Preparing for a mission trip can be SUPER daunting…especially if you’ve never been to the country before and you don’t know what to expect! EVERY country is different, but I’ve been on several mission trips (Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Brazil), as well as lived in some of these countries, married a native, and have led mission trips! So here are some of my top tips on how to prepare for a mission trip!
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Keep an open mind! Cultural differences are going to occur—it’s best if you can read up on the country BEFORE you go so you know a little bit of what to expect.
Do NOT overpack . You don’t need 12 pairs of jeans! You CAN do laundry there, even if it’s by hand in the sink. Bring the BARE MINIMUM you will need for one week, and plan on doing laundry.
Do NOT bring anything you can’t live without. That includes valuables. In poorer countries, theft is more common. I’ve had a very nice gold necklace ripped off of my neck, and my laptop stolen . Some of it is my own stupidity, some of it just happens. I don’t want to scare you, but don’t bring anything that’s valuable or meaningful. If you must bring a laptop or camera, bring an old one.
Pack some of your favorite foods! While I was living in Senegal, I had to eat the foods the locals ate, while it is a great cultural experience, I know that if I didn’t have my peanut butter in my suitcase I would’ve struggled lol. Things that I personally bring: Shakeology, protein bars, Peanut butter, ground cinnamon, oatmeal. Yes, they will have food and you won’t starve, but if you’re homesick, sometimes it’s nice to have these things =)
Most everything you need you can purchase locally, cheaper, like a mosquito net. I do recommend getting a profilaxis while you do your pre-travel vaccinations (but know that they won’t prevent malaria 100%). I was able to find crazy things at the village in Kenya, like a yoga mat and protein powder, lol, so you really don’t need to bring your house with you.
Try to bring a suitcase with donations. Make sure the clothes are clean and ready to give away. If you’re going to a nonprofit organization, ask what donations they need. I’ve spent DAYS organizing expired medications in a hospital because they got way too many donations that they didn’t know what to do with—so always ask what they need.
If you DO bring your phone, there’s a good chance that the data won’t work (or it will be CRAZY expensive). Your best bet is to buy a cheap little Nokia phone when you get there, you can get them for as little as $20 and add credit to it as you use it.
A VERY useful thing that I brought on my third mission trip (finally haha) was a head flashlight. Power outages are common in developing countries, and these really came in handy!
Be aware of cultural dress code also. Most places are more conservative than America is. I never wore shorts or skirts that were shorter than knee length while on my trips.
Contact your credit card company and let them know you’ll be traveling internationally so they don’t put a hold on your account! I recommend bringing cash with you (hidden in several places) and exchange it when you’re there to avoid charges.
Packing List:
Keep in mind you can buy MANY of these things there in a big city, but the ‘American’ items will be much more expensive. Like $12 for a small jar of peanut butter.
Electronics/Entertainment:
Head flash light
International adapters
Extension cord
Kindle/eReader
Travel book with local tips (BOOK NAME)
Clothes:
Short sleeve shirts
Long sleeved shirts
Sweat shirts/jackets (don’t assume it’s always going to be hot, like I did lol. Check the weather!)
Flip flops
Gym shoes
Purse (EVERYTHING needs a zipper and needs to go around the body ie. shoulder strap)
Workout clothes (of course I’m going to tell you to bring those š bring a resistance band while you’re at it!)
Long skirts/slacks for guys
Water resistant jacket
Hat
Food:
Anything you know you won’t have while there and will miss. PEANUT BUTTER.
Favorite coffee/tea
Diabetics—anything special you need—you’ll be hard pressed to find artificial sweeteners or anything like that there.
Toiletries:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Raser
Face wash
Moisturizer
Makeup (minimal!)
Sunscreen!
Feminine products
Roll of toilet paper in your back pack (you’ll probably need to carry tissues with you wherever you go—toilet paper in public restrooms is a luxury!
Super thin towels
Things to buy locally:
Mosquito net (if needed)
Random:
Sunglasses
Requested donations
PASSPORT
Visa to country
Yellow travel vaccination card
Little pouch that you can wear around your neck and keep under your shirt with your passport/valuables
Vitamins/prescription meds
Wine bottle opener š
Vaccinations:
Prepare for your mission trip by visiting your local travel clinic, at least a few months in advance.
Most developing countries will require yellow fever, and you’ll need to keep that documentation with you while you travel.
As far as malaria drugs are concerned, there are a wide variety of pills that you can take depending on your budget. Doxycyclin I’ve heard can cause hallucinations and insane dreams, so if you DO take prophylaxis, cheaper isn’t necessarily better.
I spent $1,000 on a 6 month supply of Malarone for when I was in Kenya, took it religiously, slept under a mosquito net, wore bug spray, and I STILL got malaria when I was there.
When I went to Senegal, I didn’t even take a prophylaxis, and I was fine. So it’s really up to you, but I do recommend going to the local clinic and buying malaria drugs BEFORE you come home, since it can take a few days for symptoms to show up and if you go to an American doctor, they probably won’t know it’s malaria.
Other vaccinations might be recommended, like rabbis, but unless you plan on hanging out with wild animals, you should be fine, and you’ll save yourself $600. Do your research and ask what is really necessary before you spend a ton of money.
I’m not a doctor or anything, but this is just my recommendation after living there for awhile.
I THINK that’s it…if you have any questions feel free to email me!
Did this help you? If so, I would really appreciate it if you comment below and share on Facebook!
Rachel Ngom’s Blog
Email: Clientcare@fitwithrachel.com
“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” Tony Robbins
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