Over the past few years, I have had the wonderful privilege of getting to know the staff of Let It Shine Gymnastics, Inc. You may be wondering why exactly I have become so familiar with a gymnastics facility. No . . . I haven’t been training for the Olympics . . . but I just so happened to have married the son of the man who owns Let It Shine Gymnastics. If you know me, then you know that it is a bit comical that I married into a family of talented gymnasts, purely for the reason that I am perhaps the world’s most uncoordinated person. Tanner grew up doing flips, and I grew up with casts on my ankles and elbows from running backwards or simply jumping on a trampoline. So, I guess we are living proof that opposites do, in fact, attract.

I have been welcomed into the Let It Shine family will open arms and am so very thankful for the ministry that they have here in middle Tennessee. Let It Shine is dedicated to teaching children excellent gymnastics in a positive, encouraging, Christ-centered atmosphere! In addition to all the amazing gymnastics that takes place in their facility, they are also dedicated to raising awareness about important causes. And so, my father-in-law and the rest of the Let It Shine family have gladly welcomed the presence of Show Hope at the gym! How cool is this??  They have offered us space in their Pro Shop to sell some of our new Show Hope apparel!! We have hats, necklaces, scarves, tote bags, adult tees, youth tees and toddler tees now available for purchase there. If you live in the middle Tennessee area and are looking for some Show Hope product, then swing by the gym (1892 General George Patton Drive, Franklin, TN) and pick up your favorite tee or tote!

Again, we at Show Hope are so grateful to the entire team at Let It Shine for this amazing opportunity and for their commitment to raise awareness about the global orphan crisis. Many kids and families come into this gym, and it is our hope that they will leave the gym more educated about the millions of children around our world currently growing up without anyone to be there for them, without anyone to take them to a gym to play.

Guess who I just handed a Show Hope Miracles Book and t-shirt to?  Brad Paisley!  Some of my co-workers saw him from a distance and let me know that he was near our Show Hope offices, and I thought to myself, “Seize the day!”

He was in the middle of trying out   a new guitar at a music store, and I felt horrible for interrupting him.  I quickly said, “Excuse me sir, my dad is Steven Curtis Chapman . . . I think you may know him.  I work for Show Hope and our offices are nearby.  Show Hope is the organization my parents started.  At Show Hope we give financial grants to families who want to adopt but are unable to afford it…”  I think I was speaking a million miles a minute so as to not take up too much time.

He was such a kind guy.  He totally stopped what he was doing and asked how our family was, saying he really respected the way in which we have walked through the tragic loss of Maria.  He talked very highly of my dad, even calling him a hero of his!  He was very grateful for the Show Hope shirt, and seemed interested in reading through the Miracles book to find out more about what we do!

All that is to say, Brad Paisley is a great guy and it was a pleasure getting to meet him today.  But, I think the greater pleasure was getting to share the message of Show Hope with just one more person who may not have known about it this morning when they woke up.  As I was trying to garner up courage to interrupt his guitar playing, I kept seeing the faces of all those little ones at Maria’s Big House of Hope! Their story is worth telling, and that is why it is such a privilege to share the message of Show Hope with others so they know how they can most effectively be involved.

I encourage all of you to share the message of Show Hope with somebody today!  Perhaps you can share about one of the children from Maria’s Big House of Hope who have been spotlighted recently . . . Or about an adoptive family who was able to see their adoption dream become a reality because of Show Hope donors!  Thanks so much for your continued support and remember . . . “Seize the day!”

It is with great excitement that we are able to share that Show Hope’s work in China is expanding!  Since the inception of this organization seven years ago, I don’t think any of us could have dreamed of all the ways in which God would invite us into caring for orphans. We knew that helping reduce the financial barrier to adoption would be the core focus of our ministry, but little did we know that we would someday also have the opportunity to be involved with ongoing orphan care, specifically in China.

Maria’s Big House of Hope officially opened last summer, July 2009, and since then we have seen nearly 120 children come to this facility and receive the much needed medical care, love and attention that each child deserves. Thanks to our many Show Hope sponsors, the finances have been provided to help pay the ongoing running costs of this facility.

As we have continually discovered while working in the fields of the fatherless, the need of orphaned and vulnerable children is always so great. The work being done in China, as well as that of the many organizations advocating on behalf of these children all around the world, is not only beneficial but life-saving as we work to show hope to each child. With the need being so great, you might very well question if Show Hope’s work in China will expand. Well…it is with great excitement that we announce just that!

Show Hope has been invited to partner with our friends in China to financially provide the on-going running costs of another special care unit for medically fragile orphans. This unit, located on the fourth floor of the new children’s welfare institute in Jiaozuo city of the Henan province, is only a 1½ hour drive northeast of Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang. This particular care facility exists specifically for severely disabled children and those in need of hospice care until they enter eternity. The children, nannies, and nurses officially moved into this unit a little over a month ago. Once this care unit is running at full capacity, there will be approximately 60 staff members, 2 nurses and 36 babies.

