By Maria Clara de Mello Connolly, 14, Brazil
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

I was just listening to a song that goes something like this:

You can’t keep a good man down,
He’ll bounce back on his feet,
And just when you think you got him,
You’ll find out he can’t be beat!!

I would like to dedicate that song to all of those who believe they can stop our rain.

My name is Maria Clara de Mello Connolly. I have lived in Brazil my entire life. I have no fancy portfolio to boast, or any great accomplishments in my name, my life has been one based on simple tasks, insignificant to some but very significant to me. I study, cook, clean, help with a group of adorable children at our weekly social work, participate in a theater group, win souls and a little more. But one thing I don’t do is write, so ill keep this short!

It’s easy to keep this short because there’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said, I’d like to congratulate all my peers around the world for these great postings, they express wonderfully all that I believe in. Theirs just one thing id like to add to this website, and that is a big kiss to all of my friends in and out of the Family. Yes, that’s right, many of my friends have left the Family, but their decisions have not changed our love and friendship. (more…)

From Dee, North America
(New member of the Family International.)

Although I wasn’t brought up in the Family and joined late in my years, I find it so hard to believe that anyone can blame something on someone who is trying to do any good. I’ve been in the Family now for about 5 years now and have a family of my own since joining and am very happy serving the Lord with them in the Family. We go witnessing and give Bible classes to people who never thought they could be happier. They have hope and they’re spreading their happiness, whether by telling people about Jesus or through their acts of love.

Since joining, I haven’t seen or heard of any type of misconduct, abuse to anyone by anyone in the Family, until now. It’s unfortunate to hear that there were some folks who decided to do things of their own accord back then when there were no black-and-white guidelines regarding those offenses, and if this has already been dealt with by the Family and you feel you’re still not happy, then follow-up with a legal suit of your own against the guilty party, but come on folks: Don’t take it out on others, especially physically. (more…)

By Tabitha, 24 years old, Asia
(New member of the Family International)

I’m Tabitha, a national disciple of Family International from Central Asia. My dear Family, I love you all and so happy to be a part of you. It’s the best and it’s my life. God bless you in all you’re doing! Here is a little poem that I have to share with you:

Stir up in Spirit & in flesh
And give the best to God.
Fight as a soldier on the field
And don’t say you can’t!

Our Lord is Master of our hearts
He knows the best for sure,
He’ll guide your path and make it clear
And bring you safely Home. (more…)

Timm, 19, Europe
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

It doesn’t matter what the detractors say, I am here because I choose to be and no other reason.

I personally believe in brainwashing. Everyday when you go out and see an advertisement or you watch TV you grow accustomed to what that article or message is trying to get across, and if you hear or see it regularly it becomes engrained into you. So yes, in a way I am brainwashed, every day I sit down and read or hear the Word, where I am taught and reminded to be loving and put others needs above my own, to take good care of myself, to help make others’ lives better and 101 ways of how to win people to Jesus. But I do this willingly and I am not in anyway forced to do so.

If for some reason I no longer want to be here and want to live my life some other way, I can pick up my bags and move on. But I won’t, at least not in the near future. Cuz’ how can you beat living with a group of people who love you, and when you have problems will go out of their way to help you? (more…)

By Anaik Alcasas, 29
Mother of one adorable son, United States
Second-generation member of the Family International

A few individuals have turned their vehicles toward some goal they believe will bring them satisfaction. But rather than taking the recommended route, they’ve decided to take a shortcut through a certain residential area. They also believe that the laws of the road don’t apply to them any more, and have decided they shouldn’t have to pay heed to speed limits, stoplights, or yield signs.

This residential area is teeming with children. There are babies and toddlers, young carefree kids, and trendy teenagers. Their parents are walking with them, holding the babies, leading the kids by the hand, shadowed by their teens. They’ve always expected to be safe where they live. They have a right to be safe.

But someone has decided that, so long as the destination is “justice,” anyone who happens to be “in the way” must be volunteering for the profession of road kill. Others have even decided to treat this reckless driving like a sport, to publicize and–unbelievably–to justify the personal road-rage-style sentiments as certain people careen recklessly through what was once a quiet neighborhood. The safety of others doesn’t seem to matter any more, because “somewhere back there” in another time and place, an injustice occurred. (more…)

From Claire Martin, 18, Reunion Island
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

This is my conclusion, after hearing of the dreadful murder of Angela Smith by Ricky Rodriguez, and his consequent suicide.
I’m saddened to tears, but more determined than ever to live my life as a professional missionary and revolutionary for Jesus. I realized more than ever now that the ever-elusive “Endtime” which we’ve been preaching for decades is now fully upon us without a shadow of a doubt.

