On Sunday night, July 13, we had the privilege to have our missionaries John & Missy Camiola come out for a BBQ and an evening of sharing what God is doing in their lives over in Jos, Nigeria. Here is how the evening went down:

The Food

Missio Dei Church supplied the food (hamburgers, hotdogs, mostaccioli) and the community brought the rest (sides, salads, and desserts). It was a great night of just hanging out and connecting as a family, sharing stories, and making memories. Some people were from Missio Dei, others came from other churches or were other connections (friends, family members, neighbors).

The Message (audio)

John and Missy were then invited to begin sharing about their Ministries over in Jos, Nigeria. Missy started off sharing about Grace Gardens. Watch the video below to get a glimpse of what is happening at Grace Gardens.

John then got up to talk about his ministry, Camiola Global Resources, where he is doing Business As Missions (BAM). To get a glimpse at what John is doing, watch this video.

The Prayer

I left this time with them with a burden to pray for them in three different ways

Family

They need our continued prayers. We need to continue to pray for John & Missy, for their marriage, their family, and their country. We pray that God would continue to surround their family, their compound, and their ministries with His protection. We pray that John and Missy would continue growing in their love for one another and for their Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that they would continue loving their children well and continue pointing them to Jesus.

Grace Gardens

We need to continue to pray the ministry of Grace Gardens and the women (and children) that are being rescued from the hotels (brothels). We pray that these women and children would come to know the extravagant grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We pray that they will be freed from the bondage of slavery and prostitution and find freedom in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Camiola Global Resources

We need to be praying for John and his business. We need to be praying that it would continue to grow so that it can continue to financially support the ministry of Grace Gardens. We need to be praying that John would continue making connections with other businessmen and local people and sharing the Gospel through business. We pray for his leadership of GGs and the women that work there.

The Challenge

I think it is incredibly difficult to sit through their presentation, listen to the incedible stories of women being rescued from horrific situations, and not feel compelled to find more ways to support the work they are doing.

How can you help?

After talking with John and Missy, the next step would be to pray through supporting a woman or child at Grace Gardens. The cost for a girl to stay at Grace Gardens is $100/month. Maybe this could be your family stepping up and covering the whole cost? Maybe this is your Missional Community stepping up and supporting someone together? The sky is the limit as to the options available to support them. Would you prayfully consider how we, as Missio Dei Church, and you, the Church, can continue to support this family and their ministries for the Glory of God and the expansion of His Kingdom?

Support information for John & Missy Camiola can be found here: #07055

Support information for Grace Gardens can be found here: #096006-091