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– The perfect missionary bagMy Timbuk2 bag was a lifesaver on the mission. It was very durable, it did not fall apart, and although I was caught in many rainstorms, I had no fear that anything in my bag would get wet. I would recommend Timbuk2 for everyone, they were very popular among the Elders in my mission. So many American missionaries had Timbuk2 bags that they started giving them to their Congolese companions when they finished their mission and even the Congolese had them too.
2. Shoe Insoles
In Africa, you’re going to be doing lots of this:
Walking. This is why missionaries need to prioritize their feet health. Every missionary should have shoe insoles to protect their feet. If your going to be serving a mission in Africa then it’s very important that you have shoe insoles. Proof in the picture below:
The picture above is of my shoe insoles compared to another pair that was lightly used. You can tell how much these insoles protected my feet! The shoe insoles below are the ones that I used on my mission and they helped a lot:
3. High quality socks
Going along with the theme of feet health, high quality socks will also be very helpful. I bought these socks made for people with diabetes because they are specially made to be comfortable. The only issue with them is that they are quite thin and will tear apart after about 10 months of use so that is why I also recommend some highly durable socks like the Dickies below. You should buy more socks than you think since you will be using them for two whole years of walking.
The socks below are the ones that I used on my mission:
Very durable, comfortable socks:
Like what you are reading? Check out the Part 2 of this article: https://ldsmissionarygear.com/top-10-things-you-need-to-serve-your-mission-in-africa-part-2
Top 10 things you need to serve your mission in Africa, part 2
4. Sweat Rag
Sweat rags are important! While you are in Africa you are going to be walking in 90 F + weather for hours at a time and will be sweating a lot. You know after you finish a long run or an intense sports practice and your sweating all over your body? That’s what its like walking in Central Africa after about 10 minutes. Buy a sweat rag or you can make one by cutting a piece of quick-drying fabric.
5. Super Comfortable Indoor Sandals
After walking for hours the last thing you want at the end of the day is a pair of cheap, hard sandals. The sandals I recommend are these ones that have memory foam make your feet feel so good. These are the sandals I used on mission and I still wear them even today.
The power is very spotty throughout Africa and you will spend countless nights with no power. That is why you will need a solar powered lantern. They light up an entire room and last the whole night. The mission doesn’t provide lanterns and without bringing them you will have to use candles which we did sometimes.
7. Headlamp
Headlamps are also very helpful. They help you complete your studies and make food despite the lack of light.
I personally didn’t have one of these but it might have been nice to have one. Along with having no light, when the power goes out so does the AC and it gets REALLY hot at night. Sleeping in that heat is like being cooked in an oven. No joke. What every missionary needs who is going to Africa is a portable fan that he can use to survive during those hot nights without air conditioning.
9. Hand sanitizer
Missionary interact and shake hands with many people. Having hand sanitizer on hand will be very useful. Having multiple of the 2-oz containers keep it at a size where it can easily fit in a pack and be used often. (below is similar to what I carried around on my mission)
10. P-Day Day Pack
On P-Days you’re going to want a bag that is not too big and not too small. The bag below was awesome and served me well my entire mission!
You don’t want to miss out on the things you shouldn’t bring to Africa!!
