15 Essentials for your Carry-on Luggage

In the world of travel there are a several kinds of packers. This includes those who pack last minute (almost literally), those who are all packed one month in advance, those who are always over prepared, and those who arrive at their destination and within a day have to go to the store because they realized they need items they though they could go without. In the mix of these and all other packing styles are those that pack carry-ons and those that don’t.

A carry-on may feel like an extra thing to carry, or an inconvenience. It also takes more time in planning ahead. If you can relate, here are two reasons why you should give the carry-on camp a second chance:

  1. On those 10+ hour long haul flights, whether it’s to freshen up or if something spills on your shirt, having a change of clothes can make a world of difference.
  2. Lost luggage is a real thing! Maybe you haven't experienced it or even know people that have. It's rare, but some people around here have had their own experiences with lost luggage. Sure, it might not be super common but when it does happen, it can be a huge bummer.

 

Whichever packing style fits you, if you don’t normally pack a carry-on, we suggest you do!

 

From our own experiences, here’s what we recommend packing in your carry-on:

1. Clothes

For long flights, a fresh outfit can be nice so you're not in the same clothes for longer than 24 hours. Just in case your luggage gets lost, you want to have a couple of outfits you can rotate until you're reunited with it. If you include nothing else, make sure you have at least a pair of fresh socks if you'll be wearing closed toed shoes and a pair of underwear. In the event of lost luggage, having an extra pair of pants and two shirts is helpful, too.

Planes can get cold so we also recommend having a sweater/ sweatshirt for warmth. Your socks will come in handy here, too. You can wear a sweater or tie it around your waist so it won’t count as a personal or carry-on item. Packing a small bag with fresh clothes in your carry-on is worth it!

shirt-01
waterbottle

2. Refillable water bottle

Things in airports tend to be more expensive including food and water, so rather than buying bottles of water, you can bring a refillable one. Most airports will have water fountains or shops where you can ask someone to fill your water bottle. If you’re concerned about space, there are collapsible bottles you can look into (like this one), or, clip a bottle to the outside of your bag. It's really easy to get dehydrated while traveling but you don't have to. A water bottle is worth the space!

3. Snacks

For tight layovers or small hankerings, be sure to pack a few snacks. International travel means there are certain snacks you won’t be allowed to bring (ie: produce, meat products, liquids or spreads over 3 oz) but nuts, dried fruit, bars, meat sticks, beef jerky and chocolate can be good options. Traveling internationally also means the snacks you like may not be available overseas, so bring some you'd enjoy even if you don't get to eating them while traveling.

Bring things that won't get smashed by other things in your bag. Often times, your flights will offer snacks. Don't be afraid to ask for extras if you're hungry! Usually they are happy to give them to you.

snack
passport

4. Passport 

... and other important travel documents (visa, boarding passes, any other physical tickets, directions, itinerary, travel insurance). If you're not traveling internationally, you don't need a passport, but boarding passes and travel documents (like if you're renting a car or a hotel room) are very helpful! If you have a way to organize them, awesome, if not, just know where they are. Most things are electronic these days but it's good to have paper copy just in case something happens to your devices.

PRO TIP- always have a paper copy.

5. Money

...and other valuables.

It's usually nice to have some cash on hand to exchange at the airport for your immediate needs until you can go somewhere to get more local currency. At airports, they usually take bills that are $20 USD and greater so keep that in mind as you prepare. If your suitcase gets lost and there's something you don’t want to be without, pack it in your carry-on.

PRO TIP- call your bank before departure so your card doesn't get frozen for suspicious activity, and, make sure you've insured any valuables you're concerned about getting lost or stolen.

money
headphones

6. Headphones/earphones

If you're on a flight with on-board enterainment, they'll have a complimentary option, but, you'd get better sound and confort from packing your own plugs.

PRO TIP- using wireless? Bring a corded pair or bluetooth receiver to use on the plane.

7. Portable charging options

(and charging block, cable, travel converter)

Usually it’s pretty easy to find an outlet but if you’re on the move or the seat you're waiting for your next flight in isn’t next to an outlet, it’s nice to have a portable charger. Once you go to a different country the outlets may be different so having a converter will be handy once you’re international. When using digital travel documents, you'll need to keep your devices charged. And, those who care about you want to know when you've reached your destination.

CHARGER-01
lotion

8. Lotion 

(and other moisturizers)

Planes can be dry! Even if you don't normally use lotion and chapstick, bring them in your carry-on. What's worse than kankles from long-haul flights? Dry kankles. Scented lotion can also help you feel like you haven't been traveling for 20+ hours. Little things like hydrated skin can keep you feeling like traveling has taken it's full toll on you.

9. Toiletries

Some long-haul flights will provide a toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, and mouth wash. Regardless, it’s worth bringing your own. Mid-travel or once you reach your destination, it’s nice to have the option to freshen up if you want to.

To Refresh: facial wipes, toothbrush / toothpaste (< 3 oz.) / floss, dry shampoo (<3 oz. and no aerosole), deoderant. 

