Walk With Me: Haiti

I could not be more excited to launch Walk With Me,

 a monthly blog series that will be hosted here this year featuring someone else's work, adventures, and heart. 

 I am so honored to start this series off with the photographs and words of a precious young woman I have been privileged to meet and get to know over this past year. 

photo taken by Allie Joel Poteat

Brie Rotelle has beautifully shared not only her photographic memories from her trip to Haiti a month ago, but also her deep love for the people she encountered. 

On that note, I'll hand it over to Brie as she tells you her story. 

*     *     *

     After my college semester ended last December, I hopped on a plane to visit my best friend Courtney in Haiti. She had lived at an orphanage for three months, helping to care for 19 children. I went down to visit her, get a glimpse of her life there, and learn to love the people that she loves. I took lots of pictures, but I have been hesitant to share them because I don't want to do it in the wrong way. The people in these photos are real people, who go through real life, who feel and think real things. I want to make sure that they are shared in respect and dignity for those who I now call my friends. With that being said, I hope that these photos can give you a glimpse of the life I experienced while in Haiti. 

These are the hands of Courtney, my friend, and Rudulph, a 4 year old  boy who constantly looked up at us to hold him. 

I went with Courtney and Ebnod (her good friend) to visit Ebnod's family. It was a 5 hour bus ride, so I got to see a lot of the beautiful country of Haiti!

These two girls are neighbors/cousins to Ebnod that came to hang out with us. I noticed that hospitality in Haiti means let you sit down, give you food, and carry on with life as you chat. 

This is Ebnod, one of the strongest women I have ever met. I really respect her attitude towards people and her determination to, through God's strength, thrive. 

I'm pretty sure that this is conch, which was defiantly out of my comfort zone to eat, but eat it I did! They had been saving this for us... just another example of hospitality and care!

This is Courtney with Ebnod and her mom. 

A glimpse of their friendship. 

This is David, a boy in the orphanage who constantly had a smile. He cares deeply for the others he lives with and shows it through his carful consideration of them in their interactions. He would patiently point and quiz me on my Creole (which consisted of words like mouth, nose, and hello), smiling when I got it right, and waiting when I got it wrong. I love his servant's heart and am so thankful for the chance to get to know him.  

Mishline is the quiet, sweet one of the group. She was the first one to tell me she loved me, a moment I'll treasure forever. This photo was taken by Courtney. 

Richard is the oldest boy, and does as much if not more as the women who work in the orphanage. He is so responsible and cares so deeply for the rest of the kids. His faith is everything to him, which is a beautiful thing to see. 

Taking "crazy" pictures with David, Lidia, and Michael

Courtney says that if Tanya was one of the seven dwarfs, she would be bashful. Her young joy rubs off on everyone around her. 

Wilky, the most gentle boy with the sweetest laugh, drawing. 

All dressed up for the Christmas party at school!

They all were taking silly pictures with Courtney's computer. Laugher was very much a part of this time!

Peterson playing with one of his new toys

Everyone loved the ring-pops we brought them! The perfect combination of candy and toys.

Wilguens, Courtney's friend, with someone from another orphanage. His love for God comes out in everything he does, and his humility, even through all of his accomplishments, is a beautiful picture of God's work in his life. 

This is Stacy, Ebnod's daughter. I think she is SO beautiful!

-Haitian sunset-

New Year, New Ideas

Well, I missed the end of the year blog post - so I'm doing a start of the year blog post. 2014 was absolutely amazing and I am SO excited already for what is coming in 2015. Rachel Lynn Photography has some announcements coming up within the next couple months that I am pretty stoked about, and hope you will be too! 

To start off all the wonderful things, I realized that over the holidays the Facebook page passed 500 likes! Yay everybody! You're all fantastic. So, I would like to offer a free 8x10 print of the photo of your choice - whether it is from a shoot you've had with me in the past or one of the other photos from more artistic shoots that I've done on my blog. Follow the three instructions in the photo above and your name will be entered into a drawing for the photo. The last day to enter is Sunday, January 18th and the winner will be announced on Monday, January 19th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day!  

Enjoy! 

Hoxie Wedding || Zachary & Veronica

A truly magical occasion from beginning to end. 

With their loyal friends and supportive families at their sides, Zach and Veronica embarked on their adventure of life together as husband and wife on this beautiful day. 

Thank you for letting me be a part of documenting this occasion for you! 

May your love continue to grow, and I pray that you treasure the memories of this day as you continue to make more.