Hi Team,
Jeanette Wheeler (on the September race) is doing well, with no lack of challenges. I had some questions about her perspective on packing and the trip, now that she is actually living it.
So, here is a little Q & A that may be helpful for all of us.
Thanks for your questions, here goes:
Do you wish you had a back pack with rollers? ..So I asked my team and the consensus is the big hikers bag. It packs more, and you can get one with more storage areas and pockets. Why we said this is… so far we haven’t had to carry them too far except through airports/bus terminals (rollers may have been nice..but you just plop it down on a cart J ), but when you get to Africa and other more remote areas we’re not thinking the rolling bit will be good. You really do get used to carrying it and juggling everything on you. It can be quite an art. I have one that I can zip like a duffle bag. So, it is easier to get to and pack. But if you do get one with rollers make sure that it is also the back pack type. Try them on at the store and really make sure you like it. J
Electronics:
Do you find it is difficult to charge stuff? So far no. But we have been in all Asian countries so there has been electricity. But there will usually be a debrief time before you head out to ministries, so you can charge up things. Airports, and any outlet you can find…you start to be resourcefulJ defiantly don’t let this be a concern, bring electronics.
Should I invest in a phone? Did you have to cancel your service? I cancelled my service. It was way too complicated and expensive. No one on our team has one except for one girl, her parents bought her a satellite phone. Each team leader will have one to communicate with all the other teams. SKYPE has been amazing!!! I can call others, who have it for free, but you can call cells, landlines for a low cost of 2cents/min and I just signed up where it automatically sets up a $10 account and then renews it when it gets low.
Did you take your computer? Do you wish you did/didn’t? I brought mine and love it! Sometimes it gets a little weighty in the daypack, but I use it for blogs, internet, and movie watching…. 5 of the 7 on our team have it and they just borrow ours and it seems to work out ok… Meg, who didn’t bring hers says def. YES to bring one, she said that is the one thing she wished she would have brought.
What would you differently about the way you packed. What did you take or not take that you wish you did/didn’t. Don’t bring big toiletries…small ones to training camp…you can buy them everywhere. (For me I have special shampoo…so I brought enough for at least six months…it wasn’t too big cuz I haven’t been washing my hair every day.) Even if you will be in remote areas there will be cities/airports to buy them at. Don’t bring baby wipes with you …it is def. a necessity BUT can be bought everywhere!! There is roll on deodorant…so if you want stick then bring your own (I brought 2-3 and I am having my sis send two more cuz I love my Dove Stick).
*Sarong AND dry fast camping towel (dries fast and packs small)
* movie DVD’s in a cd case (you want movies for fun…in Asian countries you can buy REALLY cheap)
*IPod…music!!
*digital camera-You need this for blogs!!! And it is good to have your own…their is something about your own perspective in taking pics.
*Books-Christian and fun readers…Make sure your team posts a blog about what books they are bringing so it doesn’t overlap. Books swaps are essential. You usually end up swapping at monthly debriefs.
*Bring cute clothes!! Tanks to overlap or put under shirts are great. I love my jeans, only bring if you wear them a lot at homeJ
* I brought my own full size pillow and LOVE it! (But I’m the kind that a pillow can make or break where I sleep…other teammates say that the Thermarest travel pillow is good).
*Down sleeping bag is a must/sheet or sleeping bag liner is good too. (I have a liner)
*vitamins are needed, highly recommended!!! Start taking now to get into the habit.
* I don’t have Chacos cuz I feel that they are too heavy, BUT others love them. However, I love my CROCS they are Mary Jane style, and my flip-flop Tivas and if you are a runner def. take real running shoes, and then I brought Merrill’s trail, water, runners. They are so light, and I have used them when I have been hiking and in water. ( I have 4 shoes in all)
*I brought my NL translation bible and love it BUT it doesn’t have a good concordance and so I tend to borrow others SO I do wish that I invested in a small one with a good concordance.
* Bring a daypack (backpack) BUT have the ones with a waist belt and top strap. It’s very useful for body support. I love my pack but wish it had this on it.
*if you are a coffee drinker than a French press is highly recommended. Seth has one and uses it all the time.
* A black tee and pants for DRIMES has been a necessity for our team. We have used them a lot!!! Maybe once teams are established getting the same kind from Walmart before y all leave. The longer the better. J
I am sending an excellent list (at the end of this) that was sent to us from the Jan team. Everything on it was great. The * ones are ones that I don’t really use that I packed. But… it is your choice 🙂
How much are you missing your family and friends? I was doing ok at first with not missing them. But I have been away about 9 years ago for about 10 months. But it is diff. cuz I have 2 nieces and one nephew now. That has been hard. But I call them, and if they can get a camera this has been good for many …to be able to see as you talk through SKYPE I have one but haven’t used it yet J how often can you talk with them? It depends…My sis (best-f) once a week or so. My mom twice or three a month. Then I sprinkle in my friends. It depends upon your internet services. Right now we have wireless, so I have been taking advantage of it with friends and family. One thing though is that I have truly missed community. The peeps that really get you and know you. That has been pretty difficult.