Ladies: Hair ties or clips, Feminine products.

toiletries
medicine-01

10. Medication

If you use medication for anything, take it with you. Remember the odds of loosing your luggage are slim but in case you do, these are things you can't go with out. You don't need to pack more than a week's worth, but think ahead and give yourself a little extra.

When traveling you may be prone to stomach issues, allergies, pain, anything. These items can be found in airports but are often times expensive, so planning ahead and bringing your own can save you money that'd, let's be honest, you'd rather spend on good food and souvenirs!

11. Wipes & Hand Sanitizer

Again, with long-haul travel, it's easy to start feeling yucky. As weird as it may sound, from our missions experience, we can tell you that baby wipes can be a life-saver when it comes to feeling fresh. If you've ever had to go on a 4-day trek with no showers, a baby wipe could be the difference between sleeping with a layer of dirt attached to you and feeling like you showered that morning.

Hand sanitizer is essential, period, but with COVID-19, it is even more essential for staying healthy and clean.

Untitled-8-01
book

12. Entertainment

Think Kindle, book, laptop, tablet, journal & pen. Anything that's going to help keep you entertained but not take up too much space. These can be purchased while traveling but it's better to go ahead and plan for the space.

 

PRO TIP- download movies/shows/music beforehand while you have wifi.

13. Sleeping Aids

This could include a blindfold, earplugs, and travel pillow. Again, with long-haul flights, some airlines will provide things like eye masks and ear plugs, but that's not guaranteed. Bringing them yourself could save you and those around you from a tired version of you. Look in to blow up travel pillows if you’re concerned about space. You can usually clip a travel pillow onto the outside of your backpack so it doesn’t have to take up space inside.

sleeping aids
camera-01

14. Camera

Most of us have cameras on us all the time now (hello, smart phones). Don't feel like you need to pack a nice DSLR if you don't have one, this is definitely optional, but we've heard people say they like having a camera on them to document moments of travel. Although, if you are bringing a DSLR or camera besides a smart phone, imagine if it gets lost. Yeah, let's pack that in the carry-on.

15. Mints/Gum

Sometimes fresh breath needs to happen when water and a sink aren't available. Mints or gum are sure to do the trick when you're in these little snafus. Let your mouth feel refreshed beyond having to spend time brushing your teeth each time! With air travel, the change in atmospheric pressure can cause your ears to pop. Chewing gum tends to make this more bearable, but, studies today suggest alternatives.

gum

Now you are all set for maximum travel success even if your luggage doesn’t make it with you. Anything you'd add to this list from your own experiences? Let us know in the comments!

[easy-social-share buttons="facebook,twitter,pinterest,mail" counters=0 style="button" template="31" point_type="simple"]

30 of Our Favorite Places to Eat in Louisville

Heading Local Louisville Love We might be slightly biased, but we think Louisville’s food scene is comparable to that of […]

Practical things I didn’t know about DTS in Louisville

Practical Things I Didn’t Know Before Coming To DTS Picture this: you just got a phone call from YWAM Louisville […]

How to dress like a Fijian

How to dress like a Fijian My Experience I went to Fiji for one month this past spring for the […]

3 Lies That Could Be Stopping You From Doing A DTS

Have you been thinking about doing a DTS, but feel like something is holding you back from taking the step […]

30 Songs to Listen to While You’re Having a Quiet Time

30 Songs to Listen to While You’re Having a Quiet Time Spotify Playlist God himself exists in relationship. He is […]

Change in a Few Hours

We were handing out Bibles and praying for people when we noticed a shop but no one was in the […]

Devotional: Follow Me

Several times throughout the Gospels, Jesus says to different people, “Follow Me.” What a simple, yet beautiful invitation He offered. […]

When Should I Do Discipleship Training School?

So you’ve decided to do something crazy: to step out on a limb and do a Discipleship Training School at […]

We Asked Our Staff: “What Is One of The Most Impactful Moments You’ve Seen On Outreach?”

Have you ever wondered what outreach might look like? What kind of experiences you might encounter; what kind of moments […]

Devotional: Peace Over Worry

One night, several months ago, I laid awake trying to calm my anxious mind. The struggle with anxiety has been […]

30 of Our Favorite Places to Eat in Louisville

Heading Local Louisville Love We might be slightly biased, but we think Louisville's food scene is comparable to that of New York City. Yet, with a population of around 620,000 people, the good food is...

Practical things I didn’t know about DTS in Louisville

Practical Things I Didn't Know Before Coming To DTS Picture this: you just got a phone call from YWAM Louisville telling you that you're accepted to DTS (congrats 🎉). We're excited, you're excited, we celebrate...

How to dress like a Fijian

How to dress like a Fijian My Experience I went to Fiji for one month this past spring for the outreach phase of my Bible School for the Nations (BSN) and it was different from...

3 Lies That Could Be Stopping You From Doing A DTS

Have you been thinking about doing a DTS, but feel like something is holding you back from taking the step to actually sign up and go for it? In today’s blog we are going to...

30 Songs to Listen to While You’re Having a Quiet Time

30 Songs to Listen to While You're Having a Quiet Time Spotify Playlist God himself exists in relationship. He is triune-- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As humans, we were created for the intentionality of existing...

