Gifts of Hope 2022 by Show Hope

Merry Christmas, Friends, As the classic song tells us, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year … with kids jingle belling … and everyone telling you, be of good cheer … it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Yet, for many of you, it may be really hard to be of good cheer. If we’re being honest, the past two years have been anything but wonderful. Most of us have faced the first global pandemic of our lifetimes. There have been losses … too many to name. There has been violence, warring nations, and divisions among societies and even families. At times, it has seemed that the darkness perhaps is too strong for the light. In the Gospel of John, we read, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Yes, God is still faithful. He is still on His throne. There is still hope. Every year at this time, Show Hope releases our annual Gifts of Hope campaign, where we have the honor of sharing with you real stories of real hope—stories of children, parents, and families who we and you have had the privilege of journeying with. And while our Gifts of Hope campaign is a fundraiser for us here at Show Hope, it really is more than that. It’s our prayer that these Gifts of Hope remind you of the Light that is still shining … that God, Immanuel, is still with us … that Jesus loves us and is ready to embrace us. As you explore our Gifts of Hope campaign, may you SEE with fresh eyes the only true hope that will last—and may your faith be encouraged, strengthened, and renewed as you rest in our Wonderful Counselor, our Prince of Peace … in our Savior who is still—and always will be—with us. God bless and Merry Christmas!

Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman Founders, Show Hope

Show Hope Mission + Needs Jesus’ unwavering life of love is the clearest glimpse we have into the heart of God. Everywhere he went, Jesus broke down barriers in order to bring light and life. His love knew no boundaries, always extending to the marginalized, the broken, and the hurting. Founded in 2003 by Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, Show Hope’s mission is to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption. As followers of Christ, we have been called to glorify God through our thoughts, words, and actions, and we firmly believe we have the opportunity—and the calling—to love and care well for children who have been orphaned. For many, the boundaries standing between waiting children and families may seem too insurmountable, but by God’s grace and with his help, Show Hope has grown in its efforts to care for children who have been orphaned and serves, today, as a living picture of hope and help—all to the glory of God.

Most Urgent Needs Today, there are 15 million children around the globe who have been orphaned. There are families who are eagerly waiting to welcome home their children … moms and dads who are struggling to stretch their family’s budget to cover yet another medical bill … and families who are striving to better understand the needs of the children entrusted to their care. Yet, there is hope. Caring for children who have been orphaned requires a holistic approach with multiple complex facets. Engaging the Church is an ever-changing process—one that requires agile attention. And the financial, medical, and knowledge barriers to adoption remain, posing challenges at almost every turn. Yet, we are hopeful. Since 2003, God has guided the work of Show Hope, and over the past year, he has led us into the development and launch of a new three-year strategic plan. And so, we continually choose to trust. This Christmas, we humbly invite you to join us through your prayers, support, and generosity. We are grateful for the women and men, the families, and the students who lock arms with us in this work, and we earnestly mean when we say, This work is not possible without you.

Goal for Most Urgent Needs:

$350,000 GIVE NOW

Adoption Aid Needs One of the primary barriers standing between waiting children and families is the cost associated with adoption (which ranges between $25,000 and $50,000). That is outside the financial reach of most families. Show Hope Adoption Aid grants are the cornerstone of our work and the original vision of our Founders. Our grants help break down the financial barrier within adoption and have aided nearly 8,300 children home to the love, security, and permanency of a family. Today, a Show Hope Adoption Aid grant ranges between $6,000 and $10,000, and as we move into the future, we are as committed as ever to further reducing the financial barrier standing between waiting children and families.

