For the Lord and for Freedom! - Talia Bunting

A Barnes Sibling Christmas Tradition

Tue, 6 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

When we were kids Christmas morning could not come soon enough for the five Barnes children. I remember one year Gone With the Wind stayed on repeat because the four hour long movie helped the days pass more swiftly.

Christmas Eve would finally dawn and we'd spend all day building a fort. Every sheet, blanket and pillow in the house, went towards the creation of our own magnificent fortress. While each kid contributed to the overall structure of the fort, we were each responsible for whatever interior we desired to sleep in. And then come the late hour of 6:00pm we set out Peppermint Bark and Diet Coke (our Santa didn't like milk) and we would hustle to our little dens to sleep. We did this for years. Even when my friend Misty came to visit, bless her heart. And yes, three of us were college graduates.

The rules have changed a bit since boyfriends and husbands started attending Christmas. The fort has diminished to a trundle bed for whatever sibling is in from out of town, our curfew has extended from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and Santa gets carrots, celery and Pelligrino in lieu of cookies. But every year, gathering with my siblings has remained some of the best moments of my year.

This year I'll spend it a little different. The husband is taking me to California to spend it with his family. Fortunately for me there will be nieces and a brand new nephew to build forts with. And maybe this year I can eat the cookies and Diet Coke.

I [Finally] Met the Love of My Life

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

If you haven't heard yet - I met the most wonderful man and we're getting married!:) For your reading enjoyment - here's our story, to be followed by the proposal.

I told my dad I was going to marry Joe Bunting before our first date.

In September 2010, Joe came to Gainesville and we randomly ended up at a coffee shop connecting about his last year on the race. I thought Joe was harmless, he lived all the way in California, and I was interested in someone else. But as he shared his vision for the future I felt something in my spirit stir.

I went home that night and told my roommates, "I want to marry Joe Bunting!" They both laughed at me and told me to get over it. So, I ignored my emotions, positive that I was crazy.

Joe was just another guy interested in me because I was pretty and could carry on a conversation; but he probably didn't know what he wanted. And when he began emailing me from California, I ignored him. He, of course, would just break my heart. He of course, was just enjoying the chase.

But the emails increased and soon were followed by love songs, which were followed by hand written epistles, gushing with admiration. I, still in utter belief that my heart would be crushed, continued to ignore his advances.

Then, I got an email that said he was moving to Georgia. "This guy is going to try and weasel his way into my life!" I thought. "He'll move to Georgia, get a job, I'll continue to ignore him and eventually he'll go away."  On November 16, the inevitable call came, "Talia, I wanted to know if you would like to have coffee with me."

My inner monologue went something like this,

"Coffee."

"Coffee's harmless."

"He's a family friend. Dad has mentored him."

"Coffee will be fine. I can do coffee."

So we had coffee. For two hours. And I liked it.

And during that time he mentioned having had met with my father to discuss a few things. The wheels in my mind began to turn - what did they have to "discuss?" I called my dad.

"Dad, did Joe Bunting ask permission to date me?" I asked.

"Why? Why do you ask?" he said.

"Well, we just had coffee and I wondered."

"Maybe. What do you think?"

"Well, he's young, and he probably doesn't really know what he wants."

"Actually he does. I think he's thought this through. I think this could be a really good fit."

"Oh." That's not what I was expecting. I started to pray about it.

When Joe called the next day to go hiking with him, I went home and told my dad I'd met the man I was going to marry.

It was Joe!

To My Anonymous Donor

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Anonymous Donor,

I wanted to send you a thank you note for awhile, but apparently they don't let you do that (cause you're anonymous and all) - so I'm hoping you see this. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for helping change the world.

A lot has happened at AIM recently. We just sent out our 90,000^th person last month. And most recently, our trafficking team just returned from Southeast Asia. They got to minister to HUNDREDS of girls in the bars during their time there. And some of the girls left for good. Read Cara's story here. You helped make that happen. Thank you. I thank you and Cara (the girl from Cambodia who no longer has to sell her daughter or her body) thanks you as well.

Love,

Talia (soon to be) Bunting

I Got to Practice Living on Faith

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Funny thing about being a missionary, you get to practice trusting the Lord...ALL THE TIME. See, you don't make as much as you would in the for-profit sector and so sometimes you can't afford everything you want and sometimes need. But, there is the added perk of deeper trust and faith. The Lord provided in three distinct ways for me this last month and I wanted to share with ya'll.

I've been sick for most of September. I had a cold, then a cough, then a virus that had me on the couch for four days. Then, last week during a friendly office game of wiffle ball I sliced open my toe. Two days later a tendon in my foot got sprained and I couldn't put any weight on my foot without excruciating pain. Because I'm in the support raising process still, I haven't been able to afford health insurance. So, I put my foot up the whole weekend and just hoped it would get better on its own. Then, Sunday night some friends decided to pray over me.

Now being in my line of work, I've gotten lots of opportunities to see the Lord bring healing; but I've never experienced it myself. And to be honest, part of me wonders if it's because I've never truly NEEDED it before. I've always been able to go to the doctor when necessary. But this time, I needed God to show up. And he did! Literally the pain left instantaneously; I'd been hobbling for two days in a lot of pain and then I could walk!

Three weeks ago I ran out of makeup and so I asked the Lord if he would give me some new eyeshadow; but I never told anyone. A week later I got a package in the mail from a good friend - in it was enough eye shadow and makeup to last me a year!

And just last week I thought to myself, I wish I could go to the dentist, it's been awhile. A supporter called me two days ago and said, hey I've got some extra tithe this month, I'd like to pay for you to go to the dentist. I never even asked, and God just provided!

It can be scary deciding to live on faith; but I guarantee you, you will never have a better opportunity to trust God and see him deliver like when you have no other option. Part of me wonders - do we just have faith for something to happen when we have no other option? Or, does God show up cause we're his children and he wants to take care of us? Or, is it a marriage of the two? Appreciate your thoughts.

Blast from the Past: Where AIM Started

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I haven't posted in awhile, but, never fear, I have a couple of blogs in the queue.:) In the meantime, I did want to share a video my brother just posted. He just recently returned from spending the summer in Haiti. On his way home he stopped over in West Palm Beach to revisit where we grew up and AIM started. It's amazing to see the things that changed and didn't change in the past 21 years.

