From: Yoko Kamiyama (a.k.a. Sunny)

I’m living in Japan. I met the Family International in April 1999 and started to work with these wonderful people since 2000. I officially joined this Family as a full-time missionary almost two years ago. As you see, I’m not second generation. I don’t have a long history in this Family, but I can still say that I’ve found the best place to live my life fully as a Christian with the most loving people. Now I’m 25 years old and I’ve been happy to serve the Lord as a member of this organization. Although the shocking news about Ricky and Angela brought me sorrow, it hasn’t shaken my conviction.

I was raised up in an average Japanese family. I had had good parents and friends as well as a good education. (Now I prefer quality home schooling like we have though!) I was a potential college student so many people thought I would be a “successful” woman in the future. (Ha!) However, now I belong to The Family International as a simple missionary (I work as a translator & teacher/caregiver as well). I left everything behind to be a part of this Christian group. Why? NOT because someone forced me to do so, but because I saw all kinds of beautiful samples of Jesus’ genuine love among the Family members and desired to be like one of them. I was amazed and touched by their love for the Lord, their love for others, their children’s purest smiles, young members’ shining eyes, and peace of their spirits. Everything I saw among them made me understand the great love of Christ. Also many of the children and young people I met were very talented and smart and knowledgeable as well as happy and healthy, which impressed me a lot. And all the adults and parents were thoughtful and sacrificial as well as very young in heart. All of the Family members-both first & second generation- were a living miracle in my eyes and they changed my life. Today, I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me to find true happiness in Jesus. It’s such a privilege to serve the Lord in this Family International.

I met lots of members even before I made up my mind to join, but I never got any negative images on The Family or Family lifestyle from anybody. Since I met The Family for the first time until today, I never found anything to be accused by out-side people. Even though I haven’t been in The Family for so long, I know many people, especially young ones who left the Family for many different reasons; I knew quite a few of them personally too and I continue to pray for them. I’m not a blind new disciple who doesn’t know what is going on. Yes, I know what The Family is very well. I belong to the Family International, which has the most loving people in the world who sacrifice their lives for Jesus & someone else. I’ve been working with the most amazing young people who know that true happiness & satisfaction are given by the Lord. I see the smile of children who know that their parents and other members love them dearly. I can talk with my friends who love this Family so much and appreciate our dearest leaderships, just like I do. Again, I can say I’ve found the best place, the Family, to live my life fully as a Christian with the most loving people. That’s my conclusion.

Yoko Kamiyama (a.k.a. Sunny) is a fulltime member of The Family International