Here's a suggested list to pack from a seasoned missionary traveler. You can add it to the previous list.
Bottom line: Pack lightly (everything in one check-on and one carry-on). Horror stories from other mission trips: you may have to live with what is in your carryo-on--so pack accordingly.
Suggested items to pack (red items in carry-on):
(You probably know most of this, but some items may be a surprise)
1. Second light-weight tote (for any gifts you receive—can be checked as second bag going home) (This is invaluable—you WILL receive gifts—I’ve always filled the tote.)
2. Stopper for sink (I used this almost daily--)
3. Small Woolite (in baggie)
4. Clothes line
5. Clothes pins
6. Soap
7. Safety pins
8. Extra baggies (for wet things, wet soap, etc.)
9. Extra batteries
10. Roll of toilet paper (take inner cardboard roll out, put t.p. in plastic bag and carry in your “day bag” every day you might be “out and about”)
11. Kleenex
12. Sleep sack (silk—you can buy from Magellan’s online—I used it in Nigeria for warmth at night and on top of the sheet in one of the guest houses, as I did not know how clean the sheet was—there was no top sheet.)
13. Quick-dry towel (you can obtain “chamois-like” towels from camping stores or from Magellan’s)
14. Mosquito net (invididual size—also from Magellan’s)
(You probably know most of this, but some items may be a surprise)
1. Second light-weight tote (for any gifts you receive—can be checked as second bag going home) (This is invaluable—you WILL receive gifts—I’ve always filled the tote.)
2. Stopper for sink (I used this almost daily--)
3. Small Woolite (in baggie)
4. Clothes line
5. Clothes pins
6. Soap
7. Safety pins
8. Extra baggies (for wet things, wet soap, etc.)
9. Extra batteries
10. Roll of toilet paper (take inner cardboard roll out, put t.p. in plastic bag and carry in your “day bag” every day you might be “out and about”)
11. Kleenex
12. Sleep sack (silk—you can buy from Magellan’s online—I used it in Nigeria for warmth at night and on top of the sheet in one of the guest houses, as I did not know how clean the sheet was—there was no top sheet.)
13. Quick-dry towel (you can obtain “chamois-like” towels from camping stores or from Magellan’s)
14. Mosquito net (invididual size—also from Magellan’s)
15. Mosquito repellant (if you have a small enough bottle that meets the 2 or 3 oz. requirement for hand luggage, it may be wise to carry it with your hand luggage in with your other 2 or 3 oz. shampoo, deodorant, etc. in the 1-quart bag.)—see #29
16. A few wire hangars
17. Flip-flops for shower
18. Trail mix/food bars (Invaluable at the end of a long, hot day, when all I wanted was a cup of tea and one of the food bars)
19. Ear plugs (if you think you might have trouble sleeping in a noisy environment)
20. Pictures of family (very important)
21. Bible
22. Journal
23. Small flashlight with extra batteries
24. Handi-wipes/hand sanitizer
25. Tooth picks
26. Rx meds
27. Tylenol PM
28. Small bottles/tubes in baggies: shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.
29. Carry at least one change of clothing in your carry-on. I know of at least one person who had to live a week in the bush in Uganda with one extra change of clothes—her suitcase never got to Uganda.
30. Duct tape (wrap some around a pencil)—believe it or not, it came in VERY handy for things like holding a faucet together, small repairs, etc.
31. Scissors in checked luggage
32. If you have any room left (HA), pack clothing/shoes!
16. A few wire hangars
17. Flip-flops for shower
18. Trail mix/food bars (Invaluable at the end of a long, hot day, when all I wanted was a cup of tea and one of the food bars)
19. Ear plugs (if you think you might have trouble sleeping in a noisy environment)
20. Pictures of family (very important)
21. Bible
22. Journal
23. Small flashlight with extra batteries
24. Handi-wipes/hand sanitizer
25. Tooth picks
26. Rx meds
27. Tylenol PM
28. Small bottles/tubes in baggies: shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.
29. Carry at least one change of clothing in your carry-on. I know of at least one person who had to live a week in the bush in Uganda with one extra change of clothes—her suitcase never got to Uganda.
30. Duct tape (wrap some around a pencil)—believe it or not, it came in VERY handy for things like holding a faucet together, small repairs, etc.
31. Scissors in checked luggage
32. If you have any room left (HA), pack clothing/shoes!
2 comments:
I’ve been reading the Uganda mission blog and would like to pass on a few packing tips to the team.
I noted the issue of trousers (that’s the word; “pants” in Uganda means underwear!) for women. Please pass on to the team that women and girls should not wear pants at all at any time, even when arriving. In their culture, it is roughly the equivalent of a woman here wearing a skin-tight, low cut tank top. It is simply not done, particularly in the more rural areas like South Rwenzori.
And men and boys should not wear shorts, only long trousers.
As noted on packing item #29, be sure to put in your carry-on bag everything you need in case the airline loses your luggage and it is delayed in reaching you (all your medicines, malaria pills, 2 changes of clothing, Bible, mosquito repellent, flashlight, hand sanitizer, etc.). It happened to me and since I was heading for Western Uganda immediately, I never got my suitcase until I was back at Entebbe airport to fly home.
Praying for you all!
In Him,
+John Guernsey
Perhaps we could ask church members to donate some of the items on your list. Many people travel for work and would have a stockpile of the small toiletry items you have listed. Also many of the other items could just be sitting around someone's house collecting dust, that they could donate.
Just an idea!
Joanie Batten
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