Dying is Hard Work

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We talk about death a lot in AIM and in Christian circles. Death. Die to your flesh, die so you can live. I remember when I was on the race and anything difficult would happen, my friend Amanda would say, "This is just your opportunity to die!"

My twenties have been much of that. And it seems that I'm not alone in that process. Many of my friends also find themselves in a position to die. To die to their rights, die to all they hoped for, die to their flesh, forgo what they wanted and die. It seems the Lord is doing this in many of my friend's lives. It seems he cares more about our character than our comfort, unfortunately for my flesh.

Recently a friend of mine broke up with her boyfriend. She's still in her early twenties, but the prospect of continuing on at times has seemed utterly unbearable. We spoke the other night when she had very much reached the bottom of the barrel and I asked, "Friend, what do you want more, the will of God in your life or to get rid of the pain you feel right now?"

And to be honest, it's often difficult to answer that question, especially when the pain seems to quench out any seeming life. But, at the end of the day, she decided, it was more important to pursue God's plan for her life than it was to alleviate the pain.

As a little girl, my only dream was to grow up and have a family of my own. In college, while most of my peers in college wanted careers, I longed to get married and have babies. And instead the reverse has happened - I find myself in the working world and my friends are getting MY dream. I just returned from a trip to Indiana where I met up with old college friends. Four are now married, one is pregnant and the others soon to follow. And again I faced another opportunity to die. I believe the Lord has those things for me, but his timing seems to be very different than my own; and in the meantime I get to die.

Somehow, I think my generation has come to two conclusions. 1) That, if we love Jesus, we'll be able to make it through life without pain. And 2) if we feel pain, we must have failed in some way. I think, per much counsel, that pain is part of life; and that the Lord uses pain to grow us. So, what I'm continuing to learn is to - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Support update:

Goal: $2500/month thru 30 supporters

Raised so far: $330/month thru 4 supporters

Urgent Need: I'm unable to pay the title for my car and I had to drop my health insurance. If you've considered giving to my support needs, please pray about joining my team. Thank you for your prayers!

Why We Do What We Do or The Return On Your Investment

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We talk about ROI (return on investment) a lot at AIM, we always want to measure what we're investing with the benefits we see from it. I wanted to share a story that I recently came across that I hope will show you some of the return on investment you are getting from supporting this ministry.

Our Real Life teams are out for the summer, ministering in various parts of the world. One girl, on a team in Uganda came across a young boy who had been kidnapped. Witchdoctors told his captors that he could not help them until they had made a child sacrifice. Hours later, Allan was discovered, castrated, with a stab wound to the neck, an ax to the skull and whimpering in a pool of his own blood. All at the age of six. Katie shares the story here...

I never realized how much the phrase 'it changed my life' actually meant until I look back on the past week I spent in a village called Kyampisi. It was a life changing week.

A year ago, Allan had been attacked as an attempted child sacrifice. Child sacrifice is still an epidemic in Uganda- even though it sounds like something from the Stone Age. Witchdoctors tell people if they sacrifice a child, or bring back a part of the child's body, that something good will happen to them - prosperity in a business or healing of sickness. Allan was attacked at the age of 6 after coming home from school one day. He was stabbed in the neck, castrated, and an axe went into the side of his skull. He was found whimpering in a puddle of his own blood left for dead.

This is a reality that happens way too often here. However, Allan survived, and serves as a true testament of God's unfailing love. I would come back to the ministry after a days work and he would be ready to sit beside me and talk in a language I know nothing about. His smile melted my heart and his songs in English that he repeated for me over and over again were precious.

Two of the Real Life girls have committed to sponsoring Allan so he can live at the Kyampisi house.

Kyampisi is launching the 'End Child Sacrifice' Campaign. Check them out.

Tomorrow, July 14, Allan has surgery on his skull. After the attack, they closed it with tissue, but his brain is still exposed so they are going in to put plastic or some other material to close it back up. Please keep this little boy in your prayers; we are praying for complete physical, emotional and spiritual healing.

Redemption stories like these encourage me as I work from the office to make it possible for more people to go to the field. I hope it encourages those of you who give and pray. Your investment is making a difference. I thank you and I am sure that Allan and children like him thank you.

Despicable Me and Orphans Everywhere

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

It's funny the things the Lord uses in your life. He really is no respecter of persons; or movies for that matter. A number of my coworkers and I went to see the movie, Despicable Me, Friday after work. It's a sweet, clever, funny movie centered around a villain, who against all odds (mommy issues) finds that deep down he is kind and indeed has a heart.

The movie uses three orphans to expose the villain's pure heart. And as I watched the movie, I found my heart breaking for the three little cartoon characters. Prior to their new father, no one cared for them, no one loved them. They went to bed every night, alone. They went bed without anyone to tuck them in, much less love them - I me cry as I write this! It's not okay for any child to have to feel alone in this world.

In the past six months the Lord has broken my heart in the strangest way (for me). I haven't gone overseas, but somehow my heart has just melted for the children without mothers and fathers around the world. The orphan cause strikes close to home, not only do I have many friends who have adopted; but my family has as well. My uncle and two very dear cousins were adopted into our family. It thrills my soul to know they were rescued from who knows what. And, I want so badly to rescue them all.

One of my prayers now is okay God, what do I do with this? I want to be a part of the solution. He recently brought to mind a story from my friend Kristen who is currently out in the field with the World Race. In brief, she and her team encountered a little girl who was blind, malnourished, abandoned by her father and her mother went to work to earn money in another city.

The team found her in a shack, naked lying on the ground. The locals occasionally they left food outside her shack, but didn't bother clothing her because it was easier to not have a mess to clean.

Once they found her, Kristen's team was able to connect the girl with a social worker, a church and reunite her with a repentant mother. To read the full story, go here.

So, while I continue to interceed for the orphans and asking God how I can be part of the greater cause, he continues to show me how he's not only working in the world but using me in the process. Thank you for each of you who continue to be involved in this as well. Your investment in the kingdom is crucial.

