Ideas for a Well-stocked Missionary Cupboard
As a missionary arrives to minister at your church, it is a real pleasure to be able to take them (all of them or just the wife) to the missionary cupboard and allow them to get things they need.
The number of items given will be up to the church. Keep in mind the size of their family and their ability to get it back to the country they are from.
Also keep in mind that since all countries are different as to what a missionary can bring in without either it getting “lost” or having to pay a heavy duty the bigger and heavier items may go unclaimed.
Here are ideas for stocking this cupboard.
BABY ITEMS: blankets, small quilts, diapers, wipes, sleepers, baby toys, powder, lotion, Q-tips, diaper rash cream (traveling can really upset little ones J.P.)
CLOTHING: socks, pantyhose, scarves, ties, shoeshine kits, umbrellas, jewelry, knee- highs
COSMETICS: aftershave lotion, colognes, bath oils, combs, brushes, deodorants, emery boards, nail files, nail clippers, shampoo/conditioner, hair spray, hand creams, moisturizers, perfumes, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair clips, barrettes, hand mirrors, nail polish/remover, toiletry bags, wet ones, feminine hygiene products
DECORATIVE ITEMS: baskets, candles/holders, figurines, vases, florist lay, pictures, picture frames/hangers, mirrors, lamps, framed verses
GAMES: games for car, puzzles, craft kits, coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, markers, construction paper, art paper, puzzle books, balloons, soft toys, regular games
HOUSE/YARD ITEMS: cleansers, clocks, clotheslines, clothes bags/pins, contact paper, curtains, feather dusters, flashlights, household brushes, ironing boards/pads/covers, laundry bags, clothes hangers, small rugs, scrub pails, sponges, dish detergent, spray starch, spot cleaner. Batteries, spray paint, repellents, paintbrushes/rollers, vegetable/flower seeds, how-to magazines, masking tape, electrical tape
FOR MEN: special tools for the yard, car, home repair (those things they are unable to purchase overseas – it’s probably a good idea to have tools in metrics since most countries other than the US are on this system.)
KITCHEN ITEMS: bread pans, pie pans, muffin tins, cookie sheets, aprons, cutlery, dishes, hot pads, measuring cups, mixing and measuring spoons, oven mitts, recipe cards, tupperware/rubbermaid, small appliances, spatulas, can openers, spices, flavorings, cupcake liners, recipe cards (remember that they may not be able to use the same wattage for small appliances)
LINENS: bath mats, towels, washcloths, mattress covers, bed pillows, blankets, quilts, sheets, shower curtains and hooks, tablecloths, place mats, cloth napkins, napkin rings.
MEDICINE: Aspirin, pain relievers, first aid items, medicated creams/ointments, sunburn lotion, vaporizer, vitamins, band aids, blistex
MUSIC: hymnals, songbooks, piano/organ music books, musical instruments, music tapes and Cd’s,
“The best things I love from the missionary closets are music tapes. Its so hard to find good Godly music and when you do you usually can’t afford it. What a wonderful surprise to get tapes when you go to a church to visit. Its one of the nicest gifts, especially when you travel for hours and hours in a car.” (M.K.)
OFFICE SUPPLIES: pens, pencils, construction paper, markers, hi-lighters, greeting cards, thank you notes, stationary, envelopes, note book paper, notebooks, paper punch, stapler/staples/remover, transparent tape, post-it notes, dictionaries, 3×5 cards, postage stamps, rulers, letter openers, portable files, rubber bands, glue/sticks, calendars
PAPER ITEMS: aluminum foil, waxed paper, plastic wrap, zip lock bags, trash bags, plates, cups, napkins, paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, special occasion napkins, party stuff
READING MATERIAL: story books for children, biographies, Bible-study books, devotionals books, Christian novels, magazines, craft books, home decorating books, book marks, blank books for journaling
SEWING/CRAFT ITEMS: buttons, elastic, laces and trims, mending tapes, needles, straight pins, pin cushions, safety pins, zippers, scissors, sewing kits, seam rippers, cross stitch kits, items for making crafts
TEACHING HELPS: Bibles, maps, charts, chalk, flannel graph/boards, puppets, illustrated Bible stories/missionary stories, letter sets/stencils, scrapbooks, stickers, tapes and videos
GIFT CERTIFICATES: Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, malls, restaurants, Home Depot, grocery store, drug store, Christian book store (Watch expiry date! These are best purchased just before missionaries arrive.)
Above article has been modified but originally taken from
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE MISSIONARY
http://www.ifca.org/Womens_Ministries/Women’s_Seminar_on_Missions.htm
Link included to give credit, but we do not endorse all content on their website.