Goal for Adoption Aid:

$25,000 GIVE NOW

He Will Surely Do It by Chelsea Sobolik My husband and I knew before we were married that the Lord was calling us to build our family through adoption. When I was 18, I was diagnosed with a somewhat rare medical condition that prevents me from bearing babies biologically. The majority of people walk through childlessness as a married couple, but I was young, single, and scared. I wondered if any man would want to date and eventually marry me. Because of my inability to reproduce children biologically, I wrestled with my identity as a woman and walked through a valley of suffering with the Lord. My medical diagnosis came the same year Steven Curtis Chapman released his album “Beauty Will Rise.” I listened to the album on repeat for months, begging the Lord to create beauty from my ashes. At the time, I couldn’t see past my tears as I processed my dashed dreams and unfulfilled longings. All I could see at the time was loss. But with time, the Lord heals wounds and does indeed restore and redeem. A scar is left, but it serves as a way for the glory of God to shine even brighter in my life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, with extra time on our hands, Michael and I began having conversations about what entering the adoption process would look like for our family. We Zoomed with dear friends who had built their families through adoption and read books on the topic, such as Russell Moore’s “Adopted for Life” and Dr. Karyn Purvis’ “The Connected Child.” But more than anything, we prayed and prayed. We asked the Lord to give us wisdom, guidance, and trust in him. Through lots of prayer, the Lord led us to international adoption, and we’re in the process to adopt from India.

Personal Connection With Adoption Currently, I work in child welfare policy, fiercely advocating for policies that protect children, advance family flourishing, and help children find safe, permanent, and loving homes. I’ve worked in child welfare advocacy for about a decade and care deeply about the most vulnerable among us—children. But even before my medical diagnosis, I had a deep desire for adoption to be part of how I built my family. The reason I care so deeply about these issues is because I was adopted from Romania as an infant. I grew up with five siblings who were adopted, a cousin who was adopted, and adoption in my local community. I look at my own adoption story and see both the brokenness and the beauty. The reality is, there’s always loss involved in any adoption story. While I was adopted at birth, that doesn’t change the fact that there’s a break in my story. Anytime there’s a fracture in the natural family, loss is involved. But in the loss, the Lord brought restoration and built something new. While there will certainly be parts of my children’s stories that are unique to them and their backgrounds, the way they enter our family is the same as the way I entered my family—through adoption. And I’m so looking forward to telling my children the story of how the Lord adopts us into his family, calls us his very own children, and invites us to call him “Father.”

Adoption and Finances Adoption is full of uncertainties, but my greatest fear entering into the process was finances. International adoption can cost around $40,000, and we didn’t have that kind of money laying around. Multiple people assured me that the Lord would provide for us, but in my heart, I thought, That’s easy for you to say. You haven’t been through the mountains of paperwork and waited indefinitely. You don’t know what this process is like. Yet we knew the Lord was calling us to adoption, so we stepped out in faith. Scripture tells us that “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Even though I had no idea how the Lord would be faithful to our family, I clung to his promise that he would be true to his word. I begged him to build my faith and trust in him and his provision. And so, we started saving, fundraising, and applying for grants.

It Takes a Village One of the beautiful things we’ve experienced about adoption, even before our children are home, is how many people care so deeply for our family. They say “it takes a village” to raise a child, but for adoptive families, it often takes a village to bring them home too. We can’t do the adoption process alone—we don’t have all the physical, mental, or emotional resources we need. The beautiful thing is, the Lord has placed individuals and institutions in our lives to support us and lift our hands and our souls when we need help. We applied for and received a grant from Show Hope this year. When I found out that we received a grant, I wept because I was so overcome with the generosity of the ministry to bless our family so much. Show Hope’s mission is to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption. The Lord has used the faithful ministry of Show Hope to help build thousands of families through adoption. Hundreds of children will have loving and permanent families and will grow up knowing and hearing the good news of the gospel. Their parents will tell them the story of how they stepped into deeper trust in the Lord and experienced his goodness through the generosity of others.

The Lord used the faithfulness of Show Hope to help build my trust in himself and his character. He took my biggest fear and abundantly poured out his provision. He Will Be Faithful If you’re considering adoption, I implore you not to allow cost to be a barrier. Trust me, I understand how scary it can be starting at the enormous number. But if the Lord calls you to adoption, he will provide for your family. The Lord moves the heart of his people to provide for his children. May we join with the psalmist and declare, “We believe that we shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!” (Psalm 27:13). Remember, he who called you is faithful to his promises, his word, and his children.

