Take a seat, let me tell you a story about Abbas’ sweet faithfulness. He is GOOD!! Like really good! It all began around this time 5 years ago. I was in the 8th grade. As you probably experienced, middle school is a rough time. It wasn’t any different for me. I was always picking a fight with my parents. I was figuring out who I was and what I believed to be the truth. I fortunately grew up in a home that lived out their faith. I felt convictions early on in life. When everyone else was cussing, I chose not to. When everyone else was starting to go to parties, I chose not to. Because of this I didn’t have many friends, and that was rough. I would get called the “goody goody”. I just felt super alone, like no one understood that there was more to life. On top of all this, I decided to be homeschooled.
In the middle of the school year my church started advertising their yearly summer missions trip to Haiti. I asked my dad if we could go, and my dad being a missionary kid himself said, “of course”! Turns out my dad’s summer was gonna be a little busier than expected, and he wasn’t sure if it was possible for him to go. So I signed up to go by myself. Little fearless 13 year old Sydney.
So, I anticipated going to Haiti for the next six months. The team that was all going would meet monthly so we could get to know each other better, and go over logistical things. The person closest in age to me was 19, and everyone else was in their 20s and 30s. I also only knew one single person. But, something in me just knew I was supposed to go.
On June 8th we headed out at 3am to fly to Haiti. I remember having the row to myself and looking out at the carribean ocean the whole way there. I wrote in my journal all the things I was feeling. I remember the exact moment the plane hit the runway and I immediately felt at home.
Picture from my first flight to Haiti:
We were working with an organization called Mission of Hope. Their main vision is to come alongside local pastors and partner with them in serving surrounding villages. We had 5 days of ministry while there. Our time was spent giving out water filters, painting houses, and loving on kiddos. I met this one specific girl that stole my little heart. We immediately connected and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel so alone. She showed me the kind of love Jesus freely gives. There was one night that I sat on the rooftop deck at the base, and I vividly remember physically feeling the presence of God, it was a peace that’s unexplainable. I heard the Lord tell me that Haiti was going to be a part of my life in some way. So that was the moment I fell in love. I fell in love with my creator. I started to realize my worth. I fell in love with the plans He had for me. I fell in love with the beautiful people in Haiti. There was no turning back from this kind of love.
Pictures from my first time in Haiti:
The next year I went back to Haiti. This time a few of my friends came along. Once again I fell more in love. Then the next year I signed up to go again. Unfortunately a week before leaving for the trip we found out it was too unsafe to fly into, due to political riots happening around the airport. I’m sure you can guess by now, but once again I signed up the next year. But, again Haiti was too unsafe to fly into, so they switched us over to the Dominican Republic.
By this time I was 16, turning 17 the week of the trip. I had fallen in love with missions. My dream was to do full time missions one day. I had the plan of one day doing a summer internship with Mission of Hope to get me closer to that dream. I was nervous that this was a plan I had made for myself, and not the path the Lord had for me. It was while i was in the DR that the Father assured me that he had given my heart this desire. So I ran with it. Two weeks after the trip I found out about the World Race and applied that same night.
Here I am 19 months later sitting at a coffee shop in Costa Rica. Thirteen year old Sydney would have never dreamt this for herself, but I’m so glad sweet Abba did. He is good! He takes our dreams and makes them even bigger. He is a WAYMAKER!! The race is everything I didn’t know I needed. I get to live in a community with people my age who are eager to share the name of Jesus. I get to live out my dream of being a missionary. I get to partner with crazy amazing ministries. I get to grow even further in intimacy with my heavenly Father. So thank you Mom and Dad for stepping out in faith and letting your 13 year old daughter go overseas without you. You planted a seed in my heart that’s been growing since.
Some moments from the World Race:
The craziest part of this whole story is the Father made my dreams come full circle. But, I’ll share that part in a blog post soon! Be on the lookout! 😉
Yours Truly,
Sydney Spears <3
P.s. here’s a video I made after going to Haiti the second time if ya wanna check it out!!
Your parents are so PROUD of you Sydney Amelia! We love reading your posts! You are so loved by Our Father in Heaven and by your earthly parents as well! So good to hear your voice today!
Love from Dad
Syd,
WOW!!! Look how amazing God is. As I read your blog, tears of course came streaming down my cheeks. To watch and see how my little girl is being called at a young age to share Jesus with the world, and that you are walking in your call. Yes, as your dad said above, we are PROUD of you and the boldness and strength it takes to do what you are doing. Just know you are NEVER alone because first of all Abba Father is ALWAYS there protecting and ready to love on you. Second, WE (your family) are only a few hours and a plane ride away to love on you as well. We miss you dearly, but rejoice that we will see you soon and get to hear all the amazing stories of how you witnessed first hand the miracles of God. Love you to the moon and back.
Love,
mom ( Mama K) (Grammie)
Brings back a memory from a friend of mine whos daughter decided to go on a mission trip at a young age. Such a sweet moment between a Dad and daughter, he wrote a song called Master of the Wind (Kacie’s Song), I’ll have, to put it in my bag for DR debrief. So many analogies about wind, the Lord and the circular courses. Loved it, thanks for the share.