Tag Archives: south africa

Movie Moments

1 Comment

Movie Moments

nashvill

I’ve seen it in films before; the nostalgic head turn, looking back at the skyline of a city full of memories, trials, celebrations, and love in your rear view mirror. It wasn’t until today that I experienced the overflow of emotions that dwell in the vehicle as you drive away from a place you’ve called home.

John Piper said, “When you give up the sense of at-homeness you had in your house, you get back one hundred times the comfort and security knowing the Lord owns every home.”

In the previous 5 days, I graduated from my dream college, held my grandmothers hand during her last breaths, and have immersed myself in a community of people that have showered me with God’s love. These moments are invaluable to me for eternity.

As I walk into the mission field, at the center of God’s will for my life, I will be the first to confess that the glamorized image of dreams coming true isn’t as picturesque as the movie trailer life in which we selectively display our supreme moments in. Dreams coming to life are accompanied by the price of spiritual warfare and tests that I have never encountered at such intensity before.

A dear friend of mine shared this convicting T.S. Eliot quote with me before leaving my beloved Nashville:

Because I know that time is always time

And place is always and only place

And what is actual is actual only for one time

And only for one place

I rejoice that things are as they are and

I renounce the blessed face

And renounce the voice

Because I cannot hope to turn again

Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something

Upon which to rejoice

I can only hope to walk through the next 6 months in Africa with such faith and humility. I trust that God is going to give me “movie moments.” Vision is the lens that interprets the events of our life, the way we view people and our concept of God. I trust that I am going to witness things that are meant for my eyes to see to deliver stories to others through the lens of God’s vision.

I cannot fathom my gratefulness to be a Lumos Travel Scholarship recipient. This is an honor and privilege that I have dreamt of since the beginning of my college career and it is surreal that this vision has become a reality.

I am so looking forward to the opportunity to put into practice everything I learned in the Social Entrepreneurship program at Belmont University as I work as a Marketing Intern at Joint Aid Management. This is an organization that I have been passionate about for many years with a community of people that I have so much respect for.

Endless love,

Morgan Fisher

“The level of sacrifice that an environment requires will determine the size of people that will follow” -Kris Vallotton

From Here to Anywhere: Jen’s Lumos Journey

2 Comments

“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

5XV32RK0WU (1)

My name is Jeanette Morelan, and in just nine days, I will be leaving my home in Wisconsin and traveling to Port Elizabeth, South Africa. As I sit here and write these words, even now, I still don’t believe it. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was sitting in a classroom with my Social Entrepreneurship advisor and hearing about the Lumos Award, a way for students to bring their light to places all around the world while at the same time illuminating things within themselves through their once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I was skeptical that I would ever be accepted to the program, but on that day in November, a spark was lit.

It’s amazing what a little bit of faith can do.

My dream of learning more about community development and myself through an experience abroad was made reality thanks to my Lumos Award. And now, with flights booked, bags not-quite packed, and an adventure ahead, my heart is filled with nothing but gratefulness.

During my time in Port Elizabeth, I will be working with United Through Sport, a partner of Frontier, my original travel organization. Not only will I be assisting in providing disadvantaged communities with support and assistance, from education to physical resources, I will also be learning first-hand about the importance of empowerment as a solution to social issues. As an aspiring social entrepreneur, my life’s passion is to help address social issues by empowering individuals both economically and spiritually.

I believe that the two greatest resources in solving this world’s problems are our innate desire to feel purposeful and our innate desire to help others find their purpose. When we connect both, we create real, lasting change.

In a world that is rocked by seemingly insurmountable economic, political, and social issues, it can be easy to simply want to curse the darkness: to give up, avert our gaze, and simply turn the other way.

But I believe there’s another way. Be the light.

Through the experiences I’ve had at Belmont and now with the physical support of the Lumos Award, I am hoping to not only shine a light in the darkness, but to help spark a movement—first, within myself, then, to all those who are impacted and will hear about my experience, and then...who knows? I’m ready to find out.

Stay tuned with more pre-travel updates and follow my experience on social media with the hashtag #JensLumosJourney.

Let’s go light a candle.