Support Update: $6789 left to raise; down $700 from last week! Still looking for people who are looking for a place to invest. Thank you for what you continue to do!

*A group of orphans the Lord that has specifically laid on my heart to pray for, live and work in brick factories in Pakistan. If you'd like to receive updates and pray for them as well, please let me know.

Doing Life with Friends and Family

Sat, 3 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Life is definitely meant to be shared. Various people have shared life with me over the years, some started out in childhood, and others only a few months ago. I recently got to reconnect with people on both ends of the spectrum. I ( and the rest of the Barnes' clan) met the Watsons when I was four years old in Florida. I've never really known life without them. We've gotten to experience the highs and lows of life together, last week we celebrated with Alisha. When we were kids, Alisha was always the most driven of all of us. When we played store (at the age of 7), her store was always some type of accounting firm.

In the past year she has begun competing in triathlons. So when Alisha signed up to participate in a sprint triathalon near Gainesville, this past weekend, we signed up to cheer her on! She did fantastic and even managed to beat her personal record with a new one: 1 hour and 53 minutes. Of course we had a blast screaming for her.

Another friend that I only recently became acquainted with, but has become very near and dear to my heart, is Rocio Doyle. Rocio is a World Race alum I met three years after my race. She is a kindred spirit through and through; one of the types you feel you've known forever. She came down for a visit this last week and it did my soul good to reconnect with her. I felt rejuvenated. I may not have known her for long, but our spirits connect in a way only a few ever do.

The Lord has been so gracious to bless me with numerous different people in life like this. In two weeks I join five of my closest friends from Grove City College as we watch one of our best friends marry the love of her life. After that I'll spend a few days with some of my dearest friends from the race. I am rich in Koinonia, God ministers to me through my friends and I couldn't do this life without them! I love you all!

Only need $7400 left to be fully support raised for the year. You can give here or let me know if you want to get involved!

Adventures In Missions Round Two

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Happy Summer! I hope you are all well! I wanted to update you on my life as a lot as happened in the two and a half years since I returned from the race!

Upon my return, I felt God leading me away from AIM. I felt like he wanted me to take some time to develop my identity, independent of an organization that was so central to my development. So, I took two years and moved closer to Atlanta, I lived with friends, worked at a restaurant and pursued a wide range of careers (everything from management to day trading). I really enjoyed working in the restaurant at first, I got to interact with a wide range of people on a daily bases - it was like a party happening every day.:) But after awhile, with the crunch of the economy I found the negativity began to wear on me, and I didn't like who I was becoming. I consistently remember thinking to myself, "Who am I? This is not me!" The pressure the Lord applied from a tough economy, working with individuals who didn't understand the "Jesus" side of me really allowed the Lord to isolate me so I could see who he made me to be.

So as I continued to seek the Lord and seek opportunities, I found he kept bringing me back around AIM and I continue to walk forward in what he shows me. In October of last year I was offered a part time position assisting in the Marketing department; specifically recruiting staff for the Marketing department. And just recently they've offered me a full-time position. I like the position - it allows me to accomplish tasks and work with people, both of which I am good at. But what really clinches the job for me, is that it allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself. We work closely with the World Race, a department that sends out 21+ year olds on a year long trek around the world, ministering to the poor, the prostitutes, the orphans - the least of these. A generation is mobilizing across the globe; and I'm so excited to be a part of facilitating this movement.

Last fall my father took me to Spain and Romania. In Romania the World Race was hosting a conference called the Awakening (www.theworldrace.org/awakening). About 200 of us pitched our tents on a massive campground and spent a week reuniting, encouraging and worshipping Jesus. For the racers currently on the field it was a time of rejuvenation during an intense year of ministry. For alumni, it was a reminder of the work that was done in them and what the Lord continues to do around the world. And for everyone it was a sweet time to fellowship in community. We left there reminded that we are on this journey for a reason and that the Lord is hard at work. I left encouraged knowing that God had a plan for my life

Re-launching myself into a fund-raised position is a scary endeavor; however, God has always shown himself faithful. Many of you have resources to give and need a place to invest in the Kingdom. If you're interested in partnering with me in this, please let me know. I need people who are outside of the AIM circle who can get involved through prayer, financially and relationally. If you are unable to contribute financially, please do not feel like our relationship is in jeopardy. It is simply important to me that I build a network of people who want to stand with me for cause of Christ

My immediate needs are $2500 a month which ends up at $30,000 a year. I am looking for people I can share the highs and lows of this journey with. I want you to have the opportunity to be a part of that. All donations are tax deductible. You can go online and support me by going to my blog and clicking on the support me button. Or, if you'd prefer, you can mail a check, with my name in the memo line to: Adventures In Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA 30353-4470. I also have the opportunity to minister to the World Racers I am trying to mobilize in Ireland this August. If anyone has miles they'd like to donate, please let me know.

I cherish you all and am so grateful that the Lord has sent such a multitude to join me in the journey.

Love,
Talia

And yes, I will be resurrecting the ole blog, so feel free to subscribe on the left.)

What Just Happened to Me?

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Many of my teammates have chronicled on what its been like to be home. My mind still reels from this past year. What happened to me? What did I experience? Coming home was not supposed to be as difficult for me, I've done this before. This is not my first time returning from a mission trip. I mean c'mon, with my history I should have been a pro by now. But I'm not and this is hard.

People keep asking me to tell them a good story. Huh? About what? What kind do you want? My brain scrambles to patch some sembelence of an interesting tale together. Most often I just draw a blank. And then there's the quintessential race question: What was your favorite country? Huh? All of them? None of them? Crap, that's not a hard question, I should be able to answer it. Eventually 7:30pm rolls around and I can justify putting myself in bed for the next 12 hours to recover. I miss my team; I miss my squad - reentry is hard.

For your enjoyment here are some:

America Faux Pas to Avoid (that have been committed in recent days):

1. When you see an African American woman wearing a coat with traditional Africa print, it is not acceptable to ask her if she is African.

2. The man on the shuttle bus does not care about your life - probably best to avoid unburdening youreslf to a perfect stranger.

