By: Rachel Edson

What are you trying to do? Are you mad at us because were getting the job done? Are you envious of our wonderful life and deeply-rooted happiness? Are you mad because we have the truth and were going somewhere with our life? Are you jealous because you’ve left God’s highest calling in your life for husks? Because you’ve been thrown into the slime pit? You think were abused?

I’ve lived my whole life in the Family. I was born and raised here and I can’t recall one moment when I was “abused". We’re here for the Lord and we have convictions, we believe in what we do. Why else would we be here? We’re getting the job done. It does say after all that, “All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution". So all you all are doing is simply fulfilling prophecy. I haven’t been abused. I had a great childhood. And life! Sure I’ve had my tough moments but what brought me through was the Lord and the Word. And that is part of our upbringing. And it is what continues to help me through. I don’t understand what you all out there are attacking the Family for. You want to know about life in the Family? Here’s a background of my life:

Since I was a kid I’ve always had a good school situation. Had all my education/scholastic areas well taken care of. I’ve had numerous opportunities to travel and learn about different places. I’ve also had numerous opportunities to learn many skills. I’ve had a well-rounded education and had fun as well in the Family. I love to party. I do that here. I work and lead a normal life. I would have to say that I think the Family is a great learning place and its better for kids to grow up in then other places in the world. If not, I wouldn’t be here. I have good friends. I have wonderful parents and overseers who I’m thankful for—for all they’ve helped me with and all the good counsel they’ve poured into me. I’m by no means insecure. I’m successful in my work and I’m quite confident that I am able to succeed whether in or out of the Family. And a large part of that I owe to my upbringing. Being in the Family is a privilege that not many people have.

And in regards to Angela, I’d like to say this. I was Angela’s roomate for the last months she was in the Family. During that time she only showed love and kindness to me. She was a great person. Great, because she loved the Lord and had a big heart for others. She helped me through a lot in my life during the time she was here. She was one of the greatest people I know. She was a happy, giving, bubbly person. She taught me a lot through her sample. She was always giving to people, always taking time for them. I was sad when she left and missed her more than I missed most people. But I’m happy for her because I know that being with Jesus is the greatest reward anyone could have.

What happened to her was very wrong and I pray that it won’t happen again. I also pray that others can come to know more about our wonderful life. And thanks to you all…they will! I don’t know what you all are trying to do? But consider Who’s eye your poking?

Rachel Edson is a second-generation member of The Family International