I know you all have been graciously waiting for this blog. Well, it’s month nine and I have picked up and dropped some things since being in America… so here is what is in the backpack I’ve carried around to six countries on trains, buses, and planes.
My small backpack:
- My kindle: that I have lacked to read this year…
- Watercolor paints & paper: a great sabbath activity and ministry opportunity !!
- Headphones: AirPods with noise canceling for travel days and loud nights.
- Portable charger: for those two or three day long travel days
- Bible: I brought my full size ESV study bible and I am thankful.
- Journals x 2: I’ve learned to really embrace journaling my journey by drawing, writing, and keeping/taping special things into it. Praying my great great great great grandchildren will actually look at it like people say.
- Pens, 1 pencil, post it notes, colored pencils, and tape: for crafty thangs and writing people notes !!
- My glasses: I failed to bring contacts but brought my prescription glasses, sunglasses, and blue light glasses.
- Water bottle: gotta stay hydrated out here.
- Typically, you can find an emergency snack in here somewhere. It may be an old bag of peanuts from a few months ago but they will still satisfy you when you’re desperate.
- Eye mask: I have never used one prior to the race but it is quite convenient when living with roommates for a year and sleeping in strange spaces. I may have adopted this habit for life.
- Nausea medication: I have struggled most of my life getting sick in card rides. My Guatemalan host recommended getting some at a pharmacy there and I have used it ever since for long drives.
- 3 in 1 knife, fork, & spoon: I picked this up in Romania and it has been very useful since.
- Monopoly deal and UNO
- Electronics: cords, adapters, mini speaker, etc.
- My iPAD: mostly for writing blogs 🙂
- My wallet: all my important documents that praise the Lord I have not misplaced
My large pack:
- Medication: bandaids, ointments, and various medication that thankfully I have not used a lot of yet!
- My toiletry bag: toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, toenail clipper, chapstick, face moisturizer, 2 nail polish for when I want to feel *fancy*, headbands, hair ties, detangler, sunscreen, bug spray, face towels x2.
- Jewelry: earrings & a couple necklaces
- Sleeping bag and sheet: yes, did you know they make sheets for sleeping bags? I didn’t.
- Sleeping pad: This guy was my friend in Guatemala for two months. I have been blessed with a mattress or couch the rest of the time but it served me well there.
- Clothes: I packed a variety of clothes that were versatile for all weather types. Thrift stores were a great place to find anything I needed! Having limited space means that you get a few shirts, a few pair of pants, a sweatshirt, and lots of underwear.
- Towel x1
- Shoes: 1 pair of Birkenstocks, 1 pair of Chacos, and 1 pair of tennis shoes.
- Rain jacket
- A packable winter puffer jacket: I dropped this after our cold months but it was SO helpful during street evangelism in the winter.
- Hats: 1 winter hat and 1 baseball cap
- 2 Man tent and poles (REI brand): Fun Fact- my tent stayed fully dry during training camp in Georgia which is a rarity. I have a 2 man size in order to fit my stuff inside with me.
- Airporter: which is basically a larger protective duffle type bag to take care of my large pack during air travel.
- Rain Protector for large pack
- Pillow: small Therm-a-rest brand
While I have not been able to pick up many things to take home with me, I have bought things that are special to me including a bag from Guatemala, a mug from Turkey, and a mosaic from Jordan. Each thing has been made by special people or in a special place that carries a story or works as a reminder to pray for them.
I’ve loved traveling light and learning to let go of the need for material things. 2 months until home! <3
Be well. Love well.
Mags
