It's been our privilege to know Andy and Dawn-Marie Bass since they were newlyweds and beginning their careers: Andy was a middle school science teacher and Dawn-Marie an audiologist.
When Andy and Dawn-Marie began to start a family, God brought into their life toddler Anjali, from India. Anjali had been abandoned at an orphanage, and came to the Basses with severe special needs. With their deep love and wonderful care, Anjali began to grow and thrive. Then in the next few years Andy and Dawn-Marie were blessed with the births of Anthony and Rebecca.
About 4 years ago Andy and Dawn-Marie began thinking that perhaps their family was not complete--did God have another child for them? They began to pray. When they shared their thoughts and feelings with their children, the idea was enthusiastically received--and Anthony put in his special request for a brother!
Then the miracles began to happen. Here's the story in Dawn-Marie's own words from a July 2011 email :
Last October our small group welcomed home Jenny, an art teacher who goes to Ghana every year to work in an orphanage with rescued kids*. This place called Village of Hope** houses and educates these precious kids up through high school and even some through university. Their goal is to raise up the next generation for Ghana with Godly leaders. They do not adopt their kids out. However, in medical cases where the child's needs would not be met, they will consider adoption. They have only had 3 prior adoptions up to this point.
When Jenny was in our house telling us about all of "her" kids, she mentioned there were 3 Jacobs: Big Jacob, Little Jacob and Deaf Jacob. Andy and I immediately came up off the floor and wanted to hear about him (Deaf Jacob). We contacted Pam Cope with Touch a Life* and were told that adopting "Deaf" Jacob was not an option at that point, his needs were not assessed to be that severe yet. So we prayed with the kids and waited.
It was so sweet to see Becca pray in those days. She was 5. She would close her eyes tight and say, "Jesus, please send Jacob to our family. If it's a "yes" that's great. If it's a "no", that's OK we understand. But if it could please be a "yes", that would be great!"
On April 7th we finally got the word that YES Jacob would be adopted out.
When Jenny was in our house telling us about all of "her" kids, she mentioned there were 3 Jacobs: Big Jacob, Little Jacob and Deaf Jacob. Andy and I immediately came up off the floor and wanted to hear about him (Deaf Jacob). We contacted Pam Cope with Touch a Life* and were told that adopting "Deaf" Jacob was not an option at that point, his needs were not assessed to be that severe yet. So we prayed with the kids and waited.
It was so sweet to see Becca pray in those days. She was 5. She would close her eyes tight and say, "Jesus, please send Jacob to our family. If it's a "yes" that's great. If it's a "no", that's OK we understand. But if it could please be a "yes", that would be great!"
On April 7th we finally got the word that YES Jacob would be adopted out.
In Ghana, parental termination is a big deal. Both parents have to travel to the capital city
to the Social Welfare office and sign the papers. Jacob's birth parents were located within a week. Amazing!
The next 10 months were spent working through red tape, seeing God open doors and provide, and waiting, waiting, waiting. But in February 2012, Andy and Anthony went to Ghana to bring home their new son and brother. Dawn-Marie writes:
Yesterday morning, Jacob came home. Happy happy day! He entered the USA through Atlanta and breezed through customs. The immigration officer welcomed him to America and announced he was now a US citizen. Yahooo! ...... We praise God for bringing Jacob into our family. He is a JOY to have in our lives.
Andy & Dawn-Marie Bass with their miracle family: Becca, Jacob, Anthony and Anjali
*To see a video about the fishing industry slavery Jacob was rescued from go to www.touchalifekids.org.
**To find out more about Village of Hope, go to www.thevillageofhope.com
