Spirit Move.

Bonjour friends!

I am sure as you read posts from different students you realize that the Spirit is on the move. He is wrecking our worlds, and magnifying His glory and the beauty of His grace at work in us. This sanctifying process has been very tangible in my life as I have been here in Paris. God has humbled me and continues to do this day-by-day and moment-by-moment. One of the biggest desires I had coming into Project this summer was that I would learn what it means to walk by the Spirit. While I would have loved a list of steps to follow to become dependent upon the Holy Spirit that would actually contradict the heart of a life following the Spirit. Instead God has removed the places, ways, and strengths I seek to find confidence beside Him to show me that He is my Strength, Friend, Lover, Creator, Voice [literally, as I lost mine from sickness], the list goes on & on… It is a hard but beautiful thing to learn that I am not needed in this work God is doing but that He gives me the opportunity to be a broken vessel redeemed only through Him.

To share with you some specific examples of how God is clearly in control and at work here in Paris I want to share with you a little bit about someone who has become very, very special to me. About a week and a half ago Rhyan & I met a Japanese student, Yukiyo, who has been living in France for about 4 years during her university studies. Even meeting her was clearly God’s doing—we were talking to a girl named Tracy at lunch that day when Yukiyo, Tracy’s classmate, came up and joined us. We talked with both of them about their backgrounds, their lives, their beliefs, what we believe about God, and how our lives have been transformed by Him. I could go on and on about our conversations, but I will just say that from that day till now Rhyan, myself, and others on the team have gotten to spend time with Yukiyo almost every day since we met this incredible woman. We have dug into many, many great questions about God, Jesus, theology, why we can trust scripture, etc. that Yukiyo has had. We have dug into John 1 (or “Jean” in French) with her. We have brought her to French church with us twice, and even got to eat lunch with an incredible Japanese woman from the church.

My friend, Yukiyo, has not made a decision to trust Christ and is very honest to say that she is not sure she believes, but I can see God tearing down walls and opening her eyes to see Him for who He is more & more with each conversation we have. On Saturday we invited our friends to come hang out at the park for a picnic in the afternoon, as we do each week, and at this picnic that the Holy Spirit once again moved. I went into this picnic regretting leaving bed, voiceless from the cold I have, and without expectations for anything significant. As soon as I sat down next to Yukiyo I could speak, and we had a great time talking and enjoying the beautiful day. I hadn’t made any intentional effort to make the conversation spiritual when Yukiyo—looking at a tiny white wildflower in her hand—says something I was not prepared for. She told me that as she looks at the variety in plants, trees, and people she thinks that there must be a God who created all these things. WOW. A girl who didn’t believe in any god two weeks ago is now exploring who this “God” may be, asking questions, reading the Bible, and meeting up with these crazy American Christians again & again.

Please, please, please pray for my friend, Yukiyo. I care for her deeply and I know that God loves even more deeply & fully. Pray that she would continue to explore who God is, and that she would respond and give all that she is to the only One who is completely trustworthy. Also, as we are only able to be here with her for about a week longer pray that she stays connected to Christian community her in Paris. 

Thanks to all of you for your love, support, & prayers! You guys mean so much to us.

 Grace & Peace,

Ariel Currieo