Name: Serena Aslund
Age: 23
Nationality: Swedish
Location: Brazil
Profession: Disciple and follower of Christ

I don’t personally know Angela, but I do know that she gave her life to serve others like so many of us have and do. She would have never wished something as atrocious as what was done to her to befall any of those who so freely place the blame on her for her death and go as far as to say she deserved it.

Are they sane? What was her crime? To live a life dedicated to helping those in need? To forsake her own desires and wishes for the sake of bringing joy into the life of someone else? To pour her energy and time to love and pray even for those who wish to do her harm? Do they have what it takes to live a life like that? Do they have the guts to love even when not loved in return?

Obviously not! They took the path of the coward and showed their great weakness of character. I’ve come to feel of late that I must fear for my own life since I also live to follow the two greatest commandments of Jesus Christ “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart; and thy neighbor as thyself". Is it possible that I can’t follow His precious words without having my life threatened?

Do they think they can destroy us? Even if they did succeed in bringing “The Family International” to an end, I and many others I know, will continue to live our lives the way we do now, under a name or not, because that is what we have chosen and we will stand strong

I was born and raised in the Family, I’m old enough to choose for myself what I want, and I can say with all certainty that I would not have it any other way. The life I’ve been blessed to live is a wonderful one, full of joy, fulfillment and love. I wish those who attack me could feel and say the same about their life. I have some very good friends who have chosen to move on and live a different life and I admire them for that because it takes guts to start anew and work toward your dreams. They are confident and intelligent individuals who are making a difference in their part of the world and moving forward toward building the kind of life they want and find fulfilling.

On the other hand some people seem to have a serious inferiority complex and a dissatisfaction that drives them to stoop as low as they have to verbally (and even physically) assault and attempt to murder the life I and my friends have chosen to live.

To those, I say: This is my life, live yours!

P.S. I don’t have any children yet, but when I do, I will raise them in “The Family International” because I want them to have the education opportunities, happiness, fulfillment, security and love that I’ve been blessed to call my own since the day I was born.