A series of events on a recent trip to Brazil reminded me that I am never alone: my Father’s constant care is always with me. Just as I try to protect my children without overprotecting them, God is at work protecting us and helping us find our way home to him.

    On family day with three missionary families in Brazil, we set out in two cars to go to the beach south of town, a little over an hour away. Both cars were new, one brand new. But when we looked back in our rear view mirror, the brand new car was gone. We pulled off the road and waited for ten minutes. Nothing. So we headed back. Sure enough, about 3 or 4 minutes down the road, we found the brand new car with its hood up. We were in the middle of nowhere with no phone and no options.

    After a few minutes passed, a car pulled up. Two Brazilian men stepped out. The short one with the big pot belly carried a cell phone on his hip. He promptly informed us he was an insurance adjuster and would work this out for us. He knew the trailer needed for the car, he knew how to put pressure on the service personnel to get them to hurry, and with the warranty on the car still good, he made sure there would be no charge. After everything was secured, he and his friend left.

    Several hours passed. Then the truck and trailer showed up. On cue, our two Brazilian friends returned just in time to help make sure the car was loaded properly on the trailer. We thanked them. They wanted nothing from us but a smile and an “Obrigado.” We also thanked our Father!

    We joked about God sending a pot bellied Brazilian angel to rescue us. But it was only a joke for a few minutes. We were reminded of our Father's constant care for us. These two men were no accident!

    Yes, we all have times of heartbreak, pain, and disaster. But the questions we often fail to ask are, “How much would it have been without God’s care?” or “How many worse disasters has God saved me from this day?”

    God’s care is so constant we often take it for granted until pot bellied angels show up to remind us that even in the middle of nowhere in Northeastern Brazil, God is still watching over us with his constant care!