Yes, your passport and wallet (and probably some clean underwear) deserve to be at the top of your packing list. But in the rush to remember the essentials, travelers sometimes underestimate the power of the nice-to-haves. Humble objects, ranging from an empty reusable water bottle to bandages, can save time and money and go far toward boosting the quality of your travels. Here are the items we often forget to pack—and always regret not having in our suitcase.
Power – Wonder Working Power!
We’ll never forget the scene in that little cabin in Denmark.
Sparks flew everywhere as Elsa’s North American hairdryer exploded in a cascade of sparks, attempting to compete with a Tivoli Fireworks display. Arcs of fire and smoke belched out of the hairdryer. Elsa’s hair never caught on fire but we soon were holding a funeral for one deceased and melted appliance.
What happened? We’d simply forgot to flip the switch on our power converter from 110 to 220 volts.
It can become pretty confusing navigating power draws and formats all over the world: 120 – 220 – 3 prongs – grounded – ungrounded!
We hope these travel power pointers can help:
- You may need a converter for your electronics/blow dryers/curling irons, etc., if they are rated 120-160 volts. Make sure you get one that is good for the Middle East. Some electronics are rated at 110-220 volts. In that case you only need adapters to Middle East style sockets.
- It is a good idea to bring a power convertor or power adaptor that will make your North American three-pronged plugs into two-pronged plugs.
- More information here on converters. More information here on adaptors. You may also visit our site to purchase your adaptors and converters – Click here.
- We have travelled around the world with our little Belkin mini power bar with dual USB outlets and
surge protector. It has served us well for years. Make sure you use a power converter. You can purchase the power bar – Click here. - Most hotels provide hair dryers in each room. If not, you can usually request one at reception. It is rarely needed to pack a hair dryer.
- You can often find a 110-120 volt outlet on in room hairdryers. Although these are intended for shavers they can also charge low powered electrical devices such as cell phones, tablets and cameras.
- One place to find a spare USB outlet for charging may be on the in-room television if it is a newer LCD or Plasma model.
- Note that most laptops, cameras, camera battery chargers, tablets and smart phones have dual power capabilities built in. Check if yours does. It is usually printed on the back of the device or in the manual. If it does, all you need is an outlet adaptor, not a power converter. (Take a look at the two photos of laptop power adaptors at the bottom of this post to know where to look for dual power capability.)
- If you bring a laptop, don’t forget that you often have multiple USB ports on your laptop that you can use to charge other items overnight.
If you have your own suggestions, would you leave them below? You could be a big help to many.
How To Share Your Faith with Muslims When You Travel
If you spend every day watching the news your view of Muslims would be very skewed. In this world of extremists it’s easy to forget that most Muslims are peace-loving people
.
However, they still need to hear the Good News of the Gospel as everyone does.
When you desire to share your Christian faith when travelling in the lands of the Bible, this calls for a delicate balance. You will interact with Muslim bus drivers, shopkeepers, tour guides and various other people in countries that are almost entirely Islamic, such as Turkey and Jordan.
On one hand, we always want to show the love of Jesus to everyone, including those we differ with politically and spiritually. On the other hand, showing Christ’s love does not mean that we should willingly succumb to any schemes to sell us exorbitantly priced carpets or phony tours at elevated fares.
That said, the loving witness of Christ-followers in the Middle East could have a strong impact on the many Muslims with whom they interact. Read a bit about Islam before traveling to the Middle East, and remember these points about Muslims:
- Very few choose to become Muslims. They were born into the faith and had no choice. Their families have been Muslim for 1400 years, in some cases. You should never feel negatively about their “lostness.” They were born lost and often do not know a single Christian person.
- To leave Islam would mean to betray family, faith and possibly country (as in Turkey’s case). That’s why most Muslims who come to Jesus do so after years of patient conversations with Jesus. That doesn’t mean that you can’t plant a seed.
