Red Island Restoration is a response to God’s leading in our lives to see Madagascar restored in Health, Forests and Hope in Christ. Jamie was born and raised in Madagascar as a missionary kid and as a result, has a deep understanding of Malagasy culture and language as well as a powerful love for his home country and the…

Everyday, over 800 women die in pregnancy or childbirth due to preventable causes. Most of these occur in the developing world. (WHO). Women throughout the world deliver their babies at home, alone and unassisted. Other times, they deliver in facilities that are understocked in equipment, medications and professional…

An all-too-often ignored fundamental cause of extreme poverty is environmental destruction. In Madagascar, radical deforestation is wreaking havoc on millions of villagers as over 90% of the nation’s forests have been destroyed due to slash and burn farming, charcoal production and clear-cut logging. With the loss of inland…

In 1999, Jamie and long-time friend and ministry partner, Josy, traveled to Mahabana to live and fish for three months. During this time, a small group gathered by candlelight to read the book of John. This small group became a regular Bible Study which then became a small church in a village that was taboo Jesus and the…

” Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. –Erwin Lutzer “

Part of the Solution to Poverty… part 2

Part of the Solution to Poverty… part 2

The other day I wrote the post, Part of the Solution to Poverty... part 1.  If you haven't read it yet, check it out as it's a reflection of my thoughts and emotions.  This post below is NOT written by me... oh, how I wish I had the writing talents of Ann Voskamp....

Part of the Solution to Poverty…part 1

Part of the Solution to Poverty…part 1

"Part of the solution to poverty is doing whatever it takes to get your heart to stay with the poor."  ~Ann Voskamp Back in July when we were still in the States I had all these thoughts swarming around in my head.  Thoughts of extreme poverty and extreme wealth.  Of...

Unchartered Territory…

Unchartered Territory…

I have so many blog posts swirling around in my head that I may start to get dizzy.  I'm always inspired to write when I'm here but don't always get the time to do so.  I've got some fun things to share, some stories to share, some people to introduce you to, and...

Back to…

Back to…

We landed back in Madagascar just about 3 weeks ago.  Time goes fast. The first few days back hit me hard.  Not like being rushed and tackled by a 300-pound 6.5-foot linebacker with a grudge.... but more innocently-- like being rushed and tackled by our giggling...

THE LIST…

THE LIST…

I last wrote about our ten, make it eleven, 50-pound checked bags that we toted across the world to Madagascar from Santa Barbara.  You may be asking yourself, what in the world do you pack that takes up 550 pounds??  Well, I'm glad you asked. For starters, there's...

Pack, Travel, Unpack

Pack, Travel, Unpack

The days leading up to our departure from Santa Barbara were a little hectic.... an all-day softball tournament, 3 church services, and a wedding...oh my.  And that was just the 3 days before we left. In the 2 weeks between my midwifery licensure exam and our...