Short-Term Missions Trip - Items to Place in Checked Baggage!

When traveling to a foreign country on a short-term missions trip, you must pack light! Airlines impose heavy restrictions on checked baggage these days, and just a few pounds overweight can delay your trip or cost you a ton of money. It's best to measure and weigh your bags at home.

Be sure your bags meet airline standards and come with TSA-compliant locks. If you purchase separate locks, don't spend a lot of money on them. A determined thief will simply cut them off. They're more to keep your bags closed on impact (if you don't know what I mean, watch the baggage handlers at the airport!) and to keep casual hands out.

In your checked luggage goes everything that didn't fit in your carry-on! Clothes, shoes, personal items, snacks... everything must go together, in one bag, usually with a weight limit of around 40 pounds. Remember that many trip leaders will distribute materials among team members. You may have ten pounds of books, balloons, food, medicine, or gifts to carry in addition to your own items. The lighter you can pack, the better!!

Plan on wearing your clothing at least twice (yes, dirty!) unless you know for certain you will have laundry facilities. This cuts down on the weight of your luggage considerably. Patterns and darker colors are generally better than light colors. It's best to carry few plastic hangers so that clothes can be hung up to air overnight. Choose clothing that is dual-purpose whenever possible (that you could wear to church or out on the street), and pick light, wrinkle-free fabrics. Bring clothing that you can easily layer depending on the weather. If you're going to a colder climate, bring at least one "warm day" outfit. Likewise if you are travelling to a warmer climate, bring a sweater that you can pull on in the evenings. Often, the temperature differences are not so great, but the contrast can feel staggering to your body.