My dark grey duffel was bulging from the amount of items I was bringing on my first trip overseas. I’d managed to zip it closed by myself, but just barely. Of course, I left room for the souvenirs that would inevitably find their way back home with me.

This was it. I was ready. Everything was packed. Time to face and embrace Kenya.

Two weeks later everything was back in the duffel, except this time it was much more difficult to close. I had to fit some of my souvenirs and coffee into one of my teammate’s suitcases because my duffel was not large enough. The way the grey cloth was pulled taut as the zipper shut my belongings into the stuffed hole of darkness made it seem it could burst at any moment.

A jolt of realization surged through me. Half of these things probably weren’t really needed on this trip, and the other half, I was really grateful for…and there may have been a few other things that I would have loved to have with me. In three sections, I present to you: Packing for a Mission Trip

I really didn’t need…

• All those skirts. There were a few I didn’t wear. Three would have been plenty. Save yourself some space and leave a few behind.
• So. Many. Blouses. This means usually-collared shirts with buttons. I brought four with and used one or two with vigor. The other two could have been left behind.
• Extra books and notebooks. I’m a reader and a writer. This is what I do. However, I was far too tired by the time I had free time to do very much. Stick to one book and one notebook and ration.
• Bandanas. Unless you’re an avid bandana wearer, don’t bring bandanas. I didn’t use them once.
• Electronics. Having a phone and a tablet along on this trip was a blessing. I was able to take pictures, keep in touch with my family, and fool around on social media. I wouldn’t want this taken away if it wasn’t necessary. That said, I feel like my down time at night spent on these devices took away from even more I could have been experiencing. Perhaps I should have utilized more self-control, but I didn’t get everything I wished to out of this trip and I have to be okay with that…but I will think about it for my next one.

I wish I had...

• Clothes to leave. Many of the people we saw and interacted with have difficulty making ends meet. Several of my teammates had purposely brought clothes and shoes with that they were leaving to donate to those in need. I hadn’t thought of that but there’s something beautiful about that. You can wear those clothes while you’re there, wash them, and leave them behind for others.
• A speaker. This might sound like ridiculous added weight, but having a speaker would have been nice for down times. Several of us had thought about bringing one and decided not to.
• A hat. Generally I don’t wear hats. It doesn’t always go with my dress and skirt look. However, there were a few times the sun was especially bright or my hair especially fly-away-y that I found myself wishing I had brought a hat. That’s something you can carry on the plane with you to save yourself room in the suitcase.
• An extra razor. Trust me on this one.
• An eyemask. This might sound a bit prissy, but traveling between timezones and trying to get sleep on a plane when there’s a light shining directly in your eyes for nine hours is difficult. In two days of traveling I got about three hours of sleep, which led to an interesting first introduction to Kenya, but having something to put over my eyes would have helped.

I was glad I had...

• Washcloths. The guest house we stayed at had towels, but we were not given washcloths. I brought three with and was relieved.
• A jacket. I’d flown from Chicago and left my winter coat with my grandparents, but I brought with a fleece. I wore that jacket so much during our trip. Not only did it get colder at night, but I wore it all day in seventy degree or higher heat without a problem. It will come in handy more than you realize.
• Eeyore. Eeyore is my stuffed animal. I brought a little piece of familiarity with me.
• A travel pillow. I used this again and again and again. In the plane, in the van, in my bed.
• A bar of soap. Having soap with is never a bad thing.
• Dutch Blitz. Helps pass an hour of free time in good-natured yelling and insults.

The most important thing to remember is why you’re going on this trip. Bring an open mind, heart, and perspective. Be willing to try new things and step out of your comfort zone again and again and again. Make efforts to learn bits and pieces of the local language, especially if many people you’re interacting with have learned your language. Have fun, be wise, learn a lot, but love more.