Finances:
Do you have someone at home doing taxes and possibly paying bills for you? Any issues there I should be prepared for? My sis is paying any I need; all of mine have been paid off except for one small school loan. But I had my account and address put to hers. I haven’t tackled the taxes thing yet; cuz there wasn’t paper work out yet to file for an extension so I will be looking into that. But I believe that who ever is your power of attorney can do that for you…they just have to love you a lot to take that over. 😉
What do you need??? What can I send you? ANYTHING?!!!? I am doing well. Most of the things you miss are real contact with your loved ones, so letters/real pics are always great. I miss my gum..cuz they don’t have Extra Polar Ice. Just having emails and comments posted on my blogs are a real encouragement. Thanks sooo much for asking!
Do you feel God moving in miraculous ways in you and in others?
Yes, One of the ways is through prayer and really believing and tapping in the power of healing. I am writing a blog on it within the next days. Prayer has been an essential for our group. He is also moving in ways of living a sacrificial life. Showing me how to do it and also showing us pastors who do it on a reg. basis. It blows my mind and really challenges me.
Do you think you’ll be completely changed when you come back? Yes. It is def. hard! especially community living. But one thing that I wouldn’t give up is seeing the Lord’s body of believers and their ministries from around the world. I think we all need to see His nations and the servant and saints around the world. We def. are here to serve BUT us as WR’s need to also be opened to learning and receiving what other Christians can offer. They blow us” American” believers out of the water.I also know that this year is going to encourage boldness in my faith. I will be seeing and doing things this year that displays the power of God and I want to bring that back to the churches of America. It is also showing me what true sacrifice looks like.
Please feel free to cut and past this for your Jan team blog!
Thanks for the love and encouragement. Hope this helped!
Lots of love and blessings,
Jeanette
FWD:
Great Tip ideas!!!!
Top AND front loading pack … be sure you purchase a pack with at least 2 openings (or else plan to be a REALLY organized packer! Ha.) It ends up being too much of a hassle to dig through your stuff from only the top. Better access with 2.
Some people really likes the “travel packs” with or without wheels. I prefer the traditional “back pack”.
SUGGESTION – buy one NOW and live out of it at home for a few weeks. Get used to finding stuff, see how much stuff fits, carry it up and down the stairs etc.
Big Duffle bag or pack cover to put your pack in for travel and airports.
* I love my packing cubes, and they help keep things organized Stuff sacks or packing cubes!!! It will make your life SO much better. Come up with a packing system that works for you! I suggest the Eagle Creek Packing Cubes: 2-3 Large + 1-2 small.
* I love my Mary Jane Crocs/Tivas Chacos (sandles) … the WR’s best friend. You’ll be walking a lot! They are durable, easy to clean, and well worth the pretty penny you pay for them!
I also had Reef’s and liked having both, but it takes up more space.
Water Proof Tennis Shoes, buy these early and wear them for a week or more at home! Be sure you like them!
Sleeping Bag Liner … useful for hot nights outside of your actual sleeping bag and as an extra blanket/warmth when you get cold on those long bus/plane rides. Keeps your bag clean, and stink free!
DOWN sleeping bag … yes, probably more expensive, but worth it in the weight you save. Don’t let them talk you into a synthetic bag. You’ll have to be more careful with it and not get it wet – but this should be okay if you have a good tent. Otherwise you’ll be inside in churches and what not so it should be fine! -15 degree is good!
Raincoat … go for quality here. Lightweight and breathable are the main two factors that need to be considered. You will be using it not only in the rain, but also as an extra layer when it gets cool in the mornings/evenings. Once again, they can get pricey, but consider it an investment … you’ll be wearing it all year long! I suggest rain pants as well – again, you decide if you have space.
*Buy the ones that have small bottles with the attacher. It has been so vital to hook to my purse. But only invest in bringing maybe a small-med refill. Cuz you can buy more in most countries. Hand Sanitizer … this will end up being priceless! You can buy more in larger cities.
Travel Pillow … takes up space, but it will be worth it!
* I bought 2 but haven’t used any yet. Travel Locks … One for your day pack zippers (school size backpack) and one for your pack or travel duffle.
* This is essential!! I have a 4 gig and it is good but you def. need more than a 1gig Flash Drive … 1Gig is plenty big … mainly used for dumping pictures and blogs up on the internet and swapping things between teammates
Nalgene … don’t necessarily need the largest size, the 16 oz. will do just fine and it’s less heavy when full …. You’ll have to fill up more often, but it’s not that big of deal. Get a splash guard. And a key chain carabineer to clip it.
* Don’t really need this BUT a small pair of scissors is very handy.Small Calculator … especially if you end up being the finance person. It’s nice to have one on you though anyway because of all the conversion rates
1 box freezer quart Ziplock bags … You’ll use them for just about everything. When you pack, take everything out of boxes and bottles, use ziplocks to save space.
A good journal … you will pretty much take this wherever you go. Especially with training and teaching times, the best you can normally do is take as many notes as possible and then process it later as you have time. Your head will be spinning pretty much day in and day out … and in the end (whether it’s 2 weeks later or next year), you will be thankful that you recorded your thoughts/prayers/questions/lessons/etc.
