My name is Joana D’arc, I’m 20, I Live in Brazil and I’ve been born and raised in the Family International and I sincerely can’t think of a better place to be, live and die.

I’m the type of person who loves quotes and true phrases and there’s one in particular that I’ve adopted as my slogan “You will find, as you look back upon your life that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.” (more…)

(From a second-generation member of the Family International)

My name is Katrina Dove, daughter of Paul & Terry Theophilus. I am 36 years old & have been in the Family International since the age of 6. I consider my self a child of the Family; in fact I often say I grew up with the Family. I am the proud mother of 8 children & have been a Family teacher since the age of 21 & before that for three years an assistant teacher. I have taught Family kids in Japan, Brazil, the USA, East Europe & more… I can also cook, sew, organize children’s show troupes, & have a few other talents for which I give the fact that I grew up in the Family credit, including the gift of being able to adapt to many different types of cultures.

I feel the need to contribute to the voices that I’m sure will speak up for the Family, Mama, Peter, & all we hold dear. (I started to write this before the new site www.myconclutions.com was set up, & now I am proud to say that there are many).
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My name is Michele Dawn, I am 28 years old. I was born and raised in “The Family”. I have a wonderful, sweet daughter Anisha Ryann who is now 5 years old. I have lived in a number of countries during my years growing up in “The Family”. One of the main ministries I have been involved in has been the care of our precious Children.

The appalling Murder of Angela and the consequent suicide of Ricky Rodriguez both shocked and disturbed me. There are 2 main things that disturb me most, first of all the loss of life as I believe life is precious; second and perhaps most disturbing is what followed: That there are those who will stoop to such low levels as to try and blame a murder on the victim; and excusing the one who committed the murder. I am sorry but that is just inconceivable. Those who say these things have an agenda and only one thing on their mind and that is to try and destroy what Angela lived for and what I am still living for. Their accusations against the Family has caused me to look back at my life in “The Family” and see it for what it really is, I have reflected on my upbringing and experiences in the Family. When I looked back this is what I saw: (more…)

My name is Steven, I’m 20 years old and was born in the Family International. I’m sending this to you, as a young person having grown up in the family, expressing my feelings on the Family.

What’s most important to me is nothing more than to share the great upbringing I’ve received in the Family. The older I grow and the more I learn and look around, the more I realize how much I’ve gained.

I’m happy with who I am, even with all my imperfections and shortcomings.

The Family’s brought out the best in me.
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Hi! My name is James J. Knoke. I am 17 years old and like many others here I was born and raised in the family and didn’t come from an abusive childhood; nor have I known (heard) of anyone in the family who has.

So, to be honest, I find the thousands are methodically abused and raped statement to be a little perverse, but at the same time kind of funny. It’s like saying –very seriously- that two-hundred pound weightlifters are physically unfit and malnourished. Honestly, we have so many posts here already saying what I have to say that I’m a little reluctant to write this as I’d rather use my time for other purposes. But for the sake of “adding another unabused life to the list,” I’m writing this. (more…)

My name is Anna Marie Mckenzie, I’m nearly 18. I was born and raised in The Family International, which I can honestly say I’m proud to announce!

Until today thinking back on my childhood and all the sweet, fun, and humorous memories it brings is a topic that provokes many smiles and laughters as I sit with family and friends remembering those good old days! I don’t at all look back and think, “Oh poor me, I was so mistreated and abused as a kid!” Are you kidding, there was none of that! It’s actually quite the contrary. I can’t think of a better way to have been raised or fonder memories I could have than what I have now by having been raised in The Family. I wish everyone could have the opportunity I had to receive all the love, care, and concern from my parents, teachers, friends, and peers throughout my whole upbringing! I’m so glad for all the good and even the harder times (which you experience just about anywhere) I experienced in this Family, for it only contributed to bringing about good in my life! I do believe that the Family is the only place that could have taught me so much about getting through and overcoming the hard times, coming out of it a better person!
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Hi! My name is Gabriela Bianchini Teixeira and I’m 21, born and always lived in Brazil, in different parts of the country.

