My son has been home from his mission to Brazil for a few weeks so I asked him what things he would recommend bringing that aren’t on the packing list.
Some of these items made it onto my 100 of the Best Extras for Missionaries post (which is full of recommendations from other missionaries (and missionary mommas!).
Here are his recommendations!
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1. Lots of Ties
Besides being one of the only ways to show individuality in a suit-and-jacket-wardrobe, ties are like currency both in MTC situations and amongst districts and zones!
Sock Ties were particularly popular for my son and his buddies!
2. Family Photo Album
This doesn’t have to be anything fancy…but is a must for missionaries! My son said missionaries love to look at their companions’ album, and it can help with homesickness.
I included recent family pictures, candid photos including vacation pictures and pictures of my son and his friends.
3. CTR rings and Temple Photos (to give to people you baptize)
This is NOT something I sent with my son, but he asked for it and I included it in later packages. The church distribution center sells bulk CTR rings and Temple Photos (try and do the temple closest to where your missionary is serving).
It is an inexpensive way for your missionary to connect with their friends!
4. Ultra Compact Sleeping bag (great for exchanges and cold weather)
This was a recommendation of my nephew who served in Argentina and my son loved having it! There are a lot of affordable and even more important COMPACT sleeping bag options available. Just be mindful of the temperature on the sleeping bag and make sure it is adequate for the climate where your missionary is serving.
My son used his sleeping bag a lot and appreciated having a blanket for when the weather cooled down.
5. Good Quality Pens
This was something I didn’t know about…but many foreign countries don’t have good quality pens. Missionaries will need pens for a lot of writing, so send a couple packages of their favorite pens like Pilot, Papermate, etc)
6. Speaker
Missionaries will have their own phone with access to church music, but my son really enjoyed having a bluetooth speaker that he could use listen to church music and talks in the shower.
I wrote a post all about how to add music to SD/TF cards that you can read here.
7. Sleeping mask
My son (and husband) thought I was a little crazy to send this…but my son put it on his list of things to recommend! He said, a sleeping mask is great if your house doesn’t have curtains or for a p-day nap.
8. Shoe Goo
This is another recommendation from my RM nephews! Shoe Goo is like magic. It is super strong and sticky glue that you can use to fix or patch shoes (which will probably happen to every missionary in a walking mission!).
9. Duct Tape
If you haven’t figured out I was a leeetle crazy about packing for my son going to another country for two years…here is another sign. 🙂
I sent duct tape with because I thought it is a fix-all that might come in handy, and look at that! My son is recommending it so I was actually right! WOOHOO! He said, “It came in handy to put up curtains, fix shoes, fix pipes and whatever else.” He recommended two rolls.
I should probably ask him what pipes he fixed? Haha!
10. Bluetooth Keyboard
If you want your missionary to send you long emails, a bluetooth keyboard is one way to make it easier for them to type! They are compact and inexpensive and WORTH IT!
11. Anti-Diarrhea Medicine
My son’s comment on having this? “GOATed.” I think especially if your missionary is serving in a place with a diet they aren’t used to, this is such a great thing to have on hand.
Do many countries have pharmacies where your missionary could buy it? Sure. Is it much easier on them to have it at the ready and in their bag? YESSSSSS.
This Amazon Brand of Anti-Diarrhea medicine worked great.
12. WWJD bracelets
My son loved having these “What Would Jesus Do” bracelets (which we didn’t send, but he requested in a package) to give to other missionaries. They are inexpensive to boot!
13. Church books
There are quite a few church books available on the Gospel Library app, but my son appreciated having a few church books to read during study time, p-day and down time (including when they were stuck in their apartment because one of them was sick).
Some of my son’s favorites included, “The Infinite Atonement, The Holy Covenants, His Holy Name and Daily Joy.
14. Workout Equipment
Every missionary has time each morning for exercise. My son appreciated having equipment that he could use indoors if needed. Some great options include exercise bands, pull up bar, push up handles.
Key Takeaways
So what do you think? Did anything surprise you on this list? Is there anything that you would add that isn’t on our 100 of the Best Extras for Missionaries?
Let us know below!