As launch quickly approaches, it seems like more and more people are interested in what I’ll be bringing with me for almost a year on the field. I think every single person who signs up for the World Race or for Gap Year spends hours poring over packing blogs, videos, and camping tutorials and tips on the REI website. I know many people have reached out to alumni they’ve never met to ask for details on things like bandaids. Personally, I haven’t started packing. I made a list, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. I’ve read a few packing blogs to pick up tips, but ultimately, I am my own person and have decided to pack based on the information listed below.
Yesterday, I was at discovery class after church. Essentially, it is a class that teaches discipleship and prep for life as a missionary. We had a guest speaker who does mission work in Iraq. As she was speaking, she asked the group a question that hit home for me. She said, “Have you prayed about what to pack?” It seemed simple enough, until I realized I have completely left God out of packing. I haven’t asked for His opinion at all. She went on to tell us that the Lord has guided her to pack things like crutches or a knee brace before and then on her trip she would meet someone in dire need of those items.
At this point, my head started swirling.
I am approaching packing like it should benefit only me.
That might sound weird, but so far my view on what to bring has been entirely selfish. I’ve been trying to calculate exactly how many packets of instant coffee will fit in the extra space, when I should have been asking God to fill that space instead.
So, to future racers and gap year, here is my only packing advice:
1. Don’t leave God out of it. Instead of spending hours reading packing blogs like this one, spend hours in the word and in prayer.
2. Pack with a servant’s heart. Approach packing with the mentality that everything you bring needs to somehow benefit someone other than yourself. Ask God to show you how you can serve your team and your ministry with the things He guides you to bring.
And with that, I’m off to pray…and then pack!
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