Chelsea Patterson Sobolik lives and works in Washington, D.C., and is married to her “sweetheat,” Michael. By day, Chelsea is the senior director of policy & advocacy for Lifeline Children’s Services, where she advocates for policies that ensure every child has access to a safe, permanent, and loving home, with Congress and the Administration. Previously, Chelsea worked for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, where she ran the Washington, D.C., office. After spending time on Capitol Hill, Chelsea enjoys putting her policy skills to good use and advocating for policies that help her neighbors flourish. Her writing has appeared in “The Wall Street Journal, “USA Today,” “Christianity Today,” The Gospel Coalition, and more. Chelsea’s first book, “Longing for Motherhood,” released in 2018 with Moody Publisher and shares vulnerably about her own journey of childlessness and how she has ultimately come to view her story through the lens of Scripture and our hope in Christ.

Medical Care Needs Many children who have been orphaned live with medical needs, with limited access to adequate healthcare. And once home, rising medical care costs and access to treatment can be overwhelming for families Since the fall of 2020, Show Hope has offered Medical Care grants to financially assist families with medical expenses for their children welcomed home through adoption. Today, a Show Hope Medical Care grant averages $6,000 and can be applied to varying procedures, treatments, equipment, and rehabilitative therapies. And as we expand the reach of this endeavor, it is our prayer that families know they are supported in their journeys to love well the children entrusted to them through adoption.

Goal for Medical Care:

$20,000 GIVE NOW

In Awe Tammy and James Palmer adopted Hannah from China just before COVID-19 hit the world in full force. Like many, their source of income was slashed, and Hannah faced uphill medical battles. But for the Palmers, Hannah’s story isn’t really about that. It’s about the work of a wonderful and powerful God who showed up, time and time again, for their family. Hannah, who was nearly 8 years old the day the Palmers welcomed her home, could hardly walk. She was born with Larsen’s syndrome, a disorder that affects the development of the bones. But Hannah was determined to walk. At the time, Show Hope had yet to launch Medical Care grants. So through the massive financial support of people in their church, the Palmers traveled with Hannah to Florida to undergo extensive surgery, essentially rearranging her legs. What should have been a quite painful, long recovery didn’t turn out to be so. In fact, Hannah experienced hardly any pain, gained amazing range of motion, and could walk. “I don’t know how to even express it,” Tammy said. “You know, it’s almost too much of his goodness. I don’t want to say you can ever have too much, but we were really in a constant state of awe and tears.” Fast forward to Christmastime of 2021. Tammy and Hannah were at the grocery store when Tammy noticed Hannah’s knee was starting to turn inward.

“I panicked,” Tammy said. “And my husband reminded me of this great, big God that we serve, and panic is not going to be part of our venue.” After doctor visits and X-rays near their home in Ohio, it was determined that Hannah should return to Florida to be seen by the specialist who originally operated on her legs. That’s when Tammy and James applied for and were awarded a Show Hope Medical Care grant. Once in Florida, Hannah underwent three more surgeries to repair her legs. The Medical Care grant covered the cost of surgery, physical therapy, checkups, and will cover an additional surgery to remove some hardware. Today, not only can Hannah walk, she runs, she rides a bike, she swims, and she roller skates. “You know, we’ve witnessed miracle after miracle after miracle,” Tammy said. “How can we not stand atop of the roof and scream out? It is almost unbelievable in some ways because it’s [such] a pleasure to be able to

witness this in our lifetime. It’s been amazing, and her attitude is just so strong, and she’s such a fighter.” The Palmers, who have adopted five daughters from China, encourage anyone in need of funds to apply for a Medical Care grant and even more so encourage donors to give—because they believe there is no better way than to invest in the life of a child. “Not only did it change Hannah’s life and our lives, you know, we [have to] think about the generations of lives to come,” James said. “Because we have absolutely no idea how God is going to bless her in the future and how she is going to bless others, what her children or grandchildren may do, or faith and stories, and what she may become. We have absolutely no idea.”

