Faith Worth Passing On: A Family Legacy
Discover how one mission trip inspired Lori Paul to serve for more than a decade, strengthening her faith and passing a legacy of compassion to her family.
July 9, 2026 // Joanna Berry
Inspired at the Memorial service for Trey Vickery, Lori Paul promised, “I will go to honor Trey.” Trey Vickery, only 19 years old, had been an outstanding mission team leader from FBC Kenedy before tragically losing his life in a local traffic accident.
Lori had one great fear, “Am I too old to be useful?” On her first trip in 2013, God answered. She watched a young boy at the orphanage sacrifice his own ice cream by pushing it through the gaps to a child standing outside the gate. He had compassion for others and gave what little he had—a scoop of ice cream—to others who had less.
She returned home, inspired by the sacrifice and joy she witnessed, eager to invite others to join. Some said, “You don’t have to go so far to serve!” But she answered, “Serving others in partnership with the Dominican partners and Christians, I received so much more than I ever imagined to give.”
Since then Lori has returned 10 times, and eventually, many family members and friends have joined. This year, she brought 10 of her children and grandchildren. When asked, “What is your motivation for
bringing your family, and your grandchildren? It’s obviously a significant investment of resources.” She answered, “That’s what we are supposed to do. We are called to pass our faith, not just our words, but faith lived out in actions to our children and grandchildren. It’s not the same, to just talk about it.”
Lori has seen that the value that her grandchildren have received can’t be estimated in dollars and cents. She feels that it far surpasses what she and her husband have invested. She stated, “They can’t experience in the United States what they can learn here.” One of her grandchildren recently said, “I need”….and he abruptly paused. “No, I don’t really need anything. I want…” They have learned the difference between Needs and Wants, something many adults struggle to learn.
Hanging on the walls of their bedrooms back home are notes of friendship and gratitude from the Dominican children, who have become their friends. They share with others how their own walk with God has been developed and challenged. The experience of giving and serving others has transformed their priorities and given them a heightened awareness of God’s purpose for their lives.
