FORT WORTH, Texas — As the sun set on a Friday evening, dozens of friends and relatives gathered inside a Fort Worth hotel lobby wearing Santa-style Mickey Mouse hats, all determined to pull off a surprise for the Jasso family.
Calling themselves a “village on a mission,” the group boarded a charter bus bound for the home of Mike and Senaida Jasso, a couple whose adoption journey has deeply inspired their community.
It wasn’t the first time this crowd rallied behind the Jassos. When the couple adopted siblings Christopher, Alyssa and Domingo, supporters packed the courtroom — so many that the judge noted she’d never seen such turnout for an adoption hearing.
On Friday night, that same village quietly walked through the Jassos’ neighborhood before lining the street outside their home. As the family stepped out, the crowd erupted in cheers.
No one in the group knew what the surprise would be — only that they wanted to show up for the Jassos. Behind the scenes, Disney and ABC News were preparing to gift the family a Disney cruise.
“It takes a village,” an emotional Mike said as supporters celebrated. “And I said… it doesn’t seem like a village for us. It’s a nation. You guys are huge.”
The Jassos had been filming a feature with ABC News, and Mike believed the show of support was part of it. Moments later, the family learned about the cruise.
The Jassos’ story began years ago as they navigated infertility and heartbreak before opening their hearts to adoption. In 2023, they received the opportunity to adopt the three siblings — then ages 9, 7 and 5 — who had spent more than two years in foster care after being removed from an unsafe home.
“They’re our spirited kiddos,” Senaida said. “Ready for a home sweet castle, and we were ready to open our hearts and our home.”
For the couple — who honeymooned at Disney World — Friday’s surprise felt especially meaningful.
“We can afford love… and God will take care of the rest,” Mike said.
Senaida, who was in on the surprise, said their community’s support has helped their children heal and grow. “We can never repay what our community has given us and keeps giving us,” she said.
After years of wondering why them, the outpouring of love brought the answer into focus.
“This shows how much we’ve impacted people,” Mike said. “It’s amazing. We love them.”
For families still waiting for their moment, he offered a message: “Have hope. Don’t lose that hope. Trust in God. He has a plan for us.”
On what began as an ordinary evening in Fort Worth, a family once searching for light found it right outside their door — delivered by the village that helped make them whole.