3. Burping is no longer a compliment or polite.

4. Taking napkins from the restaurant for toilet paper - no longer needed and kind of weird.

5. Ditto on stranger's leftover food (Katie!).

6. Throwing toilet paper in the trash instead of the toilet - not needed and also kind of weird.

7. Not tipping the waiter informs them that they are incompetent; a 10 cent tip will not remedy the situation.

8. Beckoning with fingers in downward sweeping fashion just looks weird.

9. Pointing with your whole hand instead of just one finger, added to the weird category.

10. The nearest empty piece of floor does not qualify as a bed (aka - sleeping on the floor of Target) - not the best option.

I Ran into a Wall...the Great Wall...of China

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Continued stories from China...

Many of you have already heard the story. But for those who haven't - here's a tale for you...

We awoke early on November 10th , prepped for one of the greatest wonders of the World - the Great Wall of China. The hostel had arranged a tour for us to a secret spot, a place no other tourists frequented. An hour bus ride turned into three hours and we finally arrived at said spot. A 30 minute hike led us up a mountain to the point we could climb the wall.

We walked around, photographed ourselves, enjoyed the scenary and turned around to climb down. As we did so, our guide stopped us, "No, the bus has already left. We have to hike 3 hours on the wall to get back to the bus; approximately 4 kilometers." What!? Grumbles erupted and since we really had no other option, began moving our legs.

Two hours into our hike we'd made some good progress. A couple of other fellow hostel stayers were with us and I'd struck up an interesting conversation with the Englishman behind me. I carefully watched my feet to ensure they didn't land in some precarious, slippery gravel - as feet are wont to do. Ginger walked through an arch in front of me, I turned around to say something and then proceeded. The next thing I knew I was on the ground. A stone beam protruding from the arch had attacked me! Blood gushed from my forehead and the Englishman I'd landed on didn't quite know what to do with me. Thankfully Josh wasn't too far behind and came to my rescue. They picked me up and carried me through the arch and Ginger began working her First Responder Magic doctoring my head. Also thankfully, the cut was not too deep and after they'd staunched the wound, I was able to climb the rest of the way down the Wall. It left a nice little scar making for a nice little story.

Thanks to everyone who helped keep me alive in my treacherous situation! Much love!:)

This picture is after they cleaned up most of the blood!

An Encounter with Death

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

During our time in China, my team had the opportunity to work with a medical ministry. They brought in cleft palette children from the mountains. We travelled on a 16 hour bus ride to return the children to their mountain villages. While amongst the alluring mountains I journaled this...

I encountered death today. A brutal + untimely death. A death that shouldn't have occured and leaves me heart-broken as a result.

Kari, Eric and I rode along in a tuk-tuk, on our way to go zip lining. As we came around a bend in the road, scores of people lined the cliff overlooking rocks and a class 3 rapid. Our driver pulled over to see about the hulabaloo. Men with long poles of bamboo crouched on the rocks - hanging the poles near the end of the rapids. And as we looked on, out of the tumultous waters tumbled a body - naked with arms stretched in characterstic drowning fashion.

I gasped at the sight and quickly turned away. I could hear the frustration in Kari's voice, "He's still floating, you only float when you're freshly drowned. Why don't they get him out?" Her EMT training screamed the answers, but our situation left her helpless to do anything. And a following quick succession of rapids left everyone else at the banks helpless to do anything as well. I turned my eyes back just in time to see the small head follow its corpse to the bottom of the river. Later as I ziplined across the river in a precarious harness, my soul unleashed the pain it felt in a fury of tears.

A man (we found out later) had flung himself off the rocks into the rapids and drowned. That was a life! He mattered to someone. Somewhere in China tonight, someone's life is forever changed. His family's pain crushed my heart as I thought about the turn of events their lives would now take.

And I wondered if he was a Christian. Did he know Jesus? Had his life just been committed to the pits of hell? This country is barren! There's no fruit, the soil is dry and wasted. Lord, what will it take?! When will you flood these people with your presence? They are lost and hopeless. Everywhere I go in this country barrenness meets me. The darkness taunts the believers with it's hold over China.

Please pray for China. Pray for its deliverance. Pray for this barren country. Only Jesus can save them!

How to Welcome Home a World Racer.

Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

As of 7:30pm PST, November 19, 2007 I will have completed my journey around the world. It's will have been one of the wildest, most intense, most wonderful experiences of my life. I have loved most minutes of it and am so looking forward to seeing everyone and hearing about your lives as well. Ginger wrote a wonderful blog on how to welcome home a World Racer - I thought I'd offer it as a helpful tool to all you groupies out there!

This message is for all you out there that are soon to be receiving a WRer home. What you may not realize is that WRer's need certain love and care when they arrive home. We have all just been through one of the most ridiculous years of our lives and we need special care. So here are some friendly tips on how to meet our special needs:

1. When receiving a WRer from the airport or at home please celebrate and make signs, because they just might not recognize you! It has been a year!

2. WRer's have been starved from American/homemade food for a loooooong long time, please feel free to take them out or cook for them. They need tasty nutrition they have been lacking for a year. Also doing this, you may be treated to some pretty amazing entertainment with all their wild tales!

3. WRer's are about to be separated from their teammates. They are going to miss that beautiful community where they received lots of love emotionally, physically, and mentally this year. Please spend time and love on your WRer a lot, and I mean A LOT!

4. Please do not set yourselves on high expectations that we are coming home super holy or perfect. I'm sorry to break this to all of you, but we are not. We probably are all better people and a lot of us are different and have learned a lot, but we still have many weaknesses and flaws. So just beware of that.

5. WRer's need time to adjust to being home. Being able to buy several things at one store is abnormal for them. So they might be a bit overwhelmed at times. So please give them time and grace.

6. ( This is one I added, compliments of Katie Bischoff.) Please do create some sort of timeline of your own life for the past year. (i.e. January 15 - started new job. January 31 - started dating Livingston. February 10 - passed part of the CPA. March 12th - broke up with stupid Livingston...and so on). We want to hear what happened with you too, but have no idea where to start.

I love you all and have survived off of (aside from Jesus) your prayers, support and love. I couldn't have done it without you (seriously). Side note: The Lord brought in the rest of my support and I am fully supported. Praise Jesus!)