Change in a Few Hours

We were handing out Bibles and praying for people when we noticed a shop but no one was in the store. Through an open door, we noticed an older man sitting on a chair with...

Devotional: Follow Me

Several times throughout the Gospels, Jesus says to different people, "Follow Me." What a simple, yet beautiful invitation He offered. A lot of times I complicate things when it comes to my walk with God....

When Should I Do Discipleship Training School?

So you’ve decided to do something crazy: to step out on a limb and do a Discipleship Training School at Youth With A Mission. Now that you’ve settled the question of “if,” the question of...

We Asked Our Staff: “What Is One of The Most Impactful Moments You’ve Seen On Outreach?”

Have you ever wondered what outreach might look like? What kind of experiences you might encounter; what kind of moments might leave you in awe of who God is? Well read on!    We asked...

Devotional: Peace Over Worry

One night, several months ago, I laid awake trying to calm my anxious mind. The struggle with anxiety has been a pretty constant battle in my life, so this scenario was all too common for...

3 Tips on How to Choose A YWAM Location

Ok, so you know you want to do a Discipleship Training School (DTS). You excitedly jump on the internet to look at your options and choose where to go… until suddenly, you find yourself walking...

Fun Things To Do In Louisville

Which Of These Interest You? Louisville Zoo 1100 Trevilian Way Louisville, KY 40213  Speed Art Museum 2035 South Third Street Louisville, Kentucky 40208 Cinemark Theater 4400 Towne Center Dr, Louisville, KY 40241 Churchill Downs 700...

12 Years and Still Waiting

Have you ever had a moment in your life that you knew you would never forget? Something that told you it was going to change your life forever? Let me take you back in time and...

Places To Stay in Louisville

When traveling, having a place to crash at the end of the day is essential. We've curated this list of hotels that are close to our campus we recommend (links included). We hope this is...

Devotional: The Lord Is With You

“The Lord was with Joseph.” My heart was deeply impacted by this phrase as I read the story of Joseph. This beautiful, powerful line is repeated three times in Genesis 39, while the implications of...

Hunter’s Story: Why I Did A DTS

When I was in eighth grade, I went to Brazil with our church. This was my first missions trip ever! We built a house for a missionary couple that was moving to a village in...

Devotional: Feeling Stuck?

Something the Lord has been challenging me with personally is how I spend time with Him. I think for a lot of us, many times we find ourselves feeling stagnant or not really seeing growth...

Kathryn’s Story: Why I Did DTS

When I was in high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I really struggled with anxiety and depression and didn't know how to move forward. I had plenty of...

From Mexico: A Surrender Story

One Thursday, during Bible distribution, we came to this house that we ended up spending the entire day at. We met a 21 year old girl at this house and talked about how she knew...

For All People of Every Age

One Tuesday evening, after distributing Bibles in Monterrey, our team had dinner at the house of some local church members. After what was likely the best BBQ ever, two of my friends and I decided...

From Mads: Always Cheering You On

When you think of celebration what do you think of? Some people think of balloons, cupcakes and piñatas; or parties, dancing and big occasions with invitations and special food. But over the years I have...

Married in Missions

“How does it feel to be married and be a missionary?” “What? You are only 21 and you are married, that’s crazy.” These are two common things we hear a lot when we are on...

What Water Bottle is Best to Buy?

There are tons of different water bottles out there and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. What size is best? How about color? Do I want it to be insulated? Keeping your preferences in...

The Power of Prayer

When it comes to prayer, we have the opportunity to influence God’s heart to impact not only our lives, but the lives of our friends, families, strangers, organizations, and even nations! The way we have...

Turning Point Underneath the Bridge

For local outreach, my team serves a homeless community underneath a bridge in downtown Louisville. We have seen tons of fruit from this ministry previously. I was really excited to see what God would do...

Befriending our Neighbors & a God Who Sees

With our eyes on the nations, we know God has placed us in Louisville and there are needs we can meet. Each week, we have time set aside to reach out locally. We're committed to...

15 Essentials for your Carry-on Luggage

Heading April 2, 2021 / Mission Trip Tips, Outreach, Packing, YWAM Life In the world of travel there are a several kinds of packers. This includes those who pack last minute (almost literally), those who...

For Parents: Answers to Your Questions about DTS

If you’re reading this, your child is probably considering a Discipleship Training School with YWAM.   If that’s true, the following may be true as well: You have a few reservations about this YWAM thing,...

From North Africa: A Surprise Birthday Party

My team met a refugee family that we really connected with. We had a conversation about the Bible the first time we met, and were eager to continue our conversation and friendship. Gratefully, we were...

Positioning our Hearts to be in Love

In Hollywood movies, there's a cultural perspective of romanticized love centered around the wooing aspects of it. While I think there's a ton of wooing God does in the way He loves us, the version of...

Why Your Story is Important and Should be Shared

Before words were written, stories were shared. Stories have been passed down from generation to generation as a part of culture since primitive times. Our stories make way to connect to the heart in a...

Audrey’s Story: What’s Changed?

My walk with God was pretty much just attending church before DTS. I believed things I wanted to believe and lived the way I wanted to live.   Before I did my DTS, I struggled a...

