Shaohannah’s Hope continues to show hope for the millions of orphans around the world. In one of its many efforts, the ministry perseveres with its effective “Change for Orphans” campaign.

Since Fall 2007 through March 2008, more than $340,000 was raised through “Change for Orphans,” with approximately 100 families impacted through this effort held during the Steven Curtis Chapman nationwide concert tour. In turn, this effort left a positive mark on each city visited during the tour and motivated people to give and help make a change for orphans.

When the tour ends this month, the campaign is only beginning. Shaohannah’s Hope is asking individuals, families, small groups, churches, even businesses across the nation to learn more about this effort and how to help make a difference. Visit the site for more information and how to order a Change for Orphans packet, or collect change this spring and summer and send it in with your story.

People of all ages already are making efforts to raise money within their families, churches, and beyond. Here are just a few of the unique and touching stories:

“I have always been inspired by adoption, and I decided to ask my pastor about having an adoption Sunday service. He agreed, and during the service we took a collection for Shaohannah’s Hope. I was almost speechless when I found out our congregation of about 150 people had donated $1,234! Thank you so much for working to bring families together. I hope you will use this money to bring another great kid home!”
***
“Our family attended a Steven Curtis Chapman concert, and our 11-year old son, Daniel, was especially moved by the Show Hope campaign. Daniel took one of the ‘Change for Orphans’ kits and shared the DVD with our congregation the next day during worship. He took ownership of the effort and announced each Sunday for a month that he still was collecting change. The final count was $205!”
***
“We adopted from Kazakhstan, and I wanted to do more than just pass the Change for Orphans bucket to my network of friends. I know the man who runs two nearby gyms. People always have thrown coins in the fountains at these gyms, so I asked if they would donate the pond’s proceeds for Show Hope. They happily agreed, and we now have two change-producing ponds of hope. We pray and hope this helps bring more homeless children to Christian homes, and we are currently looking for more ponds to invade with our mission.”
***
“We won the ‘SCC plays your house’ contest on K-Love. Attending the SCC concert where more than $11,000 was raised for Shaohannah’s Hope gave us the idea to do the same thing for the concert at our house. We emailed people ahead of time, but never in my wildest dreams did I think we would collect $809.79—yay God! It is an awesome story to tell people, and it was a night all in attendance never will forget.”

First Annual National Foster Care Prayer Vigil
Shaohannah’s Hope is helping to promote the First Annual National Foster Care Prayer Vigil, along with FamilyLife’s Hope for Orphans and Focus on the Family. To be held the week of May 19-25th, 2008, the Prayer Vigil has been created to help believers gather together with others in their communities and go before God on behalf of the half million children living in our nation’s foster care system. Children enter foster care due to circumstances beyond their control, including abuse, abandonment, neglect, and substance abuse on the part of their primary caretakers and often are shuffled from home to home. While some eventually are returned home, and others blessed through adoption, many others fall through the cracks and languish for years in group homes, long-term foster care, and shelters. During the vigil week, Christians will gather across the nation in prayer for foster children, as well as their foster and adoptive families, their birth families, and their workers. For more information, click here.

Shaohannah’s Hope also was represented during last week’s GMA Music Week 2008 at the First Annual Artist Symposium, “Christian Music Making A Difference Around The Globe.” Chapman was the voice for the ministry at this event, which consisted of an enlightening and invigorating discussion of how Christian and gospel music artists use their platforms to impact culture and make a real difference around the world. This event was moderated by Mr. Kelly Wright (FOX News Channel-NY), and included artists, such as Rebecca St. James, Alvin Slaughter, and Phil Stacey (American Idol).