If God has ministered to you through caring for orphans, adoption, or the Cry of the Orphan campaign, we want to hear from you! Please share that which God has shown you by posting a comment within this blog.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thes. 5:11
One way God is continuing to minister to us through our upcoming adoption, is by teaching our biological children (and us) more about His love for us as adopted children into His family. He loved us before we loved Him. It is an unconditional and unbiased love that will never go away. Our children understand, through our words, that we long to loves these two new children from Africa as we already love the four of them. God blessed us with our biological children from my womb, as our very own children on loan from Him. Now, by His grace, He will soon bless us with two more children through the gift of adoption. We are looking forward to the day when our children will understand, through our actions, that we love these two new children, as we love them. We pray they will continue to learn more of God's love through the gift of adoption.
Posted by: Heather | May 28, 2008 at 10:06 PM
One way God is continuing to minister to us through our upcoming adoption, is by teaching our biological children (and us) more about His love for us as adopted children into His family. He loved us before we loved Him. It is an unconditional and unbiased love that will never go away. Our children understand, through our words, that we long to loves these two new children from Africa as we already love the four of them. God blessed us with our biological children from my womb, as our very own children on loan from Him. Now, by His grace, He will soon bless us with two more children through the gift of adoption. We are looking forward to the day when our children will understand, through our actions, that we love these two new children, as we love them. We pray they will continue to learn more of God's love through the gift of adoption.
Posted by: Heather | May 28, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Dear Kerry:
There are no words to adequately express how God has spoken to me through reading all the related blogs since Maria's death. I drove to Franklin last Fri., June 13th, and visited SH. I wanted to say "Thanks" again for the grant we received in 2004 to adopt our Jing-Jing, but more importantly to convey to your staff and the Chapmans, that we continue to pray that miraculous healing would take place in the lives of those that loved Maria well.
I spoke briefly to Wendy, and she was so gracious to me. I asked her how I could best pray for you all, and in her eyes, I sensed pain and grief, as she reiterated that it seemed the office had been under attack; that alot of difficult things had happened in the last year.
At that time, I had no idea, but I wanted to return home and find out what I could. So, I discovered your blog and wanted to say I'm so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I cannot imagine. I believe in spiritual warfare, therefore I'm not surprised that Satan would want to harm SH and SCC's ministry. However, he has made a mistake and will NOT win. This battle has already been won--by the Lord, God; the One seated at the right hand of the Father; the First and the Last!
I have been overwhelmed with grief--weeping and praying, praying and weeping, almost daily since May 22. You will also now become one of those for whom I specifically pray.
The miracle of adoption has radically changed my life and the life of our family.
I've been a SCC fan for a long time and I think I actually have every album he's recorded.We had a chance to hear him and Mary Beth speak at a marriage conference, shortly after we'd begun fervently praying, considering adoption in 2003. Then, in Aug.2004, shortly after SCC returned home with Maria, he sang at one of our friend's weddings, and we got to thank him then, for the SH grant. I'm so thankful for so many reasons, that we adopted Jing-Jing, and now have a living picture in our home, of the love Christ has for each of us. What a wretched sinner I am, but I'm saved by grace and an adopted daughter of the King!
Through this adoption process and keeping up with the SH and SCC's ministry, I feel somehow connected to you all, and pray that these tears and prayers, are being used by God to minister to you, although we've never met.
I pray specifically for the Chapman's children--that God would be real to them and comfort their hearts. And for Will; I cannot even begin to fathom the burden he feels; but think that somehow, God has a very special, specific plan for his life. That his fellowship in the suffering, is even greater, and that he will have an ability to minister to an even smaller group of people, who unfortunately have experienced something similar. And for Mary Beth and Steven, as parents, grieving the loss of a child; and then trying to comfort the siblings, must be so difficult.God has used this family and the SH ministry to touch the lives of thousands; and I know that this trial will be used for His glory and for our good, so that others may come to know Him.
Last night, as I was weeping again (it seems to be alot at night when I'm thinking about the little ones, laying in bed without their sister), I pictured Maria, casting her crowns at the feet of Jesus, with that beautiful smile. Each crown represented the life of an adopted child that has been given a 'forever family' in Maria's memory. What an impact her little life of 5 years will have on eternity! That is a HUGE testimony about the Chapman family and the SH ministry.
Posted by: Stephanie Bass | June 17, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Kerry,
I love your blog! I really love the way you incorporate scripture with your day to day life. I love reading about a family who gives God the glory in thier lives! Our family has been so greatly blessed through adoption. Our adoption journey began small and has grown so much over the last decade.
I just wanted you to know that I am so sorry about the loss of your Isabella. We have an Isabella and my heart goes out to you and your family. The strength of faith and love of our Lord in your writing about that loss is exactly what Christianity is about. The sharing of it? That is just extremely special!
Blessings,
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | August 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM
My heart cries for your loss of Isabella and the Chapman loss of Maria. You are in my prayers often.
We followed God's lead in our lives three years ago when we brought home Marissa from Leizhou City in the Guangdong province of China. Each day with her has been a miracle as we have watched her open up and trust, develop, and love. She is a huge joy and blessing in our lives and the lives of our two adult biological children. God teaches us more of Him daily with this step of faith that has touched so many lives. We have started an orphan ministry in our church and love to talk to others with questions about adoption.
Posted by: Terri | August 16, 2008 at 05:13 PM