Gabi’s Story: What’s Changed?

Before coming to DTS I really struggled with the question if God truly loved me. During the beginning of my senior year of high school, I wasn't following the Lord at all. I had stopped...

Marissa’s Story: What’s Changed?

All my life I have been a Christian. I remember accepting Jesus into my heart at age 3. I went to a Christian school, church every Sunday and had an amazing Christian family. But, even...

Jose’s Story: What’s Changed?

My walk with God before DTS was very much based on religion and shame. I was raised Catholic, so I was very familiar with God, it was just my understanding that I was always in...
YWAM BSN

Questions Unanswered: Why You Should Do a YWAM BSN

During my School of Ministry Development (SOMD) the Lord first placed it on my heart to be a part of YWAM Louisville’s Bible School for the Nations (BSN). I had already determined in my mind...

Collin’s Story: What’s Changed?

I’m not who I was before DTS, I’ve changed.   I did my DTS in the fall of 2016, right after I graduated high school. I started following Jesus around the age of eight, and...

What I Heard in the Stillness

Change: it’s a part of life. We can know this, say this, but when the ole’ saying “the rubber meets the road” occurs, we can come to a screeching halt. In these current days, this...

5 Reasons to do the Create Elective

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1   God was the first creative being, isn't that amazing? One of the ways we reflect Him is in our ability to create...
college and missions

From College to Missions: Heather’s DTS Story

I had just graduated college with a Bachelor's in Social Work and a determination in my heart to “help” others however I could. I was a fiery-eyed social worker, ready to see justice put into...

How It All Began: The YWAM Story

The year was 1956: The era of The Cold War, Civil Rights Movement in the USA, the baby boom, Elvis Presley, I Love Lucy, Marilyn Monroe and a vision that was born. 20-year old Loren...

From East Asia: He was hungry for the Gospel

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."  - Matthew 9:37 -   Last summer I had the amazing opportunity to go to East Asia, to a country...

Why You Should Still Care About the Gospel

God cares deeply about people. You need only to turn a few pages of the Bible to see this. He hates everything that eats at and destroys mankind. Those things are a fruit of our...
How I got to DTS

How I Got To DTS: Kendra Miller

I heard the call to missions when I was 16 years old. It was my first time out of the country and my first time on a missions trip. While I was in Costa Rica,...

When God Multiplies / The Power of a Coffee Shop

2017 was the beginning of a new thing. We sent an outreach team to Southeast Asia for the first time where we helped start an English club in a coffee shop. We arranged to cover...

Tips on How to Spend Time With God

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” -St Augustine   Life is made up of seasons. Some are crazy and busy, some are quiet...
6 ways to deal with mental health

Invisible Yet Tangible: 6 Ways to Deal With Mental Health

*Disclaimer: We are not trained professionals in the area of mental health. We are not trying to replace the advice of doctors or counselors. We have members in our YWAM Family who have struggled with...
what happened in BSN

Something Unexpected Happened to me in BSN

BSN… Where to begin… I came out of those 20 weeks with so much. So many laughs, so many tears (from joy and other deep emotions), so many pages read, so many words spoken, and...
YWAM DTS Basketball Elective

5 Reasons to do a Basketball Elective

Do you have a passion for Basketball and a desire to learn how to use your skills for God? Through the teachings and play time, you will learn more about your identity, humility and excellence....
karensouthasia

From South Asia: The Gospel that Changes Lives

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." -John 1:12   God is moving around the world. He is using His people...
CULTURAL ENCOUNTER

5 Reasons to do a Cultural Encounter Elective

Cultures are beautiful expressions of customs, traditions, and ways of doing life! You may have experienced a variety of cultures in your own life or you may have only been exposed to a few and...

5 Ways To Tell if You Are a 3rd Culture Kid

First of all, a third culture kid (or TCK) is someone who was raised in a culture that is different from their parents culture, or the culture of the country on their passport. They assume...

Louisville’s Climate

Heading January 10, 2020 / Uncategorized [easy-social-share buttons="facebook,twitter,pinterest,mail" counters=0 template="31" point_type="simple"] What's The Weather Like? Louisville doesn't have an extreme climate. Being the most northern city of the south, we experience neither the extreme cold...

Stateside Stories: He Meets Me Where I Am

The outreach portion of a Discipleship Training School (DTS) is typically 2 months. Here at YWAM Louisville, we take the first 10 days of outreach to travel around the United States speaking in churches, small...

A Q&A with Anna / How Saying “Yes” Changed Everything

Q: How did you get to DTS? A: Long story short, I was obedient. I was planning to join the Air Force and eventually do long-term missions. I wanted to do missions for selfish reasons...

Healing Happens

Last week, we loaded our YWAM Louisville family up and took a road trip down to Orlando, Florida for our annual Eastern North American Gathering (ENAG) conference! Staff and students from over 20 bases came...

5 Reasons to do the Music & Worship Elective

Maybe you have a passion for worship, but have never learned anything about music. Or maybe you’re a classical musician who has a difficult time knowing the difference between performance and worship. Or maybe you’ve...

