Thinking through disaster

As many of you heard through national news that 2 weeks ago. Below is an article I wrote for BGEA. But wanted to share the same thoughts and photos with you all.
Please keep Puerto Rico in your prayers as we head towards our training phase of the project!

“When the explosion happened Robby and I were shocked out of bed, I thought an airplane had crashed into the house!”

Juliann Smith is not alone in her experience. Last Friday night a large explosion caused 21 fuel tanks from Gulf Oil to catch fire in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They continued burning for two days affecting the 2.5 million people who live in the San Juan metro area.

Smith says that her son was an eyewitness. “Nathan, who was outside, saw the blast and the mushroom cloud that began to form. (He) ran home, yelling that the world is ending!”

"I was in bed and all of a sudden heard this really horrible sound,” said Teo Freytes, who filed an internet Report for CNN. “So I ran upstairs and thought the whole town had blown up!"

All over the city residents felt the power of the explosion, which the Puerto Rico seismic network says was the equivalent of a 2.8 magnitude earthquake. The gas explosion was the first major disaster in more than ten years. As the shock and devastation set in for the small Caribbean island many began to wonder what happened and why.

“An incident of such magnitude can shake the stability and security of this fragile world we live in. It demonstrates that we cannot put our hope and security in material things,” said David Casillas. “Because it was an event that could not be foreseen or predicted like a hurricane, the fire could not be planned or prepared for.”

Casillas is a San Juan Pastor and the national coordinator of the My Hope Project by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. My Hope is a project, which trains and prepares Christians with the tools needed to share the gospel with friends, family, and neighbors who are not believers, using specially produced television programs.

Casillas says it’s a way to share everlasting hope with those who need it most. “There is no doubt that the My Hope Project has come at a time like this to bring hope, peace, and the good news of a better tomorrow through salvation in Jesus Christ.”

After the explosion, the importance of sharing Christ with others hit very close to home for many in Puerto Rico like Juliann Smith. Though it wasn’t the end of the world, the bible teaches that Jesus will return. Christians in Puerto Rico say that through projects like My Hope, they are seeing new ways that they can share Christ’s love with others before the real end comes.

Surf's Up

Two weekends ago, Joe and I were invited to a quincenero, which is the 15th birthday party.Quincenero's are very special, lavish, and BIG in all of Latin America, but this was the first we have been privileged to attend. This one, was a beach party with a band, and surf lessons for the guests!! Joe and I had a blast TRYING! Any real surfers would look at our waves and think we were pathetic, but it is hard! Happy 15th Birthday Robby!!

Andamos en bicicletas

Joe and I have found this great place to ride bikes near our house. At first we thought that the area/boardwalk was only a few hundred yards long and not enough to really enjoy a ride or what we would pay to rent the bikes(which isn't much). But we decided to give it a try and found out that not only does the path go on for miles but it also weaves between following the coastline and a forest like ecosystem full of pine trees. It was very worth it and a beautiful day at that.






Even Lizards eat their vegetables.

Lots to tell

Life seems to be moving much faster than I can keep up with. I feel like each time I fall asleep life jumps 3 weeks over night. For my birthday,(and Christmas and Joe's birthday and Christmas)present. We got a new camera!!! It is very exciting. We have talked for over a year about getting a new one and an DSLR at that. After many discussions with friends who are very good with a camera(Thank you to all who helped) On my birthday we took our new toy to the old city to play and begin to learn how to use it. I have to say I was very nervous at first...of dropping it, or messing with a setting and not knowing how to fix it. I still don't fully understand how to use the manual setting but we are having fun trying.


These awesome cobalt bricks were used as ballast for ships coming from Spain(they weighed down the ships, when traveling to pick up goods from PR)

I also had the opportunity to spend some time with my sister Bethany in San Diego. We tackled renovating her kitchen and a few other projects.

First we painted the ceiling and walls.(The person who owned their home before smoked and I don't think he ever painted after 1950.

We still had time to spare so Bethany decided we should give the cabinets a face lift also.

This was my sleeping buddy Jesse! He is the sweetest dog ever, tying with my sister Meagan's pit pull Reese! And YES you read that correctly the nicest dogs Ive ever met are a pit bull and rottweiler. So if you are looking for a good dog, please think twice before investing in an overpriced yappy monster that can't defend you.(soapbox for the day)

Also while I was in SD I got to spend an afternoon with a family I worked for Charlotte while I was in college. They now live in Huntington beach, and their kits are several years older, I don't think they remember me, but it was great to see them anyway. I learned a lot about kids and life in general from Jill and Howie.

I am officially 26

My best friend Stephanie, from High Point told me a month ago on her birthday that she thought 26 was going to be a great year, and I agree! So far it has been so exciting, we have been celebrating my birthday all week. I even bought myself some candy corns and Joe bought me these beautiful fall colored flowers! I love yellow

Oh Where Oh where could the Motts be...

