But by the time I got to San Francisco to catch my flight to Auckland, I arrived 20 minutes after the plane had departed.
But that wasn’t the worst part.
My phone was dead. I couldn’t make any calls. And I forgot my charger.
— A humbling moment from someone who has travelled to over 60 countries.
There I was — who genuinely considers himself a competent traveler — standing in one of the busiest airports in the world with a dead phone, a missed flight, and absolutely no way to reach anyone. Deeply, quietly humbling.
The truth is, even experienced travelers get it wrong. And when you’re leading a mission trip, the stakes are higher. Your packing choices ripple outward to your whole team.
Two types of travelers (and why both get it wrong)
When it comes to packing, most people fall into one of two camps:
Shows up with a checked bag, a carry-on, a personal item, and a tote bag that has somehow become a fourth piece of luggage. Has backup options for their backup options. Brought a travel-size lint roller — and honestly it has come in handy twice.
Tries to do a month-long trip with a single carry-on, convinced that minimalism is a virtue and that rewearing a shirt three times before anyone notices is completely fine. Spoiler: it is not fine.
If you’ve led a mission trip, you’ve witnessed both. The person who packed a hairdryer for a village with inconsistent electricity. The one who brought a single pair of underwear for ten days — with full confidence — and regretted it around day three.
The goal isn’t to pack more or pack less. The goal is to pack smart. Here’s how.
The carry-on guide: everything you actually need
Good news — it all fits. Here’s the complete framework for a mission or humanitarian trip, organized by category.
- 5 shirts (casual mix, plus one meeting-ready option)Quick-dry fabric is worth every penny
- 3 bottoms that dress up or downAvoid white. Just avoid white.
- 1 lightweight jacket or layerPlanes are cold. Nights are unpredictable.
- 5–7 pairs of underwear — no negotiationsNon-negotiable. See: the one-pair story above.
- 2–3 pairs of socks per activity typeWalking, dress, and one pair you don’t mind ruining
- 1 pair of broken-in versatile shoesNow is not the time to break in new footwear
- Flip flops or sandals that fold flat
- Travel-size essentials in a clear zip bag
- Solid shampoo and soap barsDon’t count as liquids — a beautiful TSA loophole
- Prescription medications in original labeled bottles
- Small first aid kit: pain reliever, blister pads, antidiarrheal, antihistamine
- Sunscreen and insect repellentDo not assume you can source these easily on arrival
- Your phone chargerWrite it on your hand if you have to. Learn from my mistakes.
- Universal power adapterDifferent countries. Different outlets. Always.
- Portable battery bank — fully charged before you leaveYour entire office now lives in your phone
- Offline maps downloaded before you lose WiFi
- Backup SIM card or cheap secondary phone for longer trips
- Passport + one photocopy stored separately
- Visa documentation printed — not just saved on your phone
- Emergency contacts written on actual paper
- Travel insurance info accessible offline
- Local currency for the first 24 hours
The golden rule: Always leave intentional empty space in your bag — not for what you bring out, but for what you bring back. The drawing a child hands you on the last day. A gift from a local family. You will protect these things more carefully than your passport, and you need room for them.
Leading a group? Here’s how to get everyone on the same page
Getting 8, 15, or 25 people to pack well is its own mission. One person’s overstuffed duffel can delay an entire team at check-in. Here are six strategies that actually work:
Split it into “Must Bring,” “Strongly Recommended,” and “Leave This at Home.” People need the third column more than you think. The hairdryer lives in that column.
Walk through the list out loud, answer questions, and share one story about what happens when people ignore it. Stories stick. Rules don’t.
If you want carry-on only, say it explicitly at least twice before departure. Once is not enough. People hear what they want to hear.
First aid supplies, power strips, and snacks can be distributed across the team rather than everyone packing their own duplicate set.
Everyone gets one comfort item, no judgment. This actually reduces the urge to pack ten comfort items. Autonomy is a powerful thing.
A quick message with the packing list attached does more than you’d expect. People procrastinate, then panic-pack. A nudge helps.
The trip to Auckland eventually happened — the next evening. After I had to use a landline to call the airline. Then buy a charger for way to much in the airport.
I packed smarter on the way home.
The best travelers aren’t the ones who never make mistakes. They’re the ones who make them once, laugh about it later, and try to remember next time!
What’s your worst packing story?
Every humanitarian traveler has one. Send it our way — the best stories get featured in our next issue. (We’re collecting them. We may be judging slightly. Only a little.)
Planning a trip? Want help? We’ve got you covered. Click here to get a quote on your trip.