Once again, we find ourselves both humbled by God’s invitation into this wonderful ministry, and grateful for friends like you who support us in it. If you aren’t already a Show Hope sponsor, please consider partnering with us in our initiative to provide the best possible care for one of these precious treasures, and help us to expand our efforts to reach as many of these waiting children as possible.

In February, we asked for YOUR help, and you responded! Now, Emily and Tanner Richards are volunteering a month of their time at Maria’s Big House of Hope, and they are using your donations to set up an incredible preschool space for the children. Here, they share about the classroom.

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  –Matthew 19:14

The reality is that orphans do not receive much of any academic or social education. Schooling is oftentimes overlooked in light of the many pressing challenges orphaned and vulnerable children face. However, in the past three weeks that we have been in China, we have discovered that despite the many special needs these children have, many of the kids at MBHOH are eager and able to learn.

Situated on the first floor next to the green Jungle Book room, the bubbly kindergarten area provides many of the beautiful children at Maria’s Big House of Hope the opportunity to learn, play, and develop important skills they otherwise would not be able to. The room itself is cleverly painted with bright colors and captivating images, creating an enriching environment to further engage the kids.

We spent that last few days organizing donations and supplies given by Show Hope sponsors and supporters. From friendly puppets and colored pencils, to fun puzzles and educational toys, the activities offer an exceptional atmosphere for learning. Additionally, we are constructing a curriculum for volunteer teachers to use so the lessons taught throughout the year retain essential continuity.

We have already found that the children here, just like any other children around the world, love learning and enjoy expressing themselves through painting, block-building, reading and physical exercise. Currently, a few of the kids, Jim and Juliana, are learning their ABCs and how to count up to five in English! There is remarkable joy in seeing these children come alive in the classroom. As more and more volunteers travel to MBHOH and help with the preschool, these kids will have more chances to learn and grow. Show Hope ’s commitment to fully utilize MBHOH as a tangible expression of God’s transforming love is a powerful testimony and uplifting inspiration.

Painting the entrance to Maria's Big House of Hope

 Ni Hao from Luoyang, China!  The second Show Hope team has successfully arrived here in China and we have had a busy first few days of our trip!  After waking up on the morning of July 17^th, we headed into Beijing for a day of shopping!  For those of you that are not very familiar with China, shopping is a completely different experience in China.  You bargain for your price, making shopping a bit of a competition and a game!  The team had a blast getting great deals on little treasures to take home for friends and family.

Later on the evening of July 17^th, we truly had a unique cultural experience.  We took a night train down to Luoyang, China.  Traveling by train isn’t the most popular method of transportation in America, so for some of our team members this was the first time they had ever been on a train.  The train ride was an experience . . . but making our way through the crowded train station was quite the ADVENTURE (keep in mind our group consisted of 23 people)!  After eating a bit of breakfast and boarding the bus, we arrived at Maria’s Big House of Hope on the morning of July 18^th.

We have been working like busy little bees from the moment we arrived here.  I have been so impressed with this group.  Not only have they been quick to fill in and help wherever needed regarding work projects, but each person has also been so gracious toward one another.  I am thankful for the team’s unity and know that it is completely a gift from God.  Satan would like nothing more than to cause dissention in and among this group!  Please continue to pray that the team will remain unified with one another, loving each other well and therefore being witnesses of the great love we have experienced through the gift of Jesus Christ!

One of our team members, Taylor, putting up a crib mobile!

Audra working hard assembling a crib mobile . . . smiling the whole way through!

We have finished so many little projects since arriving early Sunday morning.  We have painted all sorts of butterflies, flowers and ladybugs in the entrance of Maria’s Big House of Hope!  We want this place to be joyful and colorful as one enters; just as joyful as the love that God has lavished on this special little spot in Luoyang, China.  We are continuing to work by adding artwork to the exterior of the building! 

We had the opportunity of assembling 100 crib mobiles and putting them on every crib in Maria’s Big House of Hope.  The preschool that Maria attended as a child donated all 100 crib mobile in her memory to this special place.  What a joy it was to walk into each room, place the mobile on the crib and watch the babies’ faces light up as they watched the mobile spin around and play music.  It was also a blessing to watch the nannies expressions of gratitude and joy for the gift of the crib mobile.  Crib mobiles are something that is a “must have” when it comes to decorating a baby’s nursery.  I remember helping my mom decorate Shaoey, Stevey and Maria’s nursery.  Picking out the crib mobile was an important step in the baby preparation process as it pulled the nursery décor together.  I am honored to be a part of making Maria’s Big House of Hope feel even that much more like a home.  I will never forget watching one baby, in particular, move from tears to tickled pink as the crib mobile’s music began playing softly and the little farm animals began spinning around.  He absolutely LOVED the music!  

