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. Like any human I have to fight to keep a positive edge and not let the unpleasantness of life’s problems turn me upside down. I have found true and complete happiness in learning how to use these “obstacles” as stepping stones.

But when I think of it, I obviously do have it pretty good. I have gotten straight A’s in all my studies, learned three languages, traveled most of South America and some of Europe, and tried my hand at many vocations. Christian outreach, translations, sales, teaching, performing, and youth counseling are only a few of them.

I really admire all my friends and family who are not in The Family any more, I love them all dearly and they love me in return. We respect each other’s choices, even if we agree to disagree. But I can’t say the same for those who vow to cause me harm, who want to destroy us to ease their aching conscience. For crying out loud! If you choose another path and it isn’t going so well, looking back and trying to persuade yourself that your path is better by saying nasty things about the other is as lame as finding faults in your old computer after trading it for a broken one. Deal with it!

And for you former members who find it in your hearts to understand and forgive those that wronged you, remembering that we all are human and not fit to cast the first stone, thank you for your words of encouragement, for being true friends. Though I don’t know you all, I count you as brothers.
Sad but hopeful,
Maria van Rheenen