If you are about to go on the World Race, you are probably freaking out. You’re probably stalking people’s blog like it’s your job trying to figure out what you’ve gotten yourself into. You have no doubt seen the many packing list blogs done by my fellow racers (including a wonderful teammate of mine) and are slowly being filled with anxiety because they all say something different. I myself followed a blog when purchasing stuff for the race, and the first time I packed, my pack weighed 60 pounds, and my day pack probably at least 25. You will inevitably find yourself in the same situation. Literally, how are you supposed to fit a year’s worth of stuff in a 70 liter pack?
Another problem is that all packing blogs are route specific and contradict each other. It’s actually ridiculous. If you only go by packing blogs, you will end up with random stuff like toner (which is apparently something for your face that my teammate highly recommends) and a parka only to find out that all of your cold countries have been cut out of your route. The point of this blog is not to condemn toner. I’m sure it’s very useful. The point is that you ARE going to pack stuff you don’t need, and you WILL forget things you actually do. It’s going to happen. Go ahead and accept it.
Here’s the beauty of following the Lord onto the World Race. He’s going to look after you. If there’s something you need, he will provide it for you. If you don’t really need it, he won’t and you’ll learn from it. You can plan for every little thing and still not have “enough.” You could have everything stolen month one. I’m just saying. It could happen. You really don’t know how the Lord is going to use something like your material possessions to change your heart and make you more like him.
So here’s the point. Don’t freak out; don’t stress about it. As long as you have your passport and prescription meds, you’ll be fine. Also, you don’t want to be that girl whose pack weighs too much for her to actually carry herself. If you want Jesus’ advice, check out Matthew 10:9-10. “Do not take any gold or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”
If you are looking for a good generalized, specific packing list, the one that’s on your World Race Profile is more than adequate.
