ASON Mission Trips to the Dominican Republic

Expectations & Next Steps

Dear Friends,

We invite you to prayerfully consider joining a short-term mission team with ASON International in the Dominican Republic. You do not need special skills to participate—only a genuine relationship with the Lord and a desire to share His love with others.

Together we will serve alongside Pastor Marino Méndez and his ministry, Mano a Mano con Adonai, through either a construction project, supporting summer camp, or supporting our annual child sponsorship Christmas party. Team members will also have opportunities to visit sponsored children and their families and to use their own unique gifts in ways that encourage and bless our partners in ministry.

This is a long letter, but every detail is crucial for you to know before applying for this trip, as it sets clear expectations for the short-term mission and explains what is required in order to prepare.

Accommodations will be in a camp setting with bunk housing. It may be hot, humid, and air conditioning may not be reliable, or may not be available, at all. While we try to arrange for couples to stay together, it is not always possible. Team members must have completed ninth grade unless traveling with a parent. This trip is designed to provide a true mission experience, with pre-trip training, in-field debriefing, and post-trip reflection. It is not a vacation, but it may well be one of the most meaningful investments of your time away from home.

The base cost of the trip covers all food, lodging, in-country transportation, translation, visa and entry fees, cultural excursions, and the support of local staff. It also includes keepsakes and essentials such as a devotional journal, duffel bag, team T-shirt, document folder, luggage tags, and water bottle. Please note that one of the two duffel bags provided will be filled with donated clothing and supplies and will not remain with the team member. The only additional expenses you should plan for are meals while traveling to and from the U.S., as well as souvenirs and personal snacks.

Each applicant must have the recommendation and support of their church if they are to join us. All approved applicants must be Christians of good standing in the church and the community. This is not a trip to straighten out confused youth, nor is it a trip for people who are not growing in their faith. It is a trip for teens and adults who want to experience the mission field firsthand. It is a time for discipleship—for adults who are growing in their faith and listening to God to serve with one another and to serve as examples to teens with whom they will serve. As directors of this trip, we reserve the right to reject an applicant in those extreme cases when we feel they would not be fit for the trip because of their age, or physical, emotional, spiritual, or other reasons.

If you are personally interested in being a team member of this mission trip, please ensure you complete all of the following prior to the deadline:

  1. Submit your completed application form.

  2. Make your non-refundable $161 deposit.

  3. Complete your Medical Release Form.

  4. Complete your Medical Exam Form.

  5. If you are under 18, complete the Parent Release & Signature Notarization Form.

  6. Ask your Pastor, Youth Pastor, or Mission Chair to complete the recommendation form.

The documents may be scanned and emailed to ellen@ason.org, or mailed to ASON International, PO Box 411210, Melbourne, FL 32941.

Once these steps have been completed, and upon acceptance to the short-term mission team, you can begin the process of fundraising (if necessary to support your trip costs) and sending out prayer letters. We will provide you with templates for both:

  1. Prayer Letter

  2. Donation Forms

A word about your deposit: your deposit is non-refundable because it pays for deposits on things that we pay for well in advance of the trip.

Regarding cancellations: the balance of your account will be applied to the needs of other team members or in-country needs if for some reason you need to cancel. If you think that you will participate on a different ASON mission within a year, we can apply the funds to that team mission. All money paid—except the $161 deposit—is transferable until such time as airline tickets have been purchased. If we have already purchased your airline ticket when you cancel, the ticket value can be used by you within a year for another mission with ASON, or the value must be transferred to a travel bank and used by another mission team member.

If you are not able to go, there are other ways in which you can participate in the mission:

  • Give this information to someone who might like to go.

  • Pray for us as the team is assembled under God’s supervision.

  • Give financially toward others who are going, or for other special needs within the Dominican Republic. 

    • If you are led to give financially, please give:

      • Through the website (ason.org and click on the “Make a Difference” button)

      • By mailing a check to: ASON International, PO Box 411210, Melbourne, FL 32941. 

      • Please leave a note letting us know how you would like us to apply the donation.

ASON International has led more than 100 mission teams, with over 900 members from more than 20 churches to 7 different countries. 

ASON International assists national Christians around the world to accomplish their God-given visions. On this journey we will be assisting Pastor Marino Méndez (Mano a Mano con Adonai) to accomplish his God-given vision for the DR.

If you need to be in touch with me during the process of team gathering and training, please feel free to call or e-mail.

God bless you as you consider your own involvement and that of others around you. I’m in prayer for you and all those who will be part of this endeavor for God’s glory.

Serving the King,
ASON International