Our Travel Must Haves

Each traveler who joins us on a mission trip is provided a comprehensive packing list specific to wherever they’re travelling. Certain places require different types of clothing, wall chargers, bedding, etc. But regardless of where we’re headed in the months to come, here is a list of our staff’s random “must haves” when on trips. Some are for comfort while others are just practical, but either way they’re coming with us!

Steve: dryer sheets, and a hanger with clips on it for drying pants.
Kelly: Saltines and Immodium.
Jamie:an extra water bottle, and a ton of cough drops.
Alycia: her dad (Steve), beef jerky, ear plugs, and Propel water mix.
Darryn: a portable fan, and trail mix.
Josh: Gushers. All of the Gushers.
Jaclyn: baby powder and Clif bars.
Renee: Febreeze, q-tips, and a blanket.
Terry: an inflatable travel pillow.
Allison: lots of chapstick and lotion, and something sweet and fruity so she doesn’t steal the children’s candy.
Ingrid: Glucose tablets.

As we enter into our busiest travel season here at Global Passion, we’re sure to be stocking up on the above items. What do YOU refuse to travel without?

Top 10 things to NEVER bring on a mission trip

We send out packing lists to all of our teams preparing for a mission trip. They include the items we suggest are useful for your time on the field. Last week, we wrote about the top 10 things to bring on a mission trip. This week, we would like to suggest some things you should leave at home.

Top ten things to NEVER bring on a mission trip:

1. A bad attitude – Your attitude will have a lot to do with your experience on your missions trip. People who view inconveniences and discomforts as part of the adventure will enjoy their trip far more, and more importantly, be a better asset to the team than those who focus on the negative.
2. Your cell phone – If you are like most of us today, your cell phone has become an appendage. It might be time for an amputation. Your full effort is required of you on a mission trip. Any connection to home will 1. Be a distraction from what you’re there to do. 2. Could potentially make you homesick. 3. Could rack up a ton of international roaming charges. 4. Could get stolen. Unless you plan to turn it on airplane mode and use it as a camera, leave it at home.
3. Your entire closet –You will need less than you think you need. Hand washing might seem like something from the beginning of last century, but it is a handy way to ensure you can pack light and still have clean clothes. Just bring a bar of soap or travel detergent. Pack light – unless you want to haul a huge suitcase down a muddy dirt road when the van we are traveling in breaks down.
4. Short shorts and your belly shirt – Many cultures are very traditional. We don’t want anything to get in the way of your message. For some, seeing you in immodest clothing may cause them to discredit you and what you are saying. The other reason is, if you are talking to a member of the opposite sex, we want them hear your words, not be distracted by your body.
5. A closed mind – You may have to do things you have never done before. Be open to new things and new ideas. There is no one right way to do ministry.
6. Your American filter – Another culture is not bad; it’s different. Leave judgments on culture at home. Adapt.
7. An expired passport – You may think you are set with your passport from ten years ago. Most countries require that passports are valid six months after your return date. So even if your passport is valid the dates of the trip, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to renew it.
8. Your Gameboy 350 – You are going to be busy. No time for games.
9. Your ego – Come as a servant. Put others first. It’s not about you.
10. Expectations – No matter how many details you are provided before your short-term trip, it will still be different than you expected. Try to resist the temptation to come with an idea of what it will be like. Expectations tend to spoil a trip when things don’t line up how you thought they would. The only thing to expect is for God will show up and move.

There are some things that don’t belong in ministry. Don’t bring the above on your mission trip this summer.

Top 10 things to bring on a mission trip

We send out packing lists to all of our teams headed out on their mission trip. They include the items we suggest are useful for your time on the missions field. But out of all of the things you could possibly bring, here are the top 10 we feel are essential.

Top ten things to bring on a missions trip:

1. A missions heart – This means being a servant. This means being humble. This means putting people and the mission above yourself. You didn’t go on this trip to get a suntan. We hope.
2. Sunscreen – Unless you want to come back looking like a lobster. The sun is more intense in many of the countries we travel to, so you will need to be more proactive to protect your skin.
3. Bible and journal – This is a time set aside to serve God. You will likely hear from Him most when you are in His Word daily and processing what you hear through journaling.
4. Imodium and other over-the-counter medicines – Hey, nausea happens. Don’t be embarrassed. As your body gets used to new food and goes through the stress of travel, sometimes our stomachs are the first to show it. Getting a little bit sick is a normal part of missions. But it’s good to bring something to address it.
5. Flexibility – We could write out a pretty little schedule for you of what we think is going to happen on the field. Chances are, it’s going to change. There is no way we can predetermine what is going to happen while you are on your short-term trip. It’s important to adopt a “go with the flow” mentality. Don’t let a little mud, a late bus, or a change in ministry plans ruffle you. Instead, embrace the opportunity it could present.
6. A positive attitude – You are probably going to be a bit uncomfortable at times. This could be all new to you. But if you keep a positive attitude, those things will fade and what lasts will be the important things. Like the fact you shared the gospel with a discouraged woman, or gave an abandoned child the love they are starved of.
7. Respect for the missionary and culture – Our pet peeve is when someone comes on a short-term mission trip and tells a missionary, who has been in the country, learning about the culture, working with the people for years, that they are doing it wrong. The truth is, you don’t have the context or background to say whether they are doing it right or wrong. It’s your job to help without judgement.
8. A passport – You won’t go anywhere without it.
9. Your A game – This ain’t no vacation. It’s going to require some sweat and maybe some tears.
10. Expectations that God will show up. Expect that God is going to do something big both in you and through you. Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to more than we could imagine because His spirit is working in us. So bring the faith that God will do miracles, that there will be salvations, that God will use you in a mighty way. God is ready and able to do more than we could fathom. Let’s expect it!

Whether you choose to bring jeans or kakis, two shirts or 10, don’t leave the above behind when you leave for your mission trip.