Sunday, March 2, 2008

Show Hope



Words are not enough to describe to all of you the experience that we had at the Steven Curtis Chapman concert last night. It was an overwhelming display of the grace of God in our life and a significant event in our adoption journey. We were the invited guests of Steven Curtis Chapman at his concert in Brownsburg, IN as I described here a couple of entries ago. Well, at each concert a family that is adopting is selected to receive the money that is collected at the concert through the "Change for Orphans" project. This money is given to the family as their grant through the "Show Hope / Shaohannah's hope" project of Steven Curtis Chapman. We were the family that received the funds...WOW!! The gift was significant! It was overwhelming to know that all the people that attended the concert gave a gift that will have a real impact on the life of an orphan. I was impressed by how well Steven Curtis Chapman was able to articulate exactly how we felt about adoption, about what scripture says about adoption and how God deserves all the glory. I have to admit that I have never been a fan of contemporary Christian music, but I have grown to very much appreciate the music of Steven Curtis Chapman. His lyrics are Christ centered and God honoring and he points the focus squarely where it belongs...on God and his glory. Not only were we recipients of the gift but we were able to appear on stage with Steven Curtis Chapman at the end of the concert where he presented us with the grant and we prayed together, our whole family, Steven Curtis Chapman and his Road Manager. We then had a few minutes to meet with Steven Curtis Chapman back stage. I have to say that he is a humble, real, down to earth man who clearly loves Christ and his word and has a real heart for God's people. It was like spending time with a friend.. the kind of experience that you have with a member of the body of believers. We are so thankful for the amazing gift that God has given us through Steven Curtis Chapman and his organization. We encourage all of you to support Shaohannah's Hope and to Show Hope for orphans around the world.

5 comments:

emily said...

What a blessing, what an amzing gift!! It sounds like a wonderful, Christ-centered evening.

Janet Whipple said...

OH, this is so great to hear!! I was thinking of you guys last night as I drove past Brownsburg on the way home from my parent's house. Praise the Lord....it sounds like an incredible night!! Looking forward to seeing you guys soon!

Renee said...

Praise be to Jesus!!! I love to see how God provides when His children step out in faith.

It is a blessing to watch the Lord working through your family. I can't wait to see the rest of His story unfold.

Farmboy and Buttercup said...

What a wonderful experience for your family. What a great memory, too.

Heather said...

Hi--I just came across your blog and I have enjoyed reading it. I have a couple of questions for you. We recently adopted two children from Ethiopia and I noticed on your blog that there is a yahoo group for families in Indiana that have, or are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. Would you give me more information about this group? I also had no idea that there was an Ethiopian restaurant in Indianapolis--we live in Fort Wayne and will definitely be making trips to Indy to this restaurant. I am so thankful and praising God that I found your blog! Would you mind emailing me the info. on the yahoo group--our email address is lantzfam@verizon.net. Thank you so much--Heather