Archive for February 18, 2008

Shaohannah’s Hope

February 18, 2008 by Dave.

As an adoptive parent, I know firsthand how expensive adoption can be but also how rewarding it can be.  My wife and I would like to adopt a little brother or sister for Joshua, but quite frankly we just can’t afford it right now.  But at least we have him.  I can’t imagine my life without our son and feel the frustration of prospective parents that can’t adopt due to the expense involved. So when I was watching the Dave Ramsey Show last night on Fox Business, Dave mentioned about the Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his mission entitled Shaohannah’s Hope.  Being curious, I checked out Steven’s website and it had a link to the Shaohanna’s Hope website. The story started when Steven’s 11 year old daugher Emily returned from a trip to Haiti wanted to help the orphans that she saw on the trip. Emily already knew that God wanted her family to adopt, but her parents resisted.  Emily’s mother Mary Beth was concerned about raising another child, especially since Steven was on the road performing for most of the year.  But Emily persisted and prayed.  Her prayers were answered as the Chapmans adopted Shaohanna Hope, the first of 3 daughters they would adopt. 

Steven recognized not only the need of orphans around the world to find loving families but also realized (like myself) that there is a financial barrier that many families face.  Steven and Shaohanna’s Hope have raised over 2 million dollars to help these families.  During his most recent tour, he launched the Change For Orphans campaign, where concertgoers could drop off their loose change for the cause.  As Chapman said on his website, “The need of orphans is so great that we too often believe the lie that one person can’t do anything significant. But this is a unique opportunity to make a difference just by collecting your loose change and gathering a couple friends to do it with you, by donating that pile of coins you have lying around, or by giving up a cup of coffee each week and bringing in that money. Small things add up, and together we can change the life of an orphan.”   With the money raised, Shaohanna’s Hope gives grants to families to assist in their adoption expenses. 

Steven isn’t touring in the Philadelphia area anytime soon, so I won’t get to see him.  However, I want to do my part by encouraging any of you who are going to one of his shows to make a donation or check out the website.  You can find out more information about adoption grants and donating at www.shaohannashope.org.  

 

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