Hello soon-to-be World Racer!
I’m sure you are searching around all of the blogs
for tips from past and current racers! Those last minute purchases could make
or break your world race experience, you think… In reality everything that you
pack is up to your discretion. It is up
to what YOU want to bring with you for YOUR race. Know that God is going to
provide for your every need!
I’m currently in month two of ministry on the race
where my team, Team OIL, is paired with Team ISHA. Each of us has had some highs
and lows of the things we did or did not pack already. I have compiled a list
of helpful tips for you all.
Someday, I desire to write a blog just like this
one after more months of experience with being on the race. Maybe around month
8, or so…
You can view everything that I brought with me on
the race on my detailed packing list blog-click here.
HAPPY PACKING!!!
~Brandi
ELECTRONICS…
Kindle:
Bring one, preferably one with 3g. You can pick up 3g in the most random places
and it is a blessing to be able to give a quick update to your supporters or
purchase a new book.
Computers:
My netbook rocks, it is an HP Mini 210 series in hot pink (that detail IS
necessary, haha). I purchased the laptop new in April. Everything loads fast on
it and it has worked better than some Macs that my teammates have.
Be willing to give up your possessions, don’t
bring anything if you are extremely attached to it and anticipate having it
after the race.
My friend Ellie
Baker, did not bring a computer and
she has stated that it has been more than a blessing for her to not have the
distraction. Also, if she at any point needs to use a computer, she is able to
borrow one from a teammate.
External Hard drive: Since I have a netbook, there is not much
internal space on it, so I brought a TB external hard drive. I have many movies
on it (that I have yet to watch), but I am certain it will come in handy to
dump pictures, videos, and documents on in a few months.
iPads:
Do not work with the blog system. You can post and all, but it is really
complicated to post pictures on the blog. It’s really frustrating to be able to
copy and paste the blog onto the website if you first write it on an app.
iPod Touches or iPhones: Are such a blessing! If you are walking around
searching for internet you can easily take out your iPod in public and look to
see if there is a network. The Text Now app is also an awesome app to get to be
able to text home for FREE. You get a phone number like in the US and anyone
can text you. You will get the updates whenever you are connected to wifi.
Headphones:
Bring a couple extra pairs; you might just cut them while trying to sew for
your ministry contact.
GEAR…
Tent Advice:
Purchase a tent with space within it so that you can kneel in it and be able to
change clothes. Use waterproof spray for
your tent, I did it twice and mine has been water free during the rainy season
here.
You never know your living situation; I have been
living in my tent during the first two months; last month inside a building,
but this month outside where it rains literally all day long.
Footprint:
Be sure to bring one that fits the exact size of your tent! If it is larger,
water can seep into your tent and cause flooding.
Sleeping Pad:
Bring a large one, DO splurge for a nice one, it will be your bed for the next
11 months. If you get a thermarest, get a Prolite or a Neoair the others are
#nobueno. If you bring a Neo Air, Big Agnes,or Exped, bring a patch kit with
you, holes can happen.
Sleeping Bag Liner: My squad mates that brought one are glad they
did, but I brought a sheet and it has sufficed as well. Sarongs also work well
as more warmth!
Packing Cubes/Compression Sacks/Stuff Sacks: I have all three in three different sizes each.
They are awesome for organizing your items during travel days as well as organizing
your stuff inside your tent.
Ziploc Bags:
Bring a ton of them from sandwich size to gallon size. Put everything you have
into a bag. It will help so much with your organization of everything you have!
EVERYTHING ELSE…
Clothes:
Bring things you are comfortable with. If you normally wear a t-shirt and
jeans, bring a t-shirt and jeans. If you live in your sweatpants, bring your
sweatpants with you. Bring what you would use if you were in America, you will
go into public and want to look cute! God WILL provide for anything you don’t
bring; either through your teammates, squad mates, or through shopping on the
field.
Sweater:
Bring one; your route could be changed from 11 straight months of summer to 11
straight months of who knows what. On that note, even in hot places it could be
cold, especially at night.
