My name is Raquel Sousa, 27, and I live in Brazil. I was raised in The Family. I chose to remain in the family and raise my own 2 kids in the same environment I grew up in. I have had one of the best upbrings someone could wish for. I had the opportunity to travel and to learn about different countries and cultures and to learn different languages.

I am quite saddened by what happened to Angela. I’m shocked at the horrible state Ricky was in, how he let others pollute him with such hatred and vengeance based on twisted interpretations of how The Family is responsible for his problems. Ricky was affected by people who really wanted to do us harm.
What if anybody who disagreed with others would decide to kill because of it? I don’t understand why anyone should listen to a word of what Ricky had to say in the video he made before taking Angela’s life. So it’s horrible that the media would publish the views of a murderer instead of the other tens of thousands of people that know and support The Family.

I’m a teacher, and I am very happy with my career in the Family. I was raised by my mom in the method of home schooling and have chosen to do the same with my children. My older son has been reading since the age of 3 and my 2 year old daughter is going in the same path. The sample that others see in my family and in my children is far from the one that these people are alleging. There is not one day that I fail to think about how to better raise my kids. They are my life and I haven’t seen anywhere around, people or schools that devote so much to the children as we do. We received countless requests from people who want to hire me to teach their kids. People look up to us for the upbringing that our children are having. Presently I teach a class of about 24 children from a slum area in our city, I teach them to read and write. Some of the authorities in our city have asked if I would help teach their kids as well. They see the fruits of our work and trust us.

All this to say that what the media is broadcasting directly attacks me for I grew up in the Family. I have some friends and even close relatives that have chosen a different path and I totally respect them for it. Friends in all walks of life choose to follow different paths and major in different areas but there should still be harmony between them. In the case of these other ex-members, respect is missing. Where is the brotherly love that the Bible asks us to have one for another?

My heart goes out to the soul of this one which I believe is now in a better place. And to dear Angela, a devoted missionary for many years that has gone to her reward. For the families of these that they will find comfort amidst the storm. And for those that have encouraged this tragedy that they will be exposed for the part that they played. For us that we don’t let pain and anger take ahold of our lives but that we can forgive those who have wronged us. And for those that are undecided still I pray that this situation will serve to get the words of the Lord out and that “the gospel may be preached in all the world for a witness”.

With regards, Raquel

Raquel Sousa is a second-generation member of The Family International