obviously didn’t have school. I was thrashed at soccer/football (not exactly hard to do) but to be fair, I was the only girl playing, so everyone give me three cheers. “Thank you, thank you. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my father, my mother, my pet slug, and my giraffe. I’d never be who I am if it wasn’t for you and so on and so forth”
Ahem, yes.

I’m in my element as there are 19 horses for me to play with, including 3 foals! So when I’m not terrorizing toddlers, or getting lessons in humility on the soccer field, I’ll be playing with horses. Well, more like the other way round; the horses are definitely my first priority :)

I'm sure the horses will get a whole blog post to themselves, so more on that later, but until next time ~Salama/Peace

HOPAC Service Emphasis Week

Y'know, I've realized that I'm incredible at waffling about the most irrelevant things, and then when it actually comes to writing something substantial(being news or facts), I've either got bored or run out of time.. so please do bear with my word-meandering

Every year the students of HOPAC (my cousin's school) spend a week serving the local community - from drug rehabilitation centres, to deaf schools, to street kids, to orphanages. Mona Lisa managed to get me involved with this years 'Service Emphasis Week.' I was placed in a small group (6 students, and 2 teachers) that went on a 5 day residential trip to Bagamoyo Children's Home, around 1 hour from Dar Es Salaam (my current home away from home, or as one of the students clarified, my home home home. Home home being England, and Home being South Africa...the quandry we faced is that the word home could be interpreted in MANY different ways, I mean if one felt quite comfortable under a tree, then perhaps that would count as home.. hum. If that IS that case, I think I'd be on home home home home home home home home by now. Anyway, I digress..)Our group had some really good fun, being the oldest teenager, I felt like the ancient of ancient's, but we all got on really well and had some good laughs!

The orphanage is situated on a 4 acre farm, and when I say farm, I'm not referring to a cultivated English farm.. this was the type of place where you have to drive on dirt roads in a 4X4. The accommodation was simple, but comfortable. We were pretty much on roll up matteresses (sp?!) on a cement floor (the comfy option deluxe) without running water or electricity - yes, this did all make me grateful for my comforts back at homebase, but I have to say that I REALLY enjoyed 'roughing it.' :)

If I had to sum up the experience in one word, make that two, it would have to be 'Humbling' and 'Eye-opening'
Eye-opening that people can live in simple conditions, but with such joy. These kids are capable of just enjoying God, others, and life. They live in relationship, and the competitiveness you see amongst us Westerners was non-existent among these kids.

Humbling because serving is, in reality, being served. I found myself wondering who the poor person REALLY was, and who was serving who. I came away feeling like I'd received so much, but how could someone with so little in the world's eyes give me so much? mmmm, deep stuff to ponder.. anyway, on that note I shall love and leave you all.. I haven't really got into the 'news' side of things, but hey ho, as long as we're under the sun, there'll always be more things to write about - personally, I'd rather be under the sun, at least while I'm right under its shadow :P

I'm well into week two of being in Tanzania, and I'm still having a ball :)

I've nabbed a school computer, which has better internet, AND a keyboard that actually works. Win, win! I'll have you know that I've done my bit for charity, and supported the school jumble sale by getting my face painted. So right now I have taken on the image of a (slightly not too pale, but not exactly burnt) rabbit, but I think my mind is still intact, so my thinking remains human...
well that's what we all hope anyway :P

Chilling on the boat, and at the Yacht club

This week I gained my SCUBA diving certification, so I'm now qualified to dive with any qualified (Padi) diving centre in the world... pretty cool! Of course (it goes without saying that) I'm a complete novice, but onwards and upwards, the journey of a 1000 miles starts with the first step. Not that I intend to do millions of dives, but I still think its a nice 'arrow to have in the quiver,' so to speak. The actual diving experience was fantastic. One doesn't realize that there is a whole new world under the sea, and storybooks don't do the underwater world any justice either. I can't always take in the full scope of our world, but whoever thinks its all been discovered is wrong!

Other than that I've continued to chillax (its a hard life for some!) and explore the new environment; this has included walks on the beach, more swimming/kayaking, reading, watching movies, playing with Joah and the dog (in that order :P), joining in with Anja's youth group - and then school fete this morning, and driving around Dar with Mona Liza. Yesterday we went to Tegeta market, which was an experience in itself. To sum it all up, I now know where all our charity clothes from the UK/USA end up! We found the most amazing designers items for ridiculous prices... we bought Ralph Lauren, peter rabbit brand name, gap baby, and lots of other items all for under GBP3! Anja and I will be taking this bundle with us when we go to Mufundi orphanage for two weeks during Easter.

Tegeta Market

Book: Do Hard Things!

