By Reuben John Ford Ambat, 18
Bangalore, India.

It’s funny how some people think they can speak for you, but I’ve got news for some of these vocal vindictive apostates….YOU CAN’T!!! I have lived all my 18 years in the Family as an FD member and I have never once been abused, or seen anyone been abused in any shape or form. I have parents and teachers that love me. So I take offence to the very vocal apostates that sweepingly state that “we in the Family” have been abused. Who are you to speak for me and for the other 1,800 young people that are still members of the Family International? Hello we have brains!!! We can think for ourselves…we don’t need you as our spokes people. Who are you to question whether we want to stay in the Family or not? If we want to do something good with our lives and if we are winning the world for Jesus, you don’t have to be jealous and start making up crap that never happened. Stop blaming people. Come on help us, we need as many people as we can to reach this messed up world. Can’t you guys grow up??? You guys are adults now, you’re not playing with toy cars and wearing diapers anymore. Can you stop squawking and whining about what happened in the past, over 20 years ago? Forget the things which are behind and look towards the things that are before. If you were to just read your Bible you would know. I feel bad for you guys that have turned your back on the Lord, I love you guys and I have nothing against you, but can you just go on with your lives, do something useful, if not for the Lord then at least for humanity?

It doesn’t matter how hard you try to tear down the Family, it will never work. The harder you fight the stronger we will become.

In the Bible it clearly states that we are to love our enemies and do good to those who hate you. I love you guys and I’m writing this so you guys can wake up and realize that the Enemy is fighting you, he’s using you. Do you realize that you are going to die one day, and that you are going to have to face the Lord, you’re going to have to give an account for every evil word that you speak. Look at your lives, ask yourself…am I ready to face God? I would be very scared if I were you. Ever heard of “everlasting shame and contempt”?

So I say Enough is Enough, I have heard you guys keep bringing up the past, insulting us in the Family and using the Lord’s name in vain. I decided the least I could do was to write this rebuttal. I am so proud and I admire each one that has rebutted the lies that are in the media and are floating around. I think it is about time that we have our say in the matter.

I have tons of respect for the guys that left the family and went on with their lives. They did what every normal person would do when they leave something…THEY GOT ON WITH THEIR LIVES!!

I have a challenge for you guys that say we were abused sexually. Take 100 kids from the world today, from different races and religions. Take a test on them, I would guarantee that over 50% percent of them would be found abused in some way. Then take 100 kids from the Family International, oh wait you wouldn’t have to do that, would you? Because authorities have already taken over 700 kids from the Family and not ONE, yes I said not ONE of them were abused in any way shape or form! Now is that proof, or WHAT?

I have had the privilege to be brought up in a very loving environment. Is it a crime to raise up kids in a loving environment? Well that is what you guys are saying! I know many of my friends outside of the Family that would give anything to exchange places with me. I’ve experienced life, travelled to three continents, lived in over 25 different cites, played in a band, helped in the recent tsunami relief as well as other different humanitarian projects, just to name a few of the things I have done so far.

I have never met anyone my age (out of the Family) that has experienced more than I have. I want to thank all my teachers as well as my parents who gave me the opportunity to be raised in a privileged environment, with all the love and attention a kid could ever want. I want to express my gratitude to Father David and Queen Maria, who sacrificed their whole lives for the Family and they have made it what it is now. God bless them! They will certainly receive their reward in Heaven.

I also want to say one thing that these apostates are saying about Mama. — Queen Maria has helped me so much in my life. She motivates me to love and to give my life to the Lord. She leads by example. Even though I have never met her, the amount of time that she gives for others, the sweat, the tears, the love she has for every single person whether they love the Lord or not. Or whether they are in the Family or not, she loves everyone, and when you guys tear her down it hurts me, she is like a mother to me. Do you think I’m going to stand by while people I love and respect are being made fun of and lied about? What do you have against Mama, has she ever done anything wrong to you? When you guys fuel so much hate at something or someone, it can cause something like this to happen. Hate is what leads to depression and hate can cause you to kill someone. Think about it. Were you guys responsible for what happened on the 8th of Jan? Did your actions and your words influence Ricky in some way that led him down the road of violence? If so blood will be required at your hand. In Matt 18:6 it says:
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

I am proud to be in the Family, I know it is where the Lord wants me to be, I wake up in the morning and I feel satisfied, I feel like I am doing my best for the Lord. I don’t know if some of you guys believe in Heaven anymore, but it’s real, and you’re going to be going there very soon. But whether you will hear Jesus saying “Well done thou good and faithful servant” is really up to you and the choices you make in this life. I know I am nothing; I have never accomplished anything extraordinary, but I know that a life lived for Jesus and others is more important than becoming somebody famous. When you are nothing but a diamond of dust, that’s when the Lord can use you. Aren’t you guys looking for happiness and peace of mind? It doesn’t matter what you have done, the Lord still loves you and He’ll forgive you. It doesn’t matter how far you’ve gone. Come back to the Lord, He’ll always be there for you.

In saying all of this I’m not trying to persuade you to join the Family or anything, everyone needs to make their own choices in life and go where they know will bring them the most happiness, but I am writing this so that you will take a look at your lives, anyone who is reading this, think about it. Are you really happy? Do you know you are doing the best thing in the whole world? Once you have asked yourself those questions and have found the answers don’t stop until you have reached that place in your life. However, while you are at it, for God’s sake, mind your own business and stop bothering us. May God help you!

Reuben John Ford Ambat is a second-generation member of The Family International