Show Hope

From the Show Hope website:

Show Hope is a non-profit organization that mobilizes individuals and communities to care for orphans and provide waiting children with families by giving grants to those adopting.

Established in 2003 as Shaohannah’s Hope, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth initially founded Show Hope out of their desire to see more children find their way into forever families. Though many families they talked to were willing to adopt, the financial costs to adoption were simply too high.

Originally named after the Chapman’s first adopted daughter, Shaohannah Hope Chapman, Shaohannah’s Hope has grown far beyond the initial vision of helping a few orphans find homes. In 2009, after changing the name to Show Hope, this organization has seen an amazing explosion in growth. From a six-story caring facility in China, equipped to provide surgeries and medical care to special needs orphans, to multiplying the effects of the adoption grant program by assisting churches in setting up their own adoption funds, Show Hope continues to expand its remarkable worldwide impact.

I feel like I really have to say something about the verse quoted in this video. James 1:27 in fact says "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans AND WIDOWS in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (NIV)

I get frustrated when so often only half of this scripture is quoted by adoption advocates. The verse says to care for orphans AND WIDOWS. And it also says that part of "pure and faultless religion" is to keep [your]self from being polluted by the world. But somehow the "caring for orphans" part is often all that's quoted as qualifying as pure religion that's acceptable to God.

That being said, I love Show Hope. I love their heart, and I believe in what they are doing. And you know that I L.O.V.E. the Chapman family and all that they stand for. Please pause for a moment and consider what part you might be able to play in caring for orphans (and widows!). Ask God. I'm pretty sure He would be happy to give you some ideas. :)