“The summer of 2009 found me as the new mother to a 2½ year old adopted from China. My heart was broken as we worked to help him attach to us despite the effects of the hard experiences he had already faced in his young life. As God began to heal his heart, I felt the soft prompting of God to pray for children who remain as orphans as well as those who care for them, specifically in the Henan province of China where our son was born.

“With the coming of 2010, we found ourselves battling unemployment, an auto accident that left us with only one working car, and a lump that was originally thought to be cancer. We also had just been matched with our second child, a little girl from the Henan province. I only had two pictures and a short paragraph about her. As the circumstances in my own life swirled, I continued to pray for our daughter, the orphans who continued to wait, and their caregivers.

“Weeks before our departure date to China, I stumbled across the blog of a young woman called to work at Maria’s Big House of Hope. As I read the latest entry, I was filled with praise for this sister in Christ working with orphans in Henan, and struck by how God moved to bring her to MBHOH. I was utterly amazed when I got to the bottom of her post only to find a photo of Lily (Libby at MBHOH) featured there. After several phone calls to my adoption agency, it was confirmed that she had been under the care of Maria’s Big House of Hope. It was such a special gift of God.

“Two months later, I found myself walking into MBHOH with my new daughter snugly in my arms. The immense sunlight struck me; the physical light that flooded the rooms as well as the light of God shining forth in the faces of workers there. We have seen the positive effects of the tremendous love her caregivers had given to her. At one point during our visit, I chanced to look up; Lily’s nanny was holding her with such tenderness. The sunlight bathed them both covering them completely in a brilliance of unmistakable beauty. I thought of a verse in the book of John, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 ESV).

As I look at my daughter today and receive the sweet hugs and kisses she showers on me, I remember light that has shined forth in her life through each hug and kiss she received at MBHOH. Things have settled for our family. I don’t have cancer and the car and my husband’s work have both resolved. Through all of this, I realized that my prayers were not been about making life easy, but about encountering God as Lord. My wonderful Savior said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

I believe that in God’s perfect plan He orchestrated each of our children’s beginnings for His Glory. We are so thankful for Show Hope sponsors and donors and their work on behalf of the world’s waiting orphans.

-Julie Drago

Read more blogs about Show Hope Special Care Centers >

Happy

On the first day of preschool class, I had a children’s CD playing in the background. Right around track 17, Judah’s eyes lit up and his mouth opened in surprise. It was the song “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” and he was evidently VERY happy about it. After it ended, both he and Jessica said “uh-oh” implying they wanted to hear it again. For the next week, each morning they would come in and say “happy” and we would listen to “If You’re Happy…” over, and over, and over…

The following week we started learning about opposites. In light of their delight in the song, I decided to begin with “happy” and “sad.” I used paper plate faces to show them the difference and had the kids mimic a happy face and a sad face. Then of course, after establishing that we were all happy, we would conclude with a rendition of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Sad

Weeks have passed since then, but to date, Judah still comes to class every day with a huge smile on his face and as I greet him at the door, his first words are always “Becca, happy!” to let me know that he indeed is happy. As I watch him learn and play on a daily basis, I am truly amazed by his ability to be happy all the time. It is quite humbling. Despite the physical limitations he faces as a result of his special need, he has a remarkable way of making things work and still remaining joyful: whether he’s trying over to pick up his marker, or scooting himself over to play with the blocks, or figuring out how to pick up his cookie with his mouth if I am helping Jessica. It is nearly impossible to be around Judah and not feel joyful!

Join the movement to care for orphans! Become a Show Hope sponsor today!

Read more about Judah >

By now the excitement of Christmas is wearing off a bit and hopefully is fading into a wonderful memory for all. As we turn our attention to crossing the threshold into a new year, before we do, join me in rejoicing in what we have been able to accomplish as the body of Christ in 2011. Whether you are a donor, an adoptive parent, a volunteer, a missionary, on staff at SH, a board member, an influential voice, a partner, one of our prayer warriors, or a vendor, I am grateful for the part that you played that resulted in life change for hundreds of orphaned children (now former orphans) in our country and around the globe. Your steps of obedience to play your part as one of the cast of characters in the life story of these kids that we have been a part of strengthen us as an organization. At times, you may have felt like an “extra” or a “stand in” but the stories of change are epic and the impact is beyond us. God’s plans are bigger and better than ours and while I don’t have time to recount all the miracles of 2011, below are a few headlines to recap.

