My name is Megumi Kitano. I was born and raised in the Family International. I am 18 years old, and am living in Japan.

Upon hearing that there are those who are claiming that the Family is a harmful and abusive environment to grow up in, I wanted to share a bit about my life, and how I view the way I was—and am continuing to be—brought up.

First of all, I want to say that I think I have the best parents in the world. They love me and care for me, and especially in my turbulent teen years, they always reassured me of their love, and never ceased to be there for me. That sample meant a lot to me, and is something that I will never forget. They always did their best to pour into me and give me the best opportunities possible.

When I was 12, I had the opportunity to travel to Thailand, Nepal and India—with my father, another adult, and 3 other young people—on a two-month long trip. We participated in some charity work, and learned about the culture. Having lived all my life in Japan, just going to third-world countries was an experience in itself! I can’t even put to words all that I learned during those two months, but I know that it changed my perspective on things a lot. As they say, “Experience is the best teacher.” And I think that I received one of the best experiences possible during this time, as I discovered the joys of reaching out to others. That was my father’s vision in taking us. He wanted us to experience these things for ourselves and thus get a head-start in leading a happy, fruitful, and productive life.

A couple months after I turned 14, I visited Myanmar for three weeks, again with my father, and 2 other young people my age. In Myanmar, I remember visiting a centre that specialized in teaching landmine victims how to “rebuild their lives” and support themselves, by teaching them how to cut hair, or to sew—with half an arm missing, or with prosthetic limbs. I was shocked to know and actually meet people who were victims of landmines. We spent about a week, going there every day. We helped teach them English and became fast friends with them. I was deeply impressed to see how most of these people were so cheerful and happy despite the physical obstacles they faced. And I felt honored to become friends with them, and determined that I wanted to have that same positive spirit in my life too. I think that was something that had a very positive effect in my life.

Right after I turned 16, I was off again on another trip to India. Each time I learned something new and special. The next year too, I had my 17th birthday, in India, during a two-month stay there.

Each trip has changed my life in different ways, and has motivated me to want to do more for others. I don’t know of anywhere else where I would have received such opportunities and training.

Many a time, my friends (who are not in the Family) have commented on how envious they are of all the opportunities that I receive and say that they wish they could do the same.

I wish they could too. I think such experiences are something that everyone could benefit from.

This last year, I went to India with a team of 3 adults and 11 young people, during the month of November. This time I went as one of the team-leaders, and felt very privileged that I could in turn pass on all that I have learned to other young people. I want them to have a taste of the same joy of giving and happiness in sharing God’s love and being a blessing to others.

I have seen many lives changed through the message of God’s love and salvation. I believe that it is the answer to many of life’s problems and what this world desperately needs! Just last month, I met a man in Japan who travels all around the world for business. (In the past two months he has been to 5 different countries!) And yet he told me that he would give anything and pay any sum of money, just to find that inner peace. I couldn’t have been happier to share with him how Jesus wanted to give him that peace and fill the emptiness in his life. I prayed with him and he thanked me over and over again. These are the kind of personal connections that I would never want to miss! To me, this is something worth devoting my life to!

Some people ask why I know how to communicate and interact with others so well. I credit my human-relation skills to growing up in communal homes, where I continually learned to share, to give, to be mindful and thoughtful of others, and communicate effectively.

Often, when talking with people for the first time, they are shocked when I tell them my age. They’d tell me, “You are so much more mature compared to my own child, who is the same age … I wish they could be more like you.” I know that it’s not because I’m anything special. I’m not. I believe it is because I was raised in the Family. I believe that it is because of our belief in God and desire to reach out to others. And I believe that it is because my parents did, and do continue to give, their utmost to give us the best training possible. Training that would prepare us for a fruitful life, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

To those who claim that the Family is a harmful or abusive environment to grow up in, maybe you should look up the definition of those words! Because in my opinion, my upbringing has been anything but! I am proud of the upbringing I have had in the Family. I believe I have received the best training and opportunities possible, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!

Megumi Kitano is a second generation member of the Family International.