Shelly Hilvety is a 64-year-old Missionary who has spent her life helping God’s people. Now, she is the one needing our help!
Shelly is a graduate of Saint Louis Christian College. After graduation, she spent ten years as a Houseparent and Teacher at a Christian Children’s Home. Next, she served for seven years at Kentucky Christian University as the Director of Women’s Services. Now, for the last twenty years, she has been overseas as a Missionary serving the underprivileged people of Ethiopia.
Shelly was part of a team that made home visits to people living with HIV, Leprosy, and Tuberculosis. She helped feed the hungry, get children clothed and into schools. She also drove ambulances, provided first aid, and helped prepare funerals for the poorest of the poor.
Her team also taught Bible courses and leadership training. More than 200 young people came to Shelly’s home for Bible and English classes. Seven of those she taught went on to Bible College and University. Today, they are back in Ethiopia in full-time ministry.
Now, Shelly is back in the United States seeking medical help.
- In 2020 she contracted a serious case of COVID and was hospitalized for seven days in a 12-woman ward in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (While in the hospital, rats scurried across the foot of her bed!)
- During that hospitalization, her lungs were damaged due to an improper oxygen supply and she now requires the nightly use of a CPAP machine.
- While in Ethiopia, she also contracted Lymphedema as a result of long-term mosquito exposure. That condition currently requires a daily three-hour regimen on a Pneumatic Pump to facilitate lymph-fluid movement throughout her body.
- She is also dealing with severe arthritis in both knees and is in consultation with an Orthopedic Surgeon for double knee replacement before the end of the year.
Fortunately, Shelly’s medical insurance has covered many of her expenses. However, her numerous out-of-pocket expenses for Doctor’s appointment co-pays, physical therapy, and prescription medications have exhausted her meager savings.
Shelly needs our help!
As soon as I learned about Shelly’s need, I asked KBF’s Leadership for permission to launch a fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $10,000. If we can meet this goal, we can reimburse Shelly for some of the medical expenses she incurred last year—and we can help with her treatments for the rest of this year.
$10,000 just isn’t that big of a request when we all pitch in. But for Shelly, it will change her life!
Maybe God has already blessed you this year, or in the past few years, and you could make a one-time gift to KBF of the $10,000 needed by Shelly. But whether you can give $10,000 or $5,000, or $1,000 or $100—will you give GENEROUSLY so KBF can be a blessing to this faithful Kingdom servant?
Here are three ways you can give a gift to KBF:
- Give Online: Click the “Give Today” button below, then select the Shelly Hilvety Campaign in the drop-down menu, and then follow the rest of the step-by-step instructions.
- Give by Zelle: In your bank’s Zelle app just add the Kairos Benevolence Fund as a recipient by using the email address David@KairosBenevolenceFund.com. Write Shelly Hilvety Campaign in the memo field.
- Mail a Check Payable to the Kairos Benevolence Fund (write Shelly Hilvety Campaign on the memo line). Your gift can be mailed directly to:
Kairos Benevolence Fund
PO Box 19142
Tucson, AZ 85731-9142
Remember: If you are currently employed, you may be eligible to request matching donations from your company. Click here to request more information and to determine your eligibility.
Whichever method of giving works best for you, please give generously so KBF can bless this faithful missionary.