My name is Christian Fahren.

I’d like to respond to this very tragic incident that happened to Ricky and Angela.

This is a totally honest account of my 24 years of upbringing in the Family:

I was born in the Family and received the most wonderful upbringing I could ever have - with wonderful parents, academic teachers, people who cared about me and did the best they could for my education and moral support. I have had numerous opportunities to express my individuality and talents in performing arts, vocational training, etc.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to have lived and visited various countries with the support of my fellow hard-working missionaries whose life goal is to spread the Gospel of Jesus and bring hope, joy, happiness in place of sorrow, support, etc., to the people in the countries that God has called them to.

I spent almost 4 years in Chile as a kid, and enjoyed every minute of it. I learned Spanish quite well, and was able to relate to many people, and my parents always taught me the value of respecting people and doing unto others what they would have you do to them. Hence, I have always been respected within various circles of people - unlike those who are brought up in a cruel society or even just a regular home-based society with little respect for others, which turns people away in the long run, and gives them a disadvantage for the future.

I credit my upbringing to the Family and the loving, Godly care I received all throughout my childhood, and into my teenage years as well. People have been amazed and in awe when I’ve told them about my life and what I do. It’s really all because we in the Family have one thing in common - we live to be Jesus’ disciples and do His bidding which is to spread the Good News of His love to all we can, and make sure our Brothers and Sisters are well cared for. Every Home I have been to has taken me in with love and respect and cared for me and made sure that all my needs were met and that I was happy.

If at any time I wanted to leave the Family, I have always been free to do so without feeling any remorse or condemnation about it. I have had friends who have left to do other things with their lives, and neither I, nor anyone I know, nor their families, condemn them or have made them feel bad.

When I was 18 years old, I decided to go to China to be a missionary, and this was a decision I made on my own, which I whole-heartedly believe Jesus showed me to do. It has been a very rewarding experience ever since, with many people here turning to Jesus Christ and their lives changing for the better. Whoever says that we young people in the Family have been forced to do anything, or go anywhere, is clearly lying. I’ve known many, many young people who have chosen places to go, or do things they personally wanted to do for Jesus, and they have been able to do it without anyone telling them they couldn’t.

This life we lead in the Family is a life of sacrifice to help those who are spiritually lost and can’t find a way out, because we believe that Jesus is the answer to the difficulties they face.

Besides our job of being missionaries, we have a lot of fun and do a lot of things that the average person would only dream of doing - such as traveling to interesting places, learning foreign languages, learning many vocational skills, how to interact and understand people from many cultures, which brings new friendships along, etc. “Where God guides, He provides” is an understatement. - And He loves to give His Children times of fun and enjoyment, which I have experienced quite a bit of.

I have never been abused or mistreated. I have received all the care I could have ever wanted in life, and been blessed to have been born to Christian parents who love Jesus and have dedicated their lives for Him.

I have written Maria David a few times in my life with questions I had regarding some difficulties I was facing, asking her to pray for me, and she has always written back with encouragement and support.

I believe the Family is the best place for me to be a missionary and pursue my life as a disciple for Jesus, because it’s where I know I will receive the most help and support from people who are also dedicating their lives to Jesus.

Christian Fahren is a second generation member of the Family International.