Mission Haiti: Short-term with the Friends of Fort Liberte

We are three weeks from our date of departure, and in hindsight, I should have started this blog much sooner.

This has been a new challenge in the Karge family's walk with the Lord, and I really want to include our supporters in the amazing and exciting (sometimes difficult and painful) thing that God is doing. So here is a recap:

I wasn't quite up to caring for this crew on a plane.

May 2010: Alyssa Lillian Karge was born. A short-term trip to Batey Cuchillo was scheduled for that June. For the first time, the Karge family stayed state side while a group from Morgantown went to minister to dominican haitians living in bateys. 

October 2010: We were challenged to get more involved with our new church family at Fellowship Bible Church in Bridgeport. We joined a great small group and were really starting to feel connected here in Clarksburg.

Reece II in Batey Cuchillo

November 2010: We received the sad news that any further short-term mission trips to Batey Cuchillo have been put on hold, as our former church  endured a season of change and growth.

At this point, Reece and I were distressed because of passion for overseas missions and the deep love we have for  Batey Cuchillo in the Dominican Republic. It was during this time that we were challenged to break with the comfort zone that was our previous experience in Morgantown, and embrace fully the new family  God had given us in Clarksburg.

December 2010: It was during the December 26th church service at FBC that a trip to Haiti was announced. We were told that there were 8 spots available for people who wanted to go and serve there.

This meant that our children would be unable to accompany us for the first time ever.

 I thought, "No way." 

God said to both Reece and I, "Go."

We spoke with the pastor in charge, and I was secretly relieved to learn that there was an application process. "This is a very large body of believers," I reassured my self. " We are relatively new here and just getting settled. What are they odds that they will actually accept us?"  Obviously, God doesn't ask for something and, then not provide the way. They warmly accepted us, and the war within my heart began.

January 2011: The Karge family made serious overhauls in budget and lifestyle in order to better steward the blessings we have received. We prayed for God to send like-minded believers to partner with us in prayer and financial support. We asked that He provide someone to care for our three small children while we were away for ten days. Although joyous at the prospect of serving in Haiti, I secretly hoped that no one would come forward so that I would not have to trust the Lord with the care of my children.

February 2011: As we worked with the other members of Team Mission Haiti, it became more and more apparent that the Lord had left no escape hatch. This team is a group of God-loving, sacrificial, servants that will leave no one behind. They will help us find a way to get to where God has commanded us to go. I stopped secretly thinking anything because it was completely useless. God had somehow found me out anyway. I full out panicked. 

The Lord lovingly reassured me in every moment of doubt:

He made His presence known at the Valentine's Dinner fundraiser. The body at FBC came together to support the team in full force. I was humbled and very blessed.

God provided  dear friends to care for our kids. An amazing lady of the Lord volunteered to to take the entire ten days off of work to make it as easy as possible on the children. She and her husband expressed great excitement over serving in this way. 

Caden in the midst of madness.

I surrendered and am continually surrendering. 

March 2011: The Lord opened up the floodgates and blessed us in abundance. FBC got behind its team again with an amazing turn out at the March Madness for Missions rummage sale. Other members of our family in Christ stepped forward to partner with us. 

Reece and I are absolutely staggered by the awesomeness of God. Our faith and trust has grown exponentially in the light of His mercy and patience during this time. This is the God we are honored to serve. This is the beginning of Mission Haiti. Thank you for your prayer and practical support. I can not wait to see what the Lord has in store for when we are actually there.