Things I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know Before DTS

Things I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know Before DTS We asked our YWAM students what they have learned in the past few weeks that they didn't know before YWAM DTS The first few weeks of...

Quick Simple Tips for Studying the Bible

I’ve had a checkered past with the bible. Sometimes, I’ve had amazing devotional times where it seemed like I had it all figured out. Other times, I didn’t even know where my bible was. Once,...

Spiritual Strength

Spiritual Strength — How Do You Get It? For the past couple of days I have been trying to get in better shape. I have been watching what kind of foods that I am eating,...

From Thailand: Chased Down and Found

We traveled to a little village in Thailand and had the opportunity to sit down and share with underprivileged women. One of the women in particular God highlighted to my team, so we gathered around...

How to Dress Like a Local In Korea

My Experience I’m Korean-American and grew up often visiting family in Seoul. Later in life, I spent a year working on Jeju Island. In my experiences traveling back and forth from the motherland, I’ve faced...

Does God have emotions?

What if I told you that God was an emotional God? You’d probably tell me I’m crazy. Imagine a God who felt like we did? The truth is that God has emotions. He feels like...

10 Wallpapers About Missions (FREE DOWNLOAD)

Here's a collection of 10 famous missions quotes designed for your phone wallpaper for free!! We were inspired and challenged as we read these, and hope you will be too! One great way for these...
sharing testimony of what happened in YWAM mission adventures

MA testimony: This was my hope

This week, my group traveled to Wayside, a shelter for those that have no home, food and family to be with. Those people are struggling with addiction or hardship. I walked in one day thinking...

From South Africa: Jesus Changes Everything

The town was quiet that morning as our team walked down the dirt roads of a local community in South Africa. During this time, we went door-to-door to make friends and share about the love...
Taking a plane between islands in Fiji

From Fiji: From Fear to Faith

For BSN outreaches, the main objective is to run intensive seminars teaching what we have learned during lecture phase. The goal is to equip local leaders through culturally relevant bible training (BELT). The training teaches...
Laura YWAM Testimony

Laura’s Story: The God Who Heals

During my School Of Ministry Development (SOMD) I re-injured my knee on a wet bouncy house. And yes, you read that right, RE-injured. A slightly annoying way to re-injure myself, but hey, Jesus says have...
favorite shoes for mission trip

The Best Shoes For a Mission Trip

"Ouch! These shoes hate me. My feet hurt and I’m pretty sure there’s blisters forming on my toes." "You should have gotten a pair like mine! My feet feel great and I actually wear these...

From South Africa: A God Who Speaks

One day we were in a local community praying for anybody who was sick. Our team walked around and went door to door asking if there was anybody in need of healing, in hopes that...

The Real Hero & Why You Should Do BSN

The world is in chaos and heroes are needed to step in and save people from the threatening darkness. This is literally the story line of every Marvel movie. Ever. From their very first movie...

Why I Went to South Asia for my DTS Outreach

I didn’t really know why God had called me to India. And to be honest, I had absolutely no desire to go. India was not my first choice. But one day, standing in front of...

Is Jesus Worth It?

Is Jesus worth it? This is a question we face on a regular basis in our christian culture today. If you were raised in church, the answer to this question may seem an obvious "yes,"...
Drama in Missions

Using Passions in Missions: Drama Edition

I’ve always been a shy person so for many it comes as a surprise that I love drama, both acting and writing plays. I’ve always been known as quiet but when given an avenue of...
YWAM Muslim

How God Spoke to A Muslim Man

“God does not speak to me."  These are the words of a man a couple minutes before God gave him an image. We were at a Syrian refugee's home and the man, Ahmed and his...

Our Five Favorite Foods from Across the World

There are many different cultures all across the world. We do things differently, speak different languages, have different holidays and celebrations… but no matter who you are or where you live, there seems to always...
YWAM Father

He is: Father to the Fatherless

It was our first night of ministry and none of us knew what we were doing.  Going into the evening, all I was prepared for was the plan we had. We were going to perform...
YWAM Vietnam

Outreach Stories: “I Asked Him if He Knew God”

The best thing that happened during my outreach is that I got to lead someone to the Lord! I was walking by myself at the university when I saw this guy sitting by himself on...
Q&A About DTS

A Q&A About DTS with Adam

Q: What made you decide to do DTS? A: Jesus. I felt God calling me to YWAM and He used my pastor and different people to confirm it. I asked God if Louisville was the...
Jon testimony and journey at YWAM

Hope Restored: Jon’s DTS Story

Before coming to DTS my friend and I had been walking across the country for 3 ½ years. We were sharing the gospel with people we ran into, relying on the Lord and His provision,...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Megan’s Story: What I’ve Learned

Before I decided to do a DTS I had been on a handful of mission trips. There was one in particular I had just come back from and I knew I was called to go...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

A Costly Call: Jeremy’s Story

Meet Jeremy! He is one of our current Winter DTS students. We had a lot of fun asking him a few questions on how he came to do a DTS and what God has been...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Liz’s Story: I Left My Family and My Job

I am the first Christian in my family. June of last year, I was meeting with my pastor and asking him how I could have more of Jesus. I wanted more of Jesus. I told...
YWAM DTS Missionary

