When I committed to the World Race my biggest fear and worry was not knowing anyone and spending 24/7 for an entire year with the same group of people. That's a little overwhelming, don't you think?
Would I like them? Would we get along? What If they didn't think I was funny? Would they like my sarcastic and weird sense of humor? What if I didn't connect with any of them? What if they didn't except me liberal and carefree life style? What if I was not Christian enough for them, or as good of a Christian as them?
But then God calmed my fears just like he promises……..
Just a little over a month ago, I was laying on the couch one afternoon after a long day of classes and watching TV. I was just about to fall asleep for my daily afternoon nap when my phone alerted me that I had a message on Facebook . I checked it, and it was a girl from my World Race Facebook group just wanting to say hello and say how excited she was to go on the trip!
I was INSTANTLY comforted, and literally within minutes we were sharing everything about each other. This girl was a complete stranger, but for some reason we felt comfortable and confident in telling our deep brokenness and our shameful truths.
She had the same weird sense of humor as me. She had brokenness from her past, just like me. She didn't like to shower daily, just like me. She viewed Jesus in the same light as me. She got me, without me having to defend or explain myself.
Days went by after first talking and we made jokes about being so attached to our phones just so we could talk…… just like a couple who is newly dating. We texted non stop….. she called me after a long day at work, I'd call her after a long day of classes. We encouraged each other, we made fun of each other, and covered every single topic in just one week. That's what best friends do, right?
At the end of the first week, we were on the phone one night when we were determined she would come visit me here at school. The next day she bought a plane ticket. Weird? yep. Scary? nope. God was COMPLETELY orchestrating this friendship. It was the most natural feeling. It was real.
This past weekend she came and visited. When I picked her up at the airport I felt like I was reunited with a long lost sister, even though we had never met!!! You can bet we tackled each other when we finally locked eyes. FINALLY together! (As I'm writing this I'm laughing because I feel like I'm describing the love of my life or the handsome man I've been waiting for. I promise it's not like that people! 😉 )
She bonded with my best friends. She found comfort. She found new friends in my friends that she will keep forever. We laughed a lot, we cried like babies when she left, we ate ice cream, had campfires, camped out in the backyard, talked about weird things, watched movies, had a few beers at our local bar, walked around the town, went to church, and did normal things, that normal friends do. I felt like I've known this girl my whole life….. and it had been one month! We had a blast. 
We experienced moments of having the same clothes, choosing the SAME EXACT song to listen to at the same time, and finishing each others sentences.
We even went shopping for World Race Gear and tested out the tents and sleeping bags…. which turned into an hour of laying in the middle of the store.
She bonded with my best friends…… and our dog!
Her name is Rebecca, but I call her Neffy. Shes my new partner in Crime, twin, cheerleader, and best friend that I'll soon get to travel the world with. What a blessing.
I'd like to think that this friendship is something only God can do. I'd like to think that only God can take two girls that live in Iowa and Ohio, place them in the same World Race Squad, lead them to start talking, and one week later urge them buy a plane ticket to start investing in a friendship that would last forever. I know that this girl is proof that God is real. Not only has she overcome brokenness and obstacles in her life that many will never experience, but she has rised from the ashes and gives every day of her life to Jesus. This friendship is proof that God is real……
Because only God can do that……..
Neffy, I love you girl. Always always will. Can't wait to reunited with you in just two short months!
