Dear Loved Ones in Christ,

Every community has its bright shining star—-a special person who radiates joy and life and hope to everyone they meet. In our community that person is a twenty-two year old young lady named Shelby Kennedy. It was my pleasure to serve as one of her pastors for nearly five years before her family relocated membership in our sister church in Fredericksburg, Texas. I can report that I have rarely ever met a woman with as radiant a Christian testimony, who better honors her father and mother, or who better understands the meaning of Christian sacrifice. For most of her life Shelby has accompanied her father and mother to some of the roughest parts of Mexico, building homes for the indigent, helping local churches and teaching the Gospel to young girls, many of whom are already mothers in their early teens. Those who meet her never forget her.

Last week Shelby was diagnosed with a rare disease called leiomayosarcoma. She already has a tumor approaching the size of a volleyball. Through the tests so far it appears the sarcoma has spread to her right shoulder and a few other spots in her pelvic area. The sarcoma has already eaten away a good part of the bone in the pelvic area. Man’s statistical analysis tell us that only small percentage of people in her condition survive. But we know that we serve the God who defies statistics, who controls life and who loves those who faithfully serve Him.

Shelby knows this too. At every step of the way Shelby has rejoiced in the Lord. While those who love her weep in her presence (including yours truly), Shelby spends her time comforting them with words of hope from Holy Scripture. She speaks with joy of the hundreds of emails she has received and kept for her scrapbook. She constantly praises God for His grace and mercy. The other day Shelby wrote to some of us:

I don’t know how to explain the love I feel that has been showered on me constantly. I feel as if I am wrapped tightly in the Fathers loving, gentle arms, and He is carrying my weary body through this test in life.

Shelby is taking pain medication for the extreme pain, which means she is only able to be up and awake a few hours a day, but she spends all of that time rejoicing in Christ and feasting on His word. When she is awake she needs to use a wheel chair most of the time and has minimal energy, but what energy she has is focused on proclaiming Jesus Christ. Already her testimony of hope is sparking a spirit of revival in those around her as they see Gospel Christianity lived out in the midst of a fiery trial.

A few days ago Shelby (who has grown her hair long past her waist—-as have each of her sisters) had a hair-cutting party (in anticipation of the chemo and radiation therapy she will be receiving) during which she cut her lovely hair to preserve it, perhaps for a wig. Her sisters joined her in an act of solidarity by cutting their longer-than waist length hair as well, which they had grown over a lifetime.

At this point every day counts. The need for medical intervention is significant, but there are delays with the hospitals that mean that Shelby has to wait longer than we would like for treatment. In addition, the Kennedy family lacks the resources to cover their medical expenses and needs help. This is where you come in to play.

Imagine for just one moment that you were a father who was watching your bright shining star suffer under the pains of a crippling and potentially fatal disease. It is difficult for many of us to think in these terms, but we must. Perhaps tomorrow it will be us. Certainly we would want the body of Christ to rally to our side and stand with us in our hour of need.

All of this to ask you to consider two things: First, would you commit as a family to praying for Shelby. Here in San Antonio, she is known by thousands and loved by all. In Mexico, she is known by thousands and loved by all. There are many praying for her, but we know how the Lord loves to hear the prayers if his saints. We are asking for you to help us ask our Heavenly Father for mercy.

Second, would you consider donating to help the medical expenses of this family. The expenses are very high and their inability to cover these expenses has been a great challenge. My local church, the Boerne Christian Assembly, has agreed to help the family by getting checks through to them. You can either write a check directly to Ken Kennedy, or to the Boerne Christian Assembly, and we will see that Shelby gets the help directly. Send the checks to Vision Forum and we will pass them on. Please write on the envelope “For Shelby Kennedy.”

You can learn more about Shelby at http://www.carecalendar.org/prayer.php, or at www.onlyaservant.org.

Thank you for considering our beloved Shelby through your prayers and giving.

Persevero,
Doug Phillips