Details, details, details...

By now your team is well on their way in preparing for a successful mission to Puerto Rico. Fund raisers are going strong, supplies are being purchased and the excitement is growing. The details are all coming together.

Details - those little seemingly insignificant things that if forgotten, can mean the difference between success and failure. Some details are obvious, like don't forget to pack your toothbrush while other details are a little more obsucre like making sure all the health/insurance information has been turned in so that everyone is covered on the trip.

Procrastination, lack of attention to detail, and late planning are a recipe for mission trip disasters. An orderly, prepared leader makes all the difference and usually saves his team money so they can more effectively use those resources in the country where they will serve. We wanted to share with you a few details we have found helpd us in planning for our mission trip and hope you will find them helpful as well.

1. Roll your clothes, don't fold them. You can get a lot more in a piece of luggage when everything is neatly rolled. We have also found that clothing doesn't wrinkle as much when rolled.

2. Make a list of travel tips. Include helpful info about appropriate dress, keeping valuables safe, not adventuring out alone, and unique cultural norms your team should be aware of.

3. Know baggage restrictions for airlines. Will there be extra luggage fees? How much can a checked bag weigh? What can I carry on with me? Knowing the answers can make your check-in and walk through security much easier.

4. Mark all team bags with a unique identifier. Putting a strip of brightly colored duck tape around each bag can make them easy to identify when coming off a luggage carousel. Also make sure every bag has a luggage tag attached before you get to the airport. Include carry-on bags as well because you never know when you might be asked to valet check your bag as you enter the plane.

5. Post the team rules. Don't assume everyone knows what is required of them. Review the rules with your team members and have them agree to follow them before leaving on your trip.

6. Send thank-you notes to donors. If people helped you to raise the funds for your trip by making peronal donations, make sure you send them a note of thanks. Even better, send them a postcard while on your trip to make it a little more meaningful.

7. Make your reservations for a fun day ahead of time. Don't wait until the last minute or until after you arrive to decide what you will do for a day of fun and relaxation. This can lead to a very disappointed group when all the busses are full and you have no method of transportation to get you where you want to go.

8. Have everyone bring their own roll of toilet paper. Sounds crazy, but if you aren't staying in a 3 star hotel or better, you may not have the luxury of something squeezably soft and irresistible. Also keep in mind that some worksites may not have the most modern facilities. It never hurts to be a boy scout and always be prepared.

9. Before your trip, check with your local carrier to see what kind of cell/texting/data service you might have where you will be going. Some carriers offer a short-term service which would extend your service to the area you will be visiting.

10. Grab some address labels, and put them on the things you’re most concerned about losing: camera, laptop, cell phone, wallet, etc. Include your name, cell phone number, and email address on the label. Best practice is to not lay these things down where you will forget about them, but just in case you do, this might help you get something back if it gets lost.

If you have a great planning tip we would love for you to share it!