Packing has always been my least favourite part of travelling. Even now—long after the diaper years—part of me still wilts whenever the suitcases are out. But earlier last year, as I packed for a short-term mission trip to East Asia, the risk-averse part of me felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. This wasn’t the usual kind of holiday—no hotels or curated itineraries. Just our family, a small church team, a faraway village—and an invitation from God to trust Him.
Looking back, I realised that what mattered more was not what we packed in our suitcases, but the unseen attitudes in our hearts, which made the trip far richer and more memorable than any family vacation we had taken.
Here are the heart attitudes I learnt to “pack” during our trip—and which you might want to consider including if you’re going in a family mission trip:
1. Pack willingness . . . to adjust without complaining
Our first test of courage came sooner than expected in a place far less dramatic than I had imagined: the toilets.
Here, we were told, toilet paper couldn’t be flushed but had to be discarded in a bin. The smell, the discomfort, the unfamiliarity—it all felt unsettling. Yet that small inconvenience opened our eyes to how differently others lived, and how easily we take Singapore’s cleanliness and convenience for granted.
What was required wasn’t grand sacrifices on my part, but a willingness to accept change in the smallest things, and to adapt instead of complaining.
What surprised me most was how quickly the children in the team adapted. After a few initial squirms, they accepted the “new normal” and moved on. Their willingness to adapt put my own grumbling to shame.
The trip exposed my own resistance to “do everything without grumbling or arguing” (Philippians 2:14). What was required wasn’t grand sacrifices on my part, but a willingness to accept change in the smallest things, and to adapt instead of complaining.
Living differently, even for a short while, became a form of obedience.
2. Pack flexibility . . . when God re-routes our plans
We had set out with a clear objective: visit a remote region to assess the needs of a particular village there. But along the way, the purpose of our visit shifted. Instead of carrying out the plans we had prepared, our team ended up spending the time listening and engaging with local believers.
Initially, I was annoyed. It seemed to me—a person who thrives on checklists—to be a complete waste of time. After so many hours on rough roads, it appeared that we had not accomplished anything truly useful.
Yet, as we chatted with the believers, it became clear that our simple presence—unremarkable as it felt to me—was making a difference.
Being short of resources and burdened with heavy responsibilities,
they were filled with renewed energy and hope by our conversations, encouragement, and small practical ideas for ministry.
That’s when I realised that God was at work in ways I hadn’t anticipated, reminding me that ministry does not always look productive on the surface. As Proverbs 16:9 puts it, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
That lesson humbled the efficiency-loving Singaporean in me.
3. Pack gratitude . . . to learn what “enough” really means
One home visit left a lasting impression. We met two adult siblings with special needs, lovingly cared for by their parents despite very challenging circumstances. Used disposable diapers hung on laundry lines to be aired and reused. The sight was jarring, heartbreaking, and humbling.
Yet the parents welcomed us with warm smiles and unreserved hospitality. They proudly offered homemade apple chips and freshly harvested potatoes, and showed us their small but well-tended farm. There was no self-pity, no embarrassment—only a quiet acceptance of life as it was, and a steady joy in what they had been given.
God was at work in ways I hadn’t anticipated, reminding me that ministry does not always look productive on the surface.
In that home, contentment was not something explained; it was lived out. Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11–12 came alive before us: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
4. Pack awe . . . at faithful service with little fanfare
On Sunday, we visited a local church, which turned out to open our eyes in a way that no Sunday service in Singapore ever had.
Its Sunday school, in particular, left a deep impression on our children: classroom doors were double-locked, there were no laptops, books, or musical instruments—for security reasons—and the teachers had to teach entirely without visual aids. Yet, their dedication shone through.
Ministry work doesn’t require good facilities or flashy programmes, only faithful, humble, and wholehearted service.
The teachers’ faithful service inspired awe in all of us. It reminded us that ministry work doesn’t require good facilities or flashy programmes, only faithful, humble, and wholehearted service. And it challenged us to go beyond merely enjoying religious freedom at home, to pray for and support those who serve God faithfully elsewhere.
5. Pack reverence . . . to rediscover God’s world and His people
Mission trips have a way of slowing life down—something rare in Singapore. As we prayed beneath open skies and worshipped in the stillness of mountains, we felt Psalm 147:8 coming alive: “He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.”
Fellowship happened outdoors, in fields and by rivers, allowing the children to marvel at God’s creation and the richness of diverse cultures. Visiting minority communities and stepping into their homes enabled us to see how He is intimately involved in lives across every tribe and tongue.
6. Pack a sense of adventure . . . yes, even in service!
Our prayer walks were unlike any we had experienced back home. Stop points became especially poignant as we prayed by broken wells, ramshackle living quarters, and doorways marked with coloured pieces of paper indicating a recent bereavement. Praying in such a different setting opened our eyes to the breadth of God’s work in His creation and among His people.
Fellowship happened outdoors, in fields and by rivers, allowing the children to marvel at God’s creation and the richness of diverse cultures.
Another unforgettable adventure was preparing meals for the elderly. Accustomed only to packaged groceries from supermarkets and imported veggies and meats from wet markets, we were bewildered by our farm-to-table experience. We harvested cabbages straight from the fields and marinated freshly slaughtered chickens (with combs still intact). It was messy, eye-opening and utterly memorable—a hands-on lesson in humility, service, and God’s provision.
7. Pack gratitude . . . to see comfort as a blessing, not a given
Towards the end of the trip, we finally stumbled upon—what the children called—civilisation. They gasped, as if uncovering treasure, at the sight of Chagee, KFC, McDonald’s, and Starbucks. Their delight revealed a simple truth: comfort becomes a blessing only when we stop taking it for granted.
Returning home, we found ourselves more thankful for things we rarely pause to appreciate: a sewerage system that allows the flushing of toilet paper, clean and comfortable homes, the freedom to teach and raise our children according to God’s Word, and ready access to resources for ministry. Sometimes, gratitude grows best when we glimpse life from a different perspective.
What We Brought Home
We returned from our mission trip with hearts full of stories, lessons, and glimpses of God’s love across borders. The trip had gently unsettled our comforts and widened our vision of God’s work beyond what we knew and enjoyed at home, and we returned more grateful and more aware of His global heart.
If you are planning your next family trip, perhaps you might want to consider one that doesn’t just fill your suitcase with souvenirs, but fills your heart with a new love for God and His people.
