"Film and theater are about capturing moments: things we wish'd we said, heartaches that haven't healed, the thrill of the unknown."
I never considered myself a romance movie lover but after this list I think we can all agree I totally am.
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Some call it mission work. It can also be called loving others. Two summers ago I had an amazing opportunity to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica with my church. My trip was a 6 days trip including 2 days of traveling. When preparing for my trip I had know idea what to pack or what bag to use so I went to Pinterest for inspiration. There were tons of blog posts about what to bring on a mission trip but lots included expensive items which I could not afford. I hope this blog post helps those who need some inspiration for their incredible experience. ResearchPrior to leaving, keep in mind what you will be doing during your mission trip, as your activities will greatly affect what you need to pack. My trip was 8 days with 3 days of travel, 4 days of work, and 1 free day to explore Costa Rica. I also encourage you to research what the weather is while you are there. A great website to use is: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/ Trip Schedule:Day 1 - Travel to Costa Rica Day 2 - Arrive at the mission site Day 3 - Work Day 4 - Work Day 5 - Work Day 6 - Work morning/Help school afternoon Day 7 - Free day Day 8 - Travel home BaggageThe first thing you should always do is check in with your organization of the size of bag you are allowed to bring. I was only allowed to bring a carry-on plus my backpack and pillow. The bag I chose was a $30 bag from Target which was the perfect size but there were no wheels. If I could chose another bag I would get one with wheels because it was horrible carrying my duffel the entire time. The maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm), including handles and wheels. Here are three cheap carry on bags that would work perfect for a mission trip. Clothes I usually decide to pack the day before a trip but for a mission trip it is always a good idea to prepare in advance. Clothing is a tough thing to pack so when deciding keep in mind how long you will be gone, what the weather will be, and whether there is an option to wash clothes. My facility did not provide a place to wash clothes but you can also use some shampoo and a shower and hang them up somewhere to dry. My packing list is for a eight day trip where I was going to help build a facility in a hot, humid environment for ten hours a day. I also kept in mind that the nights where going to be cold. Here is what I brought for a 8 day trip to Costa Rica:
ShoesIf you are a girl chances are you like your shoes. Since I was only allowed a carry-on I could only fit two pairs in my luggage but you really only need a pair of work shoes and sandals to shower in or wear to the beach. I brought an old pair of tennis shoes I did not mind getting paint on and my Chacos.
ToiletriesDepending on your location, you may or may not be able to buy toiletries at your destination. To be safe, you want to bring all the toiletries and medicine you will need. If you bring a carry-on you cannot bring a liquid container any larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters so I recommend carry-on sized plastic bottles for shampoo, conditioner, etc. You can find them pretty much anywhere. I also highly recommend bringing car sickness medicine because chances are you will be in a bus going on curvy roads.... with a different style of driving to say the less. I used Non-Drowsy Naturals with Natural Ginger Dramamine. Works wonders.
BackpackI suggest taking a backpack in addition to your carry-on. It is so much easier having one because on the plane your luggage will be above you while you have your backpack under your seat. You can keep your passport, important papers, and money in it while also having room for a book or some playing cards. My backpack was from Hershel Supply Co. and I found it on sale on Amazon I spent my free time either playing cards with friends or writing in my journal. One of the best decisions I ever made was bringing a journal to write my experience in. I am able to read my trip in detail and remember many more memories. You should also consider purchasing a portable charger. Mine was from AT&T but you can find some really cheap ones online. What I brought in my backpack:
Costa Rica My trip to Costa Rica was a trip of a life time. It was amazing getting to experience the culture and people while being able to help those in need. I loved the atmosphere of everyone working together so hard trying to get things done for the facility. I loved getting to know the kids that would run around. I loved growing closer to my church family. I love growing more independent as I learned how to navigate the airport and go international for the first time. If you ever have the chance to go on a mission trip, take the opportunity. I love rainy days with a blanket and a cup of tea and a book. My favorite days are rainy days. I love the sound of the rain pounding onto my roof. I love drinking coffee or tea while watching the rain fall from the dark, cloudy sky. I love rain storms, lightning, and thunder. I love the feeling of being comfy and cozy in bed reading a book. Living in Texas means it is a very rare event for thunder storms to occur. When it happens I take full advantage of the day setting candles, turning on my fairy lights, and opening my blinds to see the rain fall. I feel more productive during these days because I sit in my bed either doing homework or reading a book. I also get tangled up in the world of Netflix, a never ending world. Pluviophile Most people love sunny days where the sun is shining bright onto your face.
Some people love cloudy days where the rain is falling onto your face. Most people love sunny days with the clear skies. Some people love cloudy days with foggy, misty mornings. Most people love sunny days with the wind blowing in their face while the car windows are down. Some people love cloudy days with rain drizzling outside their window. |
Who I AmA senior in high school looking for a creative outlook where I can share my recipes, trips, and stories. Some days, I can conquer the world. Other days, it takes me three hours to convince myself to shower. Archives |