By Sharon Fox (22, Australian), currently in Bosnia

I had a typical Family upbringing. I grew up in Family homes in Australia where my physical and emotional needs were met consistently and generously.
I had a truly joyous childhood, full of memories of fun and learning and being surrounded by friends, along with the comfort and security of one giant, extended Family that loved me and was tuned in to my needs and wellbeing. What an absolute blessing and miracle! Some complain about what we did and didn’t receive growing up in the Family, but I found myself amply prepared for what has so far been a life of such fulfillment and excitement that I have no need to look any further!

In 1998 at 15 I went to Eastern Russia for 3 months and was deeply impressed by what I saw: Family missionaries whose lives were beautiful through sacrifices they made, their sense of priority (Jesus, then others, then oneself), and a peace that pervaded all of them as they wrought for God. To me, the decision to dedicate my life to Him was clear and uncomplicated. I wanted what they had.

The following year I went to Latvia, and then Bosnia, where I continue to make the sort of positive difference that is so important to me and young people everywhere. In a world where evil is steadily getting worse and worse, I am committed to being a part of the solution rather than the problem. I consider my life a statement - one that should, and must stand for beauty, Godliness, love, and all the purity of God’s Word. As such I need desperately to guard my mind against negativity - whatever form it takes - whether it be feelings of self-pity, bitterness, hatred, criticalness. The list is endless because there is a rampant spiritual force prevalent in the world that seeks to cancel out every good and pleasant thing that we know, and this evil manifests itself physically more and more with time.
At this point in our world’s history, stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. No one, Family missionary or not, can afford to entertain negativity for a moment. Because what seems to be a little thing, leads to bigger things, and eventually becomes habit. And a negative thinking habit is sure to manifest itself in your words and actions to some degree or another.

I am sure that Ricky was once a happy, contented boy with a lot of love for others. I believe that at the very least he was given a fair go of things in his childhood and as an adult, even if he could not consider himself privileged to have had the upbringing that he did. Like each of us alive, his mind was subjected to the temptation to do wrong, to think unkindly, etc. etc., and, like each of us, he had the choice whether or not to yield to such negative attitudes. He made his decisions - the wrong ones - that clearly led to the eventual pollution of his entire mind ; and the price for these decisions has been paid - with two lives. For the love of God, take stock of the decisions that you are making and wake up to the horrors that you may be helping to unleash ! Everyone on earth is at some point subjected to hardships - to people and circumstances that are unpleasant to deal with, to situations that are not 100% to their liking, to mistreatment, and even cruelty, plain and simple. People all over the globe have been dealing with less than utopian conditions for milleniums.to have given in to such a horrendous crime is inexcusable.

I am 22 years old and have found my life’s calling serving God in Bosnia, an area troubled for centuries by war. As a Christian counselor, I talk EVERY DAY with people who have been subjected to real sorrows that most of us probably cannot imagine the depth of. Loved ones lost, perhaps even one’s entire family; physical necessities and comforts swiftly and suddenly removed ; the work of a lifetime negated, and hope for the future all but gone in a country wracked by, and still reeling from the blows it has suffered through war. And the very pressing necessity for these people to rebuild their lives falls on no one’s shoulders but their own, in some cases without the support of any outside physical entity.

These are difficulties. These are real life issues that millions of people the world over are presently facing. By comparison, I feel that Ricky had it pretty good. I feel that he could have dealt peaceably with the things that disturbed him.

This news has shocked and saddened me, but my resolve is stronger than ever. I consider this a sign of the times that we are living in.The love of many shall wax cold.(Matt. 24 :12b). It is important, perhaps now more than ever for each of us to find our hiding place, our refuge, our safety in these troubled times. Where better to find such a place than in the center of a loving God’s highest will for me personally? While I have been shaken, I am digging in my heels and renewing my commitments to the Lord and the Family.

I cannot, will not, turn back.

Sharon Fox is a second-generation member of The Family International