From South Asia: Joy in the Midst of Pain

Sitting on the ground of a small slum home, I look into the eyes of a lovely 42 year old woman. She is a daughter, a mother, and a wife who's suffering from various health...
YWMA Egypt

From North Africa: I’m Just His Servant

"God hurts when you hurt and weeps when you weep." We were sitting in a living room, sipping tea and eating cookies in a Syrian refugee's home. They welcomed us in with such beautiful hospitality...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Janelle’s Story: How I Got to DTS

We sat down with one of our new DTS students, Janelle, to ask her a few questions about how she came to do a DTS and what God has taught her so far. Here's what...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

That Warm Fuzzy Feeling and How to Feel it When Things Aren’t all Warm and Fuzzy

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11 Have you ever found yourself laughing so much...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

From South Asia: “Surrounded”

In South Asia, we did many house visits. We would sit with the people and listen to their stories, then, share with them some of our own or anything that the Lord would put on...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

The Reason for the Season

It's been said that, "Christmas is God's ultimate peace project," meaning the birth of Jesus made way for ultimate belonging and relationship with God. This is what we were created for to begin with. Perfect peace...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Love Softens the Heart: Daniel’s Testimony

It was a chilly Thursday afternoon. A group of us DTS students had gone to a bus stop to love others and share about Jesus by handing out free hot chocolate and praying for people....
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

How to Hear God for Big Decisions

What happens if I miss it? What if I make a mistake? Is God gonna speak to me? Does He care? How do I even hear? Is it me or God? Making a big life...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Laura’s Story: What Failure Means

I’ve been honored to participate in the worship track this fall here in DTS. Before it began, I thought I was going to learn how to lead worship… but God had a different plan. He...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

My Five Worst Fundraising Fails

I hear it all the time from people considering a YWAM DTS. “Where’s the money going to come from?” My testimony after 16 years of servings as a YWAM missionary is this: God has never left me hanging....
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Why Choose Louisville

Why Choose Louisville For DTS? What makes us different from other YWAM Locations? Get In Touch What's in Kentucky? Why Kentucky? These are the most frequent questions I get when I tell people that I...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

5 Ways to Ruin a Relationship

Relationships come and go, right? Here are five of our tips to help them go away a little bit quicker! 1. It’s you, you, and *clap your hands* always you. Relationships are about you feeling...
Standing by fire in YWAM Louisville

Fun Fall Things to do with Friends

Autumn is a wonderful season marked by changing colors, bonfires, harvest, boots and flannel. The air begins to feel crisp in preparation for the cold winter months. The ground is in a constant state of...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

5 Qualities of a Good Worship Leader

Is it the skinny jeans? The Taylor guitar? The brown boots? The basic t-shirt? While there are plenty of aspects to character as well as skill that could be said on this subject, here are...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

“Am I This Beautiful?”

During an impromptu children's program while visiting refugees living in a city dump, I met Luba. No more than seven years old, Luba and her family were refugees from Bangladesh forced to live in the...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

6 Quick Tips For Effective Evangelism

The simple fact about evangelism is that it's giving other people the opportunity to know God personally like you do through your own story and sharing the Gospel. It's also something every Christian is called...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Caleb’s Outreach Testimony

It's a challenge to say exactly what my favorite experience in Mexico was, but I think I've narrowed it down. For starters, I loved the team that I co-lead for Bible distribution and park ministry....
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Does Art Matter?

“Use your gifts for the Kingdom.” “God gave you talents so that you can glorify Him with them.” “Let the Lord use your talents for His purposes.” Since I was little, I have heard statements...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Do You Have a POOR Mindset?

Before I begin this topic I want to say; this is from experience and is not from a place of condemnation or annoyance. My desire is that people would live in the knowledge of God...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

How to Encourage a Missionary

I still remember being a 6 year old kid with both eyes and mouth wide open in excitement and joy as our friends opened their bags full of presents for us. Did they really come...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Should You Do a Discipleship Training School?

You may have just graduated and have a couple options in front of you but aren't sure which one will help you get the most out of your life. Maybe you're at a crossroads, or...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

From Bolivia: Everyone Can Come In

Our first week in Bolivia was spent at a boys street kids home, ages 11-19, sharing testimonies, teaching and playing games. These boys had no choice but to live on the streets to escape their...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

5 Ways to Ruin a Mission Trip

It’s coming soon: your summer mission trip. You’ve been looking forward to it for months. You’ve seen the pictures, heard the stories, and everyone says the same thing: going on a mission trip will change...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

The City is Alive

“The people who live in Louisville love it and they’re passionate about it. She’s a city that’s comfortable in her own skin. Louisville’s a city that isn’t trying to be anything more than what it...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Tips For Traveling With Kids

Are we there yet? This is a question a child usually asks when traveling, but one a parent will begin to rehearse in their mind if not prepared for traveling! Before you begin to worry about...
YWAM Mission Trip

How to Hear the Voice of God

I remember the first time I sat down to spend time with God with the full intention of hearing what he had to say. I had my Bible, my journal, my cup of coffee; I...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

What Are the Benefits of a Gap Year?