China Recap: Days 1-14.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Day 1 (of our China excursion): rode a sleeper train to a China University to spend a couple of weeks in a cultural exchange program.

Day 14: rode a second sleeper train 18 hours to our next destination.

Day 28: hopped a plane to Beijing.

Day 30: saw the Great Wall

Day 31: rode a 24 hour sleeper train back to Hong Kong for debrief

Days 1-14: We spent the mornings in various classes learning - Tea Art, Calligraphy, Mandarin and a multitude of other wonderful Chinese subjects. In the afternoons we conducted English Corners. We conversed with students for a couple of hours every afternoon to help them improve their English/accents. This also allowed us the opportunity to develop relationships with the students and potentially share more about the Lord with them. It was a wonderful ministry opportunity, but, as I wrote in my prayer journal, not as fruitful as you might experience in Africa.

The Chinese are nice people. My heart goes out to them in their ignorance. How can you live without even knowing the option of Jesus. Working at the University was disheartening in many ways. The feel of the spiritual oppression there depressed me. I found myself dragging to get out of bed in the morning. And talking to the students left me feeling like someone doused my heart in swamp water and then coated in soot.

We weren't allowed to go to church while in Mainland China - it could have severely endangered our contacts and gotten us kicked out of the country. Please pray for this country. They don't know Jesus and have so little resources for finding out about him. Pray that the Father would infiltrate the government with his love. Pray that the Chinese Christians would be encouraged and would perservere. And pray that the country would seek the Lord while he may be found! My heart goes out to this country. They need the Lord.

If you'd like to gain a better understanding of what it is like for the Chinese believers check out the Heavenly Man.

Sothy: my Fruit Lady and a Walk through the Market

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

As the team cook I have journeyed through many a market throughout this world. Each market proffers exotic fruits, rare sea foods, and peregrine plants that find their existence amidst the unknown. And more than the tasty food is the addictive experience of a new culture.

Within the first week of living in Phnom Penh fellow teammates and I had befriended a fruit lady named Sothy (sue-tee). I often try and use my market time as ministry as well. So between Jon, Eric and I, many hours were spent in her company and we quickly became friends. Her family wanted to get to know us as well and so they invited us all over for Khmer dinner, dancing and a sleepover. We had a blast and loved getting to know her family - we continued to visit with her family at their various market locations (4 in total).

Before we left I got to share Jesus with Sothy and her nephew. The whole family are traditional Buddhists, although they don't strongly practice the religion. It's interesting sharing Jesus with someone who believes in a different god. You can't (necessarily) straight up tell them their god is a failure (caveat: of course timing and tact are everything, at some point this could be introduced - but for the sake of argument) but rather share what Jesus has to offer, invite them to experience him and let them make up their own minds.

Please pray for Sothy and her family. Pray the Lord moves in her life, pray that her heart would turn towards the Lord. I hope to have future racers connect with her in the future - pray they do and are able to continue the relationship. Praise God for continued follow-up! And please please be in prayer for her family. They need Jesus!

(The market is always one of my favorite experiences in each country; so I wanted to share it with you. EnjoyJ)

A Walk through the Market from Talia on Vimeo.

My Amazing Brother and Financial Support Update

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Ever since I can remember my siblings and I were jetting off to some random part of the world. It made for an exciting childhood, and now as adults, not much has changed. I joined the race in January and my brother joined in September. Conveniently enough, the A+B squads collided with D (September teams) squads in Bangkok last week and I got to see my brother! We had a full two days of hanging out together, catching up on the last year and enjoying one another's company. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. My brother has blown me away with his reckless pursuit of the Lord. He's touching lives and taking names! And, he's being honest about his struggles - something that can often be hard to do. Check out his blog: sethbarnesjr.theworldrace.org.

In other news - thank you so much to everyone who has helped make this expedition possible thus far. You have all been such a blessing. The Lord has continued to provide the necessary means at different stages that I've needed this year. I wanted to update you on my support raising. AIM headquarters recently let me know that I still lack about $1400 total in my AIM account. If you'd like, there is still time to give to this ministry. You can either mail in a check to Adventures in Missions. Or, click on the link to the left, "Support Me!" and give via credit card.

Please pray for me as I finish up final support raising efforts. Please pray that God would continue to provide (which he always does). I love you all so much! I'll be home in a little over a month!

Spaghetti Dinner: Success!

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Better late than never...I just wanted to let you all know the spaghetti dinner was a roaring success! Everyone loved it. Here are a couple of pictures from the event...(can't post pictures of the youth, so their faces are blacked out).

rows and rows of noodles:)

Jon hiding from the guests

Pray for my Green Tomatoes!

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

So for the past few weeks we've been working with underprivileged youth. (The organization we work with asked us to keep all details of the youth confidential; so sorry there isn't more on the teens in particular). One of the things I have gotten to do is teach them how to cook! A couple of weeks ago our contacts suggested doing a spaghetti dinner as a fundraiser at their international church (lots of Americans). They hope to potentially replicate the meal on a bi-monthly basis - so this was a trial run.

We worked out the necessary logistics and Jon and I took on the task of teaching the teens how to make a spaghetti sauce - and actually making the meal (for 100 people). The girls will also be serving the meal so Bri and Eric used their experience in waiting (tables) to teach them how to serve. We spent two weeks preparing and teaching about 30 girls (side note: Cambodians do not care for spaghetti sauce). And today it all goes down!

Yesterday five of the girls came to our apartment and the cooking commenced! Onions flew, chopped tomatoes piled up, and the smells wafting into the hallway were heavenly! Though, I think, the highlight was the elevator and roof. Some of the girls, because of their situations had never even been in an elevator. Neither had they been on the seventh story of a building able to see miles out over the whole city. We had a blast!

The meal is today and as I write this Jon and I are boiling up batch upon batch of noodles - we're storing them in our bathtub and its really filling up! (JK, JK).

Side note: we purchased about 20 kilos of tomatoes from the local market - 13 of the kilos were completely green and hard as apples. So, when this blog was first concocted I was frantically trying to hyper-ripen them. We ended up exchanging them in the market and all is now well.

