My name is Manuel Schot, 21 years old. I’ve had the honor & privilege of being a missionary with ‘The Family” my whole life. I’ve been to over 30 countries in 4 continents as a missionary, presently I’m living in Romania investing whatever skills I have and doing whatever I can to further the cause of Christ. As a missionary with “The Family”, I’m not forced or coerced in any way, nor do I feel subjected by condemnation to be here.

Throughout my life with ‘The Family” I’ve been involved in many ministries, worked with people on all levels of society. I have many friends and also members of my personal immediate family that have left “The Family”. Some have moved on in their lives and they haven’t gone on to being disgruntled, stooping to lying and speaking profanity about their former friends and caretakers and people who raised them in love and care. Instead they have made the most out of their lives and are very successful each in their own new profession giving credit to “The Family” for giving them insight into many spheres of life that most younger people of society at large simply haven’t had, and for individuals of “The Family’ who have raised them with integrity and taught them moral values which have helped them tremendously. I am still very much friends with many of my old friends who have chosen a different life.

I did not know Angela personally but I know she must have been an outstanding woman to have lived such a long life of dedication and service to others. How someone could have committed such an act I don’t understand, and how his colleagues and “friends” could promote such hideous crimes and vindicate his actions sounds more criminal to me. And trying to use a tragic happening such as this to slander someone, and to formulate unfounded untruthful statements, does not strike me as a just cause.

I grew up in South America, I had wonderful teachers and caretakers who took care of me with much care and love. I was also a handful at times which resulted in me receiving discipline, but it wasn’t done in an evil or harsh way and I was explained the ways I had overstepped the guidelines. I was never Abused!!! – mentally or physically– neither was anyone I know. The people that I’ve lived with throughout my life have been sincere in their ambition as missionaries. I know my calling in life! To dedicate my life to something with meaning to follow in Christ’s footsteps! My desire is to show the world about the love of Christ, and I chose “The Family” to accomplish this, without looking back. I’ve have heard much slander and untruths about our organization, schemes to try to drive out those of us with united goals and passions. These lies and far flung stories won’t deter me in any way… neither will it any missionary of “The Family” where I live.

Manuel Schot is a second generation member of the Family International.