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 >

When I first arrived in China last February, I often found myself searching for anything that would bring an ounce of familiarity to my new life…where nothing was familiar. I searched for familiar smells, foods, and even just little moments in the day that would make me feel just a little closer to home. One of the things that brought that comfort was bananas.

It sounds sort of funny…to be comforted by bananas. But it’s true. The little fruit stand near my dormitory sold them. When I first arrived, I was afraid to eat anything that didn’t have a nice protective peeling on the outside (although I quickly adapted and soon ventured to try apples, too!). So those first few weeks it was just me and the bananas. I ate one each morning for breakfast with my instant coffee. I’d slowly peel back the yellow outside and take a big whiff of that familiar smell, closing my eyes and thinking of home. I would eat it ever so slowly, savoring every ounce of flavor. It didn’t take much to make me happy.

Fast forward six months… The day before I left to come home, sweet Caitlin (my fellow intern) threw a going away party for me in the preschool class. Caitlin was staying for another month while I returned home to start school. We asked the kids to draw a picture for me to take home. They all gathered around and began to work on their masterpiece. I’ll never forget glancing at that picture when they were half-way finished. What did I see? Bananas. Caitlin had taught the kids how to draw bananas one day during preschool, and Jaelynn loved to draw them everywhere so naturally she drew bananas for me. I looked at these perfectly formed bananas…and my eyes began to well up with tears. Suddenly, Jaelynn became very upset as the other kids began scribbling all over her perfect bananas. We scooped her up as she continued to scream, “But Abby’s going to America! I want to give her bananas! Abby’s going to America! I want to give her bananas!” All I could do was hold her and assure her that I loved her bananas…they were perfect, even if the other kids colored on top of them. The next day as I told her good-bye, she held my face in her little hands and said, “I give you bananas.”

My heart ripped in half as I once again faced the realization that I was leaving…she was staying behind. But those bananas came with me. Those bananas are framed and hanging on my wall amidst Jessica’s drawing of myself, Fahlin’s scribble, and Issac’s black circles. And even if no one else notices those bananas, I know they’re there. And I know that sweet Jesus gave me bananas. The same simple thing He used to comfort my homesick heart back in February, He is now using to comfort my homesick heart now. And every time I see a banana, I am reminded of His faithfulness. And I am reminded to pray for Jaelynn–my precious banana-giving princess–and for a forever family for this sweet one.

Read more about Jaelynn here >

Learn about how you can pray for Jaelynn >

Do you have an special picture or object that reminds you to pray for orphans? Tell us in the comments.

“My wife, Jen, and I came to Maria’s Big House of Hope as part of our desire to work with orphans. Being Show Hope sponsors, we were able to apply for the September 2011 short-term trip and come to China as a couple. Upon arriving here, I really didn’t know what God expected from me. I have to be honest and admit, at first, I came to Maria’s because my wife insisted that I come. But now that I’m here, God has changed my heart.

“In 2009, Jen and I found out we were having fertility issues.  We were told by the doctors that it wouldn’t be impossible for us to have children, but it also wouldn’t be very easy. But after getting our hopes up, they were quickly dashed. Having previously decided that we didn’t want to have invitro-fertilization, we turned everything over to God and began to focus on adoption. I thought I had dealt with those emotions, but things resurfaced while I was here.

“After interacting with a few of the children here at Maria’s, I found myself drawn to one little boy in particular; Cadence. As I was walking past one of the rooms, he shot me a big smile, pointed and ran towards the door, so I stopped to spend time with him. Shortly after leaving the room, I began to work on one of our devotional ‘assignments’ to choose a child that stood out to us, find out more about them, and write their story as we imagined it.

“Upon trying to do this, I found myself slipping into a dark place, thinking about the fertility struggles my wife and I have had.  After sobbing for several hours, I finally found the strength to go back down and see Cadence, the little man who caught my attention earlier. As I walked into the room, I was asked to take pictures of him receiving a package from his adoptive family. At that moment, my despair for my own situation turned to hope…hope for the children here, for the glory and beauty that God can still bring into their lives, and for the possibility of a brighter future. Going from such a low point earlier in the day to one of the happiest moments I’ve had the privilege of being a part of was a true gift from God.

“Since that first day at MBHOH, I find myself happily playing with children here and praying that they would find the same peace in a forever family that so many children have found through this amazing organization.”

-Ray Hatch

You can be a part of caring for children like Cadence by becoming a sponsor >

There are so many things I love about the work of Show Hope. While there are constant reminders of the heartbreaking needs of the world’s waiting orphans, there are also sweet reminders of how God is actively at work to bring these same waiting children into a new hope and future through the miracle of adoption.