I'm reading the book 'Do Hard Things' by Alex and Brett Harris. Its a fantastic book, READ IT! This book is very much in line with my thinking, with the way I've been raised, and a majority of the people I try relate to. Its basically about raising the expectations that you - and others - place on yourself. In essence, finding your comfort zone, and extending it. Developing on a personal way, not just to 'fit the system.' Its not surprising that the guys who wrote the book were also home educated, home education (done well), produces self-confident individuals that are not limited by others expectations and measurements. Anyway, more on that here:www.rebelution.com

On a personal note, I'm very good at pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, but I'm not always good at STAYING in my comfort zone. While I'm very much aware of it, I'm not terribly good at accepting that my comfort zone exists, and that sometimes, I won't be able to do something purely because its wayyy outside of my comfort zone. I think my time here in Tanzania will be SOOO GOOOD for me, I'm going to learn how to relax properly. To just go with the flow. I know how to be independant (sort of) and I know how to be dependant (well, in the parent/child sort of way) but can I just 'be'?

The other thing that the book is confirming, is the idea that there's no point in thinking something, if you can't put it to action. I don't want to be a consumer Christian, I don't want my focus to be on the negative - what not to do (to put it simply, good, goody, nice girl) - but rather, the positive. 'How is this going to impact me, and the world?' Sometimes, the most impactful thing, is to do nothing :)

First week; change begins with accepting.

So, its been almost a week that I've been here, and so far, I'm having a ball! I'm loving the relaxed way of life, the work hard and play hard ethic (amongst the expats, anyway), the diverse languages and cultures, and (of course) the beach; just a stones throw away.

I'm learning so much about myself (whats new?) I realize that I'm not always real with myself, and don't always make allowances for normal human limitations. Okay, so I endeavour to have a positive outlook on life, and to not be limited by the typical mould that humans put themselves in: 'Its such a shame that I'm human, and therefore can't do those things' (these 'things' are the in the form of experiences, pursuing dreams, hardship, and even discipline) I want to have an attitude of 'I can. I'm not limited.' Full stop. But then, I am just so human.

I was feeling a bit flat last night, and sub-conciously realized this, so promptly started singing. OK... these two don't seem to match up. I mean, its hardly like I start crying the minute that I'm happy! What I realize is that our Western world is so full of noise and buzz, that it is possible for people to live on a treadmill, 'acheiving' in the wordly (material/status) sense, but never developing on a deeper level. They never learn to be truly joyful and accepting.

What I'm realizing, is that change doesn't begin the day that we become invincible. Our postive-mindset doesn't kick into play the moment that we're happy. It almost seems counteractive, but change begins with acceptance. In a way, you want to become fully immersed in your weakness, because its here that you learn to accept yourself.

I want to be so wonderfully human, so in touch with my weaknesses, that they become strengths. Ok, so you may have a funny leg - but you can still hobble. Better to learn to hobble beautifully, than deny yourself your crutches.

Hello from Africa!

Hellooo, helllooo! Or maybe it would be better to say 'Habari!' or 'Mambo/Jambo!' when in Rome do as the Romans do, huh?

So, day three of Tanzania, and I think I'm pretty much in my element. With constant temperatures of around 30c, a sub tropical (humid) climate, and 3 mins walk from a stunning beach - I don't know who wouldn't be happy! The plane flight was pretty straightforward, but the culture got noticeably more rural the further away from England I headed. There were moments in Cairo when I was the only white person (a stark contrast to the mainly white population in my little bubble of the UK), and the airport in (Dar Es Salaam) Tanzania is little more than a stone building with a couple of desks. I found the administration for my visa so amusing in comparison to the UK - here it was pretty much a first come, first serve basis, and of course also depending on who had their money at hand! I was even more amused when they issued me the wrong visa (they had a couple of people to process, so I'm guessing they muddled up the forms/passports) so I'm now-according to my visa- a 37 year old male, called Christian Benedicte. haha nice one!

After a long flight, happy to have finally arrived!

Big hugs from Anja, enough to make up for our 3 years apart!
The Lotterings are an amazing family. They have such a relaxed way of life, and are peaceful people to be around. They have been so welcoming and loving. 15 yr old Anja is happy to finally have a 'big sister' - being wedged in the middle of two brothers, I don't blame her! Half my time so far has been spent with the family. Mona Liza (my aunt) has taken me around some of the town areas/dirt roads, and shown me their only shopping centre, I also went to see the kids school this morning and I joined in with assembly. The other half of my time has been spent mostly chillaxing; swimming, reading books, going to the beach, taking the kayak out, and snoozing! I also took a look at my yachtmaster and maths stuff today, I'll need to pick it up again at some point...

We're off to the Yacht club this evening, and will be taking the (catamaran) yacht out for the weekend. Should be fun. I like the idea of sailing in a bikini, and swimming off the boat, more my kind of idea of leisure =P

A very warm welcome from Delarey, the dog

Adjusting to the culture is overwhelming at times, I'm not used to having people in my face, and being served left, right and centre (they have a gardener, cook, maid/housekeeper, driver, and gate opener/guard) I don't exactly have to lift a finger! Its a peace loving culture, and far more safe than in South Africa. I didn't realise that I'd be allowed to do things like go for walks on my own and go to the beach on my own...

Kibo Avenue: The Lottering's street, with the beach at the end!

