africa mission trip_0163

Mission Trip To Africa || Changed Forever || Humanitarian Photographer

UPDATE: TONYA DAMRON PHOTOGRAPHY was formally YOUR REFLECTIONS

A few years ago I had an opportunity to go to Zimbabwe, Africa with The Christian Hospitality Network. During this trip, we served hundreds of missionaries at a five-star resort for four days. During this stay, they received free services such as hand/foot massages, financial/personal counseling, doctor/chiropractic care among several other professional services. This was my first trip with CHN, so I didn’t really know what to expect but I was excited to dive into this new adventure of serving those who give their lives to the ministry.

The week was one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve ever had. There were so many significant things that happen during those ten days that I can not even begin to describe. The photos below are from my few days off of serving the missionaries when I left the hotel to venture into one of the communities the missionaries served.

What Happen Next

While on my adventure I went to the open-air market where I met some of the nicest people. The ladies in the first photograph gave me some fresh fruit, which was an amazing thing to know they were giving me something that they were selling to feed their family. There’s also a photo of a lady holding a baby below, his name is Nathan. His family tried to give him to me. Yes, you hear right, they did not know me but was willing to give me their child in hopes he’d have a better life in America. I was speechless. How do you answer a mother who is begging you to take her child? This was a life-changing movement for me. Something I’ll never forget.

Africa was beautiful! The safari was something that was a photographers dream! I still can not believe all the wildlife I got to see and how close we were to them. Flying over Victoria Falls in a helicopter was an experience of a lifetime as well as meeting all the local people.

Africa for sure has my heart! I was so honored to get to go into a local community to see who the missionaries actually served. I’m am so thankful for the missionaries that give up everything to love untouched communities and serve them.

I’m so thankful I had this opportunity of a lifetime to see the other side of the world and be able to have more of an understanding of God’s love for humanity. I would have never thought I would be able to serve on the on a mission trip to Africa as a humanitarian photographer, but I’m so happy God opened up doors for me to go.

OXOXO

Tonya

More mission trip photos here

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Yap thats me riding an elephant!

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