Earlier this summer, Show Hope celebrated the 2nd anniversary of its Special Care Centers in China like Maria’s Big House of Hope. On the heels of that celebration, it is only fitting that we would also have an additional celebration in the office of sending “Welcome Home” packages to the children who have overcome the greatest of odds and now find themselves thriving in the love of forever families through adoption. These packages include all the early photo history we have of each child who has been under our care.

As the mother of four children who each came home through the miracle of adoption, I understand how precious any piece of our children’s early history can be – not only for us as parents but also for our children as they grow and learn more about how God protected and provided for them before they were ever in our arms. As a result of Show Hope Special Care Centers’ integral role in the beginning of these children’s lives, we have the distinct privilege of being able to provide some of this early history. It is one more way to celebrate all that God is doing to bring “beauty from ashes” for these beautiful kids and their families.

Welcome home Elmer, Libby, Lakeisha, Martina, Jim, Elaina, Zane, Kelsie Rae, and Carolina!

Become a Show Hope sponsor to help provide life-giving care to orphans through Show Hope Special Care Centers >

Here is another inside peak into the exciting work going on at Maria’s Big House of Hope! Hear about what God is doing through the orthopedic surgery and physical therapy team in China.

August 16—Tuesday

Dr. Thomas started his first case today at 8am. Elijah had a tissue band that was in his toes and restricting the blood supply for his toes. They released the band so the blood flow could start, and hopefully normal growth will start.  The prognosis looks excellent.

Jeremy was the second case today and took 4 hours to do. The technical term is syndactyly, which is where two fingers grow together.  Jeremy had it on both hands between the third and forth fingers.  It was amazing seeing Dr. Thomas take skin grafts and repair between the fingers after he had separated them.

Our last little guy was Daniel.  He was one month old and had the exact same problem as Jeremy, but it only affected his left hand.

The Star Physical Therapy teams continues to do amazing things with the kids who have cerebral palsy. The team is seeing lots of smiles from kids and their nannies.

These are amazing medical teams that come over here.  Each team that comes over has long stressful days working around power issues or equipment that goes out, however God has continued to give us favor and draw ALL of us close together as we strive to honor his command.

Wednesday—August 17

Today the Star Therapy team continued to work with the kids, helping some to be mobile in chairs and others to help their joints and muscles become more flexible. Regg, one of the owners of Star, has his clown outfit here and is a big hit blowing bubbles and making animal balloons.

Dr. Thomas and his team spent about 9 hours in the OR performing two very complex surgeries. I watched the first one and didn’t even know they could perform such operations. I saw today why Brian Lewis with the Ortho team worked so hard to get a Stryker surgical drill that can place pins thru bones and attach bones together. Two very young boys will now have the use of both of their hands when they heal where before they were just able to use one. An amazing thing to see.

The two surgeries that were scheduled for tomorrow we canceled because the therapy team was able to make such progress that the surgeries are not needed now.

August 18

This morning was a day of bandage changing and pictures of the team, nannies and babies that received surgeries.

The kids that had surgery are all doing awesome.  There are some new faces zooming around Show Hope in wheel chairs and having quite a time.

We had devotions today where everyone shared what this trip had meant to them. It would be fair to say it was very emotional and such a blessing to see what God is doing in the lives of our team.

Tonight we all went into town to eat and had a great meal and a great time of fellowship. Tomorrow we will be heading off to Beijing. Thank you for all your prayerful support!

Amy Melton is a Physical Therapist with STAR Physical Therapy and is part of the August medical team at Maria’s Big House of Hope. Physical therapy was recently identified as one of the most pressing needs we have at MBHOH, and we are so grateful for the STAR team to be out there and help these kids who so desperately need therapy.

“We have been here at Maria’s Big House of Hope now for 2 days, and when I woke this morning, I thought, ‘I GET to go to work today, how awesome!!’  The joy, love, and laughter is abundant, and God’s presence spreads through this holy ground like wild fire.

“Today we worked side by side with the staff physical therapist.  She has been very instrumental in setting a developmental plan in motion, and we were able to provide additional insight into how the staff can all work together to facilitate the physical therapy needs.

“Each day there are one or two children who capture me and fill me with excitement about their future and the great ways God is working in their lives, including bringing medical teams here to provide care on multiple levels.