My parents joined The Family when I was one year old so it’s like I was practically born in The Family. They had five more kids and when I was around 7 my dad decided to leave (not because he was against The Family, but just thought the life style was a little too hard for him) so we all left together. The whole time we were out I always wanted to come back as I really loved the life we had then. My parents always told us that we could go back when we were old enough. So, I waited anxiously till I turned 16 to finally be able to come back. Now my parents are happy I did. (more…)

Name: Eagle Kifrigan
Age: 23
Location: Middle East

My mind is like a ghost city. Every time I want to access a thought, a memory, a picture, I find myself running through empty streets, searching for the right street, finding it and looking for the right building, finding that and looking for the right room.
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From Nat Woerter
Age: 21
Location: India

Have you ever been hated or discriminated against… Yeah, I HAVE…
No Eminem was definitely not the first person to speak those words.

I’m writing because like any other human on this earth I have emotions, feelings, conscious thought, and right now the thing that is running through my mind is WHY?
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My name is Jewel Woerter. I have grown up in the Family; I’m 20 years old. By now, you should think someone my age old enough to “think” for themselves and make their own decisions and I am. No one has forced me or anyone else for that matter to be in the Family. In fact I have been encouraged to make my own decisions from a very early age. So yes, of my own free will I have chosen this lifestyle and I love it.

If I were to use one word to describe life in the family it would be “fantastic.” (more…)

Name: Jonathan Brown
Age: 20
Location: Mexico (Mexico State)
Nationality: Canadian/Italian

First thing I want to say is to tell all of you who posted on this site to Rock on, keep the faith and keep serving Jesus Christ in spite of any who would try to stop us or deter us from our mission of changing this world as best we can. And to those who are no longer in The Family, I admire and thank you. Rock on likewise.

On the subject of abuse, I myself was never abused and neither were any of the kids that grew up with me. I lived for over 5 years in what we called a “Combo” which happened to be one of the largest in Southern Europe, so the traffic going through that community was a fair amount. (more…)

From Maria van Rheenen
Location: Brazil

I am 21, Dutch/Brazilian by nationality and born and raised in The Family International. After hearing so much slander and filth hurled against what I know and love, I have decided to speak up. Yes, this “uninformed mindless robot” has got something to say.

What is this world coming to? Since when do we let our emotions and hate take us to such extremes? We choose to. And why, may I ask, do the thousands of others who have chosen another path than mine seem to be happy and fulfilled, even highly successful and without the need to blame their inability to get a life on their past. See for yourself. This sad small but vocal minority is again trying to defame us.

Well, guess what, I have had hard times in my life in the Family, though nothing close to what many children here in Rio de Janeiro’s slums go through to survive. (more…)

From Sharon Farrell, 15 years old, Guatemala

I would like to take the chance to express myself about some of the bitter accusations made against us by our apostates and detractors. Personally, I don’t even know how they find time to constantly be slandering the Family and everything else, in my opinion they should live their lives, and let us live ours. Even if they were abused or brainwashed or molested or whatever else they claim happened to them.

I have personally NEVER been abused, brainwashed or molested or whatever else they claim happened to them. Do they really think that we would want to keep on being in the Family if those kinds of things were really happening to us?
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From Gabriel Glaser (age 25), South Africa

I’m a second generation member of the Family, and like most people I was shocked and saddened to hear of Angela’s murder and Ricky’s subsequent suicide. Unfortunately I have to say most people, as I’ve seen articles and internet postings that not only condone this vicious murder, but go on to call for more! In my book anyone who can coldly praise a murderer and say that they wish he had managed to kill even more is about as sick as they come, and these are the same people who are now gleefully sending you their malicious slander.

I know their supposedly “true life stories” are shocking, and I realize that this is a juicy story that is just too good to miss, but I want to give you the opportunity to hear the other side as well. (more…)