This should probably be renamed: The Completely Paranoid Parents’ Guide to Planning a Mission Trip.
I’ve never really realized just how much I want to be in control of my kids’ well-being….as you’ll see plainly from this {exhaustive} list.
The first part of planning for a mission trip really is what everyone says: preparing your heart. Don’t skip this step! Pray. Read the Bible. Get a journal to take with you and actually use. Then, reach out to others about preparing yourself for this trip. I believe this is a very personal process; take it seriously.
Next…
Confirm dates
Confirm the payment schedule
Get your passport
One of the best suggestions we got was to make copies of your passport and driver’s license and email yourself these as well.
Check on immunizations
Check with the CDC, your doctor, and the group you’re traveling with to see what you need.
Choose clothing
Think about the weather there but also think about the culture…it may require you to dress more conservatively than you might at home.
Mosquito repellant
We had a four-pronged plan of attack. And it worked. After 8 days in-country, Haley returned with one mosquito bite that cleared up in a day or two.
- Malaria pills (see your doctor early about these).
- Spray your clothes with THIS. It’s awesome.
- Wear long sleeves/long pants.
- Avon Skin-so-Soft wipes
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Gifts
Plan what you might take to the people there: Really give thought to this. Talk to people who live in-country or who have spent time with the people you’ll be working with, if possible. And don’t take junk.
Here’s what worked for us…Haley took dum-dum lollipops and bubble gum. Another member took the little bands to make bracelets (something like this) and taught the kids how to make them, and that went great. The kids loved it and caught on really quickly. Someone else brought sunglasses, and those were a huge hit with the kids. The team also provided a new outfit and flip flops for each child at the orphanage. Haley will have to tell you that story sometime. Just know that it was awesome.
Luggage/gear
Decide what will be in your “on-you” (watch a video about that here)…travel belt/backpack/messenger bag, carry-on/rolling bag….essentially you need to have anything you can’t live without for the next X number of days IN YOUR POSSESSION. THA WHOLE TIME. 😀
Flying
3 oz bottles in one quart sized ziploc bag for liquids and another ziploc bag for medicines. Anything bigger has to go in a checked bag….and creamy peanut butter counts as a liquid! Trust us that you don’t want a delay all because of a little jar of p.b. 🙂
Food/snacks
You won’t know if your stomach can handle the local food until you get there.
Bottled water
Duh. Our team handled this for the group…be sure to check that this is covered.
Cell phone plan
Contact your service provider and see what your best option is; ours was $40 and she could call up to 100 minutes total, receive unlimited texts, and send 100 texts.
See if you need an electrical adapter
This website answered the question for us.
Flip flops for the shower
Because yuck.
Money
We decided on $100 cash, including some 5’s and 1’s, with $20 in her messenger bag and the rest in her money belt (this ain’t your grandma’s fanny pack).
First aid kit/meds
A team member fell and had to get stitches in her hand, and they were so glad to have gauze on hand until they could get to medical help.
Be informed
Get the phone numbers for the US Embassy where you’ll be. Read what travel warnings there may be for the region where you’re traveling. Follow the US Department of State: Consular Affairs on Facebook for updates.
Know something about the history/culture. Read up.
OK, so here’s the after-report….
What did she need more of?
band-aids and ziploc bags
What could she do without?
The money belt…We were paranoid (remember the title of this post?) and didn’t want any purse snatchers to take her stuff. She felt it was more awkward to access her passport and cash when she needed them than it was worth.
What did she love?
What did she not have that she needed?
A warm hoodie
Mom fail…she wanted to take one, but I said there was no need; it’s a hundred degrees down there all the time. Well, the hotel room was freezing the first night (the air conditioner worked too well) and Haley hardly slept because she was so cold. Face palm.
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