“My last treatment today was with a girl named Jessica. She is 4 ½ years old, and has a form of cerebral palsy.  Initially, she was very hesitant and appeared somewhat fearful as we approached her.  However, after just minutes, she was smiling, laughing, and even learned to say my name. Keep in mind I am speaking English, and she speaks Chinese.  Even still she could repeat what I said and said “Amy” just as plain as you and I would say it.  She was fascinated with my camera as well.  She flashed me smile that I will never forget and it will hold a place in my heart forever, and for that alone, I will be forever grateful to STAR and Show Hope for this experience.

“We have three more days here, and I cant wait to go to bed just so the next day will hurry and get here and I can go back to work….now how many of you can say that about your job?

“I end my day with these lyrics in my head ‘…Our God is healer, awesome in power, Our God, Our God…’ –Chris Tomlin”

-Amy Melton

A special thanks to all our donors and sponsors who every month enable these amazing kids to receive the most excellent care in a loving family atmosphere at our Special Care Centers!

We currently have an amazing medical team at Maria’s Big House of Hope this week, and they are busy making miracles happen through orthopedic surgery and physical therapy!  Below you’ll find a sneak peak into this trip through the trip journal of trip coordinator David Trask:

August 12–Friday

Friday we all were supposed to show up at the Nashville airport by 4:15am but you know how that goes. Check in could be easy but it usually never is.  But we all made it and boarded the plane, off to Beijing.

August 13–Saturday

Everything went on schedule getting to Beijing at 1:45pm.  We arrived at the group check in, and the flight was delayed. The same girl I talked to last month told me the same thing as before, so we moved all of our luggage out away from the counter. Last time, we found out the flight was on time about 50 minutes before the flight left, and it was crazy getting everybody checked in and cleared thru security and to the gate in time. Same thing happened tonight, and it was just as crazy. We were deliriously tired on this flight because we’d already been up about 30 hours.  After the 1½-hour flight to Luoyang and a 15-minute drive, we were finally at Maria’s Big House of Hope.

August 14—Sunday Pre Op day

This morning after breakfast, the amazement for the team started as pre-op rounds got underway, and everyone got their first glimpse of the kids.  Until you come here, you are never prepared for the surgery that goes on in your heart as you start picking up kids and looking into their little eyes.  You are truly never the same.

Today while the surgical team was preparing all the supplies they needed in the OR, Dr. Thomas was in the dorm laying in his bed and studying the procedures he was doing in the morning. Surgery will start in the morning at 7:30am.  Please pray for the team.

August 15

This morning there were lots of anxious people as we prepared to get the first case going. The precious child first undergoing surgery was named James, who had an extra thumb. Dr. Thomas fixed him up, so he now has 8 fingers and two thumbs. It may seem like a little thing, but it literally changed his life. What an amazing gift of dexterity, dignity, and self-respect.

All three surgeries today were very successful. You could see the relief on the face of Dr. Thomas and his surgical team to get the first day behind them. The other two surgeries were also boys.  Yaakov had the fingers on his left hand separated, and Kitt had an internal band removed that was constraining his foot.  If the band had not been removed, he would have lost his foot entirely.

The Star Physical Therapy team today specifically worked with some of the kids that are going to have surgery. Their mission was to stretch the muscles and skin tissue to help prepare the joint for surgery and to allow Dr. Thomas to maximize the success of the reconstruction. They also assessed multiple children who aren’t getting surgery to begin training sessions for the nannies to continue physical therapy long after they are done.

Looking Forward

I know that where we are staying and working this week in Luoyang is Holy Ground.  Please continue to pray for the entire team this week as doctors, nurses, therapists, and behind the scenes staff are here to carry out James 1:27 where God invites us to care for orphans in the time of their need.  Caring is being done here for orphans at Maria’s Big House of Hope in Luoyang, China.  Ask God to show you what your part is in this on going need.  We certainly need your prayers, but is God calling you to consider adoption or is he asking you to financially support Show Hope?

It is really overwhelming to be here.  Dr. Thomas and I were talking, and I said I believe God prepared each person in all their training to be here on August 15, 2011, to use their talents to make a difference in the lives of James, Yaakov and Kitt. It was something special to see Dr. Thomas and the whole team use their God-given skills to make a difference today.

“If you walk into the Jungle Book room at Maria’s Big House of Hope with a camera, you have to have a certain understanding: you will no longer have control of that camera! Isaac loves to take pictures, and I now have an abundance of random pictures on my camera that he has taken over the past couple of days. Upon entering the room, Isaac will come over and ask for the ‘piktur.’ Then, he holds the camera up and yells ‘KAH-SMILE!’ If you are lucky, he might even take a picture with you. Isaac has a lot of fun taking these pictures, as evidenced by the huge ‘kah-smile’ on his face.