Angela ranks in Heaven’s Endtime Archives as being the very first Family Martyr of the End. She is Up There now enjoying the bigger rewards and pleasures than she’s ever dreamed of! But her death is not what speaks the most to me; what touches me most is how she lived: a selfless, sharing, caring and giving, Christ-centered soul.

But she’s not the only one! I know dozens, scores, hundreds of people, young, old and in-between who are just like her! They too are 100%serious about their lives and they realize that one day, they too may be caught between a wall and a knife, threatened with death for their faith, conviction and dedication to an elite cause. (more…)

By: Elizabeth Amber M., 26, Chile
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

How can one defend a pre-meditated murder done in cold-blood? How can one slander a murder victim? How can someone who knows nothing about a situation write or speak about it without having done any research? How can someone who has never met me say they know how I feel or how my life is? What happened to freedom of speech where both sides of a story were printed and people were given a chance to choose what to believe instead of being told, where stories were based on evidence, not hearsay or rumor? How can a country that fought for religious freedom so easily deny that right to their own people? It’s beyond me.

I was born and raised in this amazing organization. I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting lifestyle than the one I received growing up traveling all over Europe, North, Central and South America. I have met and talked with people from over 100 countries. Listening to the types of lives they’ve lived has only convinced me further that I am living and working in the best group on Earth. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about so many things that many my age have never, and probably never will. I’m a well adjusted, secure, self-confident, independent individual and, thanks to the Family, I have a very wonderful, fulfilling and satisfying ministry and lifestyle that lets me explore and try out new things and opportunities. I have always felt loved by those I’ve lived with and have felt their care and concern daily in all that they’ve done to take care of me and make sure I had all I needed physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. What more could one ask for? (more…)

By Rosie Paone-Bruni, 17, USA.
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

I heard the news a little while ago. How are you? I hope you’re doing okay and are happy where you are now. I’m praying for you, I hope you know.

I feel the need to write you a personal note and express to you my sentiments on the recent course of events. First I want to tell you how much I love you. How much I always looked up to you and appreciated all the good in you. For so long you were an example to me of what I wanted to be. Thank you for that. I know you’re in a good place now where you’ll be in good Hands, but I still do pray for you. No matter what you’ve done in the past, you’ll never lose the love of at least one Person. The Lord will never forsake you. But I wanted you to know that none of us have forsaken you either. We will always still love you and care about you. You’ll never stop being a part of us. (more…)

Name: Davida Maria Martel Dias.
Age: 20
Location: Gambia-West Africa
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

I’ve come here today to take a stand alongside my fellow brothers and sisters. Reading what each one had to say is very encouraging and uplifting, and I’d like to say “thank you” to all you apostates—yes, thank you! All this stir up that you have caused will only serve to strengthen our cause. It unites us and it forces us to once again take a stand and be strengthened. You know that! I’m sure you remember…or have you also forgotten that, along with how you’ve forgotten what a wonderful place you grew up in, the amazing upbringing you’ve had, and the great, caring people whom surrounded you?

I stopped to think about the accusations you are bringing up against ME. One in particular stood out to me, how you’ve said I’m brainwashed and controlled, that I’m being told what to do and what to say. At first that was an insult and a bit offensive, but then I stopped and thought about it a little more and realized…actually, in a way, yes, I’m being told what to do!! I follow Jesus (Love) and He tells me what to do! I’m His servant, I love Him, I chose to be His follower and to do all He tells me to do…and guess what?? I’m happy with the results! I’m happy with where I’m heading and what I’m doing with my life. Are you? (more…)

Alexandra Shpitalnaya-Levkovich, 14, Ukraine.
Second-generation member of the Family International.

Sometimes I think why do people talk about having a so called “freedom” and against “brain-washing,” while trying to pull everybody their way, putting their thoughts into their young sibling’s minds, putting people down for a choice that is different from “the norm” so called.

