While we can’t provide all the specific details for every location, these travel resources will certainly point you in the right direction as you prepare to go. Let’s face it getting there and back is probably the biggest expense of your trip, and it’s no fun being sick in another country. Give yourself and your loved ones the peace of mind that you have thought through and prepared for the unexpected.
Supplies
- Audio Scriptures – solar-powered, durable players can help you share God’s Word with those still waiting to hear. Available in different languages!
- Z-Source Water Bottle – personal water bottle and revolutionary 0.1 micron water filter that filters out bacteria, protozoa, parasites, and even microplastics from your water.
- Portable Charger or Power Bank for your Phone – It’s a good idea to bring a couple of these fully charged for long travel days and remote locations, especially if you plan to use your phone for multiple applications throughout the day. Ex: camera, translator, evangelistic tool, motivational music, navigation and entertainment for kids.
- Travel Safety and Security Training for Mission Trips – Most mission trips are uneventful; however, things can and do go wrong. IHS Training provides specific training to address the issues that have happened to people on mission trips each year. See a 17 min. preview video with some of the safety tips covered in their training.
Apps
- TripWhistle Global SOS – There are 196 countries in the world with more than 70 different emergency numbers. Know the right number and get help faster with TripWhistle! Dial local emergency police, fire, and ambulance phone numbers anywhere in the world with a single touch.
- Smart Traveler US Department of State – See the world with easy access to frequently updated official country information, travel alerts, travel warnings, maps, U.S. embassy locations, and more.
Videos
- Travel Insurance Explained – Why you Need it and What to do in a Medical Emergency (7:56 ) – This video walks through the various insurance options, questions to ask and the pros and cons of international insurance options. They even provide important information on how to handle a medical emergency while overseas.
- Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad (3:42) – Travel expert, Jessica Dodson, talks about the most important and up-to-date safety tips for international travel.
- How to Pack for a Missions Trip // Pack with Me (6:17) – Pack along with this teenage girl as she shows you the ropes on what to take for a mission trip.
Articles
- Food & Water Safety (CDC) – Contaminated food or drinks can cause travelers’ diarrhea and other diseases. Travelers to developing countries are especially at risk. Reduce your risk by sticking to safe eating and drinking habits.
- Mission Trip Packing List – What to pack when going on a mission trip This article includes recommendations for specific products that you might find handy on your trip. Infact their whole website has lots of great travel gear reviews that you might find handy.
- Travel First Aid Kit Packing List – This list is practical and covers the essentials of what to bring in your personal first aid kit when traveling internationally.
- Traveling Abroad with Food Allergies is Totally Doable – Feeling hesitant about saying yes to an international mission trip and navigating your food allergies? Read first person stories from those with common food allergies and how they manage while traveling overseas. Research and advocating for yourself are key themes throughout.
- Should We Care About Safety on a Mission Trip? A thought provoking article on the safety of mission trips.
- The Ultimate List of Healthy Travel Snacks – Long travel days, hard work days and international schedules can often leave you hungry and grouchy. Packing a handful of healthy snacks for travel days and taking something with you as you head out each morning of your trip can make a big difference.
Top Books
- The Ultimate Travel Safety Program – a common sense guide for travelers and missionaries – A simple, yet powerful set of thought processes and action plans for travelers leaving the United States.
Websites/Blogs
- U.S. Department of State: Passports – Everything you need to know about how and where to get a U.S. passport. Includes downloadable applications as well as information on how to obtain a copy of your birth certificate.
- CDC Travelers’ Health – Official U.S. government health recommendations for traveling. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Travisa – A commercial service that helps a person get passports and visas quickly. Includes visa information for every country.
- MSN Currency Converter An easy-to-use currency converter. Simply select the currency you are converting from and the currency you are converting to. Includes currency for more countries than most other converters.
- EconomyTravel.com; Go2Serve.com; GroupSource.com ; Fellowship.com; City Express Travel and Fly for Good – These travel agencies are committed to providing expert help in making travel arrangements for individuals and groups going on a mission trip. Often they can make special arrangements and provide increased luggage allowances as well as affordable missionary fares.
Audio/Podcasts
- Travel Safety (17min) – Hear from Traverese Talks on how to prepare for airport security – what you can and cannot take with you. Pointers on what to watch out for, how to protect your valuables, and how to not become prey for eager street vendors are shared. Paying attention to the behavior and customs of the locals will give big clues as to how to behave and how to blend in as much as possible.
- Travel Planning Checklist (33min) – Hear from Chris Niemeyer as he breaks down the best practices of planning a mission trip from A to Z. This Mission Trip Podcast covers: How and when to estimate your mission trip budget, How a team webpage will keep you organized and boost your fundraising, Why setting deadlines is a must, Passport and visa tips, Why travel protection trip insurance could save your life and ministry, Important things to do the last week before the trip and Helpful items to do after your team return.
Download Docs
- Travel Safe Checklist – This isn’t just some basic “checklist” you’ll find on Pinterest so you don’t forget your phone charger! This is a comprehensive travel checklist helps you prepare for your trip, stay safe while overseas, and get home safe. Print it out or email it to friends.
- Mission Trip Packing List – Handy checklist from Team.
- Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan – If you have food allergies and plan to travel internationally, taking this form with you could be a life saver.
Know of other tried and true TRAVEL & SAFETY resources that mission trip goers would benefit from? Send your ideas to: [email protected]