Richard & Ruth Jertberg
Missionaries to Madagascar
Baptist Missions to Forgotten Peoples
March 2025
As you know by the date that this letter is being sent, it is a little on the late side… that is partially because we have been trying to figure out more specifically when to plan a furlough (and we wanted to let you know in this letter). Matthew is ready to start college (either in the fall of this year or the spring of next year). The classes and things that we are doing can be put on pause while we are gone, so the timing for furlough would be good. But the decision about when/if to go is hard for many reasons; some of which are: because it is quite difficult to travel with many little kids and babies; because we don’t feel ready to pack up all our stuff, close up house, move and store our stuff (currently we don’t have a place for this), and leave; because of the finances involved in traveling with a big family; and because of the logistics of scheduling meetings and optimizing time in the States. We know that we have not seen some of you for quite a long time and would really like to reconnect in person. Please pray with us for wisdom in deciding when we should take a furlough. Since being here in Nosy Be, we found a Baptist church that is about a 40min drive on the other side of the big city. There is a long story about the church, but it is currently meeting in a small room of a school and is without a pastor. There were about 12 adults and 15 kids when we started going. We had a meeting with the leaders of the church explaining that we were not planning on staying in the church long-term as we were wanting to start more churches in other areas that are without churches. Because we have a furlough coming up, we do not want to start a church only to leave it in its infancy. We explained that for the time being, we would like to help them in the church and be an encouragement to them. We have been able to be quite involved in growing the church. Richard has been on the preaching rotation, preaching 1 or 2 times per month. Matthew has even preached (in Malagasy!) one time! We started a kids class on mats under the trees outside. When we started, there were about 15 kids; now there are over 60!! Though they may have ulterior motives for coming to church, we pray that the kids would hear the gospel and get saved. Some of the men that have been leading the church want to grow in their understanding of the Bible. Saturday, Richard teaches a Bible institute course to them. Please pray for all these teaching times that they would be well understood and that the people would grow. The second and last load of our stuff arrived via truck in January. We are now officially and completely moved here! Sarah and I along with Jeremiah had a great trip halfway across the world and back. Along the way, we were able to get a small taste of different countries, see different cultures, and realize the need for the gospel all over the world! We were able to help our missionary friend have her baby. It was not a complication free delivery and had so many things that could have gone very wrong, but God protected and brought the mom and baby through safely and with much more peace than could have been. On the way home, we were able to visit the clinic in the Philippines where I was trained as a midwife. We were able to work a shift, and Sarah was able to see a birth. Everywhere we went, Jeremiah was very popular! A fat white baby is quite something to see (and squish)! We arrived back on Jan. 5th and Rebekah arrived on Jan. 9th. She came to help with homeschooling – and she is a HUGE help and SO sweet! We celebrated Christmas as a family on Jan. 11th after we got back from our trip. Though it was a bit different and maybe not as “Christmasy”, we still enjoyed celebrating together. (If any of you are wondering about a new family picture, it is on our list of things to do.) After celebrating Christmas, we jumped back into school. Matthew and Sarah are taking a step-ahead class from Ambassador. Hadassah and Moriah are going to a local school in the morning. We took a break on Jan. 17th to celebrate adoption day (the day that I adopted my 5 oldest kids). Each one of our children is a huge blessing from God but also a huge responsibility! A sweet lady in the church offered to teach us Malagasy and focuses on the differences of the dialect here. She comes to our house, and we have all been enjoying studying Malagasy with her each week. We are currently in the hottest part of the year! It is hard to stay motivated when you are drenched in sweat and just want sit in front of a fan or take 2-3 showers per day. Many of us are struggling with heat rash. It is also very humid, and mold grows easily! We do enjoy the breeze and water at the beautiful beach. On Fridays, Richard, Rebekah, and some of the older kids are teaching one or two English classes (morning and afternoon) with a section focusing on truths or verses from the Bible. After the afternoon English class, they are teaching a Bible study/youth time. Friday is a long day. We have been hoping to build a house and get out of our rental (rent here is quite expensive and has complications). We found a piece of property in the area where we want to live and near many areas/towns we are wanting to reach (commute would be shorter). We made an offer on the property. We are excited at the prospect of finally being in our Canaan Land – the place were traveling and moving from place to place stops and the place we plan to call home! Also, a big reason for buying property now would be that we could build something to store our things making it possible to move out and go on furlough. Thank you for praying for us and the different requests of the last letter. We have a private FB group specifically for current updates. If you would like to be a part of that group, please let us know. It is very encouraging for us to receive your emails saying that you are praying for us. Thank you for sending those! We pray that God would bless you as you serve Him!
Prayer Requests: • Wisdom for planning furlough • Preaching, teaching, and classes would be well understood • People would be saved • People would grow • Kids in school • We would learn Malagasy • Health and strength and heat rash • Our offer on the property would be accepted Praises: • We found a Baptist church and are able to be involved • Men who want to grow in their understanding of the Bible • Visitors coming to church • Our stuff arrived • Sarah and I had a great trip • Missionary’s baby was born safely • Rebekah arrived • Found a location for English class • Found a good piece of property • The privilege to serve God here.