Adoption Aid: In November, we surpassed our 3,000 adoption assistant financial grant helping qualified families adopt children from over 50 countries! Wow, I remember when we hit three hundred and I thought “someday there will be an extra 0 at the end and we will hit 3,000.” Dare we dream 30,000 someday (will need your help if you have major donor capacity ☺ )
Outlook 2012: The number of applications still outpace our funding and the volume of applications are projected to be similar to this past year so join us in one of our greatest joys which is to help fund forever families.
Read more blogs about Adoption Aid >

Show Hope Special Care Centers: We launched two more special care centers in China adding more than 75 orphans with special needs to our care. Obviously another full year of care at MBHOH for over 130 orphaned children and some of the greatest miracles to recap is that it is our understanding over a dozen children (as far as we know…maybe more) have been adopted by families who have been cared for at MBHOH. That is what I call a major circle of blessing and the main thrust in our purpose of our Show Hope Special Care Centers – for children to be put in a greater position to be adopted.
Outlook 2012: Possibly a couple more care centers in the Henan province! Stay tuned.
Read more blogs about Show Hope Special Care Centers >

Pre/Post Adoption & Empowered to Connect Conferences: We are grateful to have organized two conferences in 2011 which brought roughly 1300 people including hurting families, counselors and church partners. Furthermore, we implemented FREE resources for our adoption aid applicants to educate them about some of the prospective challenges ahead of them to better equip them with this life breathing information.
Outlook 2012: more free resources for applicants, the addition of a third ETC conference and a prospective new strategic initiative for training purposes. (Stand by)
Register today for 2012 Empowered to Connect Conferences >

Short-Term Trips: Roughly 200 people from around the country and different groups step foot into MBHOH this past year. Two additional surgical teams to make it three (from 1 team the previous year) unique medical trips to provide life changing surgery for 35 orphans combined throughout the year. Additionally, we had a dental team work on our nannies and several student and donor teams bring their energy and passion to Luoyang, China!
Outlook 2012: Another full year of trips!!
Complete the 2012 trips application >

The Movement Club: Our first Movement event took place in Nashville earlier this year as the catalyst towards a dozen or so Movement Clubs in high schools being launched in the Nashville region. Various service projects were executed and we begin to move into a National Launch phase with a new website just recently going live and now other clubs being formed throughout the country. We are excited for students to go beyond themselves and separate themselves as leaders in their school and community. Students can’t adopt, but lets not underestimate their passion to care for orphans today as we invest into them to become the adoptive families of tomorrow.
Outlook 2012: Watch out College students, Show Hope is coming to a campus near you!!
View video updates from The Movement Club >

Awareness and Events: Year 2 of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella was incredible! The orphan cause was lifted on high in Nashville community through this theatrical performance with Class A Broadway actors and actresses, not to mention Class A directors, local sponsors and supporters. Nothing like a unique event to piggy back a cause!
Outlook 2012: Tickets on Sale now!

SCC Concerts: “I came to one of Steven’s concerts three years ago and as a result of that night, my wife and I have gone on to adopt three children.” – Show Hope Volunteer
Enough said! Don’t miss an SCC concert this coming year as we have seen the Lord use his voice and platform for God’s purposes. Thank you to all the 400+ volunteers
Outlook 2012: Saddle Up, SCC is at it again in February. Purchase tickets today >

Cry of the Orphan Media Blitz: Year 5. Thank you Focus on the Family, Family Life’s Hope for Orphans and our new partner, James Fund (Family Christian Stores) for another successful year. We reached over 20,000,000 impressions with our combined media voice and roughly 250,000 people viewed the “Answer the Cry” video in support of Orphan Sunday.
Outlook 2012: Discussions have begun already for next year.

Well, those were just a few headlines and we are forever grateful for your role in making life change a reality in 2011 for hundreds of orphans and as you can tell by the outlook comments for 2012, we need you to join us in the endeavors that He has called us to do moving forward.

If you are a donor considering a year end gift, or planning your giving for 2012 you are necessary; if you are prospective adoptive parent praying or contemplating adoption, you are necessary; if you are a volunteer seeking to volunteer for the orphan cause, you are necessary. To steal a line from our media blitz campaign, “You are God’s plan for the orphan.” Don’t let the enemy deceive you to think you are not!! Just like we learned in the parable of the lost sheep, for if even one comes into the family we should rejoice. Your steps of obedience TODAY, set in motion forever life change for someone tomorrow! Thank you for a joyful and adventurous 2011; may your pursuit of God and obedience to Him bear great fruit for His Kingdom in 2012.

