Here is your essential guide to mission trip packing. 

As a Christian woman who has been on missions for over 20 years and has done all mission trips. From conference training to relief work, as well as long-term missions for 8 years, I’ve packed for all kinds of mission trips, including packing to give. (Where you pack items to leave behind to bless the community)

Missions are an incredible way to grow in your faith, experience new cultures (my favorite part), and make a lasting impact on the lives of those you serve. 

Packing what you need for a trip can feel overwhelming with space, time, and money. Don’t worry! Our how-to guide is here to help you pack worry and stress-free so you can focus on your mission trip.

Table of Contents

My first and the most relevant for your essential guide to a mission trip packing is, 

Take modest clothing

Here is how I define modest clothing for Christian women. Covering shoulders, tummy (except for India), and legs to at least the knee but could be mid-calf.

In most cultures, covering these is a must. And at most religious sites, you will only be allowed in if these areas are covered. 

I understand you might be going to a hot climate and covering up can get hot. To help with this take clothing that is 100% cotton and never take anything with polyester unless it’s a special blend that is breathable.

There are so many cute dresses and outfits with polyester, but that fabric can turn a hot climate into a sweaty bad dream. No one wants that.

That leads me to my first tip for your essential guide to mission trip packing.

Pack breathable fabric 

As I mentioned, breathable fabric will help in hot climates. So will light colors, but that will depend on the type of serving you are doing since light colors can show spills and stains.

I have a go bag ready for trips to Thailand, and the clothes are linen. Right now, there are many affordable options made of 100% cotton fabric.

When you go on a mission trip, your leaders should guide you on what to pack and a dress code. Sometimes, you might also get a packing list. If you didn’t, you can sign up here to get a packing list specific for Asia in a warmer climate. It will work in various destinations. 

The next is to pick a color theme that will work for your trip.

Pick a color theme

Pick a color theme that mixes and matches well together.  Here are some examples of this, each piece can mix and match with each other.

As a Christian woman, I have a go-to outfit, and it’s a blazer. It’s like a church essential a blazer or a jacket because of the A/C in most churches. But it also looks great on all body types, and if you get the right one, they travelwell.

Jacket or blazer

Your essential guide to mission trip packing is a

T-shirt

Many mission trips have team shirts. A T-shirt is also a versatile piece you can dress up or down depending on where you are going for the day. 

Have the basic T-shirts in the color palette you have chosen.

Skirt or dress

In many cultures women wear dresses or skirts to church or to ministry events. So to be prepared, and make sure it’sbelow the knee.

Packing for Purpose: Culturally prepared

The next essential guide to mission trip packing for Christian women is to be,

Culturally appropriate outfits  

I have seen first hand the power of customs and culture when reaching people. To adapt to others culture to show Christ love is a powerful way to reach others with the gospel. And one of those ways is through the clothes we wear.

I believe that when we wear clothes, it can be a testimony of love, respect, and honor to those we serve in missions. This verse written by Paul in Corinthians expresses how adapting to culture can bring people closer to Jesus.

To the weak, I became weak to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means, I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Isn’t this the hope when we go on a mission trip to bring people closer to Jesus? 

Different cultures have different clothing and customs. What people wear in Thailand is different from what they wear in France. Climate, customs, and culture are different, and so is the way people dress. It can even be different from region to region. 

Clothing actually has meaning in some cultures. When you go on a mission trip the best way to reach the people you are serving is through adapting to their culture. And part of this is through what you wear.

So when you are packing, look and see what they are actually wearing. 

Find out what they wear

How you can do that if it’s a church or ministry and they have a website, check to see what they are wearing. This is the easiest and fastest way to do that. No matter where you are going it’s always good to wear modest clothing.

Here are a few of my guides for clothing for different types of outreach.

Orphanage

• Modest t-shirt and appropriate bottoms (jeans, linen pants, or midi-skirt.)
• Accesories-simple earrings, modest necklace. 

Street outreach

• Appropriate clothing for the destination
• Accessories-minimal.
• No backpack unless necessary.
• Crossbody bag that you never take off unless 100% appropriate for the destination. (Low to no crime areas)

These are examples of what you can wear. In some places, you need to wear the clothing they wear; for example, a head scarf is required in many places. You should find out about it in your mission trip during your briefing with the church or organization you are going with.

The last item on your essential guide to mission trip packing is,

Gifts

If you want a full guide on how to buy a great gift for host homes you can check out this post.

Gifts for others is something you might not have thought about for your trip but it is one of the most important things you can take on your trip.

In your briefing, you should ask the mission trip leader if you need to take any gifts to host homes or ministry partners.

I always like to have some little gifts for those I meet as well. Bracelets, books (in the appropriate language) or somecandies or chocolates from home. It’s just a nice gesture that can mean a lot to those who receive the gift. 

Your essential guide to mission trip packing really starts with you feeling comfortable with what you are wearing and how you are going to bless those you meet along the way.

Here are some other posts to help you prepare for your mission trip.

• “Am I called to missions”
• “How to prepare spiritually for your mission trip”
• “Ten benefits of mission trips for personal growth”
• “How to break through language barriers on missions”

I would love to hear about you and your mission trip so please leave a comment and follow us on our socials to get up to date news on missions, culture, travel and growing in faith.

Here is an outfit inspiration for a mission trip: This does include affiliate links

• Linen blazer
• Dark denim jeans
• Sambas Addidas
• Crossbody bag
• Classic earrings
• The t-shirt is inspiration for your mission trip t-shirt.