SO there is a lot of speculation about what to take on the World Race. Yes, there a lot of things to take on the World Race, but also I’ve realized that there is a lot to not take on the Race. I packed my bag before launch and my stuff barely fit into my bag, it was about 48 lbs and was bulging open. Then at launch I sat down with my older sister, Jess, and we dumped my whole life out for the next year. We sat and I held up things that I was on the edge about brining and she said “Are you going to use that? Do you really need that?” Slowly but surely my belongings were trimmed down to just the essentials! Thank you sista, because my back is thankful for brining less stuff.
As three and a half months have gone by my bag has become smaller and smaller. Blessings! You would think that having less stuff for a whole year would be harder, but actually it’s easier. This way I can live with less belongings for the year, I can carry less weight around and worry about losing less (haha!)
Now on to the 10 things you really need on the Race…
1. Baby Wipes! Thank God for the creation of these moist towelettes, they are good for sweaty days in Bolivia when you showered two hours before, they are good for week long travel days and for any dirty moments in between.
2. Water bottle… AMEN Y AMEN. Carrying a water bottle around 24/7 is the best thing ever. It not only holds water, it can hold the cold for about 24 hours. No I’m not talking about the normal water bottle, I’m talking about the one and only Hydro Flask.
3. Chacos… Do you know what a Chaco is? Well let me tell you, I think that just about every missionary has these shoes, or some form of them. They are not only airy and freeing, but they give you a nice zebra stripped tan on your feet.
4. Face mask or my eye patch, as I call it. It’s good for sleeping on airport floors, sleeping in a room with six other girls and all going to bed at different times or for early sunny mornings. I am very biased about these because I hated mine at first, I felt like I couldn’t breathe so I threw mine out. I found one that keeps the light out and doesn’t restrict my nose. So, make sure yours does not squish your nose or isn’t too tight.
5. A pair of jeans, YES this is so nice. Having a pair of jeans to put on when you want to feel like you’re back at home is awesome. They are so comfortable because they feel normal, and sometimes a little bit of your norm is just what you need on a day when you miss back home.
6. Notebooks on Notebooks on Notebooks, NOPE. A notebook is a necessity, but only bring ONE with you. It is a great place to write down your thoughts, but also to dump your messy feelings and emotions in when you don’t even know how you feel. You can buy a notebook anywhere in the World once your first one is filled up, and then you aren’t carrying all that weight!
7. Scrunchie, oh my I hope this trend is coming back, because my squad for sure is a scrunch club! You need a cool Peruvian scrunchie that you can not only wear in multiple ways on your head, but also as a rocking bracelet. So, yes you need to invest in a scrunchie. Don’t you want to be a part of the scrunch club?
8. Eno… or a hammock. Some may say it’s not worth it to bring, but I say otherwise. I think it’s worth the four extra pounds. It is a fun place to sit and read, share some time with your teammates, or actually become your bed for the month as it has for me here in Cambodia.
9. Pillow… NO do not bring some blow up pillow. Bring the one you love! Carrying my pillow around has probably been the best thing ever, my tempur-pedic, comfy pillow is my luxury item. But, everyone needs a luxury item on the race! I sleep well on it, its light to carry and can be used at any time in any place.
10. BIBLE… Duh! This thing will help you through the times when you don’t think you can continue. The moment’s when you want to praise the Lord for the goodness he’s done in your life and the moments you want to share the Lord’s love with others!
There are other things that are essentials, but these items are pretty important to my Race. Guess what? My pack is now 35 lbs and is such a blessing! So don’t bring your whole life, but also make sure you bring the items that will make some moments comfortable!
Blessings!
Sam
