Many things are to be considered when preparing for a missions trip and dress is a major one. You do not want to be distracted from the mission because you came poorly prepared or brought something that would have been better left at home. Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind when planning and packing for your mission trip.
Weather and climate: Of course you want to know if the climate of the country you are visiting is hot, humid, rainy, cold, or temperate. Research what the climate tendencies are for the season you will be there. Also, if possible, check what the weather is expected to be for the specific time of your visit. The Internet is a great resource for this information. I always bring a thin rain coat wherever I go and extra layers for any surprises.
Culture: Be sensitive to the cultural ideals of dress for men and women. Remember, you are there representing Christ and working for His glory.
Men: many cultures consider tank tops on men to be a sign of gang activity. Also, many find undershirts to be the same as underwear that is not to be seen. Once in Romania, as part of a demonstration, one of our youth took the shirt off his back as part of a demonstration and exposed his undershirt. The Romanian pastor freaked out and said that was considered offensive. So, watch out.
Shorts: For both men and women these are usually going to be a bad idea for most non-western countries. In many cultures, only young boys wear shorts. Men wearing shorts can considered inappropriate or even silly. In some cultures it means that you can’t afford to buy pants. Women wearing shorts can be unheard of in many countries. Doing so could make people think you were outside in your underwear.
Women: Whether we like to admit it or not, you have to be even more careful then the men. Standards of dress in other cultures can be very different than what we are use to in the West. Not keeping this in mind could bring you much unwanted and sometimes dangerous attention. In many sub-saharan African countries it is best to wear skirts. When I lived with villagers in Kenya some years ago, a woman wearing pants was a sign of prostitution. In many countries such as India, it is considered risqué to show your knees or shoulders, so tank tops are out of the question. In some countries, Capri pants will do. In Egypt, it is considered appropriate to wear long flowing shirts that cover the arms and upper legs. In other Muslim countries it might be appropriate to wear head scarves.
Old clothes vs. new clothes: If you will be working in areas of great poverty or doing any sort of service type work, then of course old clothes are appropriate. Here is an idea; I have been known to visit my local Salvation Army Thrift Store to purchase slightly used clothes to wear on the trip and to leave with the local pastors to launder and give to their needy. Think about it. You are helping the Salvation Army with their work as well as contributing to the efforts in the community where you are working. More than once I have returned from a trip with only the clothes on my back and a suitcase full of souvenirs to give to friends and family back home.
Jewelry: This is probably best left at home.Number one, it can be damaged or lost during travel. Number two, it may invite foul play. And three, it might really make you stand out in a negative way if you are in a country that doesn’t have access to such riches. Leaving jewelry at home is another way to be sensitive to your new culture. Even if you are married, it might be best to leave any expensive wedding rings at home and wear a simple band instead.
Symbols: In some countries hostile to Christians, you might not want to wear any crosses or other religious symbols. On the trips I have gone on in the past, they have asked us to refrain from any logos or symbols at all, including those that can be considered patriotic, like a flag, status symbols, like a Nike swoosh, and “funny” shirts where the humor just might not translate as it was intended. It really all depends on where you are going, but to be safe, it‘s best to just leave it at home.
A good rule of thumb when packing for a mission trip is not to bring anything you can’t stand to lose, or that will make you stand out in a negative way. Be smart and do your homework to be prepared for the weather, the work, and the culture. And most of all, listen to your leaders and others who have gone before you. They usually have the best advice of all.
Hangers by geishaboy500
Religions: Hindus 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, Others including Jews, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis 2%. Being a secular state, there is freedom to practice any religion. There is no present ban on evangelism, though some state governments have begun to note the disruptive forces that cause communal tensions due to conversions.
The Religion: The major religion is Hinduism with about 80% followers. It is more a way of life that permeates all aspects of life. There are about 33,000 gods in the pantheon, each having patronage over a distinct aspect of life. They believe in karma and re-incarnation.
Dress Code: This is an extremely conservative society, especially so in the northern states. If you were dressed in shorts and an old t-shirt, you would be taken for a poor person who can’t afford full pants. It is important for women to be fully covered. An Indian salwar suit is ideal to beat the weather. The cities are more forgiving and anything decent is acceptable. However, women should still avoid short shorts and mini skirts as harassment on the city streets is quite common. For business meetings, a suit is appropriate. For men, a business suit is mandatory.
Visiting a home: Visitors are welcomed even if they drop in unexpectedly. They are immediately invited in and made comfortable. You will be offered plenty of food and drink no matter what time of the day, and it is your job to eat what you possibly can. You will literally be treated like a god, according to traditional norms. Leave your footwear outside, even if they say it’s alright not to. Take a gift along for the children in the form of chocolates or candies.
