by 1. Sunscreen
Africa is sunny so it might seem like a good idea to bring sunscreen. The problem is its so hot and humid in Africa that your sweat will drip the sunscreen off or you will accidently wipe it off while wiping your sweat. So sunscreen isn’t very helpful.
2. Life Straw
You won’t need to bring a life straw or your own filtration device because they already have high quality water filters in each apartment and if there is no fresh water in your apartment at any moment you can just walk 20 feet and buy some at the store next to your apartment. Also when I was in the mission they gave us free water purifying bottles at the MTC.
3. Mosquito nets
You won’t have to bring mosquito nets because the mission provides them for you. Also your best bet to fight malaria is just taking the anti-malaria medicine they give you. If I had continued taking them maybe I wouldn’t have gotten malaria.
4. Umbrellas
It rains a lot in Africa. Also when it rains in Africa, it rains very hard. Even if you have an umbrella you are still going to get wet and carrying an umbrella everywhere even a small one adds unnecessary weight to your bag which will make you more tired. My advice is just to go out and when it rains, enjoy it because its always a refreshment from the intense heat of Africa.
5. Toothpaste/toothbrushes
I know a few missionaries who brought bags full of extra toothpaste and toothbrushes. You won’t need to, they sell those in nearly every little store in Africa. Each store is like a little 7-11 or Rite-Aid and you can find all of your basic living supplies like tooth paste, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, and even cereal!
6. Shampoo
It’s not necessary to pack a lot of shampoo. What you can do is pack a bottle that could last a month at the MTC, then buy some more when you get in the field. Like said above, there is shampoo in great supply in Africa.
6. Hangars
I also came on the mission with a BUNCH of hangars. They are provided by the mission.
7. Crocs for teaching
When I was in the mission they didn’t allow us to wear crocs or shoes like that when we did proselytizing (teaching) but we could wear them on P-Days. Policies may change based on the mission president so ask before going out if they are allowed. I brought a pair of crocs on the mission and wore them when we went to the markets because they were full of mud during the rainy season so they were a lifesaver for me. For proselytizing shoes, get something waterproof and durable that won’t fall apart because of rain and mud but that is also very comfortable which is why you should also buy shoe insoles to make your feet more comfortable.
8. Super fancy/heavy scriptures
Bringing a large English quad is heavy and you will have to carry it around with you in Africa for 2 years. Also you will be studying the scriptures in French not English. Instead, bring the pocket sized English versions of the scriptures. This is all you will need in English and even if you are going to an English speaking mission, don’t bring your most fancy scriptures, they will definitely be destroyed by the wear and tear. Instead, use the scriptures they provide you at the MTC and the ones you can buy in the field.
Below are the official pocket sized scriptures that I feel like every missionary should have especially the ones serving in French speaking or foreign speaking missions.
9. Stickers/candy/give-aways for children, etc.
I brought a bunch of stickers and little things to give away to kids in the field. I never ended up giving them away. If you want to give little gifts and surprises to kids in Africa you can just buy them some stuff you can find locally where you serve like in Congo we would buy the kids these little drink things and eat beignets at the end of teaching lessons with some of our younger investigators.
Children eating beignets and drinking bissap in Congo.
