Short-Term Missions Trip - Items to Place in Checked Baggage!

When traveling to a foreign country on a short-term missions trip, you must pack light! Airlines impose heavy restrictions on checked baggage these days, and just a few pounds overweight can delay your trip or cost you a ton of money. It's best to measure and weigh your bags at home.

Be sure your bags meet airline standards and come with TSA-compliant locks. If you purchase separate locks, don't spend a lot of money on them. A determined thief will simply cut them off. They're more to keep your bags closed on impact (if you don't know what I mean, watch the baggage handlers at the airport!) and to keep casual hands out.

In your checked luggage goes everything that didn't fit in your carry-on! Clothes, shoes, personal items, snacks... everything must go together, in one bag, usually with a weight limit of around 40 pounds. Remember that many trip leaders will distribute materials among team members. You may have ten pounds of books, balloons, food, medicine, or gifts to carry in addition to your own items. The lighter you can pack, the better!!

Plan on wearing your clothing at least twice (yes, dirty!) unless you know for certain you will have laundry facilities. This cuts down on the weight of your luggage considerably. Patterns and darker colors are generally better than light colors. It's best to carry few plastic hangers so that clothes can be hung up to air overnight. Choose clothing that is dual-purpose whenever possible (that you could wear to church or out on the street), and pick light, wrinkle-free fabrics. Bring clothing that you can easily layer depending on the weather. If you're going to a colder climate, bring at least one "warm day" outfit. Likewise if you are travelling to a warmer climate, bring a sweater that you can pull on in the evenings. Often, the temperature differences are not so great, but the contrast can feel staggering to your body.

For ladies, broomstick-crinkle skirts are ideal! If you will be ministering in very hot or cold climates, or if your ministry involves a lot of activity while wearing a skirt (such as dance or drama), you should bring several pair of bike shorts or leggings to wear under your skirts. These ensure modesty, but will also keep you warmer or cooler than just a skirt will. In a hot climate, they will keep your legs from getting prickly heat rash!

Many people simply buy thrift-store clothing before a missions trip. That way if items get stained or torn they can be tossed without regret. On some trips, it is highly appropriate to give away clothing to those in need.

Pack snacks that are high-protein and nutritious. A missions trip is not the place to devour three boxes of Twinkies! You will most likely be eating the food of your host country. Depending on where you're going, that might be just a few shades off from what you're used to... or it could be beef tongue, sea turtle, or goat-head soup! Choose items that can be meal replacements in case you're served something you really can't stomach. (But be prepared to eat local food... if you don't think you can handle 99% of what you might be served, stay home!) Beef jerky, trail mix, and granola bars are excellent snacks. So are individual packs of cereals like oatmeal. Tang or Gatorade powders, tea bags, or other individual drinks that can be mixed with water are also great. Pack anything that can be damaged by water in a ziplock bag. Depending on what you bring, you may want to pack a small tupperware bowl, plastic spoon, and a plastic mug. You can even buy collapsible cups and bowls!

Since you can only carry on small amounts of things like shampoo, you'll need to pack larger bottles in your checked baggage. However, consider how much of each product you actually need. If you're not sure how much shampoo you'll use in a week's time, test it out at home with some trial-sized bottles. Two trial sized bottles are lighter than one full-sized bottle!! You should also consider what you actually NEED. Will you want to - or even be able to - style your hair in the jungle? Must you put seven layers of makeup on your face? Forget the nail polish on most missions trips!! It's best to simplify your routine. Put anything that might leak into a zip-lock bag! You may also wish to bring makeup, deoderant, shoe polish, a flat sink stopper, lotion, razors, and other personal items. Keep in mind that mosquitos adore perfume and pack accordingly.

Some countries use different power supplies than we do. You may need to purchase special travel appliances or a converter for your hair dryer, curling iron, etc. If you'll be travelling with a computer, sound system, or other electronics check with a reputable computer store for the right converter.

You should also pack an emergency kit in your checked baggage. A large belt pouch is a great emergency kit bag. You may need bug spray, sun screen (even in colder climates!), anti-diarrheal medicine, pain reliever, antibacterial cream, bandaids, benadryl, chapstick, cold medicine, vitamins, blister cream, ace bandage, and the like. Include a tiny sewing kit, safety pins, iodine to sterilize drinking water (only if you'll NEED it), a large bandana (many uses!), and a pocket knife (check security and customs regulations first to ensure your knife doesn't get confiscated!!). Never pack prescription medicines in your checked baggage.

Two "odd" items you should bring: duct tape and zip-lock bags (gallon size or larger). The duct tape can be used to repair nearly ANYTHING - including your suitcase when the airline breaks it, your toothbrush when the handle snaps, and your Bible when the cover rips off. The duct tape can also be used on newer luggage to make it less appealing to thieves... they're far less likely to steal a bag that looks banged up than they are a shiny new suitcase! The zip-lock bags should be used to stow anything liquid (like your big bottle of hair spray). They also can be used to compress clothing. Add clothing to the bag, roll up, and seal. They now take up less space! When you're putting dirty clothes away, do the same - toss in the bag and roll up. No smell, and your other clothing will stay clean.

In some countries, it's appropriate to bring small gifts for children and for the people helping you (such as interpreters, drivers, and key ladies). Your trip leader should be able to give you some good suggestions, but gifts might include coins from your home country, pocket-sized devotional books, inexpensive jewelry, perfume or cologne, balloons, small toys, etc.

One last tip: Before you board the plane, if you are travelling to a mosquito-prone area, take the time to apply bug spray or lotion. That way you don't get eaten alive while you're passing through customs and entering the missions field!

You'll have a lot to bring on your short-term missions trip!! Pack wisely and carefully so that you have a productive, enjoyable experience.

Be sure to check out my previous article regarding what items you should carry on to the plane!