Pre+Post Adoption Support Needs The adoption journey does not end the day a child is welcomed home; in fact, in many ways, the journey is only beginning. Many children who have been adopted have experienced abuse, trauma, neglect, and early attachment injuries. And the journey to restore hope and healing for children and families is not meant to be traveled alone. For more than 10 years, Show Hope’s Pre+Post Adoption Support work has equipped parents, caregivers, churches, and professionals with the tools needed to help children heal and thrive. The first introduction, for many, to this much-needed support is Show Hope’s annual Hope for the Journey Conference, and from there, part of the equipping takes place at Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) Practitioner Training, led by the staff at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at TCU. Whether it is our annual conference, a financial scholarship to TBRI Practitioner Training, a recommendation of trusted resources, or further support through our friends at Empowered to Connect, Show Hope is committed to going deep and traveling far with those on the adoption journey.

Goal for Pre+Post Adoption Support:

$3,000 GIVE NOW 23

A Light Bulb Moment Alison Blanchet and her husband knew before they were married that adoption and foster care may very well be a part of their story. But Alison would have no idea how that decision would change the trajectory of her career. And as they had hoped, shortly after they were married, they began the process of becoming foster parents. “Our local church offers great resources for foster parents,” Alison said. “One of those resources was the opportunity to [virtually] attend Show Hope’s 2020 Empowered to Connect Conference (today’s Hope for the Journey Conference).” This was the Blanchet family’s first introduction to Show Hope and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Alison, who had worked in youth ministry for almost 20 years, had previously attended workshops on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and was aware of the impact of trauma, but at this point, she had not yet learned about TBRI and its benefits. “Learning about TBRI was a light bulb moment of how [trauma] impacted so many kids I have worked with over the years,” Alison said. “I grieved for the children and families where I didn’t know what I didn’t know.” Before viewing the conference training, Alison had read “The Connected Child,” but the presenters helped her put the pieces together to see what TBRI could look like practically. “I started applying some of the techniques and saw instant changes,” Alison said. “It was almost like magic.” While still wanting to use TBRI to parent the children in her care better, Alison also saw where the research-based methods could be beneficial to anyone working with children and youth. She recognized

how different TBRI looked from any other parenting or caregiving style, and as she learned more, she wanted to share with everyone about TBRI, especially those in ministry careers with her. “It was almost like I was on two parallel journeys,” Alison reflected. “I wanted to help those working in ministry with me, who had great intentions but just didn’t understand how trauma impacts the brain.” After researching how she could teach TBRI, Alison went back to school for a master degree in counseling—with the goal of working with children and families who have experienced trauma, all through a lens of TBRI. Alison is now a mental health counseling intern, working toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is also now a TBRI Practitioner, thanks to a Show Hope training scholarship. “The great thing about TBRI is that the first person it helps is yourself. The reality is that [TBRI] is about mindfulness, about asking yourself what you are bringing to any interaction,” Alison said. “It looks different than any other method, and change can be hard for anyone. I encourage parents and practitioners to be receptive to a different way. I wanted my practice to be oriented around TBRI because I believe it is the thing that is going to make a difference for children and families.”