- If it comes naturally to you, give praise to Jesus for a given blessing. Muslims praise Allah constantly for good circumstances; giving the praise to Jesus specifically will catch a Muslim’s ear.
- Muslims assume that all tourists from North America are Christians. Of course, we know this isn’t true. Your Christ-like behaviour will show them what a true Christian is like.
- Asking questions of Muslims can be a great way to learn more about Islam and plant a seed of the Gospel.
- Ask how devout they are and what pillars of the faith they practice.
- Ask them what they think of Christians and Christianity. You might get an answer that is loaded with political weight. That can be your chance to inform him/her about what true belief is, that not everyone in North America is a believer and that the government does not claim to be Christian, either. This is hard for a Muslim from an Islamic country to understand, for instance. His government is openly and adamantly Islamic.
In summary, you should not be shy about talking about your faith. Muslims are often very open to talking about their beliefs and do not mind a bit of interaction with Christians. Still, you don’t want to get bogged down in a huge debate that can quickly turn emotional. Choose gentleness and respect.
Be sure that you never imply an attack on Islam, Muhammad or the Koran.
Rather, emphasize the positives of your faith that a Muslim does not have, such as the assurance of salvation (a huge difference between these two faiths), and the heart change possible through the work of the Holy Spirit. The honest Muslim will admit that even the most fervent religious practice does not change his/her heart.
Sharing your testimony of God’s loving and transformative work in your life is always a powerful witness.
See your role as planting a seed in a Muslim’s heart that God can water through his/her interactions with other Christians, dreams (a common way that Muslims come to Jesus) and other contacts.
For more information on the world of Islam and current political developments in it, click here.
We will be visiting Turkey and Greece during our new tour, Break Forth Revelation 2015. Turkey is predominantly a Muslim nation. You will have a wonderful opportunity to interact with and share your faith with many warm and open-hearted Muslims on this trip.
You can receive a free brochure on Break Forth Revelation by clicking here.
Watch Our Short Break Forth Revelation 2015 Intro Video Below:
Why Visit The Lands Of The Bible?
A Guest Post From Rev. Hans Weichbrodt
Hans Weichbrodt
I will never forget my first visit to Capernaum.
As we drove close to the 2000 year old ruins we could see the lake of Tiberius on our right hand side. It was an almost surreal experience to be looking at the very same lake that is mentioned so often in the Gospels. This was the lake that had witnessed the Son of God walking on its surface!
As I looked around on the coastline and the gentle green slopes I realized that everything I was looking at was in the vicinity of where Jesus Christ had walked, taught and healed thousands upon thousands of people.
When we came into the area of the ancient ruins of Capernaum, the guide led us to a spot that seemed to grab every visitor´s attention. People stood around in rapt attention, gazing on this place with wonder.
Visiting the Synagogue at Capernaum
With contagious enthusiasm, the guide told us that we were looking at ruins that archeologists from around the world believe is from the apostle Peter´s house. At this very spot, Jesus healed,
taught, prayed and broke bread. I was standing right where this all took place.
This was in 1993 but I still remember it like it was yesterday. I just stood there in awe and looked and looked at the stones the guide had pointed to. I was profoundly moved in my spirit. It’s as though the very rocks were crying out, “Hans, this is holy ground!”
To visit the Holy Lands where Biblical history actually took place is a tremendous privilege for every Christian. To travel to these countries as a pilgrim is an incredible opportunity to grow spiritually, and to become revitalized in faith.
Whether you are walking the temple steps in Jerusalem where Jesus walked, standing on Mars Hill in Athens where Paul preached or meditating on the Island of Patmos where John received Jesus’ revelation, your heart will never be the same. You will never read the scriptures the same way again. You will have a ‘sense of place’ as you turn the pages of God’s Word.
For me every visit to every Biblical place has served as an encouragement and as a reminder that the Christian faith not is a fairy-tale but a living and vibrant reality. That is an insight that has transformed millions of pilgrims through the ages from cold disbelief to hearts of faith and spiritual fire.
