June is 2 months away. That means it will have been a year since my time in Africa. Is that right? Where the heck did time go?
I have to start this post by first apologizing to everyone who has been patiently waiting for me to talk about my time in Africa. To everyone who sent me support money and helped my trip become a reality…there will never be enough words to thank you for what you did. Not only are these blog posts about my time in Africa for me, they are for every single person who contributed their love when I needed it most. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
So you’re probably wondering…why the heck did it take me this long to start blogging about my trip right? Well I’ve actually wondered the same thing. When I first returned from Africa I was feeling almost every emotion possible. I was happy to be home, but I was so sad and heartbroken inside knowing what I had left behind in Africa. I went through stages of feeling very depressed and angry…to feeling overwhelmed with joy from the experience God allowed me to have. With all the emotions flying around, I couldn’t even look at my images at first. It made me too sad so I gave myself some time…I let the images sit, untouched. This was a very unusual thing from me because usually after I shoot, I run home and edit all the images right away! After time went by, wedding season hit me right in the face and I was up to my head in editing wedding photos…which sadly resulted in the Africa photos sitting on the back burner. Something I am not very proud of or happy about. But that was then, this is now…and now I’m ready to share my experience. I am so so thankful for every minute I had in Africa…if I could have stayed longer, I would have. The people I got to meet, the lives I got to touch, the kids I got to hold…I will always be so thankful for those times.
Yesterday I wrote a question on my Business Facebook Page asking, “What would you guys like to see on the blog next?” The majority of everyone’s answers were: AFRICA. So I began prepping a blog post just like I do any other blog post. And then it all came back…I began to feel all the emotions I had felt when I first came back from Africa. This may seem like just a regular ol’ blog post filled with images from my time there…but to me, it is SO much more…
Every single one of these images has a story behind it.
A story that means so much to ME.
Hope you enjoy.
xoxo.
This image means so mean to me. This was the first time arriving to the Hope House where the kids were waiting for us to arrive.
These two little guys means the world to me. I miss them so much.
My little soccer team. We were pretty awesome.
I thought I would end the post with these two photos. The two little boys who I simply fell in love with.
I know these posts have nothing to do with weddings…and I’m okay with that. My blog is, yes, a place where I show the wedding work I do…but it is also a place where I get to share a little bit of my life. I hope you are all okay with me sharing my trip to Africa…this is only part one…and there are more to come. Stay tuned.
xoxo.
Wow. These are incredible. I love those smiles. 🙂
Wow Tonhya, these are incredible images. I’m so glad you had the opportunity to take that trip, it looks like it was truly life changing.
And I cried. Finally this is here. You have a smile that is unique to these photos, to your family in Africa, and I love seeing it. So proud of you. Love seeing these faces that I’ve heard stories about.
oh man, what beautiful children
I saw this link show up on my Facebook newsfeed, and I immediately came over to see the images. I traveled to Thailand in January of 2011 and felt much the same as you described after you returned home. Such heart wrenching, beauty in trips like these. These photos are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Oh my gosh. My favorite is the picture of the kids in the school desks and all the natural light pouring through….swooning…you are amazing and have such a beautiful and loving heart that i simply admire.
Love the photos Tonhya! It is so refreshing to see! I don’t think anyone will mind they are not wedding photos, it all boils down to the same thing anyway…it’s all about capturing the HEART – how we love & live life to connect with others & build relationships!! Makes me miss & also remember my time in Africa last year as well. Thank you for that & sharing your experience with us – can’t wait to see part 2 =)
These photos explain life in Africa to a T. I have traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa before I even began photography. You really captured everything about the people and the struggles that these young kids go through on a daily basis. It really does put many things into perspective when you take a walk in there footsteps.
i still cant believe you went. i remember you talking about the opp driving down somewhere on 99. I’m so proud of you – not to mention these images are incredible. the color is unreal. those 4 portraits in a 4 squares of those boys are awesome.
Amazing! Worth the wait
Brought me to tears. So much emotion and passion felt behind all your photos. Love them all. Thank you so much for sharing your heart!
These are so beautiful. In every way.
these are really beautiful, tonhya! i feel like i was there with you. what an amazing experience this must have been. can’t wait to see the rest!
So so so amazing – these images provoke emotions and that is the best possible thing ever. Thank you for sharing a part of this trip and God’s grace. Also, thanks for turning me on to Envision Culture – without you I wouldn’t be headed out of the country in a few weeks! FOR REALS!!
Can’t wait to see more from the trip as the posts reveal themselves.
My second time today looking through these… So much heart and soul. Thanks for sharing, T. 🙂
LOVE.
My heart is pierced by those big eyes.. : ) Glad you shared!
Thank you thank you thank you. These are so happy and beautiful. I’m so happy you went to Africa. And that you have this amazing talent and ability to share the story of these beautiful people. You’re amazing. xo
Which country in Africa did you visit? Africa is so big, with so many countries…… I notice it is a French speaking country, so perhaps one of the West African countries? Will you be visiting the other countries in Africa? Or just this one country?
thank you for sharing! 🙂
A very gifted young lady in many ways!
A very gifted young lady in many ways. very proud of you.
Tonhya, I LOOOOVE seeing your Africa photos…. they make me SOOO happy that you had the opportunity to travel over there and experience all this! Please don’t ever apologize for sharing such an amazing adventure with us, we love it, and you!! Keep on keeping on!
[…] June of 2011 my friend Tonhya traveled to Africa on her own photography mission trip, serving local hospitals and the like. […]