My name is Alexandra; I’m a Russian 14 year old. I live in Ukraine, Kiev serving the Lord with 16 other people. I’m a daughter of a single mom, living on a poor mission field, but I can tell you for sure: I’m the happiest person ever! I don’t really care if someone is saying that I’m just unfit for the norm, the radical. Yeah that’s me, I’m not ashamed of it, I’m a fool for Christ’s sake. If it comes to a choice to whose fool you are, there are only two roads: Christ’s or Devils. I’m choosing the first one! (more…)

Name: Blossom Wesseling
Age: 14
Location: Wales
Nationality: Dutch
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

I have been raised in a lovely atmosphere. I like it and I think that it’s the best place for a child to grow up in. Of course I haven’t had the perfect life, but I’m still convinced that I’ve had the most wonderful childhood I could ever ask for.

My mother died when I was a girl and that wasn’t the easiest thing in the world for me, but I’m not bitter. I mean, what’s the point of staying lost in your past?
(more…)

By Mercy Rimes, 19

For whoever reads this:

This is just a reminder that “If The Family is just the work of a couple of ‘control freaks’, it will come to nothing". Another reminder: this isn’t the first time persecution’s hit them, and yet every time, persecution has only served to prove God’s with them. I have alot of friends and family serving God so faithfully in The Family. They live more like Christ than any believers in God I’ve ever known. That may scare some people today-people with no conviction to the truth. The truth is: Jesus is a freak in the world we live in today-He always was. Whoever chooses Him denies this world. People will hate you for loving Him. The Family chooses Him, and their freaks in this world. Whoose freak are you?

Mercy Rimes: FREAK for Christ

From Lara C. Purkiss, 20, Italy.
Second-generation member of the Family International.

Here, now, in this day, I would like to take a stand. I would like to take part in proclaiming the truth! I would also like to refute the lies, the slander and the discrimination that those who have been speaking against us and that the media have been saying against our life-style. In other words, our personal and precious lives! I don’t know if my testimony, my statement, will help to rectify or alter the actions you have been taking, but I would like to at least try. I can’t say I completely understand or know what makes you say the things you say, or what motivates you to make an attack on our lives the way you have, but what I do know is this:

I was born and raised into the most wonderful place in the whole world—The Family. Throughout my life I have been to a lot of places, met a lot of people and was taught to, “Love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind and to love my neighbors as myself (Mat.22:37-40).” This is what rules our life, It’s our primary principle. (more…)

Maya Stone, 29, Texas.
Second-generation Family member.

To paraphrase a song by Toby Keith, “Proud to be an American” which expresses my feelings about the Family…

“I am proud to be, to be a member in this Family. I am proud to be in this Family where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget those who gave that right to me.”

My name is Maya Stone and I am 29 years old. I am a second generation Family Missionary who lives in Texas. I am happily married to Tim Stone (also a second generation Family member). We have been married for 8 years now, we have 4 lovely daughters, whom we love dearly and want to give the best of lives.

To give you a brief background, I am the 2nd child in a family of seven. I was born and raised in this Family. My beliefs are that of a Christian. My parents joined the Children of God in the 1970’s (more…)

From Joana Gonçalves, 25, Brazil.

I am appalled and saddened to hear (once again) allegations with no truthful foundation whatsoever, been stated against the Family International, accusing our group of being an unsafe and unsuitable place for children and young people to live and grow in, amongst other accusations. And as such, I would like to make my voice heard as one who has grown up in the Family and has experience a wonderful and privileged life with the many benefits of living in a group that’s sole purpose is to help its fellow man and to follow Jesus command to “Go into all the World and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16.15).

My name is Joana Gonçalves, I am 25 years old and Portuguese by birth. My parents joined the Family when I was a baby and since then have been part of the Family International working in Brazil and Portugal. Since I can remember my life has always been full of excitement and new experiences as we traveled to many different places telling people about God’s love and helping the lost and destitute. (more…)

John B. Jensen, 18, Croatia.
Second-generation member of the Family International.

The second generation of the Family has already written countless rebuttals in order to not only repaint the bleak picture of how Family life was depicted to the public; but also as a means to express their opinion in having their upbringing, their lives and their heritage of faith—what they stand for—maliciously attacked in such a low manner. Being that I am also a SGM [second-generation member] I see this as a marvelous opportunity to let my voice be heard as well.

(more…)

From Gabriela DeLorenzo, 27, mother of three children, Europe.
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

He was the younger, “smarter” brother, the one his father had all the hopes of the family set on. But his older brother was often beaten up by his father, shunned and treated as if he didn’t care. He felt pressure to excel, to make his father proud, to be more than his brother.

She got married at 18—against her parent’s wishes—to someone they didn’t approve of. As a result, she was disowned and although they lived as literal neighbors, didn’t speak to each other for almost 10 years.

