“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
Isaiah 43: 1-4
Once upon a time, back when my vague memories of my dreams of the luscious green of Ireland were still relevant, the knowledge of Serbia that I possessed was inferior to all. Beyond how to spell it correctly and that I had heard its name before a couple of times, I had no fact to spout out about it. Nothing. And since I knew nothing beyond its existence, there was no way for me to know that it was where the importance of me being on the race would be confirmed. Because it was there, in the little town of Pozarevac, Serbia that God revealed this. Because it was there where I met Milly.
Fifteen-year-old Miljana Dimitrijevic—my twin, my mini-me—was the mirror image of me at age thirteen, only exceptionally cooler. Milly was the youngest daughter of our contact, Lydia, that we would be working with for the month. And upon meeting her, as I immediately noticed her amazing taste in shoes and that she was one of the coolest human beings I had ever met, I knew I had to make her my friend. You know those people you just immediately know you want to be your best friend? Yep, she was one of them. I immediately was drawn to her and made this task my goal for the month. And as she joined me on my forty-five minute task of hunting down a bottle of coke zero one day, I realized that I may just have a chance.
There is no doubt in my mind that Milly is the reason God brought me to Serbia- not even the tiniest one. I am fully confident in that. Even though it took a lot longer than it should have and a blatant comment about her relationship with her dad in a park one day to realize it. A comment composed of words that I vividly remember mumbling numerous times in regard to my relationship with my own dad all too well. But it only took this one comment. And as we left the park that day, I followed the strong feeling that was placed on my heart and told her that I understood where she was coming from more than she could imagine and would love to talk to her about all of it.
And luckily, she quickly complied.
The next day we spent many hours just walking around alone and talking. I told her my testimony, everything about my dad, and every way I felt. And thankfully, she opened up in return. So much so that when saying our goodbyes, she admitted that it was the most she had ever told anyone. And when I told her how Isaiah 43 was the verse that first significantly changed my life, she told me that just days before I arrived, her friend’s father told her that his would be her life verse.
Crazy.
So naturally, we were inseparable ever since. And that was just the way I wanted it. I loved this girl. I really, really loved this girl. And our connection was so apparent by the way both of the way our faces lit up with excitement when we saw each other. And the way she responded when hearing me share my testimony to the church due her understanding all too well. And how one time when I walked into the kitchen, we automatically embraced each other and just cried about having to say goodbye for a good ten minutes. And how when the time for me to leave actually arrived, we stood hugging in front of the bus sobbing until the last minute possible. Our relationship was no doubt a God thing. It was that beautiful.
I first believed that God brought me to Serbia for the sole purpose to minister to Milly. To tell her my story. To be the person to listen to hers. To give her hope and to be an example to her. But the truth is that God really brought me here so Milly could minister to me. To teach me how to be faithful and obedient. To teach me to love myself more and to see how much God loves me. She taught me to be strong. And the importance of being my complete self. And of being selfless and innocent. And that my story has a purpose. She showed me the way others view me through the way I view her. Simply, she really just represented the beauty of how God tends to work when you least expect it. And of his ever-present faithfulness.
So, I pray for Milly. I pray prayers that I wish someone would have known to pray for me so many years ago. I pray that she learns and really believes in her heart that God is her real father. That she feels loved and not insignificant in any circumstance. I pray that she is presented with opportunities that allow all of her dreams to come true. I pray she finds love. Real Godly love. And I pray for anyone who is against her- especially for the sole fact she is a Christian. I pray for her role in her family. I pray that she finds her purpose. Give her an open and willing heart. Let her be strong. And faithful. And never let her doubt. Or believe lies. And please just let her see herself the way God sees her. She is beautiful, so beautiful, please don’t let her forget that.
So Milly, until the day we move to Australia and become roommates and eat pizza with ketchup every day with our dog, know that I am missing you. And I am so proud of you and I believe in you. You changed my life. And I will never forget you. Thank you for the honor of being your friend.
