• toothbrush & paste & floss
• razor & shaving cream
• sunburn remedies & sunscreen (very important) & sunglasses
• for those who wear glasses, bring an extra pair
• small pillow
• towels, washcloths & detergent
• deodorant (please!)
• towelette packets (baby wipes)
• soap & shampoo
• toilet paper (2 rolls wrapped in duck tape – top open)
• feminine hygiene items
• comb & brush
• medicines: antibiotics, vitamins, aspirin, allergy tabs, diarrhea
medicine, antibacterial ointments, Band-aids, etc.
• clothesline& clothespins
• flashlight & extra batteries
• bottle/canteen for water (relatively large & sealable) – Water is a
MUST!!
• Bible & journal & pens & Team Notebook
• personal snacks (10 day stash)
• spending money
• camera (cheap) with extra film & batteries
• simple gifts
• passport (team leaders will keep these)
• mosquito repellent
• poncho
• sweat ban & hat
• work gloves (leather)
• work clothes – light cotton best in hot weather (long pants)
• one or two sets of dress up clothes
• long sleeve shirts
• shorts (modest) and loose fitting shirts/blouses
• underclothes
• bedclothes & robe
• walking shoes/work shoes
• shower slippers
• 2 team mission shirts & black pants
• swim suit
• continuous prayer
• exceptional attitude
• prayer partners
• hangers
• plastic freezer bags
• hanging bag for dirty clothes (optional)
• photos of family, home, school, city (Optional)
1. Pack light. Chances are you will have to carry what you pack!
2. Tightly secure any items that may come open while traveling – freezer
bags recommended! Many a team member has had to wear clothing with
the fragrant smell of Pepto Bismol or shampoo.
3. Borrow what you can. No sense in making a big investment in shoes and
clothing you may only wear on this trip.
4. Break new shoes in before the trip… especially new work boots. Blisters
are not a pleasant experience, and they don’t make for the best of
moods!
5. Take luggage you don’t mind damaging. Old duffel bags are probably
the best.
6. Carry one change of clothes with you if traveling by plane. Sometimes
luggage gets lost and/or delayed. One of the authors failed to heed this
advice and lived to regret it when luggage failed to arrive for a two-week
trip to Haiti.
7. Find out if laundry facilities are available. If so, you won’t have to take
as much clothing.
8. Take items you won’t mind leaving if you see a need. Certain items are
very expensive overseas and unaffordable to the people you may be
working with.
9. Leave room for souvenirs; otherwise you may be sacrificing your new
Reeboks for a wooden statue.
10. Pack more than enough film and batteries. These are costly in
most places and may be difficult to find in a remote locale.
If you are not sure whether there is going to be showers and warm water, make sure to take with you lots of wet napkins.
If you are sleeping with the team all in one room, make sure to take eye covering to cover your eyes against light in order to fall asleep.
Ear plugs – are so essential especially when you are trying fall asleep and people around you keep on talking or shuffling.
Melatonin – good to take natural pills, especially if you cannot fall asleep because of uncomfortable bedding or if you have to sleep on the floor or simply because you cannot fall asleep in a new environment.
Home slippers with you, is always a good idea to keep you feet warm and clean so you won’t get sick.
Shower slippers – especially when you share a shower with the team.
Bug Spray – even when you don’t think you will need it, you never know. Take it anyways.
Ginger mix – first aid when you feel sick; boosts your immunity.
Sudafed cold Medicine – I found it especially helpful if you are getting sick and you nose is running and sour throat is bothering you from serving.
Midol Medicine – when you have really bad cramps that stop you from functioning normally and stop you from serving. Such a helpful medicine!
Water bottle – (relatively large & sealable) – Water is a MUST!
If there is going to be children around you, it’s always nice to buy some candy bags to give out to children as an award for their good behavior.
Simple gifts
Work gloves (preferably leather) & Sweat ban & hat/cap – especially if you know you are going to do labor work.