What Do You Pack for 18-Months?

 One question we’ve been asked several times lately is, “What do you pack for 18 months?”

Since this will be our third foreign humanitarian mission, we have a better idea of what to expect than we did the first time. Even so, every assignment comes with its own challenges and considerations.

Packing for an extended mission assignment feels very different than packing for a personal trip. Normally you pack mostly for comfort or convenience. This feels more like deciding what parts of normal daily life are important enough to bring with you for an extended period of time.

Since we’ll be living in Moldova, we’re trying to think through different seasons, daily routines, church clothes, winter weather, nutritional supplements, electronics, and the everyday things we’ll want from home.

At the same time, we also know we can’t bring everything.

Most airlines limit us to two 50-pound suitcases each, along with a carry-on, so space is more limited than people might think.

Every suitcase has limits, which means every item becomes a decision. Do we really need it? Will we actually use it? It’s surprising how quickly space disappears when you’re packing for an extended stay.

Some things are obvious. Comfortable shoes, basic clothing, electronics, and hair products make the list quickly.

Other things take a little more thought. Extra kitchen items? Too many coats? “Just in case” items? It’s surprising how quickly small things add up when you’re trying to fit your life into a few suitcases.

One thing that helps is knowing that many everyday items can easily be purchased there. From previous experiences, we know there are plenty of things we’ll buy there rather than pack, and sometimes they’re even easier to find or less expensive than they are at home.

At the same time, simplifying has actually felt good. The more we sort through things, the more we realize how little we truly need to live comfortably. 

A lot of what we’re leaving behind will be packed away in storage until we come home. Some things we’ve donated, some things we’ve given to family, and some things we’ve realized we probably didn’t need to keep in the first place.

The more we pack and sort through things, the more it feels like we’re preparing for a real life transition – not just a vacation.

We still have more sorting and packing ahead of us, and I’m sure we’ll rethink at least a few things before we finally leave.

But little by little, it’s coming together.