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.

Our very first day began with a celebration: the graduation ceremony at Adonai High School. This year, twelve students proudly received their diplomas, and once again the valedictorian was one of our sponsored children—a powerful reminder of how sponsorship directly shapes lives and opens doors for brighter futures.

Just a 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 trip, the finishing touches were completed: floors, windows, and air conditioning. By the time we arrived, everything was ready for the next step—procuring the equipment and working with the future management team to hire staff.

While on-site, we met with our equipment vendor, who provided a solid recommendation for the initial setup, gave us an estimate, and helped us place the order. He will also provide training for 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 one step closer to self-sufficiency, reducing their reliance on outside funding to sustain the school.

During our trip, we also 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 now fully 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 children brimming with energy, the chance to run and play freely in a safe environment is a priceless gift.

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

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 very first time having access to a pool, and the delight on their faces when they first see it is unforgettable. Many have never learned to swim, and those who can 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—teaching them how to float calmly, stay safe in deeper water, and even assist someone who might be struggling. Watching them grow in 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 filled with laughter and energy, but we always made sure to end on the most important note: powerful worship. As the sun set and songs of praise rose into the night, you could see on the children’s faces that these moments were touching hearts in ways words could never fully capture.

For those who sponsor a child through ASON, summer camp is the best opportunity to 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.