Outdoor worship service at Bethel Mission Station, Morondava, Madagascar,1885

Reinert Larsen Aas is standing by the "pulpit "in front of the church entrance door. This worship service is held outdoors, because of a flood that had covered the church floor in dirt and mud. This is the first wooden church in West Madagascar and was founded by Reinert Larsen Aas in 1882. -- Reinert Larsen Aas was a missionary in Madagascar from 1880-1907. He was married in Morondava on August 30, 1882 with Ingeborg, maiden name Olsdatter Fatnes. She died in Morondava on November 25, 1884. In Tulear on October 25, 1886 he married Ellen Sofie Bertelsen 1851-1934. Her maiden name was Olsen (Sauren). -- Elling Andreas Bertelsen (Jellereite) was a missionary in Madagascar from 1880-1883. He died in Morondava on June 17, 1883. He married Ellen Sofie 1851-1934, maiden name Olsen (Sauren) in Umpumulo in Natal on August 8, 1882. After Elling Andreas's death she married Reinert Larsen Aas in Tulear on October 25, 1886