Please pray for the meal today (11:30pm EST). Please pray it's a raving success and that the people are blessed. And that everyone likes the sauce!:)

You Can't Play Monopoly with a Thai

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A little overdue, but better late than never - this story is from our last month in Thailand.

We had just tucked the kids in, I'd read Fern a story and from the living room I could see the adults settling in for a game of Monopoly. I asked to join and soon, Eric and I were competing in one of the most interesting games of Monopoly I have played to date. We went around the board, properties quickly made their way into various ownership's and the game was on. I managed to acquire the first Monopoly (let's hear it for Baltic and Mediterranean) and soon Eric had the yellow ones and I also gained the Purples (my personal favorite). Houses and hotels emerged and the money began to roll in. But somehow, though the four others we played with kept landing on our properties, they always managed to have enough money to pay us off. And soon I realized, they were selling their own properties to one another for $20; or just passing around $500 bills. And then it dawned on me - I am in Thailand, they don't do capitalism here. In fact, they don't really do the whole "individualistic" thing. No, in Thailand, and Asia in general, it isn't my money, or my computer. But rather, the money is with Talia or the computer is with Talia. So while Eric and I had geared up for a little world domination - our opponents had geared up for a friendly game of "share and share alike". Needless to say the lack of rivalry (being the competition-monger that I am) quickly diminished my interest and I, after a hefty fine, abdicated my position. Eric however, embraced free enterprise at its best, and quickly found himself king of Monopoly (if there is such a king). All in all, it was a fun, albeit educational evening.

Side note: Attention all other racers, a new version of World Raceopoly has recently emerged. Eric Retterbush can be contacted for a private copy.

Eric and I playing the World Race version.

My Night in a Strip Club

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I wrote this in an email to a friend, not planning on posting it - I figured everyone had read all the other girls' blogs on the subject. But just in case you haven't gotten a taste of some of the pain here; here's my version.

Thailand is amazing, I have LOVED it. I spent a week in Bangkok working on writing, and actually got to go into the bars one night - it was unbelievable. Seriously, I walked in and immediately stared at the ground. This was the scene from movies my parents either fast forwarded or didn't let me watch at all. Girls were piled up on stage - about 50-70 of them. All in G-string bikinis, all dancing erotically with poles or one another. It was unreal; stuff that only happens in the movies. Guys dotted the sides; jeering the girls. Mama Song (the woman pimp who managed/owned the club) walked around, enticing the guys, trying to turn them on; because then they would be more likely to purchase a girl.

I sat with Stacy in a corner, forcing myself to look the girls in the eyes. Mama Song beckoned to a really pretty girl with curly brown hair. The girl climbed up beside the guy she'd been called for and began flirting. She was coy and sweet, and the guy bought her a drink. They talked some more, she whispered in his ear and then went back up for more dancing. After a couple of songs she sat beside him and they negotiated a price. Five minutes later she emerged from the dressing room in a cute little dress and they soon departed. I felt like I was watching my little sister leave for a date with a serial rapist. My heart felt like it was ripped in two; I can only imagine how hard it must be for people who go out more than once.

After that we rejoined the others who had bought a couple of girls drinks (they get to stop dancing and talk with you if you buy them a drink - house rules). One girl was only 15, she lied and said she was 19 so she could work there. She'd only been working for 3 weeks! We (and some other girls who have continued on for the past few weeks) work with a ministry called NightLight who work at getting the girls out of the bars. It's heart-wrenching, completely heart-wrenching. As we left I looked at my friend Becca and said, "I could never bring my mom in there; she wouldn't be able to stop crying."

I was so blessed to get to go out for even a night - (my original plan was to be on a bus headed North to join my team). But it was eye-opening and also helps give me a taste for what we'll be doing next month in Cambodia (working with girls who have come out of the bars). Please pray for the ministries here that are doing this all the time and for my team next month as we venture in to try and help with the aftermath.

Updates and Laughs

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Quick Update on Thailand:

Still going well. The book team has furiously written for the past week. They all get props from me, I love working with them! They write succinctly, interesting stories; I am on pins and needles for this book. The stuff they write just makes me so excited to be a part of inviting a generation to a crazy life. I'll try and post a story of theirs in the near future. Please continue to pray for them: Scott Molgard, Linnea Molgard, Stephanie Fisk, Eric Hanson, Andrew Maas, Morgan McKeown, Erin McKenna, Annie Bower, Mallorie Miller and Jimmy McCarty. They are all rock stars in my book.

Update on Finances: Praise Jesus! He has provided enough so far, it has been astounding. I was amazed that as soon I as posted something the Lord just started providing through so many of you! People I didn't even know read this blog have jumped on board and it is so encouraging! Old college friends, random friends of the family; it has blessed me so much. Thank you for being a part of this. I still have a bit to raise to finish out the year but the finances continue to come in and I for sure appreciate your prayers. Thank you!

And now for just a bit of humor in your day (also posted and written by my dear brother's blog):

My mom thought he was getting old. "He's not getting old, Karen," my dad responded.
"Yeah," I chimed in. "This is not an old problem."
We all looked at our dog Whimsy as he staggered and limped around in front of us. Just the day before there was nothing out of the ordinary from our wonderful black maltepoo (maltese, poodle mix). He howled with my dad, laid on people's feet, and ran around chasing the thrown toy. What's a dog to do when the next day his hind legs go limp?

About three hours later as I was brushing my teeth, I heard my dad say "blah blah blah trouble," (the brushing was so loud to my ears).
"Wha...?" I said looking at the ceiling.
"blah blah Whimsy habby blah trouble."
I stepped outside the bathroom and looked down the hall at my dad holding Whimsy in his arms. He set the dog down in front of him. Whimsy wobbled and widened his stance, staring at the ground. Not good.

The next thing I know the whole family was all huddled around Whimsy with our hands on the dog, praying for healing. No matter how ridiculous the circumstance, prayer is the solution in the Barnes household. (My sister, Emily, prays that she would win card games.) We prayed and then called the vet.

"Dang!" I said. "Look at that fat tick on his ear." This tick was fat, but there was one fatter than she, and on the same ear.

My mom told us to leave them on, and so we did. I thought this a ridiculous notion, but perhaps she knew something I didn't. She came back a minute later. "The vet says she thinks Whimsy's got tick paralysis," she said. "The big ones are the females, and they're the real trouble. If we take them off, the vet says he'll be a hundred percent by the morning."