He comes from a broken home, where his parents pit him against each other. His mother couldn’t care less what he does, and wasn’t impressed when his picture was in the newspaper for helping underprivileged families. He was brutally beaten up as a teenager by a gang, and only survived the severe head wounds by a miracle. Again, his parents weren’t too concerned.
(more…)

My name is Jeffrey Lykins. I am 11 years old, and I have a couple of questions to ask of those people who are persecuting us, the Family.

My brother was Josh, his death being one they are using against the Family. [A Family] which I am blessed to be part of.

(more…)

From Susana Rodrigues, 22, Brazil.
Second generation member of the Family International.

Hi! My name is Susana, I’m 22 years old, I was born in the Family and I left when I was 5 years old, with my mother and my three younger brothers. We kept serving the Lord with a lot of fight, victories and challenges: they were very special moments! Thank you Jesus! God bless my mother – ha! She was the big fighter and soul winner, and still is! She was always giving us the sample and teaching us to live by faith!

So it wasn’t till I was 14 years and a half that I rejoined the Family full time with my mother’s incentive and consent, and later my three brothers did the same!
(more…)

João C. Sooter, 19, São Paulo, Brazil.
Second-generation member of the Family International.

OH MY GOD!!! Could it really be true? It must be since so many are saying it, I mean there are tons of people (I’m not sure exactly how many, maybe only 5 or 10, but surely that must be enough) out there (on the WEB somewhere) who claim to have been “there” (please don’t ask “where” because I have no idea myself) and know what “really” happened, thus I really must’ve wasted my whole life in an abusive “sex cult.”

I must clarify here that the members of this “terrible cult” are also part of the “Men in Black” and once they’ve abused me they flash their little “neuralizer” at me and I thus forget everything. (more…)

José Pezoa, 20, Brazil.
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

My name is José Pezoa, I’m 20 years old, I’m married and have a 1-year-old son. I’m currently living in Brazil where we have wonderful ministries and feel fulfilled and supported.

Well, to start, I was born and raised in “The Family.” As remembering my childhood all I can think about is my parent’s giving me the best school, friends, moral support, all the help I could have and everything I needed, they were there for me. What could I want more than a Heavenly Home?

When I was about 7 my dad and I moved to Rosario-Argentina, and not long after our home was raided by cops and authorities of the city.

They turned everything upside-down and stayed at our house 24/7 for the next week, coming and going whenever they wanted. We had reporters at our doorstep all the time, we couldn’t even go outside our house in peace without having all those reporters taking pictures, asking questions etc. We didn’t have any privacy!
(more…)

Nina Moore, 29, North America.
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

I’m Nina Moore, a 29 year old mother of three and a member of the Family International. I home school my children. They have school five days a week. As a mother I am very concerned about every aspect of their lives, emotional, educational, spiritual and social. My whole life revolves around my children. I spend hours planning their school. I have almost no time to myself, as my children are my life. I have organized a Kids Club where, once a week all my friends with children get together and have Bible studies, games, activities, sports and more. My children are part of the local community soccer league. They have a lot of friends, birthday and dress up parties and do all the normal things kids enjoy doing. I am on the Childcare and Parenting board in the Family where we have board meetings to discuss how we can meet the needs of our children.

My eldest daughter, who is eight years old doesn’t even know what “sex” is. She thinks you get pregnant by getting married. (more…)

(From a second-generation member of the Family)

Hi, My name is Celeste P. Schaaf, I’m 14 yrs old, and currently live in the States.

You (apostates) may say that I’m to young to know or say anything, but since I grew up in the Family my whole life I think I know what I’m talking about!

I met Angela just a few months before all this happened, and I have to say that she was one of the most loving people I have ever met! She took the time to personally talk with each of us teens, she listened to music with me while I cooked lunch, and asked me what I thought about the Family. She listened to everything I had to say, and told me what she thought as well. She was young at heart, even if she was 50-some years old. This Ricky fellow must have been extremely messed up to kill such a wonderful person!

Whether you are in the Family or not, all you ex-members have to agree with this at least, IT’S NEVER RIGHT TO KILL ANOTHER HUMAN!
(more…)

Name: Michael Tonazzini
Age: 18
Location: Italy
Nationality: Italian/American

Helloooo People! Peace on earth to men of good will.

Men of good will are hard to find, and I personally, as one who was born in the Family, think that it is a place where men of good will are found.

