How to Adopt

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TWENTY YEARS & COUNTING

Some 20-plus years ago, as they welcomed their daughter Shaoey into their family through the miracle of adoption, Show Hope Founders Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman longed to help other families, who had placed their faith in Jesus, welcome home their children as well. Then, that dream looked like serving just 100 families, yet “many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the L ord that will stand”

(Proverbs 19:21).

Today, Show Hope’s cornerstone Adoption Aid grants reach deep to impact thousands upon thousands of children and families—both directly and indirectly, beyond the Chapmans’ wildest dreams. In an effort to further reduce barriers to adoption, Show Hope created the online resource HowToAdopt.org, where individuals, parents, and families are met with practical guidance, answers, and insight on the adoption process. Whether you are simply curious about adoption, are in the midst of it, or find yourself on the other side of adoption finalization, HowToAdopt.org will equip you with the tools necessary to navigate the journey, beginning with the very first steps.

SHOW HOPE’S CORNERSTONE ADOPTION AID GRANTS REACH DEEP TO IMPACT THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES—BOTH DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY, BEYOND THE CHAPMANS’ WILDEST DREAMS.

In this past year alone, Show Hope’s work in reducing barriers to adoption has reached the countries of Ukraine, Uganda, and China, with roots all tracing back to our Adoption Aid work. In regard to the yearlong war in Ukraine, Show Hope has had the privilege of playing a part in a story that is bringing hope and healing to children, parents, caregivers, and families. Through the prayer, support, and generosity of our faithful donors, we have been able to donate more than $100,000 to on-the-ground relief efforts in partnership with A Family for Every Orphan, a faith-based organization that helps children who have been orphaned find care in safe and loving families in their home countries.

Last summer, Show Hope also partnered with BEB (Both Ends Believing), another like-minded ministry, and has the privilege of helping Ugandan children come home to families in their home country.

“Show Hope is honored to partner with BEB in directly impacting children and families in Uganda,” Executive Director Kristin Parks shared. “Historically, our Adoption Aid grants have primarily impacted families within the U.S., who are adopting domestically and internationally, so this partnership is a significant step for us in expanding our mission of reducing barriers to adoption.”

Although the international adoption process has been stalled with the country of China for more than three years now, hope and help are still not lost. As families continue to wait, inevitable costs arise, from renewed home studies to the refiling of paperwork. In February of this year, Show Hope was able to award a $60,000 grant to Lifeline Children’s Services (Lifeline) in support of families who are a part of their China program—some of whom are a part of our Adoption Aid grant work.

“To be able to answer the call from Lifeline is such a gift to us! As many of you know, China holds a special place in our hearts, as the homeland of our three beautiful daughters” Mary Beth shared. “Through this financial support, we are locking arms with others, ensuring families within Lifeline’s China program will not assume additional costs as they continue to wait patiently for their children to come home.”

As Show Hope looks to the future, we do so with eyes wide open and full of hope. The barriers to adoption are only increasing, yet it was God who took the original vision of 100 children and families and multiplied it to include more than 8,400. He is the same God now as then, and we continue to place our trust in him.

Lizzy was born with hip contractures, knee issues, and bilateral clubbed feet, a condition the Mauldins had already experienced with their son, Cameron. But prior to even meeting Cameron, his orphanage had provided excellent medical care, allowing him to heal and eventually learn to walk.

Lizzy’s orphanage experience was far different. While it was full of what Taylor described as extraordinary love, it lacked funds to help with Lizzy’s medical needs. The Mauldins knew once they brought Lizzy home, she would need multiple surgeries, leg castings, physical therapy, and other extensive care, but they were certain she would one day walk, just like her brother.

"We definitely had fear because there was so much unknown,” Taylor said. “But we really did think in our mind, This is the child the Lord has called us to, and we have confidence in that. Even though we are scared, we are still moving forward. We are still putting one foot in front of us because the Lord said to. And we trust him.

“But we really did think in the bottom of our heart, We are going to get home; and we’re going to do all these things; and we're going to help her. And before you know it, and a few years down the road, she’s going to be up running around, and all these things will be a distant memory,” Taylor continued.

But God had a different story for Lizzy.

During Lizzy’s first medical visit back in the U.S., the Mauldins learned Lizzy was paraplegic and would never walk. With this diagnosis, and still needing to address her clubbed feet, medical bills came flooding hard and fast, and insurance covered very little for Lizzy.

“We did not anticipate our insurance rejecting so much and not being willing to help as much as what they have,” Taylor said. “And we have had just thousands upon thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of medical bills and debt for surgeries and castings and for medical equipment, physical therapy in itself.”

The Mauldins spent countless hours trying to work with insurance and find alternative ways to pay for medical necessities, so when they learned Show Hope had entered into post-adoption needs with Medical Care grants, they were overjoyed.

Show Hope most recently awarded the Mauldins with their second Medical Care grant that is helping cover the cost of Lizzy’s paraplegic surgeries and physical therapy.

“Now that we have this grant, knowing that Show Hope has our back in a way to where I’m like, ‘She needs this. The answer is yes.’ And it is covered,” Taylor said. “And we don’t have to hesitate. We don’t have to be anxious. We don’t have to try and manipulate to make things happen. We can just focus on our daughter. We can just focus on helping her. We can just focus on her recovery and healing.”

While the Mauldins never anticipated all of Lizzy’s medical needs, Taylor said their daughter’s story has led them on the most incredible journey of their lives.

“There are times where my husband and I get so emotional thinking, What if we would have let fear rule our hearts? And what if we would have looked at her file and just have said no? And what if we would’ve missed out on all of this? ” Taylor said. “And it is just overwhelming and brings us to tears to think. She is just incredible. She is just a bright light for us.”

Not only is Lizzy a bright light for her family, Taylor said she’s a spark of joy to anyone she meets. Taylor and her husband call Lizzy (whose full name is Elizabeth) “The Queen,” as in Queen Elizabeth because everyone flocks to her.

“I just wish that everybody had the opportunity to meet our daughter,” Taylor said. “The Lord has given her this gift that I have never experienced with any other child in my entire life. She just has this joy that is unconditional. She has more joy in her big toe than all of us combined.”

Taylor cannot wait to see how the Lord will use Lizzy for his kingdom, not just through her physical diagnosis but through who God has made her. The Mauldins are so grateful to Show Hope and their supporters for making Lizzy’s medical journey easier.

“It is the Lord’s story,” Taylor said. “And we just get like this front-row seat to watching it play out. It is nothing in us or of us that we have done. We are continually humbled that we get to watch it play out.”