Praying at the mall

The electricity went out as I got ready for a meeting this morning.  It has been a while since the power went out, so I was a little surprised.  Today was a gorgeous, sunny day.  But you never know when the power is going to go out in Honduras.

I met with a woman who is selling life and health insurance through Honduran Fellowship.  Honduran Fellowship is the group of missionaries I joined.  Since insurance is cheaper here, and I spend more time here, I decided getting insurance in Honduras was the wiser way to go.  (Actually it wasn't much of a choice.  I checked into Obama Care.  It was $187/month - way out of my budget.  Not sure how that is "affordable" health care.)

My insurance here will cost $500/year.  It only costs $6.50 for an office visit and that usually includes the exam and meds unless I go out of the network or need a specialist.  Not bad!  It also covers me in 6 Central American countries including Guatemala and Costa Rica - the two places I have cousins to visit.  I am looking forward to having health insurance for the first time in three years.

My friend Carol set up the insurance meeting and applied for insurance too.  After the insurance meeting we sat outside in a little garden at the mall and talked.  It was really nice.

Carol wants to organize a time for all of the missionaries who are currently in transition to meet and pray together.  It's so strange, there are a bunch of us.  I think it is a great idea.  It would be nice to have a place to share our experiences and concerns.  I know that for me, personally, it is good to have someone remind me that I will begin full-time ministry again in God's time.  I can not get overly eager and jump into something just because it sounds interesting or challenging, or just because there is a need.  I am a missionary sent to Honduras by God to serve His people here and what I do cannot come from me.  It must come from Him.

Carol and I also had a good time of prayer.  It struck me that I have never prayed in public that long or that hard outside of a church.  Have you ever held someone's hands and prayed in a mall?  People in Honduras are more accepting of talking about God in public, so I am sure it was not a big deal to them, but for me it was really special.

As we were leaving I realized how blessed I am with friendships.  I don't know if I have ever had this many people I trust surrounding me.  I don't feel like I am constantly on guard any more.

I am good hands with Ruth as my Pastor at church.  I like the ladies there, but haven't gotten close to any.  However, here in Honduras I have Fany who is my bestie.  I have Ana, who is busy being a Mom and serving at the Breakfast Program, but is also one of my closest friends.  Now I have Carol who is someone who just "gets" me.  I can trust any of these people and also, each of them will hold me accountable if I need them to.  (Fany and I have a specific agreement that if one of us starts acting crazy the other one will say something.)

I love having so many wonderful women in my life here.  On top of that there are a few more people I enjoy spending time with who could become good friends too!  Feeling really safe in friendships is a new experience for me in Honduras and it feels like a huge breath of fresh air.  It takes a big burden off my shoulders to know that I am not alone and there are people I can trust.

Thank God for good friends.