As this year comes to a close, I look back at the EXTRAORDINARY and INCREDIBLE ways I have seen the Lord move this year. From love to miracles and everything in between…but more to come on all that in a later blog.
I still have no idea how we actually made it into 11 different countries in 11 months, but here we are! Proof that the Lord provides!
Almost exactly a year ago today, I packed up and nervously headed to World Race training camp. I had no idea what was in store and filled my pack with so many items, I’m not even sure what I planned to do with them all! I look at my trusty, handy-dandy pack. The one that has held all my belongings, plus some and minus some, and sit in awe that I lived out of it for almost a full year.
My teammates and I were talking the other day on all the things we had in our packs from the training camp and launch. We giggled at what we brought with us and the things we have thrown away. I have received so many questions on what is/was/and still is in my backpack. So, to answer the age-old question “What DO World Racers Pack?” I decided to turn to my teammates. I asked the girls two questions:
What did you bring on the Race that you loved?
What do you wish you had or wish you had not brought?
I have compiled their answers below, giving you an insight into what you might need to pack for 11 months of travel and mission work…and what you won’t need.
DISCLAIMER: These are tools and gear that served us or did not serve us well for these specific countries in the specific times of year we journeyed to them. Take into consideration YOUR OWN route when packing (future World Racers) and what all you will be doing (future missionaries/world travelers).
Alrighty, LET’S GO!
Julia
LOVED
Pillow– “Because I can sleep on any surface, you really need that!”
Sheet– “Necessary, you can use it as a sheet if you are cold or hot and easily washable.”
Camera– “You will never get more of an opportunity for photos than you will on the Race, unless you become a National Geographic Photographer.”
WISH I HADN’T
Tent– “For this SPECIFIC route, it just isn’t necessary.”
Mary
LOVED
Pillow– “One of my #1 comfort things.”
My Favorite Thin Sweatshirt– “Because I sleep with it like a baby blanket every night, it’s very comforting. Seriously, I don’t wear it, I just hold it. If you do something every night at home, you’re going to want it on the Race.”
WISH I HAD
Packing Cubes– “I didn’t know about them, and I really regret it.”
Phone– “I wish I had brought it from the beginning, it’s really easy to put things on social media right from your phone.”
Cotton Liner instead of Silk Liner– “More comfortable, I’m clearly big on being comfortable when I sleep.”
Sturdy Purse– “That could hold my bible, journal, and clip my Nalgene to it. Tissues, Hand Sanitizer, Umbrella, Rain Jacket, etc.
Pamela H.
LOVED
Packing Cubes-“#1 best thing I’ve brought where I’m like yea, it’s awesome.”
Power Strip– “Because no one else had one and when we all have needed to charge something and had one outlet…”
Watch with vibration alarm
WISH I HADN’T
Solar panel-notebook size– “I just haven’t needed it on the route we are on.”
Tent– “If you don’t know if you’ll HAVE to have it, buy the smallest, lightest tent.”
Pamela C.
“I’m coming at this thinking if I were packing again, this is what I would pack.”
LOVED
Hair Towel– “Every time I think about throwing it away, I can’t do it. I don’t know why. It’s kind of a comfort thing, I just hate my wet hair on me.”
Headlamp as flashlight– “You just never know, I’ve used it in so many situations.”
WISH I HADN’T
Sleeping Bag– “I am so hot-natured, nowhere I went have I needed one. if I had-things were provided.” (DISCLAIMER: All the other girls yelled they loved theirs:))
Expensive, thick Adventure Pants– “That I bought right before we left, I wore my thin ones a bunch, they were just too hot!”
Danielle
LOVED
Ipad instead of Laptop and Keyboard– “A lot lighter and I did not need other electronics.”
Coconut Hair Serum– “As someone who has really curly hair, this is the only thing that keep my hair from devouring my head in the humidity of Asia.”
WISH I HAD
Full size Pillow– “Do not ever think you can go the entire 11 months with a camp-size pillow. I wake up every morning wishing I had a full-size pillow.”
Medium size towel– “Don’t be fooled by sizes on towels. Medium just doesn’t cut it…”
Notes from Danielle, an avid coffee-drinker: “Good coffee is really hard to come by. Get used to instant. A grinder will do good if you find whole beans, but don’t count on it.”
Me
LOVED
Pillow– ” I just love that thing, it’s guarded my head from train stations benches to airplane seats. One of my favorite things for sure.”
Packing Cubes-“They kept all of my clothes neat and orderly and I was able to dress myself quickly-actually super important.”
Slip on Croc Shoes– “So versatile and lightweight. Dressy and great shower shoes.”
WISH I HAD
Kindle-” I didn’t start out the year with it, but bought one a few months in. I love to read and it’s lightweight and I can take it on planes, etc. easily.”
Other Notes from the Girls:
” Don’t leave loaded down with toiletries, the brands may not be the same, but you’ll find them.”
“Contact Solution- it’s hard to find, but literally everything else you can get abroad!”
“Bring half the clothes you’ll need and change out as you go, you’ll buy more as the weather changes.”
Some things that seem pretty useful that others have brought- Polaroids, a watch, travel-size baby wipes, a Kavu bag/small backpack for ministry days (you’ll keep your day-pack filled.)
Overall, we have been thankful time and time again for even having a pack at all. This year is about abandonment “Trading Entitlement for Surrender” as a good friend of mine on the Race always says. Being a good steward of what we do and don’t bring is important. But, if I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that no matter what, the Lord ALWAYS PROVIDES. He knows what you need long before you even do, so lean on Him and trust that He’s got you always because He loves you deeply.
