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.
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