My name is Peter Bauer, Canadian, twenty-one, newly married and my wife gave birth two months ago to a darling baby boy – in the Family. And I’m proud of it.

I’ve made my decision.

Whenever people ask me why I do what I do, what I’m in the Family for, I tell them about how I made my decision. My parents are in the Family, I’ll tell them, but this is not enough for me. I have made my decision personally to be in the Family because I feel it’s where my life will be most useful. Yes, of course I won’t be making buckets of money, but when those children we perform for smile and laugh for the first time that week, I know I’ve done something worthwhile.

I tell those who ask about the orphanages we’ve visited, the hospitals we’ve gone to where the children were on their last stretch, and the lives of ordinary people who are touched.

These people never seem to say that I must’ve been abused. Instead they congratulate me and wish they could come along on our programs/shows. Some of them do. They’re amazed at the places I’ve been to —India, Indonesia, the Middle East, Thailand—and the things I’ve done for others like orphans, kids with leukemia, the disabled, and refugees.

Those who have seen Family children never seem to think they are abused either when they come over to our house. They wish their kids would be that well behaved.

I know I’ve made a wise choice in choosing the loving, supportive atmosphere of a Family home to raise my child and future children. My own life has shown me the fruits of being raised in a loving Godly atmosphere.

Let’s see what you’re doing for society. How are you contributing? Where are your “good works?” If the only thing you’re doing for society is to tear down the Family, then get a life, because we’re going nowhere (except forward).

How about something proactive instead of something destructive? If you feel your answers are the ones the world needs, get out there and show us. We’ve got results. Where are yours?

Peter Bauer is a second-generation member of the Family International.