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?

I feel that I have a one in-a-million chance of the privilege to be in our wonderful Family. I also feel that I’m getting the best education I possibly could, not only in scholastics, but also in vocational training. I am currently learning: violin, guitar, childcare, cooking, singing, dancing, and other performing arts such as clowning. I’ve lived in many different places including Guatemala, where I am right now living and working as a missionary.

Another topic I would like to address is the Ricky & Angela issue. When I first heard what happened, my first reaction was to cry. I had the privilege of meeting Mama Maria a few months ago and I just could not believe or understand how someone that was as close to Mama Maria as her son Ricky, could ever do such a thing or say the things he said about his mother.

Mama Maria is the perfect example of a true follower of the teachings of Jesus. She is sweet, loving, kind, caring and so much more. Everything that she says and does reflects Jesus and what each of us strives to be like in the Family. She is so full of love that its almost like it pours out of her when she is around you.

But, then again what happened with Ricky just proves what the Bible has said all along. The Devil will have more and more power during the end time, and that the spiritual warfare is SO real! We are seeing it manifested before our very eyes. How can we not want to be in the Family and to try to spread His Word like it tells us to in the Bible? We have to do it, if we don’t then who will? I truly believe that the Family is the most wonderful place in the World, and in the Family we are enabled to do what the Lord has told us to do, and to hell with anyone who tries to stand in our way!