Barry and Norma Crabtree

Barry and Norma Crabtree

Barry and Norma have retired in their home country of Australia, but they know that none of their experiences in ministry together would have happened if Norma had not been the “miracle baby.” When Norma was about 2 years old, her father, Norman Ferris, was a missionary pastor working in the Solomon Islands. Late one night, he was carefully steering the small mission boat through island reefs, guided by Kato Ragoso and his brother, who were experienced pilots, having been born in these islands. All of a sudden, the boat struck a rock not marked on the charts and ground to a jarring halt. The stop was so sudden that mother Ferris, on the upper deck, had baby Norma wrenched from her grip and with a splash, the baby disappeared into the dark water, along with some household goods stacked on the deck. The Ragosos, excellent divers quickly dove for the lost girl, but they only found a basket of food, a bundle of clothes, but no Norma. Minutes went by and Mother became frantic. Kato dove one more time and, feeling in the dark water, happened to touch a small foot protruding underneath some coral. He pulled on the foot and then rushed the baby to the surface. Although several minutes had passed, when the baby hit the air, she let out a loud cry. Mother was so relieved, she began to cry as well and everyone gave thanks to God.