Richard & Ruth Jertberg Family
Madagascar
Baptist Missions to Forgotten Peoples
March 2021
We pray that you all have had a great start to a new year! No matter what
the environmental, political, or physical circumstances in which we might find
ourselves, God is never surprised, and He is always in control! When we look
around, we are tempted to be overwhelmed; when we look within, we are prone to
discouragement; when we look up, we are compelled to worship and adore our
Father who loves us far beyond our imagination! We must not trust in the
government or ourselves to “fix” our “problems.” The only One who is trustworthy
and able is our all-powerful God! The return of Jesus Christ seems more imminent
than ever; let us be diligent to look for opportunities to share the wonderful gospel
and tell people about the amazing Savior!
We have enjoyed being involved as much as possible at Crossroad Baptist
Church while we have been delayed in the States. Please pray for the church as
Pastor Nathan Deatrick’s wife, Jenny, just recently was promoted to heaven after
battling with cancer. God does put us right where He wants us at just the right
time. Richard has had opportunities to preach. He was thrilled to have the
privilege to baptize Abigail and watch her grow in her love for God.
The big news that we would like to share with you is that we are expecting
another baby girl near the beginning of August. We praise God for this baby for
whom we have prayed. We pray that this little one would grow and develop
properly, for a smooth pregnancy and delivery, and for wisdom every step of the
way! During the months of December and January, Ruth had some morning (or all
day) sickness and fatigue; but we are thankful that that is starting to ease off; and
she is feeling better. We are so blessed that God has chosen to entrust another
life into our hands. We pray that we would be good stewards of all the children
that God has entrusted to us!!
God has blessed us with good health through this winter season and we
continue to plug away at school with the kids. We have enjoyed a few inches of
snow but are glad that spring is on its way. Snow is pretty, but cold weather is not
our favorite.
Though longer and more involved than we were anticipating, we got our
mobile home in place, set up, and passed all the inspections. We are so blessed
to have a place to call home for the short time left here in America!
Ruth’s sister is getting married in April; and her brother is getting married
in June; and then there is the baby coming in August. We were hoping to be in
Madagascar already, but the main airport remains unopen. Please pray with us for
God’s leading on when we should go to Madagascar and that travel restrictions
would be lifted. We are praying for wisdom if it would be good to have the baby in
America before leaving or get over to Madagascar and then have the baby. Thank
you SO much for your faithful prayers on our behalf! We pray God’s blessings on
you!