Steven Curtis Chapman's orphan home celebrates third anniversary

The orphan home set up in memory of Steven Curtis Chapman's late daughter, Maria Sue, has celebrated its third anniversary.

Maria's Big House of Hope was set up by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth following the death of five-year-old Maria Sue, who they had adopted from China.

The house, situated in Luoyang, in China's Henan province, opened its doors in July 2009.

It provides high level care for orphans with special needs, from newborn to the age of five.

In the three years since it opened, Maria's Big House has expanded to include a nursery and kindergarten classroom for the older children and a playground.

The third anniversary of the home's opening coincides with another milestone, after welcoming its 500th child, a one-year-old boy named Warren.

Warren has a complex heart condition that is inoperable in China but could be surgically corrected in the US.

Dr Joyce Hill, who oversees the Show Hope Special Care Centers, which includes Maria's Big House, said: "We ask for prayer that a family will be able to adopt sweet Warren so that he might be able to have the chance of surgery and the best that life can offer him."

Scott Hasenbalg, Show Hope's Executive Director said: "Warren, as the 500th child to come into care at Maria's Big House of Hope, signifies the hundreds and thousands of children we hope to care for in the coming years, thanks to the generous support of so many amazing donors and supporters.

"We have the amazing opportunity to watch miracles happen as children who had no hope become stronger, healthier and happier children. As more donors join this work, we hope to open even more Special Care Centers as soon as we are able."