I am not an eloquent writer nor do I possess great speaking skills but I want to stand up and speak for myself against the lies and accusations being said against my loved ones and me in the recent news and media.

After hearing the news of Rick and Angela’s deaths my reaction was one of shock which turned into sadness and compassion for the families, friends, and loved ones of these two. This must be a very difficult time for them all and I pray and hope that God will give them the strength to make it through this difficult time. I did not know either of them so I cannot tell you anything about them but in my opinion what Rick did was not something to be condoned but rather something to be appalled at. How anyone could take another’s life I will never understand because since I was a young child I have been taught that love is most important thing and that no matter what someone does to you, you should never hate, become bitter or use violence towards them but rather you should, love and forgive them and move on with your life. Below you will find my personal statement:

My name is Timna, I am 23 years old, and I currently live in Japan. I was born and raised in the Family and would like to state from the beginning that I have never experienced abuse of any kind. Since I was born I have traveled the world and have lived in over 10 countries on 3 different continents. Being that I have traveled so much I have in lived in many different communities varying in size and amounts of people, and the environments I grew up in were loving, fair, caring, giving, and understanding of my needs both physically and mentally.

We all have to choose our paths in life and I have chosen mine. It is one of being a missionary for the Lord, and following His call in Mark 16:15 to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Some of my greatest experiences as a missionary were when I lived in China for 5 years between the ages 16-20. While there I experienced the joy of bringing the hope and love of Jesus to people who have either only heard a little about Him or have never heard of Him at all. I have a brother who left and also friends who have left the Family to pursue other paths in life and we remain friends to this day. I do not look at them any differently or love them any less for the paths they have chosen. In fact I am happy that they chose to do what they felt in their heart they wanted to do and that they have found happiness in it. They do not tell me I am wrong for the choice I made, rather they are happy that I am happy. I love them the same as when they left and will always be there for them.

When someone says that the Family is a horrible place to raise your children I take personal offence, because I have chosen being a teacher/caregiver of children as my ministry within the Family so when you say that you are accusing me of raising children in an abusive and horrible environment. I would think the opposite is true. In this day and age you can turn the TV on or read in the newspaper kids the world over ranging from infants to teenagers who have no parents, have been abandoned, thrown away, left in the streets, who experience no love in their life and so turn to crime and drugs for the answers. In every home I have been in I have not found any abuse or children who have been left wanting. I have found them to be places of love and the parents I have worked with only have love and concern in their hearts for their children. They want them to be raised in the best and most Godly environment for them both physically and mentally. They want their children to be challenged and have a fulfilling life so that when they grow up they will look back and be happy with the childhood they had.

The Family is the most fantastic place to live and grow up in and for those of you who do not think so, well, you have chosen to go another way and I wish you God’s blessings on your life. Just don’t turn around and start trying to tear down what I have chosen to believe and the path I have chosen to follow. I have said my peace and I leave it in your court to decide what you will believe.

Timna Primus (23) is a second-generation member of the Family International.