By Clara Guintoni, 19, Albania

My name is Clara Giuntoni and I’m part of the “Family International". I was born and raised in the Family until the age of 9, and then later rejoned the group when I was 13. I’m writing in to let you know that through out all my time in the Family I never saw any sign of child abuse, I always had very loving teachers who loved me a lot, and gave all the attention I needed—unlike the public schools I attended during the years I wasn’t in the Family International. They always taught us to love our neighbor, to be kind and loving one to another, unlike schools I attended.

When I started attending public schools I missed my teachers from the Family International like crazy, and always asked about them. That was one of the main reasons that brought me back to the Family. They all had so much love and cared for each other. Everybody was just so loving, it was like having a little bit of heaven here on our almost cold cruel earth. Now I’m 19 and I have a very fullfilled life. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

I’ve learned much more in these few years in the Family then anywhere else. I think I’ve learned the most important thing which is of course putting the Lord and others before everything else. I decided to give my all, and I’ll do my best to serve the Lord and keep this Family a loving and caring place—which, by the way, I think is the best place to raise kids, and I certainly would want to raise my kids here. And I want to underline the fact that I’ve never heard or seen children being abused. I love this place and I’m totally convinced, of my own will, to stay here and serve the Lord and preach the Gospel to whomever I meet, and I’m very proud of being in the Family International.

So I would suggest that you not believe all of the lies that go around. I think the only reason some of these ex-members are so against us is because they are jealous of us, they see that we are still happy and fulfilled being in the Family. I wish they would just move on just like everybody else, stop persecuting us, and let us live our life they way we want to. It’s my life and I do with it whatever I want to, thank you very much.

I’m sorry they had a tough life during their time in the Family but I want to point out that there are millions of other people around the world who have been in way worse situations. The best thing you can do to forget your problems and yourself is to look for someone else to make happy and happiness will find you.

As for me, I’m going to stay in the Family and be the best missionary I can. I want to be a 100% sold out disciple for Jesus. And this is my side of the story.