Uncle Jim working hard on a rendition of Maria's flower.

Kristi and Elizabeth carefully hanging the precious artwork that Maria's preschool class did in her honor to help decorate Maria's Big House of Hope.

And even more than the work projects and the amazing opportunity to deliver crib mobiles to each baby’s bed, it has been a joy watching God move mightily in and through each member on this team.  God treasures his little children.  He calls himself a father to the fatherless, and when we step into the realm of orphan care, our worlds are radically rocked.  God is revealing his character in new ways to so many of our team members.  During our team devotionals, I like to ask team members to simply share what they feel God is teaching them or stirring in their hearts during their time here in China.  Just last night, one of our team members commented on this life, one of caring for the least among the least, really being what life should be ALL about.  

“’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’”  And he said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’”  As our love for God continues to grow, we are further motivated to love others.  And as we love others well, those that might live right next door to us or those that live half way around the world, we learn new things about God – who he REALLY is and how is love REALLY changes our entire perspective.  Be blessed today knowing that God has truths to reveal to you as you love whomever God has placed in your life! 

Please continue to pray for the safety, unity and health of this team of Show Hope volunteers!  We have had an amazingly smooth trip thus far with very little sickness and unease . . . praise the Lord!  Thank you for your support!

P.S. Check out my Mom’s blog for an update and more pictures: http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/marybeth

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!”

Psalm 29:10-11

Here is a picture of our family at The Great Wall of China

When the sea rages violently on and the mountains tremble, God is still enthroned. When the tears fall like rain and the grief seems to suffocate, God is still enthroned. And when the regret of what has been and the anxiety of the not yet keeps you awake at night, God is still enthroned.

The words of Psalm 29 have taken on an entirely different meaning for me as I have spent the last week and a half in the beautiful country of China alongside of some of my dearest family and friends. As most of you know, we traveled here for the Grand Opening of Maria’s Big House of Hope, which was officially held on July 2nd, 2009. There were many government officials at the Grand Opening and we were grateful to be a part of such a special event. All of us attending the event got a kick out of the fact that the service was spoken mostly in Mandarin until someone would go to say the name of the building. And right there in the middle of words from a foreign language, you would hear the name, “MARIA.” And each person said it with so much enthusiasm seeing as how it was part of the name of this new building.

We miss Maria and this trip has been full of emotions. We have experienced sadness as we constantly notice there is one missing from our group. And on the other hand, we have been joyful as we continue to watch God restore that which has been broken in our lives. Maria’s Big House of Hope – a place that God will use to restore the lives of many hurt children and bring necessary healing to the sick, all things we prayed for on the evening of May 21st, 2008 for our own Maria Sue. God was enthroned when we prayed these things on the evening of May 21st, 2008 and He sits enthroned now as we pray the same things over Maria’s Big House of Hope.

Mom and Dad holding a precious baby at Maria's Big House of Hope

Mom and Dad cutting the ribbon at Maria's Big House of Hope

After celebrating the Grand Opening of Maria’s Big House of Hope and spending time getting to know the children that will be helped at this facility, we headed to the Earthquake Disaster Area from the Earthquake that hit China on May 12th, 2008, only 9 days before our own tragedy. We visited a city situated up in the mountains that lost 10% of its population in the Earthquake. We spent one afternoon interacting with some of the children directly affected by the natural disaster, and later that evening my dad and brothers did a concert for the community. It was pouring down rain, and yet a crowd still showed up. My dad shared our own story of loss and the reason why we wanted to come and be among other people who had experienced sudden loss. It was our desire to simply share the hope that we have found in choosing to believe that God was enthroned even in the worst moments of our own crisis. And in the final moments of the concert, as we sang a medley of worship songs, a GIANT butterfly fluttered around the stage. Since our own accident last May, butterflies have served as a reminder of Maria and the NEW LIFE she now experiences, as she is no longer confined to the cocoon. I truly believe new life has been and will continue to arise out of China’s Earthquake Disaster Areas.

Dad and the boys playing in the Earthquake Disaster Area

God sits enthroned over the flood, giving His people strength and peace. God didn’t turn His head on the afternoon of May 12th, 2008 when over 60,000 Chinese people lost their lives in the span of 3 minutes from a giant earthquake. And God didn’t close His eyes on the evening of May 21st, 2008 when Maria left this earth and began eternal life. It is my prayer that those who have experienced loss . . . at whatever level . . . will embrace the strength and peace that the Lord offers us. Strength and peace are ours before the storm, during the storm and after the storm. Do we trust Him enough to embrace it?