Learn More About the Conference and Register Today showhope.org/hopeforthejourney

Student Initiatives Needs In many ways, Show Hope began with an 11-year-old girl. As our Co-founder Mary Beth Chapman has shared, “Maybe you have heard the story—I along with our oldest daughter, Emily, traveled to Haiti on an unforgettable mission trip. It was there that God opened Emily’s eyes and heart to children who had been orphaned. Little did we know, that spark would ignite a fiery passion within Emily and eventually lead us to adopt three beautiful daughters from China and found Show Hope.” Not only did that trip lead the Chapmans into their own adoption journey and to the inception of Show Hope, it truly was the birth of Show Hope’s Student Initiatives programmatic work. For 14 years, Show Hope has equipped and mobilized more than 23,000 students on college campuses, in middle and high school classrooms, and through youth ministries at churches across the U.S. As Co-founder Steven Curtis Chapman once wrote, “We believe when we give students an opportunity to help care for vulnerable children in the world, here or abroad, they can bring about change of epic proportions. … I’m convinced students, if they become passionate about it, can be today’s orphan care leaders and agents of significant change.

Goal for Student Initiatives:

$2,000 GIVE NOW 29

Seeing Beyond You When Anna Jones was in high school, she had the opportunity to travel to Haiti on a mission trip. While there, she met a family who had traveled to Haiti to meet and bring home their two children. This was Anna’s first exposure to the adoption process, and it was then that she learned how lengthy and complex it could be. Anna’s first experience with Show Hope also happened in high school when she had the opportunity to travel to China and Maria’s Big House of Hope with her school, Brentwood Academy. Anna graduated from Samford University this past spring with a bachelor degree in Human Development and Family Science. While home in Nashville, Tennessee, for the summer, Anna had the opportunity to engage with Show Hope again. This time, it was participating in Pause Campaign (Pause) with the college group from her church, Forest Hills Baptist Church.

As the week began, the first thing that Anna noted was how often she reached for her phone. “I was embarrassed about how many times I picked up my phone to open social media,” Anna said. “Even though you can set time limits on your apps, it is so easy to bypass them, so I didn’t realize how often I was checking them until I was paying attention.” During the week, Anna was able to connect with other students in the group who were also going through Pause. The thing that struck them the most was learning about the vast number of children who have been orphaned around the world. “When something isn’t your present reality, it can be easy to forget,” Anna said. “No matter where you live in the world, this has an impact.”

“I appreciated how the devotional booklet was informative and easy to digest,” Anna said. “I liked how there was a nice combination of introducing and educating about new topics and providing action points, like serving with adoption- and/or foster carefocused organizations.” A few weeks after completing Pause, Anna moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to attend the University of Tennessee, working toward a master degree in Social Work. Since moving, she has recognized the ways that Pause Campaign has stuck with her, including looking for organizations that serve families impacted by adoption. Anna encourages any student groups (and leaders of students) who are considering Pause to “just go for it.”

The goal of Pause Campaign is to educate students on the needs of orphans and mobilize them to make a difference in the lives of waiting children. Anna described the Pause devotional, a free resource provided by Show Hope to participating groups, as doing just that.

“Students can easily get caught up in school, work, whatever is right in front of them,” Anna said. “Pause reminds [students] that the world is bigger than what is right in front of them.”

From Our Executive Director

Dear Friends, I love Christmas, and I don’t say that flippantly. Come the second weekend in November, and my home is decorated—I just can’t help myself. And if you are a strict “no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving” kind of person, please restrain yourself from making any judgements. In all seriousness, Christmas truly is a season of wonder. The colors, the lights, the sounds, the smells all tug at my heart and my inner child, but more than that, the wonder of Christ’s birth is a magnificent reminder of God’s love for us. Think about it, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords left his throne, humbled himself, and came to us through his Son—born to a virgin in the most lowly of places. And it is through Jesus that God is redeeming this broken world, making all things new in his perfect time. This season, I do hope you’ll take some moments to experience Show Hope’s Gifts of Hope. From our friends Chelsea Sobolik and the Palmer family to Alison Blanchet and Anna Jones, these are stories that only God could orchestrate, and these are stories you are a part of as well. No; you won’t likely see your name there, but God is working through your prayers, support, and generosity to usher in a light that will not be overcome.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

— Hebrews 10:23 Merry Christmas,

Kristin E. Parks Executive Director, Show Hope

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