Progress Toward Puerto Rico

Wherefore glorify ye the LORD . . . in the isles of the sea. - Isaiah 24:15

Long before the Lord spoke of going to the highways and hedges to compel people to come into the kingdom of Heave (Luke 14:23), He spoke of taking the gospel to the islands of the distant parts of the seas. Though the islands be numerous and scattered across vast oceans, the Lord especially calls some to take the gospel to the people living on those seemingly insignificant stretches of dry land. One such island, where Mike and Debbie Motley have been called to go, is the United States territory of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. To a population of 3,658,000 people on an island not much bigger than Rhode Island, the Lord has called the Motleys to go there to glorify His Name by establishing fundamental, independent Baptist churches. Here is a report of their deputation progress to preach the Gospel to the lost of Puerto Rico.

Introducing the Motleys: Mike comes from Eden, NC, where he was saved at the age of 14. When he was 33, he answered the call to preach. Debbie comes from Hickory, NC, trusted Christ at the age of eight, and became very active in her father's pastoral ministry. They have two children, Caleb and Kayla, whom they home school. When Mike finished his Bible education, he became the your pastor at Drowning Creek Baptist Church in Hickory, NC. Debbie actively served as a ladies' bible teacher, a teacher for children's classes, a worker in a nursing home ministry, a church musician, and a help-meet to assist Mike wherever possible. During their time at Drowning Creek Baptist, Mike and Debbie took their youth group to Puerto Rico on three occasions. During one of their trips, the Lord called them to surrender to serve in Puerto Rico as full-time missionaries.

Choosing a location: This year, September 4-15, the Motleys were able to take a survey trip to Puerto Rico with the main goal of knowing the specific city where the Lord would have them minister. They first thought Camuy would be the place to start. However, after driving through that town and a few others, they felt that the Lord was not burdening their hearts for those towns. Mike later had an opportunity to drive a Christian brother to the shipping docks in Mayagües, and they drove through Anasco. It was there in the center of town that they knew where the Lord had called them to go. They made several other trips and were able to pass out many Gospel tracts. One day they met Carlos, a Christian in that town who once had been a member of a Baptist church in Anasco that had closed about a year ago. With no place other than the Catholic church to attend, Carlos excitedly urged the Motleys to come back soon and start a church in a town of 28,000 people with no fundamental witness. Brother Motley reported that it particularly broke his heart to think of this town compared to his hometown of Hickory, where there are over one hundred Baptist churches in the immediate area. Please pray for Carlos and the people of Anasco that Mike would soon be able to preach the Gospel there in order that Puerto Ricans would be born into the Kingdom of God.

Completing the deputation: Since Heartbeat last featured the Motleys in January 2002, they have gone from 41% to 73% of their needed support. Because of this steady increase, they are praying to leave for Puerto Rico by May 2004. Though they have made considerable progress, they are much in prayer to soon complete their deputation and be able to begin reaching people in that needy place. Brother Motley writes that they thank God that He has called them, though so unworthy, to carry the message of salvation to these people. If God burdens your hearts for the people of Puerto Rico, the Motleys would love to be a part of your mission family.

Sharing the excitement: All missionaries will have their favorite experiences to testify of the Lord's working in their lives. Here is one anecdote that the motleys want to share from their survey trip.

 

"When we arrived at the house in which we were to sleep, we thought it was cute; but then we met our roommates, the rats, roaches, and spiders. My family is scared of all of our little house dwellers and did not appreciate their presence; but, as we know, God's grace is sufficient in all situations. We stopped calling the house cute and started calling it Casa de la ratons, 'the house of the rats.'"

Remembering the prayer requests:

• Their deputation ministry, full support (presently at 73%), and necessary passage funds for a May 2004 departure.
• Good Spanish Christian videos to use for the ministry.
• Their continuing progress in Spanish lessons.
• For God to deliver the Puerto Ricans from the falsehood of Catholicism.