It's a longstanding tradition in England, an accepted norm in Europe and beyond. But in fast-paced, career-driven America, the "gap year" – an intentional buffer between high school and college - isn't quite so mainstream. But the gap year has gained some...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Can I Do Missions?

“I wasn’t made to be a missionary,” I told her. “I’m not good enough to do that type of stuff.” Four years ago, talking on the phone with my friend that was trying to get...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Launched into My Calling

When I was a kid, I loved being outside and playing games with my siblings. One of our favorite activities was jumping on the trampoline behind our house. Spare moments would be quickly spent by...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Do You Know the Father’s Delight?

The Father’s pleasure is so important: to know, to understand and to receive. Yet few of us live from it. We walk in the lie that we have to work for God to love us...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

The Power of a Prayer

It was a Tuesday afternoon in Cyprus. One of our Discipleship Training School students, Patrick, and I went throughout the city to do surveys with people as a way to connect and share the Gospel....
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

The Land of the Rising Sun

Back in November 2017, I was given a very sudden and special opportunity to join a team from YWAM Sarasota on their very first scouting trip to Japan.  This trip was an answer to sixteen...
Youth With A Mission DTS Louisville YWAM

6 Practical Tips to Pay for Your Mission Trip

6 Practical Tips to Pay for Your Mission Trip  what seems like a nice "trust-in-Jesus" truism is often a cop-out. Too often we’ve seen people back out of a mission trip because the funds didn’t...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

What NOT To Bring On A Mission Trip

Your suitcase will be strapped on top of a van, toted across the country in a train’s overhead rack, or cluttering the few square feet of floor space in a shared dorm room. The point?...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

From Druggie To Discipleship Maker

My life was not what it appeared. I went to church every Sunday because my parents made me go. I knew the stories, but I hated church. It was boring, full of old people, oh...

Where Are The Men?

Here at YWAM Louisville we run five missionary training schools a year. They’re life-changing programs that only last five months and include the opportunity to make an impact overseas. But here’s the sad truth: in...
YWAM DTS

Real Dating: 10 Tips & Honest Advice

Dating today is faster than it’s ever been before. With all the technology that we have now, it’s easier to speed up the dating process. Finding a suitable romantic partner has been reduced to a...
YWAM DTS

How to Build a Simple Budget: 3 Tips and Free Template

I get it!  Budgets and the process of making them can be more than most of us want to think about.  Nothing about the word budget excites us and if we’re honest, it makes us...
YWAM DTS

Social Media On Mission

Oh, social media! For many of us it feels like both a blessing and a curse – especially while we're on a mission trip. It's great staying connected with folks back home, but it's easy to...
YWAM DTS

Reading Through the Bible: 6 Tips & Printable Plan

Here at YWAM Louisville, we’ve resolved to grow in knowing God’s Word in 2017. So we're tackling a challenge: together, we’ll read chronologically through the Old Testament and Christ’s birth. Want to join us? Download the...
YWAM DTS

What to Do When You’ve Blown It

We've all had that sinking feeling: "Oh, shoot, I messed that up!" You know that ache in your heart, the internal questions. What are they thinking? How do I make this up? You've probably wondered if there's...
YWAM DTS

Write Email Updates that People Actually Read

Write Email Updates that People Actually Read If you’re like me, your own inbox is currently cluttered with missionary e-letters that you’ll never even read. Ah, technology – what a gift to the missionary! Gone...
YWAM DTS

How to write a Newsletter

You've just had a once in a lifetime experience. You will never be the same, and you want others to know about it. You want them to feel what you felt, to see what you...
YWAM DTS

My Five Worst Fundraising Fails

I hear it all the time from people considering a YWAM DTS. “Where’s the money going to come from?” My testimony after 16 years of servings as a YWAM missionary is this: God has never left me hanging....
YWAM

Ruined For the Ordinary

When I came to Discipleship Training School (DTS), I was angry and bitter.  My life wasn't easy that way, and yet it was still the way I chose to live. Why? Because that meant I...
YWAM DTS

The 4 Greatest Tools For Every Missionary

What does it take to be a missionary? This is one of the many questions we run into when thinking or talking about missions work and what it takes. Here are a couple of the...
YWAM DTS

Do Mission Trips Actually Make a Difference?

What do you think of when you think of mission trips? Do you think of beaches and beautiful experiences? Do you envision holding babies or working construction? Do you think of God moving throughout the world,...
CULTURAL ENCOUNTER

7 Phrases to Know Before Going Overseas

Going overseas involves a lot of new things: new food, new people, new culture, new climates, new sites to see, and new languages. It can be an exciting adventure of first-time experiences. A lot of the experiences...
YWAM DTS

The Power of Relationship

One night, our team was going out on ministry to connect with and share at a local youth group in Germany, which was about thirty minutes from the town where we were staying.  Up to...
YWAM DTS

Should I do a Discipleship Training School?

So you are wondering what to do next with your gap year or something similar. Whether you are looking into college or looking into ministry, you should seriously consider a Youth With A Mission Discipleship...
YWAM DTS

What does God Risk?

