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Hometown "J HeroesJ Encouraging Adoptions Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman rehearses at his home in Franklin, Tenn. (pop. 41,842), with a local children's choir for an upcoming tour. “Listen to your heart,” the children sing. “You will hear a song.” It was indeed a song in the heart of Chapman's oldest daughter, Emily, that inspired Steven, 42, and wife Mary Beth, 41, to adopt three daughters from China—Shao hannah, 6, Stevey Joy, 3, and Maria Sue, 2—and to start a foundation to help otlier families adopt. Eight years ago, Emily, then 11, nx>k a mission tnp to Haiti and was moved by the plight of the many orphans she saw there. “That began a two-year campaign of If we’ve got room at our table, we can take another child,'" says Mary Beth with a smile. Emily focused on China—where most orphans are girls because many families believe boys are better able to support the family and carry on the lineage—and re cruited Iter brothers, Caleb, now 16, and Will Franklin, now 14, to the cause. One day, her still-hesitant par ents found themselves wondering about the Chinese word for laughter. Waiting for a business appointment an hour later, Steven picked up an old copy of Reader's Digest and found a story about a Chinese boy named Shaohan—from shao, Chinese for laughter. The couple took it as a divine nudge for the family to stop worry ing and follow the song in their hearts. Ten months later, they brought home an infant Chinese daughter and named her Shaohannah. In the ensuing years, daughters Stevey Joy and Maria followed. “It really is the most clear mi raculous experience that we've ever had,” says Steven, “just watching tlie doors open for us." Shaohannah appears on the cover of Chapmans album All I Really Want fur Christmas , re leased last year, and the CD’s title track tells an orphan's story. The album, Chapman's 15th, continues a 20-year multi-plati num career during which he’s been bestowed five Grammy Awards and a record-setting 50 Dove trophies from the Gospel Music Association. “We've been given such a unique platform,” Steven says. “And we really believe that because we have been given much, a lot is required of us." The Chapmans inspired friends and family such as Mary Beth’s brother, Jim Chapman, and Steven's man I l;’'V’ 2h • '' >l - v IWsSfrmißm f|- . ’'* fat | r \ , I B I fgMgg jf Ja ' ggl I || || p ■ * ! JnUU s L i HE „„.. g flv wHEm ■> | IH by KATIE DODD A blended family: contemporary Christian entertainer Steven Curtis Chapman (right) at home with (L-R) wife Mary Beth and children Stevey Joy, Shaohannah, Emily, Will Franklin, Caleb and Maria Sue ager, Jim Houser, to adopt children from overseas. The couple also was regularly approached by otlier families interested in adoption buc anxious about the costs. "Mary Beth would just whip out her checkbook,” Houser says. “So they decided to make it official." In 2001, the Chapmans founded Shaohannah s Hope, a national nonprofit organization that helps individu als and families pay for overseas adoptions. Mary Beth is the executive director, overseeing the grants —gener- ated from public donations as well as the Chapmans’ own funding—that have helped more than 6(X) families adopt children from China, Russia, South Korea, Guate mala, the Ukraine and other countries. One such family was Gwen and Scott Oatsvall and their sons, Jeremiah, 7, and Elijah, 3. Scott, Emily Chapmans 1 lth-grade teacher, also was persuaded by the Chapmans' lobbying. "She kept teasing him every day, saying, ‘You liave to go to China and get a little girl,’’’ Gwen recalls. “One day Emma Zinchini, 4, is one of dozens of children who have found new homes thanks to the Chapmans’ foundation. this incredible opportunity to be part of this mir acle of giving kids a home." The Chapmans hope to expand Shaohannah s Hope to sponsor more overseas orphan care efforts, such as an orphanage they're helping rebuild in war-torn Uganda. At home, they’re surprised by how much she said, ’I think you’re just scared.’ And that got him.” The Qatsvalis brought home 17-month-old Emily Rui in April 2(X)5, something they couldn’t have done without finan cial assistance through the Chap mans’ foundation. "They take it to heart that God has given them this opportunity to help people," Gwen says. “It’s not about us, it’s not about our names," Steven says. "It’s about a movement of people recognizing that there’s iPhoto^n^^Mudd the view of their future has changed—not that they're complaining. “We read the Bible and see that we are called to get involved,” Steven says. “And we really see this as something that we should be leading the charge in." "It has been a joyous journey,” Mary Beth adds, Katie Dodil is a writer in Nashville. Tenn. Visit www.shaohannahshope.org or call (800) 784-5361 for more information. Rate This Story How did you like this story? Log on to www.americanprofile.com/rate Special Offer - Celebrate the Miracle New Life , the inspiring new Susan Lordi sculpture from Willow Tree, is a great gift for any new parent - whether adoptive or not. To order New Life for ONLY $23.99 + delivery, visit www.americanprofile.com/store or call (800) 715-6248 and have your credit card ready and or send check for $29.98 to New Life - Dept AP, P.O. 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