Sunday, August 29 was a special day for Show Hope and a special day for the children at Christ Community Church in Franklin (just outside Nashville). It was “Show Hope Day” for the children’s ministry. Christ Community is Steven and Mary Beth’s home church (mine too) and Steven, Mary Beth, and Emily shared with more than 300 children and leaders about all that God is doing through Show Hope in the world of orphan care and adoption.

MBC and Shaoey reading "Shaoey and Dot"

Steven led worship and sang his new song “Meant to Be” which will be on the VeggieTales Christmas DVD, Emily gave a wonderful talk about the needs of orphans around the world and how all of us can help, and Mary Beth read from the book, Shaoey and Dot. Afterward, the children were all given a craft project that incorporated a picture of one of the children currently being cared for at Maria’s Big House of Hope. With the project, they were asked to list five things they could pray for the kids at MBHOH. It was a fun morning of ministry, engaging children and families of our home church on behalf of the world’s waiting orphans.

Lord, raise up college students who will spark a fire at their school with their passion to care for orphans.

This prayer is continually on our hearts at Show Hope, and was featured as our “Daily Prayer” yesterday. I can tell this resonated with many of you by the response it received on Twitter and Facebook! As I read the prayer yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but smile…I planned to go to lunch that day with two very special college students!

Ginna Claire Mason and Alexa Behar joined Emily, Julia, and I for lunch in downtown Franklin in the precious last few days before they return to Elon University in North Carolina. Along with their small group at school, these girls joined the movement to care for orphans by raising more than $5000 in three days!!

While home on a break last spring, these young women were given twenty dollars through the “Living A Better Story” program at Brentwood United Methodist Church, located just outside of Nashville. The program was inspired by Donald Miller’s latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and included a devotional that they were to read through as they discerned what to do with their funds. They were asked to pray over and invest in a ministry or person outside of the walls of the church.

Alexa suggested that they raise the funds for Show Hope, and Ginna Claire and their college small group got on board with full force! They raised the funds by asking friends to donate “meal swipes” in their school’s cafeteria, selling cupcakes and hand-made pieces of art, and through “dorm storms,” where they asked their classmates to donate spare change to change the world for orphans. These girls are showing hope to their school in an exciting way, and they are already planning their next fundraiser for Show Hope this fall!

I have been in on the recent Show Hope meetings where we’ve dreamed about and planned new student initiatives, and these ladies are definitely an inspiration to us! I hope you will continue to join me in prayer for Alexa and Ginna Claire, the students from our youth trips this summer, and the millions of college students across the nation who are heading back to school.

Earlier this week, a man stopped by our office to give us a framed scripture.  He works for a small business who sells these unique pieces. He said they heard about Show Hope and wanted to bless us with this gift. Of course I thought to myself, “Well that’s awesome. Thank you!” When he opened up the package, I saw the words “Give in Secret” Matt 6:4. Hmm… That was an interesting choice of a verse to frame. I thought about it a little more and read the full scripture just to see exactly what it says.

3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

After pondering the gift we were given, I thought how fitting it really is. An organization that is supported by contributions of individuals certainly relies on this verse. Show Hope has hundreds of donors who “Give in Secret” each month. These donors have decided in their hearts to give to orphans, to help make a difference for one child. No one has to know about their giving. They are giving to the Lord’s work. So let me say “Thank you!” to all of our faithful  Show Hope sponsors who give to the needy month after month. May the Lord reward you as he promises to do.

When I first heard that there are an estimated 140,000,000 orphans in the world, it seemed like an astounding and shocking number that I couldn’t wrap my mind around. The challenge seems so great that we often give up and decide that we can’t make a real difference. I believe that alone we can do little, but together we can accomplish GREAT things! It is through this desire to become a part of the movement to care for orphans that I learned about Show Hope.

I was a stay-at-home mom who longed to find a place of valuable service to a ministry here in Franklin, Tennessee. I didn’t know what that would to look like, but I knew that God was calling me in the direction of orphan care and adoption. My husband and I were not in the position to adopt at the time, so this would be my way of addressing the orphan crisis in the world. Through much internet research, I found myself on Show Hope’s website, and instantly knew I wanted to help this ministry in any way I could. I contacted Show Hope and they just happened to need volunteers at the time.

As I was entering data into a computer system, as small as that seemed, I knew I was passionate about this cause. Eventually, I was hired, and I feel blessed to be able to serve God through this ministry each day. If everyone contributed in some way, no matter how small or large, we could truly make a difference in the lives of orphans. There are so many different ways to get involved: volunteer your time, go on a mission trip, give financially, adopt, foster, pray, and the list goes on. I urge you not to numbly look at the numbers as statistics, but to let your hearts be stirred and to become a voice for those that do not have one.  I thank God every day for Show Hope and what this ministry is doing in the lives of orphans daily and for letting me play a small but vital role.

“Defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless; Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Deliver the weak and needy from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4

When I first started working for Show Hope, one of my favorite job responsibilities was opening the mail. I know it sounds crazy, but I got to read everything from sweet, heartfelt “Thank You’s” to amazing adoption testimonies and great fundraising stories. I got to see it all! Although I don’t currently open the mail on a daily basis, I  still get to sort through the donations that come in. Every now and again, there will be a particular story or a picture that really stands out. That is exactly what happened yesterday.

I opened up an envelope to see a picture of Wesley, the sweetest little red-headed boy that, by the looks of the picture, was really excited to do his part for the orphan crisis! He’s so cute, right? Wesley also included a hand-drawn card and a donation “for the babies at Maria’s Big House of Hope.” I wish I knew more of Wesley’s story, but I think his obvious excitement is evidence that he really gets it! It’s further proof that no matter how young, we can all do our part to join the movement to care for orphans!

Show Hope is partnering with Empowered To Connect to bring the Empowered To Connect Conference to Nashville, Tennessee. This two day conference focuses on equipping families, churches and professionals to bring hope and healing to adopted and foster children. Hosted at Covenant Presbyterian Church by longtime Show Hope board members and friends of the Chapmans, Dan and Terri Coley, the conference will take place during September 10-11, 2010.

The Empowered to Connect Conference features two tracks with sessions and workshops led by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Michael and Amy Monroe. Dr. Karyn Purvis, co-author of The Connected Child, will share her research, tips and strategies for easing post-adoption family life. All participants are highly encouraged to attend sessions on both days. Professionals are eligible to receive CEU credit for their participation in the conference. Early bird registration takes place through August 11.

For more information about the conference and conference registration, please visit showhope.org/connect

Add a banner to your website to share with friends:

As it gets warmer and school lets out, kids in the United States are heading outside to play in the summer sun. The children at Maria’s Big House of Hope love doing these same things, and some of the older children like Jim and Juliana are enjoying learning to ride big wheelers and tricycles outside.

With the construction of the new playground, which is being funded by the efforts of the Natalie Wynn Carter Foundation, there is more fun in store for the children at MBHOH. These orphans will now have the opportunity they might not have had otherwise to get outside, play and be active. We cannot wait to show you more endearing photos as the playground is completed!

The Young Adult team helped this past week

The young adult team at Maria’s Big House of Hope is experiencing a time of growth as they care for orphans.

By: Ashley Longardner

We arrived at Maria’s Big House of Hope earlier this week, and being here has completely overwhelmed me. Every thought I previously had about orphans and orphan care has been challenged.  I have found that I am completely guilty of having no place in my life for these beautiful children.

In the church, we often hear, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress…” (James 1:27) One of the things I couldn’t stop thinking of once I got here was, why is there no real concerted effort inside the church to care for the fatherless? And what am I doing to tangibly care for those without forever families? “But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the Word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what your heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:22-25)

Orphan care is easily forgotten because we are so easily distracted from the needs of this group of 140 million individual children. But the God of all creation describes Himself as “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows.” (Psalm 68:5)

David, Oliver and Asher

There are so many children waiting for forever families. Do you have room at your table? Do you have the finances to start a fund inside your church to help sponsor families that have been called to adopt? Do you support an orphan care ministry like Show Hope? Don’t wait for someone else to take the first step…take a step in faith toward what God is calling YOU to do.

We received our first email from our team of young people heading out to Maria’s Big House of Hope to serve the children there!

By: Anna Haas and Caroline Greene

Thursday night the team met up in Newark where we ate dinner together and got to know each other. Then Friday morning we began our journey to Beijing. After 13 hours of flying we were greeted by Mikey Shook and Emily Richards who took us to Hope Healing Home. Upon arrival, Robin Hill gave us a tour of the home. We were able to spend some time with the babies before heading to the Mongolian style tents, called yurts, to sleep.

Early Sunday morning, we attended an international church service and then spent the afternoon at the Great Wall. At the Great Wall, we all got our first chance at bargaining and practicing Mandarin phrases. Below is our first team picture at the Great Wall.

That evening we caught the overnight train from Beijing to Luoyang, where many of us had to embrace the squatty potties and very friendly fellow travelers.

This morning we arrived in Luoyang and came to Maria’s Big House of Hope. We will be here for a week and have many exciting activities planned. We look forward to getting to know each other better as well as the babies and nannies!
These are our awesome team leaders Katie and Wendy that have been doing an awesome job at leading our trip.

Please pray for the team while they are over there!

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, presented as Show Hope’s Spring Celebration 2010, made for a magical evening in Nashville! If you were a part of the sold-out audience, we want to thank you for joining us in raising awareness for the plight of orphans. Watch this behind the scenes video to see clips from the rehearsal and the show!

You may be wondering what your next steps are now that you have learned more about the mission of Show Hope to care for the most pressing needs of orphans in distress. We invite you to:

• Join hands with us in this movement by donating to Show Hope.
• Sign up for eNews updates to stay up to date on Show Hope’s projects
• Share your photos of the evening on the Show Hope Facebook page

Thank you to all who attended this enchanting event. We hope many more will be able to join us next year! Be sure to bookmark our home page, www.showhope.org, and check back often for updates on the 2011 Show Hope Spring Celebration!