My name is Silas and I am 27 years old. I grew up in Switzerland like any other kid. In 1988 when I was 10 my mom got to know the Family and shortly after we joined. It was no small change for me but this change was the best thing that could have happened to me, because my life was enriched with an extended family and with people that cared about me. I quickly came to appreciate this new life.

When I was 18 I left the Family and for 4 years I worked, had a relationship and traveled but only came to appreciate the life I had in the Family even more. I realized, what we have in the Family is what people in normal society miss. They hope for the love and the support we have and most of all, for a purpose in life.

Now that I am back in the Family for 5 years, I know without any doubt that this is the best place in the World for me. I am living a life of challenge, learning and change, but most of all I am happy to know that I live in a surrounding that is full of love and with a people of common goals and meaning.

If you wonder about my life and think that I am in the wrong place with the wrong life, then I am going tell you that you are wrong. It is a privilege to live and serve in the Family as we not only find meaning in our own lives, but bring the same to countless people around the world. And don’t come to me and try to tell me that I don’t know better. I’ve seen probably more sides to it then you, in and out of the Family!

What happened with Ricky is very saddening and I only hope that it will wake many up to realizing what lies can do to us and that spreading them can have great consequences. When I met Ricky about over 10 years ago, he sure left me with a good impression of how he felt growing up in the Family. I also met his sister and countless members of the Family, that know Ricky and his family and I not only trust them about how he grew up in a loving environment, but I know that the life Ricky grew up in was a life I can honestly say, “I wish I was born into”!