Hola!! It seems we have neglected our updates a bit and we are sorry, but it has been an exciting and very full month. Speaking of which, we can't believe it is September!
I am always amazed at where God leads us and how he provides for us. Over the past 5weeks, Joe and I participated in 3 more Rock the River events in St Louis, Quad Cities, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The Holy Spirit worked wonders in all of the cities giving Franklin grace and guidance in his talks as well as the band members. Lacy from Flyleaf was so awesome, she is so articulate!!!!
I(Melissa) started my job at the end of July. I am working as a field assistant with the BGEA. It has been very different and exciting from what I have done the last 2 years, but I praise God for answering our prayers and providing me with a job with-in the Project.
We signed the lease and opened the My Hope PR office August 12. Their are currently 5 staff trained and working, with 2 more in the process of being hired. We are still searching for a few more but we have a great team so far. We have loved getting to know them and work with them.
Several weeks ago we also had a photo shoot with Puerto Ricans for our materials, and those pictures are currently being placed and worked with by a graphic designer who is preparing all materials for printing.
This project has had many firsts for Joe and I, though it is our third project together, we have never been a part of planning and follow through this early on. In other countries we arrive to staff and a office that is already functioning. We know that God only gives us what we can handle and that he uses things, people, and instances to stretch and deepen our faith, and for each of those we are so grateful. We always knew he didn't promise it would be easy and it has truely been some very trying moments at times, but as long as we are faithful, he provides!!!

I hope all of you will join Joe and I in praising God for all he has done in Puerto Rico already, but also we are asking for your prayers....
Please pray for the finance team, for continued unity in the office, travel and safety (I will be travelling to San Diego at the end of the week, to spend some time with my sister Bethany and my grandmother. And Joe will be travelling to the Dominican Republic in 2 weeks)
For God's guidance with a production company in Puerto Rico/Dominican Republic.

We thank you and love you all!!

Rock the River: Baton Rouge

Joe and I were given the awesome opportunity to help out at the Rock the River tour in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For those who don't know, "Rock the River is a high-energy music tour traveling up the Mississippi". RTR(Rock the River) is hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). At RTR Baton Rouge they had a ministry tent to help with awareness of all the amazing ministries the BGEA fosters to bring the Good news through evangelism for God's Kingdom! Whoo, with that said, Joe and I got to share with people our passion of My Hope all day. The event was a hit. They had seven hours of great bands including Flyleaf, RED, Mary Mary and others! Franklin brought the message of Jesus in a clear and relational way that impacted many and planted seeds in numbers we may never know. The turn out was over 11,000 and over 500 decisions for Jesus Christ!!!! In saying it was such an awesome experience for me, does not begin to express some of the comments left on FACEBOOK by those who were also there, one wrote..."well even the protesters couldn't stop the amazing power of Jesus.... if only 1 person was saved, then it was worth the heat, sunburn, and sprinkles. God also painted a glorious sunset across the sky - who in their right mind could say there is no GOD. The thunder & lightening stayed in the distance, just enough sprinkles to cool everyone down." The lightening she was referring to actually occurred behind the stage as Flyleaf was beginning and added chill to the praises they were singing. We are heading to RTR in St. Louis in a little less than two weeks and are so excited to see God work there too. Please Join with us and pray for the upcoming cities: St. Louis-Aug. 2nd, Quad Cities-Aug. 8 and Minneapolis/St. Paul Aug. 16. Please pray for the staff, the weather, the message(Franklin Graham and the testimonies from the bands),and for those traveling to and from the event! Also know that if you are within a do-able distance of these events, COME!! Bring friends, bring family, bring the neighbors kids!! Please also know that they are still looking for volunteers in the remaining cities! For more info and to sign-up go to http://www.billygraham.org/RTR/RockTheRiver.asp. Here are a few photos to get you excited(please know some of these photos were taken from flickr, and I have no ownership rights to them)

Meagan is Married

This weekend was so amazing. My younger sister got married. It was so wonderful to get to see my older sister Bethany and her husband Aaron who live in San Diego, so we don't get to see them often! Also my aunt and uncle and their not so young kids (they are teens) and other extended family came! While home we were able to get to know and spend more time with Eddie, Meg's new hubby. Though it was so much fun, it was also bitter sweet I think. This was my parents last child to get married. My mom had wedding planning down to a science! What chapter in life comes next? Well many say pets, though Bethany and Meagan already have them and Joe and I probably never will(we move too much). Kids? Yikes! Not for us anytime soon unless God has other plans.
The cute couple!
Bethany and Aaron
Aunt Gigi and Uncle Tony
At the rehearsal dinner!
Me, Mom, and Bethany

Joe and I with his parents

They were threatened not to smash cake on each other!
Father daughter dance
These two had so much fun dancing!
Grandma (She is the one who always threatens about the cake smashing, it has become a tradition beginning with my moms wedding)
My cousins Jacqui and Jon