A Week in the Dominican Republic: Summer Camp and a Big Step Toward Self-Sufficiency

Last week, Ellen and I traveled to the Dominican Republic for an impactful and inspiring visit. Just one month earlier, Ellen had led a team of 17 to construct an addition for our T-shirt factory—a project designed to create a sustainable source of funding for Mano a Mano con Adonai.

In the weeks following that construction trip, the finishing touches were added: floors, windows, and air conditioning. Now it was time for the next big step—procuring the equipment and working with the future management team to hire staff. Everything was coming together beautifully.

While on-site, we met with our equipment vendor, who gave us a solid recommendation for the initial setup, provided an estimate, and helped us place the order. The vendor will also train our team and supply the raw materials needed to begin production. Thanks to this rapid progress, we expect to start producing T-shirts by September. We are walking in faith as we move forward, trusting God to provide the remaining funds needed to cover these investments, and we are still actively raising support to see it through. Each shirt sold will bring Mano a Mano con Adonai closer to self-sufficiency, reducing their reliance on outside funding to support the school.

During our trip, we joined several worship services at Adonai Church. The worship here is vibrant and powerful, and the messages are deeply rooted in biblical truth. We always look forward to these services with our Dominican congregation—it feels like coming home.

The highlight of this trip, however, was summer camp for our sponsored children. This annual event is something the kids anticipate all year long, and after visiting the homes of my sponsored children over the past two years, I understand why.

Though their mothers are resourceful, loving, and dedicated, these families live in small apartments in a challenging inner-city neighborhood. Security bars cover the windows and doors, and playing outside is often unsafe. For kids brimming with energy, the chance to run and play freely in a safe environment is pure joy.

On Monday morning, three large coach buses transported the children from Adonai Evangelical School to camp. Once the safety briefing was complete, the children scattered in every direction—some making a beeline for the playground, others racing across the wide grassy field, all with boundless energy and excitement.

We always choose a camp with a large pool, knowing it will be the highlight of the week. For many of these children, it’s their first time having access to a pool, and it’s pure delight to see their faces light up when they first see it. Many of them have never learned to swim, and those who can swim are not yet strong swimmers.

Teaching the kids how to swim has become something of a passion project for Ellen, and this year was no exception. We devoted special time to working with the older children on pool safety—showing them how to float calmly, how to stay safe in deeper water, and even how to assist someone who might be struggling. Watching them gain confidence in the water was both encouraging and heartwarming.

The team had planned a full schedule of activities—games, crafts, team challenges, and plenty of free play. Each day was packed with laughter and energy, but we always made sure to end on the most important note: powerful, Spirit-filled worship. As the sun set and the songs of praise filled the air, you could see on the children’s faces that these moments were touching hearts in ways words can’t fully capture.

For those who sponsor a child through ASON, summer camp is the best opportunity to truly connect. It’s not just about meeting your sponsored child—it’s about spending real, meaningful time together. Whether it’s playing games, sharing a meal, or simply sitting and talking, these moments create a bond that lasts far beyond the week of camp.

This trip reminded us once again of the beauty of combining practical projects—like the T-shirt factory—with relational ministry. One builds a future of self-sufficiency, the other builds lasting relationships rooted in Christ’s love. Together, they make the mission stronger than ever.