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
December 26, 2011 |
Puzzle Time
A few days a week, after school is over and kids are awake from naps or rest time, our kids play with a regular...
December 25, 2011 |
A Birth Story
If you didn’t already know, I’m a Master’s trained Family Nurse Practitioner and practiced for 5 years in the...
December 24, 2011 |
Christmas Preparations
Christmas in Madagascar is… well, I’ll just say a little different than in the States. It’s hot, it’s...
December 20, 2011 |
Life’s Joys!
There is something amazing about seeing my children being cared for by the friends of my youth. In truth, it is...
December 13, 2011 |
The Art of Cutting a Mango
Last week I shared with you our family’s deep love relationship with Mangoes. We’ve had the privilege to...
December 10, 2011 |
Mangoes!
Aaghhh, my favorite time of year in Madagascar… OK, well not really because it’s so unbelievably hot and...
November 30, 2011 |
The Miracle Tree
Part of the goal of our work here in Madagascar is to see the health of the Malagasy people restored. Nutrition...