I personally was never abused in my life in the Family. Actually I think that the Family is one of the last places where you can get abused, and also one of the best places you can grow up in.
(more…)

From Timothy Francesco Tonazzini, 21, second-generation former member in the process of rejoining the Family International.

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Mat.5:9”

My name is Timothy Francesco Tonazzini, currently living in Croatia. I’m 21 and I have been out of the Family for 3 years. I just wanted to speak up and give my opinion on what’s happening. I’m rejoining the Family right now and I don’t know if I’ll make it, but I know that no matter what I’ll always stick up for the good in life, even if it means making some enemies.

I’m not forced to stay in the Family. No one is forced to stay in the Family, in fact when I decided to do my own thing I just told my parents and they did their best to help me get started in a new life. I got a good job and went on my own way but I got sick of what I saw.

I saw abuse so many times out there. I saw young guys and girls who every day got and still are getting abused through drugs, horror movies, “friends,“ you name it. (more…)

“In all the time that [Ricky Rodriguez] and I were friends and in all the conversations we had—and there were many—he never once expressed hate or anger towards those who had raised him, those he lived with, or the circumstances in which he lived his life.”

—Bethy K., 31, second-generation Family member, mother of one.

“To attempt justification, under any motive, for an act that God and society have condemned since Cain killed Abel, is … clearly mistaken.”

—Lorie Richards , 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“Yes, in the Family we have some unorthodox and untraditional beliefs, but they are ours, we don’t impose them on anyone else. Some might think some of our beliefs are weird, and maybe they are, but they’re not illegal.”

—Anne Boleijn, 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“I feel at ease knowing that all the children and young people in our Family Homes are free and protected from any harm in the way of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.”

—Robin Suttin, 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“Between the age of 7 and 8 my immediate family left the Family to pursue a secular life. As ironic as it may seem to some people, I suddenly found myself surrounded by abusive situations.”

—Jude Osborn, 31, second-generation member of the Family International.

“I am just a little older than Ricky [Rodriguez] so we both lived through the same time periods or ‘phases’ in the Family, and all throughout my 29 years I have never personally seen nor experienced anything unloving, dangerous, or damaging to myself or any other children as I grew up in Family communities all throughout Australia, India, Japan, the Philippines, and New Zealand.”

—April Fischer, 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“It would be naïve to say the Family never made any mistakes as ‘errare humanum est’* (*see your Latin dictionary). Bad things happen to everybody. Nobody has a ‘perfect’ life. It’s about learning to take the bad things and using them as stepping stones, learning from them and not getting bitter and resentful.”

—Zeph Fischer, 31, second-generation member of the Family International.

“My prayer is that before you come to a conclusion regarding the Family and before you tolerate the death of an innocent missionary at the hand of a disturbed and mentally unstable man, that you ask yourself ‘what is the truth?’”

—Samuel Paquette, 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“Believe me, I wouldn’t raise my kids in an environment that was dangerous and harmful! I’d be a fool! I raise my children—and I have 3 of them now, a 5 year old, 3 year old, and a baby—in the Family because I believe this is a very healthy and wholesome place to raise children where we teach them love, grace, goodness, and godly principles and qualities.”

—Michelle D’Cruz, 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“I can remember times when I wished life was easier in the Family communities. As a group, we have gone through a natural process of growing and learning—what some have termed in the 70’s, a ‘maturation of a movement.’ This I’ve experienced to some degree while living as a teenager mostly. One thing I can say, is that since those turbulent teenage years our leadership has done their best to ensure that any problems have been sorted out.”

—Bernadine Wolford, 32, second-generation member of the Family International.

“I have seen and ministered to enough abuse victims in our outreach ministries to be well aware and informed of what abuse is and is not! And I am strong on this point that I will NEVER live in a place or environment where I feel my children are at risk in any way.”

—Esther Stevens, 31, second-generation member of the Family and mother of five.

“I understand that not everybody will look back and be crazy about their upbringing, their lot in life, their parents, even their own choices, as they grow older. But isn’t that part of maturity and growing up—learning to take the responsibility for your future and not constantly looking for someone to blame for why your life is the way it is right now?”

—Nadia Paone, 30, second-generation member of the Family International.

“There are more than a thousand second-generation young people in the Family today who feel, like me, that we have a great life to talk about.”

—Marianne Mullen, 32, second-generation member of the Family International.

