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.

Sunrise from the roof of MBHOH

I have always been an early riser, and perhaps that has played a part in developing my deep love of sunrises.  Just over two years ago, my husband and I moved back to Tennessee with our children.  We had moved here from a neighborhood on the far north side of Chicago called Rogers Park, and the school our children attended was located in the South Loop.  Our school commute required an early morning trek down Lakeshore Drive, and while the distance from our house to school was only 12 miles, the trip took around 45 minutes.  Although this extended time in the car allowed us to practice spelling words and memory verses while we were all held captive by the commute, there was also another upside…

During these early morning commutes, our conversations were often interrupted by a breathtaking sunrise over Lake Michigan.  I always found myself compelled to have the children stop what they were doing to take a moment to share in its beauty.  Like a well rehearsed dance, my children always knew what would come next:  my question to them about what verse the sunrise drew their minds toward.  Upon my question, the children would begin to recite the first two verses of Psalm 19 to me.  Hearing this small section of scripture seemed to be the only sufficient remedy to my heart as it worked to process the beauty and splendor of what was before us:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

When I visited Maria’s Big House of Hope in March, I had the opportunity to watch the sunrise from the rooftop.  Although its appearance was much different than the sunrises I had enjoyed over Lake Michigan, it communicated a deep and abiding beauty I hadn’t seen before.  This same sun that gloriously worked to claim the day in Chicago was now working to give light to the children at MBHOH now waking to a new day.  I was further reminded of the beauty held within the walls of the building below me…the precious children, each made in God’s image, and in so, declaring God’s glory through their very existence.  With these truths in mind, that sunrise still stands as one of the most beautiful I have ever witnessed.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

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

I had the opportunity to watch an extremely thought-provoking movie, Inception, and let me say this: it did not disappoint. Easily one of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer from a director whose vision and aptitude at crafting a surprising and compelling story continue to deliver, Inception was intellectually engaging and entertaining. I would not officially endorse it, but for those who want to discuss it, here’s a chance! Leave your comments below and let us know what you think!

Inception follows the story of a man named Cobb who is an “Extractor”, which means he enters people’s dreams and extracts sensitive information from their subconscious. One of the extractor’s team creates a dream world, and they connect to one another with tubes that feed a chemical compound so that Cobb and his team can interact with their victim in a dream that the victim perceives as reality. After a botched job, the victim of an extraction turns out to be a potential client who was giving Cobb an audition. Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, is then tasked to accomplish “Inception”, which is basically the opposite of “Extraction.” He must enter another person’s dream and place an idea there that the victim believes is his own.

The movie deals with a really interesting, complicated, and detailed “dream world” that Christopher Nolan, the director, slowly reveals throughout the movie. Never too cerebral, and excellently paced, the movie unravels its mysteries without overwhelming you, and though questions remain when all is said and done, the dream world with its rules and guidelines feels real without ever coming across as contrived.

For this extremely difficult job of inception, Cobb assembles a “dream team” of dream specialists, and the movie begins to follow the plot movements of a con man or caper movie like “Ocean’s Eleven.” This makes the movie enjoyable, but at its heart, the movie never lets go of its gravitas and wrestles with compelling ideas and questions in unique ways. At the most basic level, Cobb wants to get home to his kids, but he is racked with guilt over an incident that happened to his late wife. That wife, Mal, continues to haunt him in his dreams and ruin his efforts to accomplish what he sets out to do in dream world.

Moreover, the question of “what is real” is woven throughout the movie as Cobb must use his “totem”, an item only he knows about, which tells him if he is in someone else’s dream or if he is in the real world. Cobb’s totem is a top, which spins forever in a dream state but eventually topples over in reality. The movie flawlessly weaves various story elements, characters, and themes together, delivering such a punch at the end that it is hard to believe anyone would walk away without wanting to discuss it with someone.