At the moment I'm just focusing on settling in. Due to the fact that we're 3 hours ahead of you guys, I'm a little bit on the jetlagged side of things. Last night I couldn't get to sleep until 1pm, but still woke up at 7am this morning.. anyway, once all the adjustments have been made, I'll look at getting my scuba diving qualification, getting some sailing/kayaking in, work out which orphanages I'll be at, and of course head down to the riding club or Mufundi lodge/trekking centre.

Family time: we helped Joah dress up for a competition at school

Anyway, enough nattering, I must head off to my busy schedule of reading a book outside...For those of you in England, I'll think of you all putting your heating up, as we get the temperature DOWN to 25c (the magic of air conditioners) so that we can sleep tonight!

Kerrin x

Dear Friends and Family

Many of you are now aware that I'll be spending some time in Tanzania, from the 2nd of March until the beginning of June. Preparations have gone well so far; I've received my vaccination boosters, sorted flights and travel insurance, and found wonderful homes for both my horses. At the end of last year, I sold Wazzy to a lovely family where he will continue to get to know the world with 15 year old Paige. I have since been down a couple of times, and Waz seems well and happy! The money from selling Wazzy will fund most of my trip to Tanzania. Those of you who know the history with my other horse, Blaine, will understand that I was wary about selling him. Yet I was well aware that I couldn't leave my mum and sisters with their three ponies AND Blaine, so I started looking for someone to loan Blaine for the period that I will be away. I have been amazed to see God's hand at work with both my horses, and the first loanee I came across turned out to be the right person for Blaine. Tracey is very caring and understanding, and one couldn't ask for a better loaner. I was sad to say good bye to him last weekend, I realize that it is the end of a season in my life, and Blaine was a very obvious part of that season - but letting go is just as important as taking hold.

Its the end of a beautiful season, and Blaine has been the most obvious part of that season!

Now that most of the adminy side of travelling is out of the way, I can focus on planning my time over there, and it is all looking incredibly exciting! I'll be using the Lottering's (my mum's cousin and co.) home as a base, and will be involved with their family and participating with their way of life when I'm around. The Lottering's own a beautiful yacht, and I'm hoping that we'll get a fair amount of sailing, scuba diving, and other watersports done. For the rest of the time, I will be doing some voluntary work with various orphanages and mission projects, exploring the country (yes, now that I'm 'English' I think I can justify doing the 'tourist thing' and go on safari, get sunburnt, and wear caps =P) and hopefully get involved with the horsey world out there. My aunt has found a riding club in Dar Es Salaam (the city the Lottering's-and I will-live in) so I'm hoping I can get some riding done as well. If I ever find a moment when I'm not busy (ha!) I'm sure I'll just enjoy the sunshine and chillaxing. I will be continuing with my Yachtmaster theory, and I'll have a Maths exam when I get back in June, so I guess I'll also have my head in the books from time to time...

On a deeper level, I am very much aware that it is the end of a season, and the beginning of a new one. Our family has been in the UK for five years now, and although adjusting to the country has been a precious time, and I have gained many different life skills, it has had its challenges. Where in order to survive, I had to chuck a lot of extras, and focus mainly on family, I feel that I can now pick up more of a personal focus. It is now time to spread my wings, to find the individual that my parents have raised me to be. I am beginning to rely on the foundations that I have been raised with, and put various skills and attitudes to use. Its scary because I didn't see this season coming as quickly as it has, but its also a very exciting time of life! Over the past couple of years, I have developed skills in the area of responsibility, management, and self-development. I would like to find a fresh passion and zeal for life, to learn to be carefree, and to find the humour. I'd generally like to continue living life to the maximum! To be the best me that I can be, and to enjoy life in all its scope!

At this stage, I am not thinking beyond Tanzania, but I will need to look at having a bit more of a career focus when I get back. The most obvious is to continue with my Parelli Natural Horsemanship training, but there are other equally exciting opportunities such as University, continuing to travel, focusing on another aspect of the equestrian world (such as racing school) or even a sailing career. I will have time to consider my options over in Tanzania, so prayers in this direction would be appreciated.

Lastly, I'd love to keep in touch with you all, and for those of you that are in the UK, we'll definately have to see each other in the British Summer! There has been talk of cycling across the Lake District with a bunch of people; let me know if you'd be interested in participating. For the rest of you-England is the place to be in the summer, come visit us! I'll probably be keeping a blog in Tanzania, so if you'd like to stay updated with my life, please drop me an email at 'kerrintothemax@googlemail.com' and I'll add you to my mailing list (don't I sound posh?). I'll also have a prayer requests list, if you'd like to be added to that, let me know.

Your support in the form of prayers, positive thoughts, and emails would be greatly appreciated! I will also be giving a material/financial gift to one (not sure which one at this stage, will let you know!) of the orphanages/missions/organizations I'll be volunteering with, if you'd like to contribute to this, let me know. Whilst material possessions would be appreciated, I have limited luggage space, so a financial contribution would be better.

Take care guys, keep living it to the max, you've only got one life :)

Kerrin