In Memory of Andy
On February 11, 2026, Mala texted her brother Andy one last time:
“When can we catch up with you?
Your spark has lit a fire. I love you.”
Dear Friends,
In 2018, Greg and I were forced to leave India. Over the next three years, we stepped down from our roles with Freedom Firm and focused on living, working, and establishing a new base in the United States.
But over a year ago, we began to feel a pull back toward India. Greg left his job in Kentucky as a public defender, and we returned to India in October 2025.
Shortly after we arrived, my brother Andy called us. He had been crunching numbers and wanted us to look at Freedom Firm's work in India through fresh eyes. He sent us a 30-page, passionate proposal outlining Freedom Firm's proven model—already replicated five times throughout India—and making the case that this work could, and should, be replicated in other countries.
That conversation in October began something we never could have imagined.
We began seriously thinking and praying about starting a new Freedom Firm office in another country. A series of unexpected confirmations followed, and we approached Freedom Firm USA. Within a week, the board gave us their vote of confidence and support.
On February 11, I texted Andy:
“When can we catch up with you? Your spark has lit a fire. I love you.”
The next day, February 12, Greg and I had our last conversation with Andy.
We told him how deeply his proposal had impacted us and how it had moved us toward starting Freedom Firm in a new country—quite possibly Bangladesh. I'll always remember his giggle of delight when he heard the news.
Andy was passionate about rescuing children. He dreamed of seeing a research team documenting this new work. He envisioned hundreds of people being trained in the Freedom Firm model and carrying it into countries around the world to rescue children from exploitation.
Two days later, on Valentine's Day, Andy, his wife Rebekah, and two of their four children, Isaac and Coco, were in a head-on collision.
Andy and 17-year-old Coco died instantly.
Bek and Isaac were rushed to Duke University Hospital with multiple injuries. Mercifully, they survived, and are now walking the long road of recovery.
We are profoundly grateful for that last conversation with Andy. That spark!
We are honored to announce that we will be opening Freedom Firm's first international office in Bangladesh in the summer of 2027.
This work is deeply connected to Andy's vision. His passion, his questions, his research, and his encouragement helped give us the courage to take this next step.
In lieu of flowers, Rebekah has asked that memorial gifts be given to Freedom Firm. We can think of no more fitting way to honor Andy than to invest in the work he cared so deeply about—the rescue of children and the training of others to do the same.
If you would like to make a gift in Andy's memory, your generosity will help carry his vision forward.
We are grateful for the blessing of Freedom Firm USA and Freedom Firm India, and for every person who has stood with us over the years—those who have prayed, questioned, encouraged, challenged, pushed, prodded, and cheered us on.
Most of all, we are grateful for Andy.
His spark lit a fire.
We intend to carry it forward.
With love,
Greg and Mala