Two weeks ago I first told you about my sister, Shannon McCoy. I included a letter she wrote about why she and her six-year-old daughter are picking up and moving across the country so she can attend The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California, to pursue a degree in Biblical Counseling, despite financial hardships.
Many of you responded with prayer, donations, advice, leads on housing and jobs, and the names of other Christians to contact once she’s there. Thanks to the generosity of just one reader, Shannon and my niece both have plane tickets to California. Several of you contributed money.
THANK YOU for all you’ve done. My sister and I are humbled by the responses she’s gotten. My family and I wish we had all the funds Shannon needed, but we don’t. Members of her church and her friends are also helping out any way they can.
The one thing I can do is blog. I know for a fact that Christians are willing to help other Christians, so I’ve decided to blog about my sister once a week until she leaves for California in late July.
Here is the text of her letter:
I am in need of your prayers. Let me explain:About nine years ago I was listening to John MacArthur on his Grace To You radio program. He was speaking of their Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling program at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California (near Los Angeles). A seed was planted in my heart concerning being a Biblical Counselor.
A lot has happened over the years and now it seems the time is right to pursue it. Last June I was at a crossroads and asked the Lord which direction to go. “Should I stay here in Charlotte, NC to plant roots for Raven and me or should I pursue becoming a Biblical Counselor?†Soon after that, a part of my department at work was eliminated and that got my attention. So I set out to go through the application process. I was accepted in March! Classes start this August 2005.
At the end of April, I got rid of all my furniture and moved in with my Mom in Rock Hill, SC (about 40 minutes away) to save money. I am still working in Charlotte and Raven is about to finish Kindergarten!
The day of departure is probably July 23, 2005. Raven and I will have to fly because my 1995 Ford Escort is not worth the cost of shipping it there and paying for the parts to make it pass the strict California inspection.
My prayer requests are:
- Housing (either a room to rent or a one bedroom which cost $1000/mo.)
- Transportation (there are car auctions every Tuesday) [Shannon would like to buy a car at auction once she's in California.]
- Childcare (my classes are in the evening, so someone will need to be there for my most prized possession)
- Financial provision (I don’t think I’ll be able to work full-time hours)
I know this sounds insane, but I love the Lord and I believe He is calling me to do this. He is all-powerful and makes the impossible possible. Please believe with me for God’s will to be done. I would not be doing this if I did not believe that God has called me!
Thanks for your prayers and support,
Shannon McCoy
Two years ago I wrote an article about my testimony for Today’s Christian Woman, and Shannon was the sister featured in the article. If you’d like to contribute to the Send Shannon McCoy to California fund I set up with Pay Pal, you may do so by clicking the “Donation” button below:
Please e-mail me if you want more information:
