-
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... -
Sarobidy {sa-roo-bee-dy} There’s a word in the Malagasy Language that is a description of when someone is consumed with poverty and the effects of it on their lives… sahirana. Prior to their employment with Sarobidy Creations, the artisans were sahirana. Their stories are numerous and heartbreaking: children without... -
Red Island Restoration is a response to God’s leading in our lives to see Madagascar restored in Health, Forests and Hope in Christ. Just as God has called us to Madagascar physically, we know He has called a team of individuals, churches and organizations to partner with us through prayer and financial resources. We invite... -
If you are interested in joining our financial partnership team, here are the ways to do so. Financial donations for the overall ministry of Red Island Restoration and the Shattenberg family can be made through WorldVenture, our non-profit sending mission organization based in the United States. All gifts are...
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
More About Our Company
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 Malagasy people. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Alissa was born and raised in Santa Barbara and while serving on a short-term mission trip to Madagascar in 1999, fell in love with this island nation and it’s people. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, a Master’s of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner as well as a degree in Midwifery.
We met while attending Seattle Pacific University and later fell in love while working beside one another in Madagascar in 1999. After a few years in Madagascar serving together, we returned to the States in 2002 to get married. Three kids, a few degrees and 8 years later, our family of five returned to the great Red Island in January 2011. As our kids outgrew the educational system in our city of Mahajanga and Covid border closures kept us out of Madagascar, the Lord gently shifted us to Rift Valley Academy in Kenya in order to pour into the lives and walk alongside third culture kids and cross-cultural kids. Today, we split our time between Kenya and Madagascar– engaging in ministries in both countries.
Recent Blog Posts
May 19, 2025 |
Family Edition: Madagascar Bucket List…
Our kids have spent the majority of their lives in Madagascar– they have a deep love for this beautiful...
May 14, 2025 |
The Essence of a Hidden Immigrant…
Hi there, my name is Isabella. I am a 19-year old American, born in California, but raised in Madagascar on the...
February 20, 2025 |
Transitions in a Life Overseas…
Celebrating Jesus… Just before Christmas, the Sarobidy Maternity Center hosted Christmas parties for all...
December 14, 2024 |
From a Boy to a Father & Hope Amidst Ruin…
From a Boy to a Man to a Father… Eight years ago a young boy, Lolosy, was faithfully coming to the Sunday...
November 4, 2024 |
Kingdom Impact…
The Far Reaching Impact of RVA… This note of encouragement, written by the parents of one of our last dorm...
September 19, 2024 |
Teaching, Trees, Transitions and Tears…
The last two months have been a whirlwind of activity, travel, transitions, and emotions for the five of...
July 15, 2024 |
Celebrating Milestones…
SMC turns 11… The Sarobidy Maternity Center celebrated it’s 11th anniversary in May. The Lord has...