Merry Christmas from Maria’s Big House of Hope and from all of us at Show Hope!

Help make more merry memories possible by donating to Show Hope Special Care Centers through the Gifts of Hope catalog >

Last Friday we had the opportunity to celebrate yet another exciting occasion here at Maria’s Big House of Hope as Isaac turned 5 years old! As we celebrated with our sweet, joyous, energetic boy, I couldn’t help but think that not only was this a celebration of him turning another year older, it was also a farewell celebration. Although bittersweet for us here, we rejoice that Isaac will soon, very soon, be united with his forever family. In just a few weeks Isaac will meet the sweet family who has loved and prayed over him even though they have not yet met him. He will be united with his “mama,” his “baba,” and his 3 siblings, along with a community of family and friends that has eagerly awaited his arrival. What a sweet union that will be.

When I first arrived at Maria’s, to no surprise, Isaac was one of the first to greet me. For the first few weeks each time I would go into his room he would call out “Becca, come here!” and then he would look at me and say “Becca, no bye-bye” and I would respond “No, Becca no bye-bye.” The time for “bye-bye” is soon approaching, but what a joy to be able to say goodbye with such hope ahead for our sweet boy.

Thank you to all of the sponsors, donors, and friends of Show Hope who have been a part of Isaac’s journey. He has made a lasting mark here and will be truly missed by each of us who have had the privilege to enjoy this bundle of laughter and smiles.

Read more about Isaac >

Read more about Isaac’s forever family >

I love birthdays. I always have and hopefully always will. When I was a child, I loved the gifts. While I still love giving and receiving gifts, birthdays have come to mean so much more the older I’ve gotten: birthdays are a day to celebrate individuals. Yes, we should celebrate and appreciate each other more than once a year, but birthdays just seem to be a special day to celebrate the people we love. The sad reality for millions of orphans around the world is that very often there is not a day set apart to let them know they are special, unique, and loved.

In November, we had the privilege of celebrating the fifth birthdays of Judah and Jessica, two of the children here at MBHOH. We had a party during our preschool class time and were joined by all of our classmates, nurses, and Dr. Steve and his family. It was such a sweet opportunity as we took a bit of time to celebrate and give thanks for these two very special children turning one year older. Yet another reason to celebrate – on the heels of his fifth birthday, Judah also lost a tooth!

My deep desire for Judah and Jessica is that they would each know without a shadow of a doubt that they are loved and that they are worthy of being celebrated. I hope that years from now, no matter where they are, that they would be able to remember these moments and the people that cared for them and love them more than they will probably ever understand. Thank you to all the donors and sponsors who are helping to make this possible! I pray, too, that through this love they would glimpse the love their heavenly Father has for them.

It has been a busy month, but Thanksgiving has given me the opportunity to reflect on how thankful I am for these children and my Maria’s Big House of Hope “family.”  From birthdays, to holidays, to children receiving gifts from their forever families, we have much to be thankful for!

Read more about Judah >

Read more about Jessica >

Discussion: Leave us a comment and tell us what you did in November to celebrate and give thanks.

This has been another amazing year of Show Hope short-term trips! In all, more than 200 medical professionals, donors, sponsors, and students visited Maria’s Big House of Hope in 2011. As the Trip Coordinator, it was particularly exciting for me to see how God handpicked each team member. Whether it was to use their medical expertise to perform surgeries and physical therapy, to draw from their teaching background to help in the pre-school, to lead worship using their musical ability, or to make use of their cosmetology profession to bless the long-term foreign staff with an American haircut, each person came with the purpose to love and serve the children and staff at MBHOH. I’m reminded of Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Not only were team members uniquely equipped, but more importantly they were able to understand the plight of the orphan on a deeper and more intimate level by intentionally spending time in the Word and in prayer during their trip experience.

