Please join us in our hopes and dreams to nurture babies on a one to one basis and give them a chance of placement within a loving family of their own. We cannot save the world, but the babies we do save might just make the world a better place
- The Story of Owen, the Miracle Baby-
Owen's Story
Owen was born October 25th, 2002 in Durban, South Africa. He initially
lived
in a couple different foster homes before arriving in Peter and Daphne Banks
home. When he arrived in the home he was a frightened little boy that needed
love and help to improve his physical and emotional abilities. When he
arrived
in their home he was just beginning to sit up by himself and he was behind
in
motor skills.
The Bank's were exactly who Owen needed when he needed them
the
most. Daphne worked with him on his specific needs that he needed in order
to
improve his abilities. The Bank's were able to give Owen the love and
attention that he needed to flourish. While he lived with the Bank's he
began
to become a joyous child that was always smiling and laughing.
While Owen was living with the Bank's we were working on the adoption
process and finishing some of our final pieces of paperwork. Upon completion
of
our paperwork we began waiting for a referral. While waiting we knew that
our
little boy was living somewhere in Durban, but we were not sure where. We
prayed for Owen everyday and knew that God was looking over him.
Finally,
after
what seemed to be forever waiting for a referral we received a call from the
African Adoption Alliance informing us that we had been matched to a child.
Upon receiving the referral we were able to set travel dates to South Africa
to
finally meet our son.
We arrived in South Africa on July 27th, 2002. After spending two days
in
Johannesburg for visits to the U.S. Embassy we were able to travel to
Durban.
Immediately after landing in Durban we met our attorney, Brad Oliver, and he
escorted us to Peter and Daphne's home. Once we arrived at the Bank's home
we
were finally able to meet Owen. He was a very happy little boy who had a
large
laugh. We were overjoyed with meeting Owen for the first time and that was
the
best day of our lives.
During the next week and a half we were able to get to know the Bank's
and
their family. We were truly amazed at what wonderful people they were and
the
kindness they had in their hearts. Because of these attributes we know that
Owen was placed in their care for a reason. They gave him an unconditional
love
and that is what all children need.
After we had finalized all our adoption proceedings in South Africa we
departed the country to come back to the United States.
After arriving in
the
U.S. we were greeted by all of our family. In all we had about 50 people
greet
us at the airport when we landed. We are all so blessed to have a wonderful
family and friends that surround us and give us support.
In the following
months we have finished up the rest of our adoption proceeding in the U.S.
Today, Owen is quickly approaching his second birthday and is a happy,
smiling, wonderful little man. He is learning everything so fast and his
current favorites are learning his alphabet and numbers. He also enjoys
doing
puzzles and playing with his cars and trucks. Of course his favorite toys
are
his two dogs that he loves to sit on and pretend that they are frogs.
Owen and us have all been blessed with wonderful experiences in life.
For a
little child to be loved from his birth parents to his Oma and Opa (Daphne
and
Peter) and now to his parents and extended family is such a beautiful thing
to
see. To see the transformation from a frightened baby to an energetic and
happy
little man is the greatest joy loved ones can ever have.