Chapman and Tour Team on flight home

All updates on the tour have been excellent. Packed houses and encouraging times! More as we have it.

Also, incredible opportunities to hold and love on orphans with Show Hope partners in China. While there, the Chapmans encountered 7 month old twins born prematurely. I think they came home without them : ) but it was close.

Speaking of coming home... according to American Airlines, all on our tour are in the air on the way home. A very serious 7.3 earthquake in China did hit about 2 hours prior to their departure and according to reports struck in Chengdu, a city they performed in earlier in the week. However at that time, it appears that the team was in Shanghai departing after their 12 day tour there and out of the immediate quake area.

Comments

[Trish]

I'm so glad to hear they're on their way home. I was just reading about the quake. So sad!

[apostle]

Praising and thanking all day long.

[chapmanfollower]

I just read about the quake and immediately
came here to see where our beloved Chapmans
were. Thanks so much for posting. Please keep us updated.

[Janele]

I came straight here as well. Praise God that the Chapmans and company are safe. And praise God for the wonderful work that they are doing, being 'Jesus with skin on' to so many children in darkness.

I was wondering if they'd come home with more people than they left with!

[Elizabeth Dumire]

I came here as soon as I heard about the quake also. I'm glad everyone is okay. I've been praying for everyone while they were all in China. Thank God for all the awesome work that was done there!

[Rebecca H.]

I heard about the quake too and wanted to know what was going on. Thank God they got out of there in time! Glad the tour went well and everyone's on their way home. I'll see y'all Saturday here in Seattle!

[Lisa]

We are all on the same wave-length! I too checked the news online when I saw the China headlines I headed straight to the website. Our prayers are with everyone dealing with natural disasters right now in our country and abroad. Thank you for updating us!

[yogamama]

Heard news about the quake last night and immediately prayed they were on the way home and safe. Praying that the seeds planted during the tour will bring hope to those going through this disaster, and a reminder for us to keep praying for China. Current reports say it was a 7.9 magnitude felt as far as Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok, Thailand.

thanks for the update, and see y'all this weekend. :-)

millie

[guest]

Me Too, Me Too!
I am glad they're on their way home, although knowing the Chapmans, they probably wish they were back helping the sick & injured from the quake. We'll pray the Lord provides someone in their stead that has the same love and passion that Mary Beth, Steven et al have for all the hurt there.
Such a tragedy, but in this world our God is working in ALL things.

[NiHaoMa - Da'Shotaz]

So thankful the Chapmans and Team returned safely home... I'm sure they all have awesome stories to share of God's work in China. Many prayers and concerns for all the people of China being affected during this horrible earthquake. We've heard there is an emergency relief fund website being set up for those children directly affected by the earthquake (orphans/non-orphans) at "halfthesky.org" (specify: earthquake relief)
God's grace, peace and mercy.

[MamaPoRuski]

Glad to know you are all safe, and still serving those in China and around the world! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

[Barbara Enns]

I just attended SCC's concert at my church in Orland Park, IL. I left very disappointed with the concert--way, WAY too much talking and filling time and not enough of what I paid $50.00 for. I had to convince my son that he would have a good time and he left saying, "see, that was dumb" I already go to church and support missions, etc. I didn't pay to have another charity pushed at me. Wish I could request a refund!

[yogamama]

Is Steven still taking requests for songs at these spring concerts? If so, I would love to hear any of the following (oldies and goodies!!!) at tomorrow's concert in Redmond, WA:
-Declaration of dependence
-King of the jungle
-Burn the ships

Looking forward to the concert in less than 24hours! Thanks so much for trekking all the way out to Washington, only a few short days after returning from China. Let's see, according to my calculations, right at this very moment, hmmm... 2pm? or 3pm? no problem. heh heh. Seriously, praying it's a restful night and smooth travels, and the jetlag passes quickly.

millie :-)

ps. btw, I've had trouble w/ steven's page. still can't seem to load that last one (greetings from china).

[Kelby]

Please don't EVER stop "talking" in your concerts. That is probably my favorite part of the whole evening. I love hearing about what all God has been showing you since we last visited. I know there will always be those who complain because they attend Christian concerts for the sole purpose of being "entertained" but as you surely well know by now, the majority of your fans show up anticipating the opportunity to dive deeper. May we never get so confident in our walk with God that we start to believe there is nothing else to be learned from one another. As for me and my house, we'll gladly pay to hear you talk anytime. I would still be "asleep in the light" as Keith Green used to say, had it not been for your willingness to spend time in your concerts just getting quiet and sharing the things that God had put upon your heart all these 20 years I've been attending your concerts. How in the world does the price of a ticket compare to that?

