This is FYI

 

Russia – ideas of what to pack:

 

·        Bible

·        Hair…. Travel size curling iron or hair dryer with Russian adapter plug. Please note… often there is nowhere or no time that you can use these items. It is common for the tip of your curling iron to melt! Bring at your own discretion. A butane curling iron is useful, but must be carried in hand luggage.

·        Showers…. Sometimes we will have access to a shower & sometimes we won’t. Sometimes we won’t have hot or cold water. In the hotels they often turn all water off after 11 pm! I have frequently bathed with a 15” metal bowl…. for which I was very grateful!

·        Head lice…. If you are worried bring some Rid shampoo. God has spared us even when the children have been infested!

·        Clothing..... We will not be able to wash clothes, except hand washing. However, even in the hotels the water is often a definite yellow-brown color!

·        Bring clean underwear for everyday. Disposable underwear is a great idea & panty liners.

·        You can wear blue jeans for carpentry & painting type jobs.

·        Take a winter coat or jacket as a carryon. This will be needed when you arrive in Moscow. Pack gloves, scarf & hat for cold days. The temperature will probably be between 40–70 o F.

·        Comfortable shoes are a must. Wear one pair & pack the other pair.

·        For those who wish to go to the ballet, please bring one classy dress which doesn't crease for the ladies. (I have a simple long black one). A dress shirt & tie for the men! You won't be able to iron.

·        A below the knee skirt is recommended for the women to wear when ministering & dress slacks for the men.

·        A scarf to cover your head (married women only) for church services. The single women do not wear a scarf. This shows they are available!

·        1 sweater, several tops to wear with pants & skirts. Top clothes can be worn several times. A coat if you’re cold natured.

·        Buy a passport & money holder to wear around your waist (the flat kind) Wear in front of you, under your underwear. You can buy them at Wal-mart in the luggage department. This will hold your passport visa & money. It must not be taken off your body, except the odd occasion you have a shower! & even then bring it in the shower with you & place it high so it doesn't get wet.

·        Bring 1 lockable suitcase & 1 carry-on bag. Pack a change of clothes, prescription medicines, camera, film & other essentials in your carry-on bag. Just incase your baggage gets lost. You won't be able to refill prescriptions or buy new clothes!!

·        Your second suitcase will be to bring host gifts & other special ministry items that God lays on your heart to bring to Russia….

·        Emergency snacks!

·        Anything else you have room for!

·        Don't bring anything, that you couldn't live without! This is truly a mission trip!

 

Survival tips:

Food & Water:

·        Don't drink the water unless it has been boiled!  (i.e. coffee, tea)

·        Avoid ice … but then again, Russia doesn’t serve ice!

·        Avoid water bottled in Russia; sometimes this is tap water sold as bottled. We will give you safe bottled water … we know which is safe!

·        Do not brush your teeth in tap water

·        If you can peel it you can eat it. Otherwise avoid fruits & vegetables. 

·        Bring granola bars & other snacks that can tide you over between meals.

 

Money:

·        If you have a visa card, you may want to bring it.  This is a safe way to obtain cash. However, in economic crisis they do not work so bring cash!!

·        Do not carry large sums of cash. $400 should be plenty spending money.

·        Take new American $20 bills. Only exchange the amount you will use.  It is almost impossible to exchange rubles for dollars as you leave the country.

·        Dollars should be crisp, clean & with new dates. Old or wrinkled or dirty money will not be accepted in Russia. $100, $20, $10, $5 & $1 dollar bills are best accepted.

 

Other:

·        Do not leave money or valuables in your room! Take something in which you can safely carry your passport, tourist visa, airline ticket and other valuables with you each day in the field.  Wear your money belt inside your clothing, not outside.

·        Leave expensive clothing & jewelry at home.  Be sensitive not to propagate the idea that we are rich Americans.  This will only make you a target for crime. Limit yourself to one suitcase & one carry on for the trip. The other baggage will be utilized to carry in humanitarian aid.

·        Be sure to pack a change of clothes, personal medicines and any necessary toiletries in your carry-on.

·        Do not bring anything you would hate to lose or couldn't give away if you had to.

·        Bring all the film that you think you will need. Film is much more expensive when purchased in Russia.  Make sure you take a bag that will protect your film from x-ray.  These can be purchased at any camera store. Take along some pictures of your family to show your new friends. Be sensitive to the background in the pictures, though, because what we take for granted at home probably will look like a palace to the nationals.

·        Do not take any photographs in airports, prisons or military areas. Ask before taking any photos anywhere else.

·        PLEASE DO NOT BRING WEAPONS, KNIVES, SHARP SCISSORS, ETC.

 

Suggested Gift List:

·        T-shirts

·        Tools

·        Barrettes & hair accessories

·        Seeds (to plant vegetables)

·        Scented soap

·        Retractable pens

·        Home state memorabilia

·        Post cards

·        Russia/English Dictionaries

·        Hand lotion

·        Jewelry

·        Perfume

·        Cassette tapes - Christian music

·        Video tapes - especially child-oriented

·        Kitchen items (like potato peelers)

·        Stickers (for kids)

·        Coloring books

·        Crayons

·        Chewing Gum

·        Hard Candy

·        Calendars

·        Coffee

·        Whatever the Lord lays on your heart!

 

Theft & Safety:

Most theft in Eastern Europe is of the petty variety, rarely involving assault: the thief does not want a confrontation. Thus, by using your head you can prevent almost every potential crime. For example, don't let people listen in or somehow note your phone card or credit card number. Watch your credit card after giving it to a clerk: you don't want the clerk to make extra imprints. Review all charge slips before you sign them. And be careful with your charge card receipts: they have the card number on them too. In fact, you should destroy old carbons, billing statements, and other records that bear your account number.

 

Also, don't flaunt your money or act too much like a tourist. You know how foreigners stand out as targets for crime. Don't compromise your trip, but don't unnecessarily make yourself a bigger target. Be discreet when doing your thing in banks, at ATM machines, or at exchange booths. Take note of the people around you. Try to blend in and look confident. If you have a shoulder bag, wear the strap across the shoulder opposite the side on which the bag hangs. Be careful in crowded places such as those around street performers and on metros and buses: pick-pockets love crowds... especially crowds ripe with tourists. If two people approach you, one speaking to you and the other hovering around, go on red alert: the speaker may be trying to distract you while the other person nabs an item. And never fall asleep with a valuable next to you. Move in groups when it's convenient.  Just be smart…. Use good common sense.

 

Beware of young vagrant children and their adult cohorts who hover around and pickpocket travelers. Such thieves may walk into you with an open newspaper or large flat box held extended from their waste, wave a newspaper in your face, or throw a baby doll into your arms to distract you while their accomplices rifle through your pockets. Other thieves may approach you with flowers or some other triviality to sell; simply brush them off—and don't feel bad about it. I've even heard of tourists being glopped with mustard then "assisted" by ostensibly helpful bystanders who in fact did the glopping and who point to the sky and claim the stuff is bird doo while they wipe it off and swipe what they can. No matter, if you're aware of their presence and have taken simple security precautions, thieves will leave you alone.

 

Lock away your baggage overnight, and lock the door to your room as well. While sleeping wear your money belt under your underwear. Out of sight is out of mind; don't unnecessarily tempt thieves. Passports are a valuable commodity on the black market—keep yours secure. If you travel in a sleeping compartment on an overnight train, tie the door shut. If something of yours does get stolen from your person, vehicle, or room and if you have some form of insurance to cover the theft of the item, make sure you get a police report at the next convenient opportunity.  

 

With some sensible precautions you'll be able to prevent any problems. We use good common sense & pray for God’s protection.