Adventures in Packing: The Essentials

Hello friends and family! Thanks for checking out our blog. As this is my very first post, and you will be hearing from me a lot over the next month, I should probably introduce myself. I’m Sarah, one of the staff for the NEGII project—or, I should say, one of the Sarahs on the NEGII staff team. So you can call me Sarah C.J. A tiny little bit about me: I’ve been on staff with InterVarsity in RI for five years. I’m married to Greg. This is my second time to Uganda (I studied abroad in Kampala in 2002) and my third time in Africa. In my spare time I like to work on house projects, create things, and marvel at the birds that come to our birdfeeders. You could say I’m a pretty meticulous packer. More on that later…

First, a little more about the team. We have an amazing team of IVCF staff and students from around the New England Region, and I wanted to quickly introduce everyone. The co-directors for the project are Tom B. and Tom S. Tom B’s wife Nancy will also be joining us! The other fabulous staff are Sarah S, Tina, Maghan, and my hubby Greg. And here are the students: Kelly (UConn), Meredith (Brown), Teresa (UMO), Becky (UNH), Danielle (UNH), Abby (UNH), Miranda (BU), Katie (BU), Marie (BU), Tracy (Wellesley), Amanda (Wellesley), Tatiana (Harvard), Ken (MIT), and Yeona (MIT). What a spectacular group!

Those of you that feel inclined, please feel free to pray for each of these students and staff by name throughout the month. ☺

So…for my first post, I thought I would give some brief reflections on packing. Like I said, I’m a pretty thorough packer. I have been making lists and crossing things off for a couple weeks now. We were asked to limit our packing to one half of a medium-sized suitcase and one small backpack—the other half of our suitcase will be filled with supplies. As you might imagine, when part of the personal half will be taken up by sheets, a blanket, a towel, and a pillow, clothing and other belongings are limited to the bare essentials! This can be challenging, but it is such a great exercise for those of us—myself included—that have become deeply attached to our “stuff.”

Here are a few of the things I consider “essentials” for travel in East Africa: Sturdy shoes, Ultrathon bug cream (34% deet!), anti-diarrheal tabs, a good flashlight (mine’s a headlamp), and hand sanitizer.


As I’ve been packing, however, I’ve realized that about 99% of my pre-departure energies have been focused around these physical preparations. But what about my spiritual packing, so to speak? What are the “essentials” I need to ask Jesus to fill up the bags of my heart with—today, and throughout the trip?

So, like any good packer, here is my spiritual packing list. I am sure it is not complete—feel free to add other “essentials” in a comment or two.

*Openness to God’s work in the world, and in each of us
*Daily confidence in the presence of Christ with us
*Agape Love—for the team, for our Ugandan brothers and sisters
*Humility
*Flexibility & Grace
*Compassion
*Selflessness
*Honesty & Trust
*Confidence in the power of God to bless, redeem, and heal
*The Whole Armor of God
*Our unique Spiritual Gifts
*The Word of God, a light to our feet

Lord Jesus, would you fill me and each of the team members to overflowing with these “essentials” as we prepare for this adventure. Amen!