Belt:
Bring one because your pants don’t shrink without a dryer.
Laundry Bag:
Bring one & thank me later!
Pillow Pet:
If it gets wet, it smells. You have to be committed to carrying it when you
travel.
Headbands:
They are a life saver for those days you go 4 days without showering.
Beauty Products:
Ladies, have things that make you feel pretty; straightener, jewelry, makeup,
cute clothes, etc.
Daily Planner:
Bring one to write down what you did during the day. It’s good to be able to
remember what it is that you did on a day-to-day basis. You might not think of
writing down these things in your journal.
Journal:
Journaling is pretty much a must… You will need one to be able to write out and
comprehend what our Father is doing in your life. It is a huge blessing to look
back on it in the future to see what He did in your life during a different
month.
Baby wipes:
Are really awesome for days that you cannot shower. Your feet will get gross
from walking around and it is really nice to be able to clean them up with baby
wipes. Also, just bring a pack of 100 or so, you can pick them up overseas with
no problem! They also work REALLY well to “mop” up your tent after all the mud
you drag in from the rain.
Medication:
You can get medications overseas without a prescription. Don’t freak out
thinking you won’t have what you need, God will provide. Despite the fact that
I brought a ton of medications.
Alarm Clock:
Bring a battery operated one with you. Your team will appreciate you when one
of you needs to wake up at 5:30 am to bathe the children at the orphanage.
Ear Plugs:
I cannot stress enough how awesome these were for me during month 1. Our entire
squad was in the same location and I was able to sleep through the night
without waking up by having these precious babies in my ears. They are also
excellent for 12 hour long bus rides to your next country.
Eye Mask:
Sometimes you could wake up early because the sun is shining down on your face,
or sometimes you could wake up during a long bus ride because someone turns
their headlamp on next to you. Solution to this problem is an eye mask. I
brought two and one of my squad mates used my extra one on our ride to
Guatemala.
Headlamp:
Bring at LEAST one! I brought two, and my teammate Hannah has been very thankful
for that because she used my extra one all last month. These are not really
something you can pick up overseas, so do yourself the favor and pick them up
stateside.
ONE LINERS FROM TEAM OIL &
TEAM ISHA
Quotes from members
of the two teams I am doing ministry with this month; their advice for each of YOU.
If you want to read
their blogs, click on each of their names!
TEAM OIL:
Courtney Duron: “You are
going to want to look like a real person sometimes.”
Hannah Latimer: “Wear
sunscreen and don’t pack the night before the race.”
Krystyna Szymczuk: “If you think you want it,
bring it anyways.”
Christina Dombrowsky:
“No expectations.”
Mary Middleton: “Estas
como in China, just kidding, bring a Kindle.”
Meagan Kelley: “Load your
computer with Disney classics.”
Brandi Wilcox: “Blog a lot
and often, your supporters and future racers will thank you.”
TEAM ISHA:
Miranda Brinsa: “Prepare yourself
to be broken, but don’t expect it from other people.”
Rachel Brumley: “Cipro is
your best friend, but be sure to take it for five days (not three).”
Rachel Schultz: No matter
how much self-control you think you have, you are going to buy snacks.
Lynsey Dawson: Bring the
clothes you wear in the states.
Shawna Moffatt: A solar
charger is your best friend.
Ellie Baker: Expect to miss
home and have awesome breakthroughs; mentally, physically, emotionally, and
spiritually.
Leave your
expectations at the door of your race
route. Our ENTIRE route was changed two days before we left for the field.
Now, we have an idea of where we are going when, but we are not 100% sure.
Expect nothing, seriously it is so important.
Flexibility is key in
ministry. Be available and be ready to show up to your life, because it is
going to be a completely stretching, rewarding experience.
Take all of these blogs with a grain of salt.
Honestly, your race
is going to be YOUR RACE.
Every single route is
different.
Every single person
has different opinions.
Every single person
feels a certain way about things they did or didn’t bring.
Seek Him to guide you on what you should or
shouldn’t bring.
