Written by: Anthony Michael Roys, (24)

I would say, if you asked me, that my life has been pretty normal for a young person in The Family International. I was born in “The Family” in Lisbon, Portugal 1980, and as most other Family children, we moved quite often; starting with India where we stayed for 10 years, then moved on to Thailand where our family helped the ever-growing work (and where my Mom still is, now helping the tsunami victims [2005]). Then from there being a youth and wanting to “stretch my wings” I moved back to India by myself and stayed there for 3 more years where I met my wife. I am now in Brazil.

You might be wondering why I am giving you my whole life’s background, but I want to say here that I was never in that whole time ever neglected, abused, or ill treated at any time. I spent a lot of those years in what we called a “combo” home, and where many of our detractors say that a lot of their “abuses” happened. Well I am not sure if I can say this enough, but I never went thru any of those things that they say, and let me state something more here, I know some of those people that are posting things where they say that they were mistreated etc. – but it is all trumped up lies. I wish that I could just talk to them face to face and I would like to see if they will be able to say the same things about the same time and place, I know that they would back down.

It angered me to hear about people after being in our group and then leaving, wanting to hurt our way of living and even harm our bodies, but then all I could think about is how sorry I felt for them because in the Bible it says that if you harm one of the Lord’s children it is like poking Him in the eye, and I am sure that He will do something about it (and if I were you I would watch out).

I take my hat off to those that have left our organization feeling that they couldn’t live our lifestyle, and have gone on with their lives not trying to destroy others lives, this is not the life (The Family International) for every one, and I still love and admire those that have chosen other walks of life, but to the ones that have tried to purposefully harm or break down that way of life that we have chosen, all I can say is GET A LIFE! And quit trying to mess up mine. I don’t give a s**t if you are trying to “save” me, if that is the way that you look at it then I don’t want to be “saved”. I want to serve Jesus to the best of my ability, and this is where I chose, and where I want my children to grow up. I know that everything in not perfect, and none of us are perfect, but neither are you! As it says in the Bible “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. So please stop trying to stop me.

About Angela

I had the privilege of living with Angela for 2 years, and I want to say to all those who have posted things talking against her that she was one of the most endearing people that I have ever seen. She was older and even together with my dad for some years, but she always had that spunk and liveliness in her that would probably make her look a lot younger that most of you. When I was with her she treated me like a son, always looking out for my needs, when I was working outside in the sun she would bring me juice, when I was in the mood for some fun (which was quite often) she would watch a movie or play a game with me. She always drew others into what she was doing to either teach them something new or just for the company. She was excellent with the children and they loved her. She never had children of her own but I dare say that she probably could take better care of children and make them feel more loved and secure then most of you parents can do on your own. She always wanted to learn new things even if it meant learning it from someone 20 or more years younger then she was. She always exuded a humble attitude and even though some times we got into a “heated” debate from time to time she would always take the humble seat saying that it wasn’t worth losing our friendship over, which it wasn’t, which was a real sample to me.

When I first heard about her death I thought “no it couldn’t be her, she was way too sweet for anyone to hurt.” Then after hearing confirmations that it was really her, the anger started to rise against the one that had done it, but now really all I say is that I am deeply saddened for the loss and I feel sorry for Ricky that he held onto things that barely even happened at best, if not total lies and let it eat him inside until he couldn’t even control his conscience. Well I know that both of them are in a better place now and I know that Angela is having a great time basking in her reward. As for Ricky I know that he has many lessons to learn and I do hope that he will come to know the Lord’s mercy, for He (Jesus) is willing to give it to anyone who asks it of Him. if you are willing to change and to ask for forgiveness of the Lord for your sins, I ask that you pray for the Lord’s mercy.

All you have to do is change the way that you that you look on life and try to turn around and see who else you can help, for in helping others lies the greatest happiness. And please stop spreading lies and ruining our lives that we have chosen of our own free will. I know that you can change, and I will pray for you every day.

Anthony Michael Roys is a second-generation member of The Family International