So, I was asked the other day to come up with a list of things to bring with you if you’re coming to Mexico City on a mission trip. Here’s what I came up with:

Stuff to bring:

• You must now have a passport to come to Mexico by air. Make sure you have one (and everyone in the group has one).
• It’s a good idea to have copies of your passport in all of your bags that you bring with you.
• Bring a Bible. After all, it’s a mission trip.
• Toothbrush/other toiletries – don’t leave home without them.
• Clean underwear/clothes – like your mother always told you.
• Jeans…no shorts – you can’t go out in shorts, but you can wear them around the house.
• Light Jacket – it can be cold at night
• Tennis shoes — we’ll probably walk a lot some days — you don’t want to just wear sandals
• Headache medicine – smog + altitude = headaches; if you have respiratory problems, be sure to bring your medicine
• Pepto or Immodium (chewable tablets work best) – you never know
• Spanish/English pocket dictionary (if you’ve got one) – unless you’re fluent in Spanish
• Camera – a picture is worth a thousand words

Mexico City fact sheet:

• Altitude: More than 7300 feet above sea level
• Population: Good question. Some say around 25 million. It’s one of the largest cities in the world.
• Demographics: In some parts of Mexico City, the average age is 14. There are a lot of young people here.
• Religion: Less than 2% of Mexico City is evangelical Christian. The majority of the population claims to be catholic.

I’m sure there are things I could add to the list, but I wanted to get the basics down. Now, I’ll have them when I need them next time.