“While life for anybody in this world has its ups and downs, living the Christian lifestyle within the Family and learning about our unique beliefs has helped me to maximize the ups and minimize the downs as well as learn how to make the most out of the downs.”

—Vas Myers, 31, second-generation member of the Family International.

“I’m 31 years old and have 2 great kids! I’ve been around the world with my little family and been to lots of Family ‘homes’ and there is no abuse going on!”

—Isaac Larson, second-generation member of the Family.

“It’s clear that failing to present the view of our approx. 1800+ current member youth would be like trusting Saddam Hussein to be your only source in obtaining a true account of President Bush’s childhood.”

—Andrew De Bezenac, 30, second-generation member of the Family.

“Here’s my statement: I have never been abused, nor have I ever witnessed any abuse, nor was I raised in a cult. I was raised by missionary parents who truly loved and cared for me and who generously laid down their lives to help others.”

—Michael Mullen, 35, second-generation Family member.

“I know what it’s like to go from being the Family’s most ardent supporter, to feeling hate and bitterness towards the Family to the point of wanting to take action against it. And what was even more confusing to me when trying to interpret and figure out such a change of emotions, was that there was never any real basis for my growing bitterness and hate for the Family.”

—Mark Elder, second-generation former member in his early thirties.

“I lived with or around Ricky [Rodriguez, a.k.a. Davidito] for part of his upbringing during the time such ‘abuses’ would have occurred, and I never witnessed anything of the sort.”

—Bethy K., 31, second-generation Family member, mother of one.

By Regi Roselle, 28, second-generation member of the Family International.

A year and a half ago I sent my immediate family an email announcing the birth of our second daughter, and a photo. Most responded with the usual congratulations and well wishes. My brother’s reply however, read:

Regina,
You work for Zerby, a mentally damaged and damaging woman. I don’t consider you my sister. With future births, please leave me off your emailing list.

Daniel

* * *

It wasn’t always like this. Daniel and I were born 18 months apart and spent much of our lives as each others’ shadow–like most siblings I suppose. I looked up to him as my smart big brother with incredible imagination. He was always doing something creative: exploring, dressing up as famous characters, or building something. He seemed to make friends so easily. I wanted so much to be like him. (more…)

By Mariana Buhring, 24, Senegal.
Second-generation Family member.

A friend of mine recently wrote me in “concern” that I am still in the Family International, a Christian missionary group dedicated to serving one sole purpose—that of doing the best we can, in whatever way we can, to show the world a little sample of God’s love. A love that made Him give us His Son, a man called Jesus, who came to Earth 2,000 years ago to live with us and show us that love, a love so pure and so powerful that there were those who could not handle it and tried to get rid of it by brutally torturing, beating and killing the One who was the embodiment of this Love!

As I sit writing this first paragraph, I wonder why I’ve started out by recounting this story, one that we are all familiar with especially more recently. I have wanted to write some flaming rebuttal to all the latest accusations that have once again been flung at our small minority group, (more…)

Veronica Giordano Mackinnon
26 years old

I’ve been in the Family since I was four. I personally consider my life a privileged one. I’ve lived in seven different countries and visited more. I’ve learned 4 languages and live a full life where I feel fulfilled and happy. I wouldn’t trade this life I have for any other.

One of the first things that came to my mind when I heard of the deaths of Ricky and Angela and the outrageous accusations our detractors are coming up with was how proud I am to be in the Family, how thankful I am to Maria and Peter and, of course, Father David, for making this Family what it is, for taking it always forward with the humility and courage to change things when they didn’t work anymore. That’s one of the things that makes us different.
(more…)

From Libby Wescombe, 21, fulltime Family member in the Middle East.

Okay, I’ll admit, if I was flipping through a magazine and the words “Abuse leads to Murder and Suicide” caught my eye I’d probably read that first thing. It’s more interesting to read an exaggerated, crap-filled story that deals with taboo subject matter over something taken from Business Today.

If writing fictional horror stories is what you desperately need to do for kicks, then by all means do. BUT PLEASE NOT AT OUR EXPENSE!

We’re real young people, with real lives that we live to the full and treasure deeply.
(more…)

Name: Aiko Cunningham

Age:19

Nationality: Japanese/American

Whereabouts: Romania, Brosov (mountain with lots of snow)

Sign: Aquarian (Sag rising and Libra moon with the cusp of Boogalo on the forthnight of Manhunted not to mention that those are all on the boutsney of GrassRoots)

Status: Jesus freak
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