You might be asking yourself, what does all this have to do with Show Hope and adoption or orphan care? Well… (more…)

Since the completion of MBHOH, I have dreamed of actually walking the halls and holding the little ones who are there to receive vital medical care. Like many of you, I read the Show Hope blog each week and marvel at the beautiful little faces of children who do not have a mom and dad. Here at the office, we’ve enjoyed getting to know the children by name and following their progress. We’ve also shed a few tears about the ones who’ve left the loving arms of the nannies and nurses at MBHOH and arrived at their final home in heaven…now perfectly healed.

Next month my “dream” will become a reality when I travel to China with a group of Show Hope sponsors to visit MBHOH. I can’t wait!! Then Jessica, Martina, Asher, Jim and many more will not just be a photo and a name, but I will have the privilege of holding them in my arms and loving them as my own children, the ones entrusted into my care…and to your care.

I’m convinced that when James 1:27 defines pure religion as “visiting orphans and widows in their distress,” God is asking me to come face to face with those in need and to be His hands and feet…to actually go and touch them, to meet their needs, to laugh, to nurture, to love — not only these at MBHOH, but the poor and forgotten ones my neighborhood and around the world.

I’m grateful for the faithful supporters who make this work possible and I’m excited to share with them a glimpse of what their generosity has provided for “the least of these”
as we travel to China in August.

I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me. - Matthew 25:36, 40

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!”

Here is a quote from one of our Shirts of Hope families:

“We are so excited to be able to sell Shirts of Hope as a way to not only raise funds for our adoption, but to raise awareness for orphans & the ministry of Show Hope at the same time!  Before launching the sale, we asked 20 of our friends if they would sell 20 shirts for us & almost EVERYONE agreed!  We are praying to sell 500 shirts!  Shirts of Hope makes it easy and it’s a “brand” people trust and love!  Now, here’s to praying for 500!!”   -Mitzi

Lindsey

Martina arrived at Maria’s Big House of Hope all bundled up as an early Christmas gift on December 24, 2009. At just 5 months old, this little one was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia.

Now, Martina has overcome her pneumonia and she just celebrated her first birthday! During a recent team visit, a big birthday party was held for the children, like Martina, whose birthdays are in the summer.

You can often find Martina making her way around the Tinkerbell Room, where she lives and plays with Juliana, Jim, Lebron, Jessica and Judah. Martina spends her time exploring the room in her bouncy chair, playing with her friends, or cuddling with her nannies. She is a bright and observant little girl who is always taking in what is going on around her.

Martina has a habit of sticking two of her fingers into her mouth at all times. It has truly become an endearing trait. Her nurse Lily says, “Martina has grown so much since her admission to Maria’s House. We love having her here and watching her continue to thrive as a happy, healthy baby.”

Martina’s ayis (nannies) are constantly doting over her and showing her the love and affection that every child deserves to feel. She is another example of the tremendous efforts that are being made at MBHOH thanks to the doctors, nurses, nannies, staff and Show Hope sponsors.

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!

“Even before we were married, Sean and I knew we wanted to adopt a baby regardless of whether or not God gave us biological children. Several years after we were married, we were blessed with two biological children, Elijah and Jadon. When we were ready to grow our family again, we felt a leaning from the Lord that we should do so by adoption. We prayed and asked God to point our hearts in the right direction and provide.

“After our dossier was submitted to Ethiopia, we began waiting for our baby girl. When we received a referral for a 5-week-old girl, we began to cry tears of joy…they told us her story, and we were awestruck that God would entrust us with this baby. Even her name, Bethlehem, was a reminder of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where we first met multi-racial families with adopted children and began deeply desiring for our family to resemble them. We later decided to name our daughter Mercy Bethlehem, because “Mercy”  reflects the character of God in adopting us.

“The week that we found out we were receiving a Show Hope adoption aid grant was very humbling to us. God was showing us all along the way that He was the provider! As we have walked this road of adoption, we have been reminded of God’s pursuit of us, His undying love, and His matchless mercy.

“All of the months of waiting, the tears of longing, the fears when she was sick, the questions about what she was like…it all fell into place as God took us across the globe to meet our daughter. When they placed Mercy in my arms I felt like I had always been with her. She just fit!! Thank you, Show Hope sponsors, for being faithful to God and serving our family by helping make our dream of adoption a reality.”

-Dana Cordell