Chinese orphans live happily abroad after adoption by foreigners.

Big name Grammy Award-winning artists are not new to Shanghai. Last year we saw Elton John and recently the Rolling Stones and even a lone BeeGee, singing about everything from sex and drugs to disco and rock and roll. But what about the love?

On May 20, Grammy-winning Christian gospel artist Steven Curtis Chapman will belt out some inspirational tunes in a call for philanthropy. And he'll put his money where his mouth is, donating all after-cost proceeds to Chinese charities.

A brief rundown of Chapman's career for those who aren't in the know brings up an impressive five Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, and 44 No. 1 radio hits. But perhaps his biggest life achievement occurred right here in China. When Chapman and his wife came to China six years ago in 2000, they never expected that six years later they would have three adopted Chinese children: Shaohannah, Stevey and Maria.

"It has been in our hearts and our minds that we would like to bring our daughters and our sons back to China," says Chapman about his upcoming Shanghai stopover. After which they will head to Beijing to volunteer in area orphanages. "We want to get our own kids involved in the lives of these children and to help them in any way we can. It is in part a sense of duty and certainly a sense of need, and there is need all over the world, but Asia, and specifically China, has become so much a part of our family," he says. So much, in fact, that they have founded a charity called Shaohannah's Hope (www.ShaohannahsHope.com), which provides information and help for families who want to adopt.

Chapman's May concert is yet another extension of his love for China. He has prepared several tracks especially for the China tour, including a refreshed version of Joni Mitchell's The Circle Game, which Chapman says "has a great meaning for the Chinese people, as all things revolve around the circle of life." The song has personal meaning for him as well.

"In a sense, my journey back to China is making a full circle back from my first visit when we adopted Shaohannah. We are singing this song in both English and Mandarin." Another noble effort and sign of dedication from someone who has only just begun to learn Chinese.

As this spring seems to be the season for giving in Shanghai, let's hope the city can learn a thing of two from this charitable musician's example.