Hey guys - I'm all about preparing you the best I can for this trip (I know there were some more things I WISH I'd known my first trip to Africa). So, here's some advice I've gotten recently that I'm passing along to you- more to come if I hear anything different:

• Bring good walking shoes.

We're going to be walking, A LOT. Probably several miles a day. No transportation other than walking - to the store, church, ministry, home, etc everyday! Bring some good tennis shoes or other shoes you can walk long distances in that won't give you blisters!

• Bring some old shoes to training camp.

The red mud here gets in EVERYTHING! If it rains, it's even worse. If you have some old tennis shoes/sandals you could trash and leave here, that would be a good idea instead of trying to clean them and pack them.

• Wait to get an adaptor.

Apparently, there is a SOUTH AFRICA adaptor and a SOUTHERN AFRICA adaptor. One works, the other doesn't. My contact suggested just getting those when we get there - because they're super cheap there and will for sure work. (this is for hair dryers, chargers, whatever you have that's electronic).

• BRING WARM CLOTHES!!!

Layers are a great idea- longsleeve/short sleeve shirts, jackets, etc - it could get warmer during the daytime (60's , 70's?), but guys let me tell you, it will get COLD at night! I've been to Africa this time of year and we about froze some nights - I've heard it's worse in Jeffrey's Bay because of the wind off the water. Bring a hat, gloves, scarves, warm socks. Bring thermals or LEGGINGS girls - I would really suggest this - they're great to layer under pants or a skirt (and you can take them off if you get hot). Bring warm clothes to sleep in - buildings in Africa don't have heat. Bring a good jacket - I'm bringing my fleece with the outer-shell.

• Buy warm bedding

I would suggest a good sleeping bag - one of the ones that's rated for like 10 or 20 degrees. I have a 10 degree bag. It was more expensive than a regular sleeping bag but worth it - I still got cold some nights when I was in India. You can also buy a sleeping bag liner to help keep you warm. If you don't have either of those, I would bring some extra money to buy yourself more blankets when we get there if you need them - don't want you guys to freeze at night!

• Girls - Bring at least one long skirt

I'm not sure if that was on your packing list - but after talking to a girl
who's done ministry where we'll be, she said that would be more
appropriate for the townships. If you can get more than one I would.
Thrift stores are GREAT places for this - it has to be below your knee
or longer.

Hope these suggestions are helpful! I just wanted to pass along the info I had gotten. Love you guys already and CANNOT WAIT to meet you!!!