My dad handed me the dog and started plucking. Two down and one popped. I shuttered and gagged. The nastiness ensued. Three more. I set Whimsy down as Estie snuck a thorough, but necessary, glance up the hind end. Apparently ticks like to get up there and inside the ear. Ticks are horrible creatures.

The next morning Whimsy was not a hundred percent, but he was about 75 and getting better.

Thailand's Wanderings...

Mon, 6 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Four days ago we landed in Bangkok, Thailand. I really think this country may make my top ten list - I LOVE it here. However, a sense of heaviness rests over this place in a way I haven't encountered in any of my travels thus far.

A day or so after we arrived, all fifty of us (with translators) toured some of the main temples in Thailand. My team travelled together and we saw and prayed over four different temples. The architecture and history of the temples is extraordinary. But the heaviness and sense of being lost I felt for people, was overwhelming. The main religion of Thailand is Buddhism, although not everyone practices it. Many of the people bow their knees to a golden statue. This statue does nothing, can do nothing and yet they give their souls away in a search for hope. Please pray for truth to flood this nation. Pray for these people, pray that the Lord would protect them from the enemy's schemes and that he would open their eyes. And please pray for us as we minister here, pray that the Lord would protect us from harm and the schemes of the enemy.

This is the largest idol in Thailand - it takes up an entire hall and is something like 52 meteres long. It is made of brick and plaster, and guilded in gold.

This is a picture of Bri and I out front of one of the temples.

Bangkok's Perversity.

Mon, 6 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Anger flooded my being in a way I'd never experienced before as I watched Human Trafficking. Human Trafficking is a documentary of sorts - a made for tv movie that tells the story of the sex-trade industry. AIM leadership showed us the film to help prepare us for Thailand; where we would encounter that very thing. But nothing prepares you for the real thing.

Last night I spent the night at a hotel with a couple of girlfriends. As we checked into our room I saw a white man holding a young Thai boy's hand. Throughout the 24 hour period we were there a number of white people came and went, many with Thai women. How do you respond to this? I tried to tell myself maybe they are married, maybe that man adopted that little boy. And maybe that's true. But, it brings to reality what is actually going on, even if it isn't going on in my lobby.

It's hard to feel the pain for the millions of women stuck as prostitutes - slaves or willing. But its harder still to pray for the sick bastards who make bile rise to my mouth. And what is amazing to me is that that is not how the Father sees them. He loves them and wants to have a relationship with them just as much as the hurting women of Thailand. I want to pray for them and by God's grace I continue to - but it isn't easy. Please pray for us as we minister here.

A Taste of your New (soon to be) Favorite Book!

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I wanted to give you guys a small morsel on what I've been working on for the past month. And, more specifics on who and what to pray for.

A taste of the bookwe want to see a generation come alive. The Lord calls everyone to different walks of life. Some are called to be waitresses, some to Malaysia, others to business. However, within each of those roles, the Lord wants us to come alive. But what does that mean? What does it mean to BE ALIVE in the spiritual realms? This book talks about that and about the process of coming alive. A while ago the Lord showed my father certain stages of initiation. Here's an excerpt from a letter he just sent out to the writing team:

I really believe this book is something your peers need. They are struggling to find themselves and all the milestones and guideposts have been removed. In other societies, rites of passage or initiation help. But in our modern world, individuals are left to crawl Myspace to find themselves.

So, we're a group of beggars looking for bread telling other beggars where we found some. We're not particularly enlightened; we've just discovered a few things that work.

So, that's what we're writing about. I'm currently helping to define people's roles for the book. Here are a couple of people you can be praying for.

Scott and Linnea Molgard - Scott and Linnea are quickly becoming some of my new favorite people. They are committed to the Lord and to growth and Jesus is working on them hugely. Scott's a guy who says what he thinks and in such a way that you often burst out laughing. His wife Linnea is sweet, kind, fearless and committed. They are the only married couple on the race and have definitely had a time of it - but I'll tell ya, it's been good.

Stephanie Fisk - Stephanie leads team Nessa and by age 24 had started her own non-profit organization. She's got ambition and desire. She may not seem like a force to be reckoned with, but she is. She's intelligent and carefree, definitely someone worth being friends with.

There are other people that are still praying about joining the project, please pray for direction for them: Morgan McKeown, Mallorie Miller, Annie Bower, Andrew Maas, Erin McKenna and Eric Hanson.

I love you guys!!!

Oh, and a quick financial update!!! Praise Jesus, he has provided almost all of the money I needed, I am completely blown away. I just checked today and I am only $300 shy of the $3000 I needed only a month ago!! I honestly am so grateful and touched. God is SO good. Thank you to all who gave. Please pray that the remaining $300 comes in soon!

Are You My Ministry? (Part Two)

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

In Guatemala I wrote a blog about finding my ministry (Are You My Mother?). At the time, it was written specific to ministry in Guatemala; and I did expect to write a part two. And yet, here I am. That blog has become somewhat of a theme for me over the past six months. I have continued to ask the Lord - what is my ministry? What am I called to? I have wrestled in particular with missions. My heritage runs deep and in many (good) ways, I have a lot to live up to. My parents exposed me to missions at an early age (right out of the womb) and they literally threw me in the deep end as a young adolescent.

By twelve I was traveling overseas by myself; encountering the pain of the world and by thirteen I was completely ruined. I'd seen too much, embraced too much to ever go back to the white picket fence dream. I couldn't stay at home while a world right outside my door perished. And now, 10 years later, I'm on the mission field again, trying to figure out what exactly my ministry is. And over the past six months I've realized some of this isn't what I was made to do.

It doesn't really make sense to me; and I struggle with condemnation a lot. What the heck is your problem Barnes? People are dying (physically and emotionally) and you want to go back to comfortable America? And so I've asked the Lord that - God, what's going on? What was I created to do? How can I be a part of changing the world? Because, while what I'm doing right now is good, it doesn't really make me come alive. I enjoy holding babies, and my heart breaks when I hold little Elizabeth's hand - but it's all momentary. So God, what do I do? How do I use what I'm good at to change the world?