I used my PALM Pilot with a keyboard and loved it! If you take a Palm be sure to get SD w/ USB cards (kinda hard to find).
Books … super important, but don’t bring too many. With 50 people on the trip, you will share and swap … so find your favorites and leave the rest behind! I would recommend 2 or 3. (check with your team/squad to see what books are already packed so you don’t double up!) Take paperbacks, the weight adds up. Download e-books if you can.
One warm layer … be it a zip-up jacket or a hooded sweatshirt or a lightweight fleece, it will be useful in places where it gets colder in the mornings and evenings (and again, on the cold bus rides!!!)
10 pair of underwear. I like the REI “Patagonia” brand. 5 pair of good socks, I like “Smart Wool” * I have one pair of the quick dry undies ( great comfort for travel days) and one smart wool. I haven’t used the SW socks yet, but maybe in china when it is colder.
ELECTRONICS: Argh, I am the wrong person for advice here. I am a computer addict. I have my macbook laptop and a back up hard drive. I love it. I also have a PALM PILOT and an ipod and digital camera. I would not have left without my ipod for sure, and IF I had room I would have brought small speakers. That said, this is a great chance to leave all that stuff behind. Seek the Lord here, talk to your team and decide as a team how much STUFF you need to take to be able to blog and store pictures etc Small speakers have been a huge asset for our team. Whether it be for group movies times, DRIME practices, it has been essential! Also splitters(allows for 2 head ear plugs to listen to a computer) have been used a lot.
IF you take supplements at home, bring them IF you will take them. I suggest a good pro-biotic and garlic extract (natural anti-microbial) at the least – pack 3-4 months worth. You can buy more at major cities. I brought all homeopathic remedies, this is personal choice.
For the LADIES only: All of this is excellent advice and I am so glad that I brought things to help make me feel like a woman J
Earrings!!! Or something else that makes you feel pretty! After wearing the same clothes day after day, it is nice to “dress” things up a bit with jewelry. This is something you can buy along the way as well, but it’s nice to have a little something to start out with!
Sarong … They are multi-functional and can be used as a towel, a swimsuit cover-up, or even a sheet
Real bra’s are my preference. I brought 3 Victoria Secret and would not have changed it for sports bra’s for anything. Bring what you are comfortable in at home. Just cause you are traveling the world, don’t think you are suddenly going to become camp girl if you have been a valley girl for years and vica-versa.
Cute hat or a couple of bandanas … your hair will get nasty! Plan for ways to hide/cover it up on days that you can’t get to a shower or water source!!!
Some nice clothes … you will get really tired of the same gross t-shirts day after day! You will have the opportunity though to dress up more than you might think … one or two cute shirts would be good. And skirts are worn all the time so make sure you have two or three to start the trip … then, like before, you can buy along the way!
On the same note … bring REAL clothes – stuff you won’t mind wearing day after day. Don’t worry about finding good “camping” clothes or stuff that needs to dry quickly. You are going to want to feel semi-normal instead of like a boy scout every day! The only quick drying thing that might be useful is a pair of swim shorts.
1 pair of jeans, heavy to pack so wear them on most travel days, but worth taking! Bring your favorite pair from home (but I DON’T suggest a pair with holes, they are not nice enough for some places, AND the holes tend to get bigger fast!)
One piece swim suit (with breast padding) – try to bring one you kind of like. If you hate the typical Speedo, find something else. You will wear it more than you may think, lots of trips to waterfalls, beaches, etc.. God Willing!
I suggest the “Diva Cup” it takes a bit of getting used to, but many of us this year have it and love it. If you bring tampons, non- applicator ones will take up less space. Or buy the compact ones. Pack enough for 3-4 months max… you can buy more! We have found it hard to find tampons so bring a lot and then get some shipped to you. One gal on my team really likes the DIVA cup BUT she says do start using now and get used to it, it does take practice.
Makeup … IF you wear make up at home, bring it. A general 5-piece set will do you just fine … blush, mascara, eyeliner, cover-up and eye shadow. More is up to your discretion. Just remember, you will get pretty sticky/sweaty/nasty at times! J Side note – IF you feel led to let your true beauty shine this year without the makeup cover up, it’s a great chance to leave all that stuff behind as well.
Face lotion and Face wash or Daily Facials (cut them into halves or quarters)
Stuff You Could EASILY Leave Behind
You NEVER need more than one of ANYTHING! Buy along the way … don’t get sucked into thinking “this is the only chance I have so I will pack 50” … this is not good logic
Every medicine known to man … you won’t use it. Pack a little IBProfen, some headache medicine, and that’s about it! If you need something more, you can easily usually find a place to buy it
Full size bottles of anything … go with the travel size for EVERYTHING! Saves space and weight in your pack … simply refill along the way
Heavy hiking boots – don’t bring them (tennis shoes, chacos, reefs MAX)
Camp/All-Purpose Soap … They claim it can be used for everything from brushing your teeth to washing your dishes or clothes. First of all, it’s gross to use for your teeth, and we have just bought soap along the way so we don’t have to carry it. Plus, you can use just about anything from body wash to shampoo to wash your clothes when you actually do them by hand.
