From Marissa (former Family member)

This is what I have to say about the Ricky/ Angela situation. Although I am not in the Family anymore I was appalled, shocked, angry, and deeply saddened to hear about this tragedy. It’s so sad that dear Angela died in such a cruel way, she didn’t deserve it.

I lived for awhile with Angela a few years ago, she was a saint and a great sample of love and concern. She was so fun, outgoing, bubbly, loving, caring and understanding, and never made me feel uncomfortable. She was one of those adults that you really liked to have around and that you could easily talk to about anything. She was the kind of adult that the young people really liked.

I remember when we first met, I believe that she had heard that my first language was French, and when we met she tried to speak to me in French, I guess to make me feel comfortable with her. Although she didn’t speak it fluently, she always did the best she could as she knew that sometimes it was easier for me to speak in French. I thought it was so thoughtful and sweet of her to do that!

Another time I had bronchitis and breathing problems and I needed to go out for a walk to get some fresh air. She took care of me that afternoon. We went out for a walk and we had so much fun walking, talking about everything and laughing together. During that time when I was often sick with bronchitis, she would always check on me to see if I had everything that I needed, she made sure I ate well and when she was away from home, she would write me personal e-mails to see how I was doing health wise and to see if I needed anything that she could bring back. She was someone that I didn’t grow up with and yet she acted and loved me as a mother and a friend, like someone that I had known for years. I have so many good memories of the many thoughtful and kind deeds she did—not only to me, but to everyone she met.

When I think of her, I truly believe that she is the sample of our founder David Brandt Berg and Maria, as she had been close to them for many years.

When I hear now of what is being said against her, dear Maria, and the Family, I cannot stay indifferent to what is happening. I am a former member but I do have the greatest respect for each member of the Family. To me they are the greatest people on Earth, who have a real love for the Lord and real genuine concern for others, they are not perfect but they are sincere and are doing their best to follow the Word of God!

There’s one thing that makes this group so special and unique: In the Family you read the writings and the teachings of our founder David Brandt Berg, and now dear Maria, and they don’t force you to obey or follow the rules, it’s really up to you and your faith, it’s a personal decision because you know that it is the right thing to do. You’re not brainwashed into doing something, it’s between you and the Lord. You know it is the right thing to do, so you do it!

My parents and younger sister and brother are still in the Family and I love, admire and respect them for that. When I think of my brother and sister still in the Family, I am at peace as I know that they are being brought up in the best atmosphere with the most loving and caring people in the world. People who not only care for them physically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. Where else can you find that? Children in the Family are well cared for, they are loved, they are cherished, they are more precious than anything else.

Woe unto anyone who would want to “rescue” and take away these kids from their loving and wonderful homes, parents and caregivers! Pity on you who think that you are doing the right thing in doing so, may the Lord be merciful upon you!

I grew up in the Family and have been in a few countries and Family Homes, and I know what I am speaking of when I say that they really love their kids and young people. I’ve always felt real and sincere love from them—each adult that I met in the Family always made me feel loved and like I was their child. When I hear of the accusations of child abuse in the Family, it infuriates me! None of my friends in the Family have been abused and neither have I! To the very contrary my best years were spent in the Family, with all the love, care and concern that I got from the members of the Family. I speak from experience and I know what I am saying!

Even now, while out of the Family, I still communicate with some friends of mine that have remained in the Family; they love and respect my decision and haven’t rejected me, they don’t look down on me, they don’t make me feel bad, they still love me as if I were still part of them. Where can you find such love, where can you meet people like that? I haven’t found it out of the Family yet, and I don’t think I ever will!

I love, respect and think highly of each Family member. To me there’s absolutely no doubt that the Family is God’s work! It’s unthinkable that one would want to falsely accuse, lie and speak against even one of them! I’m warning you, you are fighting against the Almighty!

Mama and Peter, if you are reading this, I want to let you know that I am praying for you and that I love you from the bottom of my heart. To me there’s no doubt that you are the most loving, caring, concerned, unselfish, and sincere leaders that exist. I believe in you, I believe that the Lord has chosen you to lead the Family in these last days. I still think of you very often and I can’t believe what was said about you, dear Mama. I want you to know that I am upholding you, Peter, and all the Family in my prayers during this time.

You know, at my work people are amazed to see how I’ve been well educated, that I’m not a dumb but a smart person; they marvel and they envy the way I’ve been brought up. All that, dear Mama and Peter, is because of you, of Grandpa, the Family, and the letters I’ve been reading since I was young. I can speak/ read/ write in English fluently because of the Family—I never learned English in school, yet I speak better than some friends of mine who’ve had years of English at school. You’ve made me what I am today and I owe you everything.

I cannot stay indifferent and calm when I hear of what is being said about the situation; to me it was important to say something about it, to stand up for you and for the Family! I pray that in the near future I’ll have the strength, guts and conviction to continue to do so, to stand up for what I believe to be true. I will always be grateful for your unconditional love, care and concern.

You have all my love and support and I want you to know that your friends will be mine and your enemies will be my enemies as well! You’re the best and I love you so much!

—Marissa

Marissa is a second-generation former member of the Family International.