A Prayer for the Chapmans
May 22nd, 2008
Send up a prayer today for the Steven Curtis Chapman family. Yesterday evening a tragic accident took the life of their youngest daughter, 5-year-old Maria, as she was playing in the drive along with some other children. Maria’s teenage brother was driving the family SUV down the long, gravel driveway of their rural home west of Franklin, Tennessee and apparently did not see the girl playing in the area when he struck her with the car. Maria was transported by helicopter to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Maria, the youngest of six children, was one of three Chinese girls brought into the family through adoption. Longtime supporters of international adoption, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, had founded Shaohannah’s Hope, an organization to help families who want to adopt. During his most recent concert tour Chapman was promoting a campaign called “Change for Orphans” in which audience members were encouraged to bring their spare change to the concert to assist a local family with adoption.
John Styll, president of the Gospel Music Association had this to say:
“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension. He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”
May the God of all comfort grant the Chapman family His grace and peace in the wake of this tragic loss.
If you’d like to meet Maria and express your condolences:
In Memory of Maria
A special blog set up for you. We invite you to share your condolences here. The Chapman family is so grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time.
