"It was a hot, sultry day in Makiungu Hospital when I first met Poul Bertelsen. I had just left the Hospital Administration where I had been worrying over the condition of the Hospital. The walls were beginning to crumble in the buildings as they were made of mud brick! I had been trying to find ways to replace the bricks, but our sponsor had laid down that we must first get an architect.

 As I approached our house, I saw a bearded man in a short-base Land Rover pull to a stop. He waited for me and held out his hand: 'I am Poul Bertelsen.' ...I introduced myself and said, “God sent you.” Somehow Msaada was born there and then. I will never forget that day.”

Sr. Margaret O’Conor (Medical Missionaries of Mary) describing her first encounter with Poul Bertelsen and the birth of Msaada. (Excerpt from Design & Dignity by Poul Bertelsen)

After six years of service as a Missionary and Architect for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (E.L.C.T.), Poul Bertelsen felt called to continue serving the developing world. The note above from Sr. Margaret stands as a testament to how God guided the formation and mission of Msaada. Affectionately known as the "mother of Msaada," Sr. Margaret was the spark that ignited its creation. Through that God-led encounter—along with prayer, encouragement, and financial support from fellow missionaries—Msaada was founded in 1980, with Poul Bertelsen serving as Executive Director.

From these humble beginnings, Msaada laid the foundation for its global impact. Today, we continue our ministry as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with headquarters in Findlay, Ohio.  Msaada also has a registered office in Haiti and will soon open a new office in Ethiopia.

Throughout the years, Msaada has been blessed with dedicated expatriate and local staff who have served our ministry partners with integrity, excellence, and a heart for service. If you are feeling called to use your architectural skills to serve the world and God’s kingdom, please contact us by clicking the “Let’s Connect” button below.