thoughts about it had crossed my mind several times before i made my way to the Adventures in Missions base in Gainesville, Georgia. the question begged to be asked: how does this whole world race thing play out for a Black girl like me?
it’s not often that someone that looks like me does something like this. i am one of just two Black girls on my team of 40, so naturally, i had thought and prayed and thought some more about what it would be like for weeks beforehand. but i just couldn’t image the reality of the whole thing until we arrived. i was fully prepared for this to be a glimpse into the most difficult season of my life, in a way that would only be difficult for me.
boot camp was complete the opposite :))
i have never felt so comfortable in such a short amount of time, so called to such a time as this, so confident in what the Lord has done and what He’s doing and what He’s going to do. with each encounter, my Abba met me with the sweet reminder that diversity was always His design. this is exactly where i’m supposed to be.
every day at boot camp was my favorite day of all time! each moment was better than the last!
as wild as it is for me to say, i can’t wait to make Georgia my home in two short months! i can’t wait to savor the early mornings in my tent, afternoon bucket showers in the sunshine, and evenings spent around the dinner table with good, good people. so many have asked me which country i’m looking forward to going to most, and now i can confidently say that i am most excited for my time in the States. after seeing what sweet Jesus can do in just four short days, i am fully prepared to blown away by the month that i’ll spend there. sweet Jesus is my Good Shepherd; i don’t need a thing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures & He leads me beside still waters & He restores my soul & He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. & even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death [and into daddy long legs that like to make their way onto my tent at night], i will fear no darkness [or spiders]. fear will never conquer me, for He already has! i dwell secure in the love of my Shepherd; He is my peace. He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies & anoints my head with oil; my cup overflows.
goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life, and to the ends of the earth! in the US & in Guatemala & in Cambodia & in Eswatini! i dwell in the house of the Lord forever, just as He dwells in me!
although boot camp is unlike anything i’ve ever experienced, i have never felt more at home. to Him who is able to do far more than we can ask or think, according to His work in us, to Him be the glory & power & honor & praise forever and ever!
after four short and sweet days, i’m so expectant for the nine months to come. thank you for being a part of what God is doing in me, for praying, for giving, for subscribing, for standing by my side along the way. i appreciate you so much more than you know. i’m halfway funded and believing to be fully funded before i leave in september! if you’d like to give, you can click the donate button at the top of this page, or reach out to me for my venmo/cashapp info!
immeasurably, exceedingly, and abundantly more to come. mom and dad, it was never a phase… you just raised a missionary 🙂
**to the future minority racer that might feel a little anomalous, to the minority believer that gets to be a part of remnant of reconciliation that is on it’s way: your difference is not a disadvantage. because diversity was always His design! you are a beautiful and worthy part of this body called the Church, and the unity that you bring matters. the Spirit of the Lord is upon you too. you too are anointed to bring good news to the poor, heal the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to all prisoners; you too are called to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor as His righteousness and praise spring up before all nations!
k love u bye ;)**
FULL. BODY. CHILLS. sydney this was amazing and I am so encouraged by the way that you lift others up with your spirit of boldness and confidence in the Lord. I LOVE YOU and I can’t wait for the best month EVER starting September 11th!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes! Yes! Yes! It is amazing! YOU, Sydney, are amazing! And although it occasionally gives me pause to think about sending my Sydney Bean all the way across the world, it is for His mission, His Glory, and I am continually comforted in the fact that He has given His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways. I am so excited about what He’s doing in you and through you. We love you so!
So loved meeting you at boot camp and so anticipating seeing the amazing things The Father is going to do in your life.
My gurlll…it was NEVER a phase. You always felt called and indeed you have been. What a brave and wonderful gurl you are. May you fulfill every single assignment He has for you in Guatemala, Cambodia, Eswatini and forever!
God has put so much wisdom, kindness, beauty and basically everything good in you Sydney Bean. It’s so sweet that He’s giving you this opportunity to share His light and love with the world. You were created for such a time as this-to be an earth shaker & world changer…and I can’t wait to hear the amazing stories and testimonies you’ll have to share when you come home! It’s going to be life changing. Love you so much and don’t even get me started on how proud I am of you! ??
SYD!!!!! MY GIRL!!! the truth in this!!! I’m literally blown away by your wisdom and relationship with the Lord. You encourage me every day and I’m so so thankful God led you to the world race and even more so on H squad. I love you so so much and I can’t wait to grow beside you and learn more from you.
You are a true BORN leader and I love how you never let anything STOP you from doing wonderful things for God. I also agree with you…God has you exactly where HE wants you. He’s going to use you in MIGHTY ways for this beautiful community of believers and beyond!!!
Tell your parents THANK YOU for raising an amazing young woman for Christ and allowing us to be a part of your LIFE for the next nine months…I love you…
Chills! Sydney, the way you weave scripture into your thoughts, your writing, your beautiful words takes my breath and ushers me right into the Presence of the Lord just by reading. Your words are powerful because the God you serve is the Almighty, the Sovereign One, the Only True God. Yes and amen! Keep your nose in His Word, your eyes fixed on Him alone.
I’ll see you in just a few short weeks at launch where it will be my honor to pray over you and see this amazing squad continue your journey together for Kingdom purposes, in the strength of the Lord!