I was reading Kathryn Campbell's website today (http://www.kathrynskeepsakes.com/) and learned that Stephen Curtis Chapman's youngest adopted daughter, Maria Sue, was tragically killed in an accident outside their home yesterday. She was hit accidentally by the family car, being driven by Maria's teenage brother. Below is the text from the news release...
NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN, {with the family SUV driven by her teenage brother]. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.
You can leave messages of condolence on the Shaohannah's Hope website (http://www.shaohannahshope.org/) Attached is the video they have posted in Maria's memory. It moved me to tears, and reminded me that for every orphan like Maria that we weep for because we knew her, there are thousands more who go unnoticed, and who suffer and die each day without ever having the chance to be part of a loving forever family like the Chapman's for even a small time. My prayer is that God will use this tragedy causing His Spirit to move many to give precious children like Maria Sue a loving home.
3 comments:
I cannot imaging the pain they are feeling. Her brother must just be beside himself. He will need lots of prayers.
I cannot imagine the pain they are feeling. Her brother that was driving must just be beside himself with anguish. He will need lots of prayers for a long time. They'll have to rely heavily on their faith to get through this.
I awoke to this news this morning and have been beyond grief ever since. My friend knows the family personally and has been in contact with them and sharing updates regarding family prayer requests. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations in Maria's name to their adoption fund at www.shaohannahshope.org . Yes, 143million orphans live in the world today and many die every single day without the love of anyone to care for them. May God use this tragedy to open the hearts of Christians to care for orphans. This would honor the Chapman family and precious Maria, and more importantly God, for it is His command. (James 1:27)
Post a Comment