“Here at MBHOH, a smile means everything. It shows that a child is happy and wanting you to return that smile or responding to the smile you are giving him or her. A smile is a display of trust. When you walk into a room, some of the kids may be unsure at first, but usually all it takes is for you to smile and they know that you are here to love them.

“This love is frequently shown on the faces of the nannies here at Maria’s. It is obvious when you enter the room that these children are adored by their caretakers. When a kid falls and starts crying, all it takes is the nanny to pick up the kid and all is well with the world. Maria’s Big House of Hope would not be half of what it is without these incredible nannies. These women share wonderful bonds with the children.

“We pray that one day each of the children at MBHOH will have a loving home where they will be able to share smiles with their forever families. These smiles are truly precious. Next time you ‘kah-smile’ at someone, you might be changing a life.”

-Elena Bell

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“Before coming to MBHOH I had heard facts like 140 million orphans are living in the world today and every 18 seconds a child is orphaned. Before coming here I knew I would be seeing a handful of those orphans, but I never really stopped to think how God has made each of these children so unique. I have seen God in every child’s eyes that has looked up at me. As I started to hold and play with the children, I started seeing them as very distinct human beings and not just one of the 140 million orphans. It wasn’t just because of their special needs, but little things like what makes them laugh, cry, jump in your arms or shy away.

“There’s Cadence, who makes his nannies and everyone here laugh each day. Isaac has so much joy that you can’t help but smile when you walk past the door and he calls “come in, come in”! Then there are the sweet little babies like Joseph and Milton who are content just to lie on your chest and hold on to your finger; And Hannah, though she doesn’t like to be held, her big black eyes look at you with so much hope and peace that I melt every time I sit next to her. These children deserve all the time, prayers, love and hope that we can give them. I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet these beautiful children. I’ve been able to hold, tickle, snuggle, hug and rock them to sleep. During this trip God has taught me that the orphan crisis is so much more than just a number.”

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17

-Hannah Kelsey

To help provide life-giving care to the children at Maria’s Big House of Hope, become a sponsor today >

“After just a few days in China, the team, the kids, and the staff already feel like family.’Team Awesome’ is how our team has been jokingly referring to ourselves, but it really is the best way to describe the people I have been serving with. At first, coming to on this trip to Maria’s Big House of Hope was really overwhelming, but after a few minutes with the team it got easier. There have been small annoyances along the way such as a flight being delayed twice, but God has made us all feel like we were coming home rather than somewhere new and different.

“Our first assignment for our team devotionals was to find a child we had a unique and personal connection with and to write about what they may think or feel about their past and future from their perspective. At first I feared I may not find that special connection with any of the children at MBHOH, so I prayed as I headed to the fourth floor with Katie, one of our team leaders, and a few other team members.

“As you can probably guess, I fell in love instantly. I found “my” child on the first floor I went to. It was like we had a magnetic connection. I was halfway afraid that she would not have that same connection with me, but I knew God was in control and walked right on over to pick her up. Her name is Caroline, and she has big, brown, sparkly eyes that you simply cannot resist. Before I knew it, we had been giggling and cuddling for over thirty minutes, and she accepted me as her new friend right away. I never could have imagined a child so beautiful and fun, but God knew we would share that moment of pure joy long before either of us were born. Praise God and His wonderful creations!”

- Amberly Holden

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“What an adventure! Alongside people I have known for just 72 hours, I have flown halfway (literally) across the world, hiked up the Great Wall of China, and arrived at Maria’s Big House of Hope. It all seems surreal; there is no way this is happening. After months of planning, preparing, and praying, we are at Maria’s Big House of Hope! We arrived late at night, but could still see the building, painted like the sky, letting us know that we had made it.

“We can already see how God has brought us all together and brought us all here. We have all been humbly reminded and have been reminding each other that there is no way this could happen outside of the love of Christ. Our hearts share a common bond that started us all on this journey. I am constantly reminded of how we were once orphans until we were adopted in to Christ’s family.

“The children here are breaking our hearts already. Seeing smiles on their faces is a beautiful reminder of our purpose here, to show these children hope. It is evident that those who have been here before us have done exactly that. There is an overwhelming sense of God’s presence here, leaving us with the feeling that this is a story of grief being beautifully redeemed as a way for others to hear about the work taking place here.”

-Sara Jennings

To help provide life-giving care to orphans at Show Hope Special Care Centers like Maria’s Big House of Hope, become a Show Hope sponsor  today >