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Four Dads and Four Daughters

Cheryl Fawcett

The journey was more than 6,000 miles, but the divides crossed were more than just physical for four teens and their fathers traveling to Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Although they were already friends, Tony, Joe, Ron, and Willie and their daughters Anna, Andrea, Ashley, and Libby first united at a missions committee meeting at Calvary Baptist in Traverse City, Michigan. The group created an unusual father/daughter dynamic for a trip that had typically consisted of adults.

With a whole year to plan and a $4,800 support goal, the group began to write letters and talk to churches about their desire to serve with the children’s ministry, led by Jim and Susan Cook of Next Generation Ministries, at ABWE’s All Brazil Conference. The girls, ranging in age from sixth to eleventh grade, joined in by saving babysitting money and doing extra household chores. One teen even built a sidewalk at her home to earn money toward the trip.

Armed with supplies, crafts, and games, this unassuming group of dads and daughters assisted the Cooks by working with missionary kids (MKs) throughout the week of the conference.

During that time, the group members learned about themselves, grew in their relationships, met God in a powerful way and experienced ministry and missions firsthand. For instance, volunteering and traveling gave Anna courage to try new things.

For Libby, the experience brought a deeper understanding of and a new closeness with her dad and her friends.

The fathers enjoyed the adventure of raising support and traveling with their children. One dad reported he was “renewed in my faith in God [and His ability] to accomplish great things right now, though regular people like me.”

One of the best aspects of the trip was “seeing God cement a missions mindset in my daughter,” said Ron Larson. “As a father, that will pay dividends for years to come!”

In an unexpected turn of events, the trip also helped him to relate in new ways with his daughter. “We went deeper because we planned together, traveled together, and experienced God working through us together,” he added.

Tony Laugher said although he has taken much away from his time in Brazil, the best part of the trip was watching his daughter Anna learning about service.

The dads and daughters agree—the blessings are beyond words. How else can family members experience a foreign country, spend one-on-one time with their child or parent, gain a better understanding of other cultures, and meet a wide spectrum of missionaries, while gaining real understanding of their work?

As one father pointed out, “Most of us are so busy, that we only parent for today. A trip like this can bring intentional vision as a parent for the future. You can’t lead where you have not been yourself.”

So, is this father/daughter mission trip a new trend in missions? From what these family units say, I sure hope so. Why not start a new missions tradition at your church: it has the potential for bountiful blessings.