www.DeboraHooper.com

Welcome to 2009!  This is the year that the Lord has laid on my heart as “The Year of the Dreamers”!  And I believe that if you plan, work hard, focus and passionately pursue your goals and aspirations, like United States’ first black president, Barak Obama, with the Lord’s help, every dream you have will come to pass! 

Speaking of dreams, I know that one of the things you are looking forward to this year is the Lord expanding your territory in ministry.  And if so, that means traveling.  With that in mind, let me share something with you to help prepare you with that area and make your life easier as well.  Twenty years prior, as an itinerant evangelist, I literally lived out of a suitcase, traveling and doing ministry at least 42 weekends out of the year.  It was rewarding and exciting, but in all honesty, the constant hustle and bustle made my life pretty hectic.  So to help keep things in order, the Lord led me to create a Minister’s Travel Checklist.  What this checklist does mostly, is eliminate the need for you to “strain your brain” each time you travel about what to pack or get deeply upset with yourself because upon arrival, you forgot to bring something.  In addition, with this checklist, while you’re doing other important things, someone else can assist you with packing.  All they simply have to do is go down the checklist and grab what you need and put it in the suitcase.  Truly, its hassle free and is excellent for those spur of the moment ministry invites!  (And vacations too!)  Interested?  Take a look at mine below and if you desire, tweak it and prepare one for yourself.  For protection and accessibility, type it up on a sheet of paper, encased with plastic and put it on the wall! I am sure that if this God-idea has blessed me over the years, it will bless you as well.  Enjoy and blessings for a safe and happy traveling year!

The Minister’s Travel Checklist

Clothing

Hat, gloves and scarf

Undergarments

Pajamas and slippers

Head scarf and shower cap

Rollers and pins

Curling iron

Hair spray or gel

Hair comb and brush

Safety pins, bobby pins, rubber bands

Deodorant

Lotion and q-tips

Eye solution and contact lens case

Glasses and carrying case

Makeup accessories and perfume

Nail polish and glue

Vitamins and medication

Watch and jewelry

Pantyhose and socks

Shoes and shoe bag

Cassock, slip and garment bag

Handkerchiefs

Small ministry towel

Business Cards

Driver’s License or valid photo id

Credit cards, small cash and coins

Current copy of biography

Cell phone, charger and phone book

Hotel and airline frequent flyer cards

Host church confirmation letter

Media products – sign, instruction and money pouch

Packing tape with address labels

Airplane e-ticket or boarding pass

U.S. Passport or Visa (International Flights)

Briefcase

Bible, portfolio, sermon notes, writing pad and pens

Lap top, cords and music cds and dvds

Home and car keys

Exercise Jump Rope

**Put acceptable liquids and gels in 3 oz. bottles in a clear plastic bag.  For further info, visit www.tsa.gov.