Risk vs Reward Activities with the greatest risk typically have the greatest rewards. Think about it. Sky-diving. Mountain climbing. Marriage. Of course, some risks aren’t worth it. But isn’t it also true that the most...
YWAM DTS mission trip to Hong Kong

I Died in East Asia

On my mission trip to East Asia, I felt that God was calling me to the roof of the house we were staying at. I took a book I had been reading, The Cost of...
YWAM DTS

Handling 5 Common Objections to Becoming a Missionary

So you know you’re called to missions. You’ve gone on a few mission trips, or maybe you’ve simply heard about what God is doing around the world and become convinced that He’s put long-term ministry...
YWAM DTS

Packing: How Should I Do It?

Packing. There are so many different ways to do it. You have your minimalists who take as little and as light as possible. Then there are  the people who take anything and everything they think they...
YWAM DTS

8 Mission Trip Hacks

We've all heard of life hacks, right? Things that you can do to make your life easier. Usually simple things, but genius. Like wrapping a rubber band around a paint can to use as something...
YWAM

Staying Fit on Outreach

Let's face it - staying fit is a challenge. Not to mention trying to stay fit on a mission trip or as you are traveling in different countries. When you are away from home you...
YWAM

5 Ways to Ruin Your Mission Trip

It's the beginning of the summer mission trip season, so we thought we would re-post this blog to give you ideas about how you could ruin your mission trip. Just in case you were thinking about...
YWAM

The Day the Impossible Became Reality

After 15 years of praying for something we were told would never happen, God answered. Honestly, I never thought he would. Over and over, that subtle lie – "This is your life! This is the way it...
YWAM Gap Year Program

Why Take a Gap Year?

It's a longstanding tradition in England, an accepted norm in Europe and beyond. But in fast-paced, career-driven America, the "gap year" – an intentional buffer between high school and college – isn't quite so mainstream. But the gap year has gained some traction...
YWAM

Social Media Fundraising for My Mission Trip?

Social Media Fundraising for My Mission Trip?   You're itching to do something you've never done before. Something in you is stirring, and you sense God is leading you to go on a mission trip....
YWAM

How DTS Ruined My Life

When I came to Discipleship Training School (DTS) I was angry and bitter and although life wasn't easy that way, it was the way I chose to live. Why? Because that meant I only had...
YWAM

How To Choose A Mission Trip

Interested in going on a mission trip but don’t know where to start? The number of options for mission trips can be overwhelming. Here are a few questions to help guide your decision. What kind...
YWAM

YWAM Missions Playlist: The Songs That Inspire Us

Music is a heart language that God has given us. It transcends racial, social, and physical boundaries. Throughout the whole world you will hear people making music in their own unique way to express themselves. When music is...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Fundraising for DTS

When communicating with incoming DTS students a question we often receive is, "How do I come up with the money for DTS?" Here are our top tips! Pray Pray, pray, and then pray some more....
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Sharing Your Testimony

“Could you share your testimony?” Those words instill fear in our hearts. A testimony? Me? What will I say? If that sounds familiar, read our responses to the concerns we hear the most often. “I...
Youth With A Mission DTS Louisville YWAM

How to Minister Cross-culturally

Remember the first time you went to a friend’s house as a kid? For many of us, we soon discovered that not all of the same rules apply. In your house the fork is always...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Is a Mission Trip for Me?

Whether it’s summer vacation, spring break, or even a whole semester, there are a lot of ways you can spend your time. Why should a mission trip be at the top of the list? Change your...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

5 Ways to Ruin a Mission Trip

It’s coming soon: your summer mission trip. You’ve been looking forward to it for months. You’ve seen the pictures, heard the stories, and everyone says the same thing: going on a mission trip will change...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Your Funds Won’t Raise Themselves

6 Practical Tips to Pay for Your Mission Trip “If God wants me to go on this mission trip, then the money will come in.” Ever hear someone say that? (Ever said it yourself?) While...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Working to Fulfill God’s Dreams

A guest post from YWAM Louisville staff member Amos Ford. What does it take to fulfill a dream? You might say many things like determination, clear vision, or "not giving up". Often examples are cited...

What We Won’t Leave the Country Without

What We Won't Leave the Country Without We've already given you our list of 11 Essentials for your Mission Trip Packing List and the 6 Things to NOT Bring. Here, our seasoned YWAM staff plug...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Going On a Mission Trip? 6 Things NOT to Bring

6 Things Not to Bring On A Mission Trip 11 Things to Bring On A Mission Trip Don't Leave Home Without Recommendations This post is second in our series on mission trip preparedness - check...
YWAM DTS Youth With A Mission Louisville

Going On a Mission Trip? 11 Essentials for Your Packing List

11 Essentials for Your Packing List 6 Things Not to Bring What We Won't Leave Without We thought we'd share some "what-to-bring" tips for anyone who's heading out on a mission trip. Some of them...

5 Reasons to Do a DTS

5 Reasons to Do a DTS Ever wondered if Discipleship Training School it's for you? We asked both current and former DTS students, and they've given us five reasons why you should seriously consider doing...
Scroll to Top