1) Study Bible. This year is what you make it but I would suggest really diving into the Bible. You are going to be really busy, but also have so much down time. What better way to fill your time! You are going to have to prepare sermons, you are going to want to really want intently study certain books of the bible and your study bible will really come in handy. It is worth the weight!
2) Kavu/Patagonia Bag (or something similar). I have used mine everyday! If you are just going to ministry, the market, coffee shop, anything like that (which you will do most days) you don’t typically need your day pack you just need something that can hold your essentials; wallet, headphones, phone, notebook, bible, and a couple other small items. I would suggest a Kavu if you have a study bible and a Patagonia if you have a smaller bible. I have a Patagonia bag and my study bible doesn’t fit in it so make sure your bible fits in your small bag, whatever you choose to bring.
3) Watch. You can grab a cheap one from Walmart or Amazon or spend a few extra bucks and pick up one that is actually nice. You will use this EVERYDAY! I never wore a watch in the States but have wore a watch everyday on the race. It is essential.
4) Extra Money For Food. Your budget for food is typically $4-5 a day. You are going to want an ice cream, a candy bar, tea, coffee, or just something familiar which isn’t usually in budget. Sometimes you are going to want to play it safe because you don’t want to spend the night on the toilet, which will always cost more! Being safe is expensive. Everyone always budgets money for adventuring but I think food money is VERY overlooked! I have had to say no to a couple adventure days because I spent most of my budget for the month on food! So budget an extra $50 a month for food.
5) Cute Clothes. The World Race dress code is on another level BUT it is a year of your life, you’ll be fine. Before you leave, pick up a cute dress or skirt, two nice shirts, and BRING JEANS! You will want them. In the states, I wasn’t a huge fan of jeans but I have wanted them so often on the race. You can only wear athletic clothes so many days in a row before you stop feeling like yourself. You are going to want to look cute. It is human nature. It is easier to find clothes in world race dress code, IN YOUR SIZE, in America than overseas. (unless you are a size 4 or smaller and have no hips. If that is the case, you’ll be just fine) It has been a struggle to find clothes that fit in Asia, that are in my budget.
6) Snacks. There will be times when you have no control over what you are eating and it won’t always taste good to you. Pack snacks for when you don’t like what they feed you, or for the times that eat lunch at 10am but don’t have dinner until 7 pm. I always have some type of snack on me on travel days, when we change countries, or are changing locations within the country you NEVER know what you are walking into so bring snacks with you.
7) Headphones. Bring at least three of them and bring a brand that is not Apple. Don’t get me wrong I love the apple headphones but EVERYONE has those so they are easily lost or confused with someone else’s. If you are like me and don’t want to spend money on new headphone and plan on bringing Apple headphones use some nail polish or sharpie and mark up a part of them so you know which ones are yours.
Thanks for checking out what my survival items are for the World Race.
Until next time,
Alyssa