May God bless you always, my friend, for loving God and us, His children, too much to settle for just entertaining with the music He has given you. Your format works beautifully for those who have ears to hear.

[chapmanfollower]

In total agreement with Kelby's post. Thank you SCC for truly blessing us with all that you do.

[Dave Probst]

Hey I hear you guys are coming to Fremont Nebraska in July. If you need a break and would like to come over to my house. I make a mean burger! This invitation is not only for steven, but the crew as well. I know how hard it is to be on the road! Just email me and let me know.

[Elizabeth Wai]

Dear Mr. Steven Curtis Chapman,

Are you going to China anytime this summer? I am asking because I intend to be there on a mission's trip, so I was wondering if you would be there at the same time. Blessings! :)

[Elizabeth Wai]

P.S. Congratulations on a sucessful tour thus far! ;)

[Elizabeth Wai]

Sorry: sucessful = successful ;D

[Amy]

To the Chapman Family,
I totally disagree with the comment from Barbara Enns above (May 16). I attended the Thursday AND Friday concert at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, IL (Thursday night with my daughter where we volunteered to help out, and Friday with my son with tickets that were purchased). It was our first concert together and we loved hearing about SCC's family and the Shaohannah's Hope Foundation.
One of the greatest things that happened to me because of SCC "talking" was this: On Thursday after hearing about the collection of change they were having for adoptions, I asked my 16 year old daughter if she thought we should call her 12 year old brother and ask him if we could donate his jar of change that we had in the car. She said "NO WAY! - he would be furious" and would not want us to do that! Why? Because this was a jar of change he had been saving to purchase a skateboard with. He had carried it back and forth to the car several times over several months in the hope that I would take him to the bank to get cash to go shopping. Everytime he did this we never had quite enough time to get to the bank ;). So... the jar would then be carried back in to his room to wait again. The Monday before the concert he again attempted to convince me that he "really needed" a skateboard and we should go to the bank. We again did not have enough time with all the other things needing to be done ;). This time he left the jar in the car hoping that when we drove by the bank it would be ready.
SO...I decided on Thursday night that I would NOT tell him about the collection and would just wait to see what happened when he heard about the kids needing a "forever family". I am so proud to report that when SCC started talking about the collection, my son casually mentioned that his jar of change was still in the car. At the break when we were walking around he said he wanted to get the change to give to Shaohannah's Hope. I was so proud of him but also so relieved. The reason I was relieved is that he has been having a hard time since his father and I divorced. For the past 5 years I have worried that the loving, sensitive, caring boy he is, was lost in his anger and sadness about the divorce. That night I saw that even though he is sad and angry, he is also loving and compassionate. He was able to see the need and responded out of love for children he didn't even know. My son gave me hope that he will be ok and will not lose that part of himself that is so wonderful. That was worth EVERY penny I spent to go to the concert.
To spend money to see something with my children about God, faith, and love AND be able to help others was a blessing. In this day when so much that our children see is so damaging, I thank SCC for talking and sharing with us. I thank his family for "showing hope" to me that my son will be ok. By the way, the amount of money in the jar was over $60.00. What we received back that night was priceless!!
After hearing of Maria's death and reading all the comments, it gives me hope to see all of the love, support, and prayers for the family. It is encouraging to know there are so many people in the world that are good and loving when all around us we hear of evil.
I have no words to offer that have not been offered by so many on all the websites. All I can say is that I am praying for peace and healing for everyone, but most especially for Will. I pray for strength for him and the understanding that this was a tragic accident. I pray that his heart heals and he takes comfort in all of the people praying for him.
Please know that this tragedy has changed so many people. So many parents are taking the time to really be with their children and enjoy the little moments, instead of rushing them around to one activity or another. So many people are hearing about adoption which will save so many children. And most importantly, the word of God is being talked about and spoken to so many that may not have believed.
It certainly has helped me to see all of the prayers and bible verses. What peace we can have knowing that this world and life is not all we have, but that we will have eternal life through HIM. What comfort we can take when devastating tragedy happens that we will be healed by HIM and one day be reunited with everyone we have lost.
Once again, my prayers are with each and everyone of you to heal, be strong, and take comfort from everyone praying for you. I know your hearts have broken into a million pieces. Slowly your hearts will be healed, but not quite whole, because there will always be a piece missing for Maria. When you are reunited with her in heaven you will be fully, truly healed and whole. With all my prayers, Amy

[Amy Wearden]

Are those 7 month old premie twins available for adoption? We have 8 children, the second of whom is adopted and we have room in our hearts and home for more. Really.
Praying for the Chapmans at this time of grief and celebration. May was quite a month for them.