I've read books, I've sought wise counsel, and I continue to pray and ask the Lord. Jesus, what's my purpose? What do you want me to do with my life? This past month the opportunity arose for me to help out on a book project and I jumped at the chance. I've helped my dad edit a number of his books and I love it! I love working with words. Now I am helping to compile a book about the World Race. I feel myself coming alive more and hopefully I'm still making a difference for the kingdom.

Please pray for me as I help lead this project (my forte is as an editor). Pray that God would give me wisdom and that direction would clearly flow from it. Pray that the stories he wants told would pour forth. Please pray for the writers. And pray for the Americans and other Westerners who will read it. Pray it will have an impact, that it will ignite a fire within their souls to come alive as well.

The kingdom advances!

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

I continue in my search for meaning - and wonder if continuing in short-term missions really does make a difference. And I am continuing to discover evidence that it does. Long-term missions makes a huge difference, but I'm finding that short-term relationships can in fact change the world as well. I just received an email from this girl and wanted to share it with ya'll.

Hey.. this might be a random message but...

When I was in 8th grade, I went on an AIM missions trip to Lilburn, Georgia. While I was on that trip, I prayed to receive Christ and finally gave my heart to God.

You were the actual person who explained to me what I had to do in order to "have a testimony" and become a Christian. Even though God had definitely been preparing my heart up until that point, I did not make the commitment to Christ until that Thursday night when you explained things to me. It's OK if you don't remember any of this; it was like 8 years ago and I doubt that I told anyone. :) But I thought that you might be encouraged to know.

In 2 weeks I am going to Indonesia for a year. I will be sharing with those who need to hear. Thanks for playing a role, however short, in my rebirth. :) Grace and Peace!

(K - hope it was okay to share this!)

I've often wondered if the ways I've touched people over the years have actually made a difference. But more and more I'm finding out it has! Be encouraged church, the Lord is using us!

On a side note: About $1000 has come in since I sent out my last letter! Praise Jesus and thank you all who have supported me and continue to support me! Only $2000 more to go!:)

A Little Muffin Competition...Andrew vs. Talia.

Sat, 7 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Wanted to include you in what a typical Saturday may look like for me...we had ourselves a muffin contest. That's right. Guess who won...:)

Life Update and Need

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Family, Friends and Faithful Blog Followers,

Greetings from the field! I hope you are all doing well. I always enjoy your letters, notes and encouragement, while I am out here. Your comments of home + the world I only know in the recesses of my mind are like water to a dried out branch...:) No, not that severe, but I have loved and appreciated all the love you've sent my way!

The World Race continues on, debrief and training ended two weeks ago and teams have since departed for all ends of the continent. I am helping out in the office this month and am really enjoying it. I am helping conscribe a book of World Racers journey's and quite honestly - it is riveting. I love it. As we mobilize the church out here, there is still so much to be done for the church of America. This month, I get to be involved in the process of telling the World Racers story and at the same time, help mobilize the church in America. I really enjoy it.

I also want to update you on my needs and if you'd like, there are still opportunities to get involved in this ministry. I am still $5,000 shy of the $13,000 required to complete the race. AIM has informed me that in order to complete the race I need to raise $2800 of that by the end of July. If you'd like to be involved you can donate online. All donations are tax deductible and AIM will send a receipt for all gifts. Any amount will help. There is a link on the left hand side of this page labeled: Support Me . If you click on it, it will redirect you. Or you can send a check made out to AIM with my name in the memo line to:

Adventures In Missions, Inc.

P.O. Box 534470

Atlanta , GA 30353-4470

Please also pray that the Lord would bring in the needed money. I love you all and miss you. Please email me at any time, I love hearing from ya'll!

A little nail polish for a little finger...

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Written from the bush.

We arrived in the bush two days ago. There isn't much here, a local stand to buy a coke. When we left Vilanculos, I realized I didn't have any money with me; I asked God for some money. Later on in the day I found 5 Meticais (about 20 cents) in the sand and then another 20 MT in my sweatshirt pocket. Jesus meets me, he gives me everything I need, and even the small wants - he just gets my back, I love it. Thank you Lord.

(This is another little girl I befriended - was unable to take pictures in the hospital.)

Today we visited the hospital to pray with people. Stucco buildings huddled together amongst the dusty dirt roads, comprising the town hospital. I walked into the children's ward (a room with about 6 beds). The mattress of the first bed had been displaced to the floor and a small little girl lay on it. I realized she was on the floor because she was too weak to climb up onto the bed. Her frame was completely emaciated; she looked like she was in the process of dying and it broke my heart.

I settled down beside her and rubbed her small little hand in my own. Her wrist was the size of my two pinkies. Her body was so shrunken I think I could have washed clothes on her rib cage. I found out her name is Elizabeth; she'd been there for a week, but in that state for a long time. She was an orphan, and lived with her uncle and few sisters. She didn't really talk, only to answer my questions, so I just sat and held her hand; and tried to embrace her pain. I spent most of my time by her mattress, I read the Bible, prayed blessings over her, prayed for her healing.

As I sat there and rubbed her fingers I wished I'd brought along my nailpolish, I wanted so badly to paint her fingernails. They were so minute, and I could just picture how happy it might make her to have nailpolish on her fingernails. I dismissed the thought and continued praying.

Shortly after Jenny and Ginger came to tell me it was time to leave. Elizabeth asked for some juice and crackers - I quickly ran outside, got some ministry money, and went to the lone stand for some juice and crackers. As I stood waiting for the man to write out a receipt, behind him I noticed a small bottle of nailpolish.

"How much is the nailpolish (said in Portuguese of course)?"
"The what?"
"Nailpolish."
"Huh?"
"Here," I walked around behind the counter to show him. "This, how much is this?"
"That is 25 Meticais."

At that moment I remembered the 25 MT the Lord had given me before; and I knew now he'd given it to me just so I could pass it on to little Elizabeth.

"I'll take one of these too please."

I took the juice, crackers and nailpolish back to her room. Her sisters were there this time, so I passed the items on to them and said my goodbyes. God loves his daughters.

(I also found a little extra money for a coke...:)