sundial
05-27-2008, 08:00 AM
Last week Stephen Curtis Chapman, a contemporary Christian musician, lost his youngest daughter in an accident. She was only 5 years old. Here is the press release:
The death of 5-year-old Maria Sue, daughter of Christian musician Curtis Chapman, is mourned by hundreds of families who have been helped by the singer to adopt children from other countries.
A large number of adoption groups were aggrieved by the tragic accident and prayed for Chapman and his family Thursday.
"The adoption community is devastated for the family," said Brenda Barker, director of the Children's Hope International's office in Tennessee, according to the Associated Press. "They've given money to me personally for me to adopt two children ... thousands of families have benefited from their generosity and commitment."
A day before, on May 22, Maria Sue was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her older brother, while she was playing in the family’s driveway. The girl was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, but she died there of her wounds. She was the youngest of the three daughters that Chapman and his wife adopted from China.
The musician his wife Mary Beth adopted Shaohannah in 2000, Stevey Joy in 2003, and Maria in 2004.
Following the adoption of Shaohannah, the Chapmans founded The Shaohannah's Hope Ministry, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption. So far, the association has offered grants to more than 1,600 families.
After his concerts, Chapmans usually collects spare change from the audience and uses it to help families trying to adopt children.
Many family friends came to the Chapmans’ home near Nashville, to pray with the family and show their deep sympathy for their loss.
The pastors at Christ Community Church, which the Chapmans attend, said they thought about how they could help the family and the community cope with the sadness. They said they felt very close to the Christian singer and they greatly appreciated his efforts to help the ones around him.
A memorial service for Maria Sue is set for Saturday. Her family released a statement Thursday requesting donations to The Shaohannah Hope Ministry instead of flowers.
The death of 5-year-old Maria Sue, daughter of Christian musician Curtis Chapman, is mourned by hundreds of families who have been helped by the singer to adopt children from other countries.
A large number of adoption groups were aggrieved by the tragic accident and prayed for Chapman and his family Thursday.
"The adoption community is devastated for the family," said Brenda Barker, director of the Children's Hope International's office in Tennessee, according to the Associated Press. "They've given money to me personally for me to adopt two children ... thousands of families have benefited from their generosity and commitment."
A day before, on May 22, Maria Sue was hit by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her older brother, while she was playing in the family’s driveway. The girl was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, but she died there of her wounds. She was the youngest of the three daughters that Chapman and his wife adopted from China.
The musician his wife Mary Beth adopted Shaohannah in 2000, Stevey Joy in 2003, and Maria in 2004.
Following the adoption of Shaohannah, the Chapmans founded The Shaohannah's Hope Ministry, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption. So far, the association has offered grants to more than 1,600 families.
After his concerts, Chapmans usually collects spare change from the audience and uses it to help families trying to adopt children.
Many family friends came to the Chapmans’ home near Nashville, to pray with the family and show their deep sympathy for their loss.
The pastors at Christ Community Church, which the Chapmans attend, said they thought about how they could help the family and the community cope with the sadness. They said they felt very close to the Christian singer and they greatly appreciated his efforts to help the ones around him.
A memorial service for Maria Sue is set for Saturday. Her family released a statement Thursday requesting donations to The Shaohannah Hope Ministry instead of flowers.