We are amazed to see how God has already come alongside these 2011 team members as they have chosen to walk in the way He has revealed to them. We celebrate with those who have gone on to adopt and rejoice as their children come home. We applaud those who have chosen or changed their careers or majors in school to better use their gifts to care for orphans. We cheer on those who have been able to start orphan care clubs and programs in their communities. And we are grateful to those who have purchased needed supplies for the special care centers and those who have become Show Hope sponsors. We at Show Hope are truly humbled to see all that God has done in and through the different teams this year! “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1

Now, we are inviting YOU to apply for one of our 2012 short-term trips! We’re offering several trips to Maria’s Big House of Hope for sponsors, students, and our first men’s team. We’re also thrilled to announce our first Show Hope trips to Haiti, which will focus on empowering students to be leaders in the world of orphan care! We eagerly look forward to what is in store in 2012, and to the unique personalities, talents, and callings God will reveal in each team. If you are interested in joining us on a life changing short-term trip, please visit our trips page and get started on your application today!

Learn more about Show Hope trips >

[Discussion question: If you've been on a Show Hope trip before, what was your favorite part? If you haven't been on a trip with us, what advice or prayers can you offer the 2012 teams?]

Watch this 2011 Show Hope Short-Term Trips recap video!

“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.” ― –C.S. Lewis

Retelling…it is one of the greatest privileges we have been given in this work of caring for orphans. As you look through the following photos, they retell and reflect many things: the generous and selfless giving of Show Hope’s sponsors and donors who make this work possible; the tender, loving, and often life-saving medical care that is provided to these waiting children with special needs; and the hope that is now possible for so many of them — the hope of a forever family through the miracle of adoption.

Thank you for making it possible for these miracles to be retold…watch the slideshow below to see just a few of these miracles!

Steven Curtis, Mary Beth, and I will be in St. Louis, MO tomorrow (Wednesday, October 12) with JOY FM radio as they host their second radiothon fundraiser for Show Hope.  JOY FM is the Christian radio station in the St. Louis area, and they are long-time supporters of Steven and Show Hope. Tune in to JOY FM during the morning drive, mid-day, and afternoon drive as the on-air talent and the Chapmans talk to listeners about the ministry and impact of Show Hope. They will especially highlight our work with orphans with special needs in China at Maria’s Big House of Hope.

JOY FM Listeners will be asked to call the station, where 25 volunteers will be taking calls, to make a donation to support Show Hope’s work at MBHOH.  The goal for the day is to raise more than $100,000! Please pray for Show Hope as we reach out to the Christian radio listeners in St. Louis with a little music, weather, traffic…and an opportunity to engage in orphan care!

If you are interested in listening or donating online, visit JOY FM’s by clicking here >

It has happened like clock work for the past 7 years…

The dreams usually start right around mid-July. Dreams of children running in and out of my classroom completely out of my control. Dreams of kids not listening to a word I say. If you are a teacher, you probably know exactly what I am talking about. Some may call it anxiety, I just like to think it’s something that comes with being a teacher. The “back-to-school” dreams (or nightmares might be a little more fitting)!

This year was a little different. I didn’t have the dreams, but the fears were still just as real, only totally different. There was the fear of leaving the place that had become so very familiar with kids that I adore for a place that was totally unfamiliar. There was the fear of not being able to communicate in the same language as my kids. The fear of caring for their individual special needs was very real too. I felt (and still do feel on many days) totally inadequate. But over all that fear there is a peace…a peace of a certain uncertainty: certain that this is where He has called me to be and serve and love for as long as He has me here, and a peace that although I am inadequate in my own strength, He is the One who makes me adequate.

So the first day came. My stomach in knots, I got out of bed, got ready, fixed a cup of coffee and walked downstairs (a definite plus- I don’t have to drive to work). In the back of my mind I tried to remind myself over and over just to love. That is what He has called me to. Yes, to teach and enrich the lives of His children, but above all things to love.

Thankfully I remembered very quickly that kids have this way of graciously accepting you and loving you just the way you are. Whether you’ve got yourself together or not, whether you speak their language or not, whether you look like them or not. It is a gentle and gracious reminder of how I should view others.

As the first few weeks have gone on, it has become easier as I get more comfortable with my sweet new students. It is a challenge for sure, but a welcomed one, knowing it is straight from the hand of a Father who planned this long ago.

Rebecca McCoy moved to Maria’s Big House of Hope in August 2011 to become the new preschool teacher. Previously, Rebecca taught kindergarten in Alabama. She is excited about this new journey and Show Hope is glad to have her!

QUESTION: What is your favorite back-to-school memory? Share with us in the comments section.

Learn more about how you can impact the lives of the children at MBHOH by becoming a Show Hope sponsor >