My name is David Van Nynatten. I’m 27 years old and I was born in the Family. I am a musician and artist. I live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I have grown weary of hearing people speak evil of things I know to be pure, therefore I am compelled to write in response.

Many of my friends and fellow missionaries have written in response to the accusations made by, I’d say, somewhat unhappy, former members of The Family. Some of these admit to have gone through some rough times in the past as do the previously mentioned former members. In their writings many state similar views on how they were not adversely affected by past unjust treatment, but instead consider that they’d been strengthened and have had their character positively built by it all, and consequently hold no grudges.

I guess I can start by asking, what about all the others, literally hundreds, who can honestly say that nothing of the sort really ever happened to them? What about the ones who never really experienced harsh discipline? (Or any discipline for that matter). What about the ones who were never on silence restriction or never were in any sort of victor program?

I can honestly say that my life has been free of that and I venture to say that many others I know of have too.

I mean if I really started digging I might turn something up that I could blow out of proportion, become resentful about, allow it to fester in my mind, and consequently go insane over it. I could, for instance, blame my father’s death on a handful of the local leadership of that time. Had he been scheduled a hospital visit a day earlier he would have lived. So what!? Bad things happen in life that we can’t impede. If we trust God, we can even turn it to good. It’s up to each of our individual maturity to “Move on” and let it make us, not break us.

What if my Dad had been hit by a drunk driver? Would it be a wise decision to make it my life’s goal to pursue and by any means necessary, bring the perpetrator to justice, all the while voicing hate, bitterness and unhappiness? What would that say of my character? What if he would have died because of hospital negligence or even murder? Are Angela’s friends, loved ones, and family going to take on the same attitude as Ricky Rodriguez? I think not! We are her Family! We are a Family of love, forgiveness, patience, mercy, hope, peace. If you have all these in your heart, you will live through anything and still come out a better person. Unlike some, who have not been able to “move on” but instead vent their unthankfulness to the loving, caring, and above-average upbringing they’ve had in the Family by condoning and encouraging violence toward innocent people.

Those of you who have been attacking my personal beliefs and lifestyle through your hateful and disrespectful words, I need not answer. I will simply state the truth for those who are level headed enough to accept it.

Those of you who have encouraged and blatantly condoned such cruelty, watch your step! That’s how Ricky started out.

I haven’t taken the time to extensively read your postings, simply because there are sites that fall into categories I won’t stoop to. I don’t consider any of it worth my time! I won’t comment on any specific complaints or accusations because when I was a kid, I learned this really cool Proverb. You know the one, “Answer not a fool…” and so on? As far as your lame attempt at a life of “ideals” and “justice”, I say to you: go on living your false pretence “rescue the poor second generation youth”, your wannabe super hero, “Zorro”, “vigilante” act, your phony attempt to avenge us “poor”, “abused”, and “oppressed” young people of the Family. I don’t need your help, actually your “help” is nothing but a nuisance, and totally undesired and uncalled for. You’re living in a dream world if you think you’ll actually make a difference.

Some of you should have been born Hollywood movie stars, then you’d be happy. Oops! I shouldn’t have said that, I might have given you something else to blame on the Family and be bitter about. Not only will you not hinder us, but you won’t even make a noticeable dent. In fact your “tidal wave” will have about as much impact on us as a fart does on the ozone layer. Give up!

I love my life, I love my childhood, I love my parents, I love my leadership, I love my Family. I love Ricky Rodriguez, because Christ loves him and Christ loves me. I love all you who despitefully persecute me, because Christ loves you. Do you love?