Hans Teaching in Capernaum at Break Forth Israel
May I encourage you to consider visiting the lands of the Bible? You may choose to travel on your own schedule. You may join a large group with vast resources. You may select a small group with intimacy. You may travel with us. You may travel with others.
However you go and whomever you go with, I hope you will take that step. Your heart will thank you. Your spiritual fervor may be fuelled forever.
In Christ,
Rev. Hans Weichbrodt: Gothenburg, Sweden
Beware: Tourist Scams!
Just the Flight has posted a helpful infographic for avoiding tourist scams around the world. Although our tour guides, drivers and leaders take good care of you on our trips, if you are on your own these are things you should especially be aware of. 
Packing Light
NOTE: This devotional is from our free book, ‘The Christian Pilgrim’s Insider’s Guide: Tips For The Ultimate Journey To Lands Of The Bible. Just click on the right to get your free copy today.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11: 28 – 30 NIV
It’s the one hour packing scramble before you have to head to the airport. Your stomach is doing flip-flops. You start talking to yourself, “Just one more shoe! Oh no! Where are my power adaptors? I weighed my suitcase; it’s only 5 pounds overweight. Maybe if I stuff my pants, shirt and coat pockets I can drop it to the limit. What am I going to do now? I don’t have any room for souvenirs!”
This is the experience of many pilgrims, as they frantically get ready to head to the Holy Land. People drag their suitcases to the check-in lane, straining under the pressure like belts after a Thanksgiving dinner.
It can be a challenge to pack for the Holy Land because of all the microclimates. One day you’re slathered in sunscreen in Qumran and the next day you’re quivering in your woolies as sleet slaps you in Jerusalem.
Maybe your suitcase will still be heavy but before you enter the Holy Land consider allowing your heart to pack light. For the sake of receiving all that God has for you on your pilgrimage, why don’t you let go of the extra baggage before you step on the plane?
God never intended you to be weighted down with a burden of bitterness, the heaviness of a hard heart, or a load of a legalism.
When Jesus hung on the cross, suspended between heaven and earth, His voice lifted your load as He proclaimed the words for all time and eternity, “It is finished!” When he burst forth from the grave with the power of the One who spoke the earth into existence He swept away the weight that you were never intended to carry.
Any baggage you may be holding is not even yours. Jesus paid for it. He owns it. Don’t hold onto it and longer. It isn’t yours. Give it to Him. You’ll find that you are far more open to receive all that God has in store for you in the Holy Land when you’re not hauling that baggage and when your hands are ready to receive.
Prayer: Dear God, I have held onto so many things that aren’t even mine to carry. I want a lighter load. I want to be free to receive all that you have for me on my pilgrimage. I give you my bitterness, my shame, my legalism, my anger, my disappointment, my fears and my broken dreams. They are yours and I surrender them anew. Thank you God for carrying these for me so willingly. Thank you for helping me to travel light. In Jesus name, Amen.
Sign Up For Your Free Book: Fill Form, Hit Subscribe and Confirm in Your Email
Introducing Our FREE Book: THE CHRISTIAN PILGRIM INSIDER’S GUIDE
Tips For The Ultimate Journey To The Lands Of The Bible.
Check out this intro video. The, get your free copy today!
What Type of Tour Should You Take: Watch This Video
Now Here and Free! The Christian Pilgrim Insider’s Guide
75 Pages of Tips For The Ultimate Journey To The Lands Of The Bible. Includes beautiful photography and words of inspiration.
Sign up now to the right to get your free copy today!
- Insider’s Tips
- Country Overviews
- Words of Inspiration
- Travel Pointers
- Weather Insights
- Packing Lists
- Cultural Helps
- And so much more!
The cost? Free!
Whether you’re travelling with us, another group or are just looking for information, you’ll want to snag this book when its released. Keep your eyes on www.BreakForthJourneys.com for the big announcement.
