On a recent week-long mission trip, I embraced the challenge of travelling light with just a 20L backpack and a small sling bag. The planned stops on our itinerary alternated between city and village, as we travelled on both paved and unpaved roads in minibuses and tuk-tuks.
Transferring between no less than 3 accommodations in the space of a week, I climbed steep flights of stairs in a mission compound, enjoyed an air-conditioned apartment with elevator access along a busy street, and had to remember to duck my head under a low-hanging doorway of a local homestay.
On a journey like this, dragging around a large piece of luggage can feel like a burden, and so I love minimalist packing. Through the years, I have acquired some ways of packing to ensure that I am not overburdened with heavy luggage, filled with unnecessary items.
Tips for Packing Light
Here are some of my favourite go-to tips and tricks for travelling light on a short mission trip.
1. Bring a backpack
A backpack offers far more flexibility than luggage on wheels. One can easily manoeuvre through crowded streets, hop on and off public transport, and navigate stairs without the hassle of dragging a suitcase. Having both hands free is an added advantage too, allowing me to fully focus on the tasks at hand.
2. Plan for Laundry
Bringing along a small container of laundry detergent powder was a real game changer for me, as it allowed me to drastically reduce the number of clothing items that I needed to bring. Every evening, I would diligently wash my day’s soiled clothing by hand. For many mission outposts located in the Asian tropics, the laundry takes as little as 2-4 hours to dry in the hot sun or even overnight. With this travel hack, I breezed through the week on only 2 pairs of socks which were always clean and fresh-smelling!
3. Choose Suitable Fabrics
For my trip, I brought microfiber towels which were quick-drying and highly absorbent. They also pack well when rolled up, fitting nicely into the palm of my hand. This is space-saving, compared to the large and fluffy towels that we use regularly in our own homes.
For everyday clothing, I chose light fabrics made of cotton or dri-fit material. These fabrics are comfortable, do not take up much space and they are also quick drying.
4. Minimise Toiletries
Carrying my essential toiletries in travel-sized containers helps me to travel light. An additional bonus of doing so is that I have the option to not check in my luggage for a flight. This provides the additional benefit of reduced waiting times at the airport!
5. Use Disposables
Last but not least, bringing disposable inner wear helps lighten the load as the days go by. However, keep in mind that some locations lack proper waste processing facilities, so we should be mindful not to contribute to the local landfills.
Packing Light to Travel Through Life
As I was preparing to write this article, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of how we should also pack light to travel through this earthly journey that God has ordained for us. Jesus said in Matthew 19:24 that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man, heavily laden with all his earthly possessions, to enter the kingdom of God.
The apostle Paul also echoed the words of Jesus when he wrote his famous faith-filled epistle to the Hebrews, where he proclaimed:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
To be the proverbial camel that makes it through the eye of the needle, we need to let go of all our baggage that hinders us from following Him. Our sins, hurts, grievances, past regrets, and fears - the things that weigh us down so heavily and prevent us from walking fully in the
light of Christ. In exchange, we take on the easy yoke of rest and light burden of gentleness and humility. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Have you packed lightly and rightly for your missional journey through life?
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