CMA HeartBeat May 2021 | Page 7

By ARILDO Carvalho

GOD ' S PLANS can make our own

We started 2020 full of plans , busy schedules , tours , visits ... perfect planning ! Perfect ? Perfect only in our eyes and heart because God had other plans .

The first case of Covid-19 was announced in February , and in March , we were in the middle of a pandemic , with a lockdown in Brazil , and it was like that during the year . With that , our planning was not carried out .

Sad , disappointed , but remembering to carry out our planning , we prayed : " Lord , we make our plans , we ask for Your blessing , and that our plans are Your plans for our ministry in Brazil ,” so we understand that this is the Lord ' s plan for us .

Looking at our year , we can see God ' s care for our team , protecting us , and giving opportunities to talk about His love for people in the few tours we could take and in the actions we did helping people in situations of social vulnerability .

This care was very great because even during the pandemic , God added new members to strengthen our team and gave us the joy of seeing new brothers come to Christ and start a new relationship with God . This was like an injection of cheer for all of us .

We understand that we must plan , but always leave our plans in the hands of our great God , who gives us everything at the right time and in everything and every situation to give thanks to our Heavenly Father . As we read in 1 Thessalonians 5:17- 18 ( NLT ), “ Never stop praying . Be thankful in all circumstances , for this is God ’ s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus .” CMA

Arildo Carvalho serves as President of CMA Brazil .

07⎪May 2021⎪www . cmausa . org