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Rich and Bonnie both enjoy living and serving our Lord in Madagascar. Both of them knew it was God’s will to serve Him overseas. Thus, when they were married, neither one of them felt they had to give up anything to marry the other. Bonnie always says that the only reason she married Rich was because he was the only guy she met who wanted to serve God overseas.
Rich became a Christian while attending the University of Washington, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in economics. Later, Rich earned a master of divinity degree with an emphasis in missions from Western Seminary in Portland. Bonnie received her bachelor of arts degree in French with an emphasis in education from Seattle Pacific University. The Shattenbergs were appointed by CBInternational in 1973.
Twelve years ago Rich and Bonnie Shattenberg began a school in their home teaching Bible, English and computers. The first year ended with 12 young people sitting around the living room table learning skills that would later provide them with jobs or the needed abilities to continue on in higher education. They now limit the number of students to 100 and have moved out of the living room into a computer lab with 21 networked computers and four gazebos for the Bible and English classes. The students meet four days a week with an hour each of Bible, English and computer skills. They return in the afternoon for their individual computer practice time. Students can also stay to practice their English with the English-speaking volunteers by way of basketball, volleyball, English club, Bible studies, or just hang out. Former students are now teaching both the computer and English classes, along with any English-speaking volunteers. Volunteers have come from the United States, England, South Africa, and Australia.
Rich and Bonnie never realized at the time they began this school that the two skills most desired in Madagascar would be English and computers. Former students can be found throughout Madagascar working with computers in government and business offices and serving as tour guides and teaching English privately or in schools.
Since anyone interested in studying at the school is accepted, the school works with Muslim, Roman Catholic, all Protestant denominations, the unchurched, and ancestor worshippers. After a year of daily contact with the Word of God in both the Bible and English hour, many have discovered the Bible has something to say to them. Lives have changed. Many students have come to believe in Jesus and during the past two years have joined a Baptist church and entered into ministry.
Besides the school, Rich and Bonnie are heavily involved in church development and leadership training with both the Baptists and the Evangelical Independent Church of Madagascar (CEIM). Bonnie helps by providing Sunday school materials, visual aids, or teaching skills to whomever asks. Rich works with any pastor who requests assistance in preaching and teaching. During their next term, he plans to visit and encourage pastors, churches, and schools throughout the island.
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