Short Missions Trips - Today Is The Day!

Wow, short missions trips are so exciting to begin.  Unfortunately, there is this little thing called airport security and an aluminum can flying six miles high that you have to suffer through before you actually experience your mission trip.  So here are some tips I've found to be helpful for that big day of your short missions trips.

I know you are pumped but... make sure you have your passport and plane tickets, and if possible, keep them on you at all times.  I don't like to put them in my bags, especially my passport, so I normally keep them in the pocket of my cargo pants.

You should be able to get through the ticketing area very quickly since you are not checking any bags as explained in my short term mission trip article.  Flying with only a carry-on bag and personal item is so much easier than having to deal with a bunch of heavy luggage.

Short Missions Trips Essentials

Now, before I explain some things, I have to admit that I could conceivably travel to my destination with nothing but my passport and tickets because I have been to the Philippines many times and know where I can get everything I need, if necessary.  However, I want to explain how you can travel light and comfortably, but still have what you need to succeed on your short missions trips.

By the way, the only truly essential item you need is your passport; everything else can be worked out, so don't sweat it if you forget something.  Relax and go serve the Lord, brother!

Concerning clothing, let's start from the bottom and work our way up.  If you can, always wear soccer sandals for the plane trip so that it's easy to get them off and on.  This helps you fly through airport security without all the hassle that I see so many frustrated people experience.

I also wear ankle socks so I can walk through the checkpoint without bare feet; socks also help keep my feet warm during the long flight.

I know it doesn't look cool to wear socks and sandals, but I really don't care when I've got 26 hours of flying and waiting in airports ahead of me.

Hit the Ground Running on Your Short Missions Trips

I always wear cargo pants to fly, preferably ones with the zip-off legs that turn into shorts - very convenient for any missions trip.  It saves me from having to pack long pants in my carry-on, I can put all my stuff in the pockets, and it keeps me warm on the plane.  I tend to get cold sitting on the plane for so long, but you do what works best for you.

In my pockets, I carry my plane tickets, although sometimes I'll put them in my personal item (a small netbook and bag).  In addition, I always keep my passport on me at all times while I'm traveling to and from my mission trips.

I also keep a copy in my carry-on, but, if you check any luggage, keep the copy in there.  For short missions trips, I think it's a great idea to scan your passport and upload a copy to Google docs so you can access it anywhere you can get internet, just in case.

Now, where to put your money.  If you can wire it ahead, that is by far the best plan, but I understand that most people can't do that because you don't have a good contact or bank account available on the other side.

If you have to carry it on you, I like to divide the money up and put a couple hundred in one cargo pants pocket, a couple hundred in my wallet, a couple more in my carry-on, and any left I stash in my little camera bag.  For missions short term trips, I don't like to have all of my money in one place; I think it's wise to spread it around a little.

Also, I wear a t-shirt and a long sleeve t-shirt on my short missions trips' travel days.  This way I can stay warm, but if I get too hot, I can pull off the long sleeve t-shirt.  Also, once I get to my destination, I can cool down really quickly by stripping down... pull off my socks and long sleeve t-shirt, and remove the legs on my cargos, and I go from geeky American tourist to suave international missionary in 12 seconds flat... sweet!

I know a lot of this stuff doesn't sound very refined, but forget about trying to score style points and be comfortable while traveling for your short term missions trip.  In most cases, it's a long flight or series of flights, and you want comfort.  And best case, if you can hit the ground running, it's all the better.

Advancing the Kingdom of God through short missions trips can be the most exhilarating times of your life, and I wish you the best of success.