Maria Nelson, 24, India

Hi! My name is Maria Nelson. I’m 24 yrs old, from Chile, but now live in Bombay, India, and have been living here for the last six years of my life. (Which have been great years, by the way.)

I’ve been born and brought up in the Family, and not a day goes by where I can look back and say, “Boy, I regret that,” or “What a horrible upbringing!” —Which is something that seems to be quoted by some that have left. It’s just so sad, because the fact is, all those I have met, (that have been born and brought up in The Family and are in The Family now, as well as close friends of mine that have left), have only had good things to say about their childhood. If anything, they always seem to look back on those days as days of Heaven, ha!

One thing I’ve noticed that is a bit odd, is that some who have left all of sudden decide to switch their story to how bad their childhood was, all this abuse, (which is one thing I’ve never seen in my 24 years in The Family by the way). —Whereas before leaving, they never had anything negative to say about their upbringing. Something is wrong with the picture. My opinion is GET OFF THOSE WEBSITES! They tear your spirit down and make you into someone you DON’T want to be! Just look at the evidence.

As for myself, if I had the chance to change my past, my upbringing, I wouldn’t change a day! My childhood was a beautiful childhood! Though I was an only child, I never felt alone, as there were always kids my age to be around. School was so much fun! Everything was fun! Ever since I was a little kid, I remember performing and cheering up old folks, orphans, drug & alcohol addicts—you name it! Travelling was always my favourite thing to do, and something which I got to do a lot of as a child! Life was, still is, and always will be exciting!

I feel honoured and so very privileged to get to do what I do in The Family! If I could trade my life with anyone else in the world, I just wouldn’t do it, as I feel that nothing else could ever bring the satisfaction and joy in my life that living for the Lord in The Family can.—And I’m not just saying this for the record’s sake, but it’s because I truly mean it with all my heart. A lot of my closest friends have left, and as long as they’re happy I’m happy for them.—Especially those who have gone on with their lives, and have not tried to put down those of us who feel this is our calling, our vocation, our destiny.

I truly feel sorry for these ones that have left and try to pull the most beautiful place apart with all their lies, and misconstrued ideas; they need to get back to their Maker! Where love is the most important thing, instead of hate, bitterness and strife. I really pity them, because they could be living a much more healthy life, and yet they throw it away by trying to tear apart something that is built on love. What a day that will be when they’re face to face with Jesus! What are they going to say to the one who gave their life for them?

If only they could see that they are the brainwashed ones, not us! We’ve got total freedom of speech, thought, and will. We are not bound by our “shepherds” or whatever it is they think. We make our own decisions, there is NOT someone up there making them for us. We are in The Family because we want to be, because I want to be and I am determined to stay come what may. This is the place to serve the Lord full-time, this is where I want to be, and why in the world would anyone want to usurp that? I’m happy! Why should anyone want to tear that apart? What have we done wrong? Absolutely nothing! We just want to spread love and happiness wherever we go. Is that such a bad thing? God help you if you’re trying to stop us, as you may find yourself fighting against God!

Maria Nelson is a second-generation member of The Family International