October 4, 2013
Jonathan Rawlings, WEI teacher and short-term missionary, wrote saying, “The congregation where I grew up now has 7 Internet teachers! One lady there, who is in a wheelchair due to her health conditions, was extremely excited about the opportunity to teach people around the world. How exciting is that?”
The Christian woman Jon had in mind was Shelly Hendricks, a member of the church in Doniphan, Missouri. Shelly is a 39-year-old wife and the mother of two children. She attended Harding University in 1997 and graduated with two degrees in education. Since then, she has been a public school teacher, a librarian, and a Bible School teacher; and she has written a curriculum for preschool and school-age children.
In 2009, Shelly was struck with Intracranial Hypertension, a rare condition that causes the brain to produce more spinal fluid than the body can absorb. Shelly underwent surgery to install a VP shunt in her brain. She is now learning to walk and function again.
Throughout her ordeal, Shelly has prayed that God would enable her to do His work. She says, “He carried me through every storm, and He continues to sustain me. In spite of my difficulties, my life is full of joy and hope because of the Lord, and I long to share my faith with others. The opportunity that WEI provides me is a blessing and an answer to prayer. The opportunity to teach again has been a boon for my soul.”
Shelly has started a daily blog designed to spread hope and the message of Christ to people with chronic illness, pain, and disability. You can read her messages at http://reneweddaily.com. Shelly says, “I truly want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity that WEI provides to both teachers and students. It has been a blessing in my life, and I hope to continue teaching for many years.”
May God bless Shelly Hendricks and lift up more champions like her.
