Ariane

Sometimes you think you've figured someone out, and then they surprise you. I have much to learn from this one, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to know her. More so, I'm thankful that as God would have it, we have been able to hang out even more than I thought possible considering she lives over 500 km away.

Ariane is desperate for Jesus. She is consistent with reading the Word every morning, and she has a journal filled with prayers and lists and reminders of all the things God has done for her or shown her.

When she asks you questions, it's because she genuinely wants to know the answer. If someone interrupts the conversation, she lightly grabs your arm, "Can we finish this later?" she asks. "I really want to know."

She strives to know Spanish well. Instead of sitting with her fellow Germans in the group, you will always see Ari leaning over and beginning conversations with the Argentinians. She doesn't falter although her Spanish is lacking, for she sees every opportunity as one to get better. Or even more, every opportunity as one to share Christ.

She is sensitive to a fault. Sometimes she is too preoccupied about how someone feels that it makes her worry how she is perceived. But of all the faults to have, I suppose this is better than others.

Any way, I like Ari a lot. It's amazing the way God puts people in your lives that even if they live half a world away (she returns to Germany in August), He knows what He's doing.