(Sister to Karen Zerby a.k.a. Maria David, aunt to Ricky Rodriguez)

I met Angela Joy about six years ago. We called her Joy. Such an appropriate name for her. She was a joy to be around. She was undoubtedly one of the most unique people I had ever met. She was a ray of sunshine in our lives. When we had little hope, Joy gave us hope. When we had little faith, Joy gave us faith. With her optimism, and her sweet spirit, anything seemed possible. When she came to visit, the whole atmosphere became charged with her love. With her hugs and “I love you” and her willingness to do whatever was in her power to help and comfort, she transformed our home into a haven of peace and goodwill. The change was so remarkable that we commented on it time and time again. When she would leave, it was like a spark had burned out and only rekindled again when she returned.

I will give you a little background on myself, so you can understand why it is so important that you know why I feel as strongly as I do. (more…)

Name: Chad Desruisseaux
Age: 23 years old
Location: Mexico

My rhetoric is neither to change the reader’s mind, nor to make an epic discourse that will be upheld as an exemplary ideology. I am here merely to lend credence to the fact that while a single voice may not change a crusade; enough, like termites undermining a house one splinter at a time, can rise into a crescendo that will be heard. (more…)

My name’s Andy Stevens, I’m 14, and live in the Ukraine.

I believe the Family is an awesome place for raising kids, where they’re safe from the violent movies and computer games and comic books that those outside the group are exposed to.

I see no reason to blame the wonderful teachers and parents for this senseless loss of life, when it was just the result of wrong choices of an individual.

I just can’t help but be slightly upset at the people who are trying to blame my wonderful parents who have raised my older siblings (and done an excellent job). And then blurting out all of this abuse bull, is really just a nasty kick in the nuggets.

I mean, check out all the posts on this site. It doesn’t really look like any one of us is upset at our parents or teachers, does it? It looks like we’ve all had good childhoods, no?

Maybe you who are trying to “rescue” us should think twice before saying things that might just cause hurt instead of help.

From Gabe, second-generation former member.

I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Gabe, commonly known as Gabe, I am an X member of TF [The Family], why, and why am I giving a conclusion in my conclusion instead of in the moving on page, I’ll get to that also, sooner or later I think and hope.

I am an X because I have a problem with weed. Yep, that’s it folks, I do, and I guess that has stopped me from being up there with the rest of you. But I was in TF for many years living in Brazil.

I remember much in ‘86 when we lived in Curitiba with some people that nowadays are called “abusers” in TF. (more…)

From R., a female second-generation former member.

Hi, I’m 21 and left the Family when I was 18. I’ve got 5 siblings, some in the Family and some out. Some that still believe in God and the Family, others choosing, and some that don’t.

The main reason I left was that I didn’t find my place in the Family and wanted to study. (more…)

Hello, I love you, and God bless you to anyone who reads this! I’m Olivia, 15 years old and a second generation member of the Family international. I have read many amazing stories and articles posted by my fellow members of the Family on this site and it has been a truly encouraging and uplifting thing for me. I was also born and raised in the Family, but I was not able to partake of the wonderful benefits of travel and the experience that comes with it as my parents did most of their traveling before I was born and when I was only a small child. As my family grew to 8 children it became more and more difficult to travel so my parents decided to settle down in a city called New Orleans. I have lived there since my birth, a very unusual thing for a child raised in the Family. Although it was a struggle for my parents financially they gave me all that they could in the way of both physical needs and spiritual. (more…)

Ana Jessica Robillard - 16 years old

Hello everyone,

This is Jessica. I’ve been living in Brazil for the past 10 years. And I’m in it with all of you to win this world with love. Recently I went to visit my brothers (which are all out the Family) and they brought out the subject about Ricky. And there, they started accusing the Family and coming up with the negative side of the situation and saying that they agreed with most of it. For me, that was it! That was exactly what I needed to hear to get me started & make me think of my place in the Family and why I was in it. (more…)

From Marie-Ange Mignot, 19 years old

I have always loved swings. My earliest playground memories are of my Dad pushing me on a swing. This was before I discovered the fine art of pushing your legs out then tucking them back in. Once I had that down, I went higher, much higher.

My name is Marie-Ange Mignot. I was born in a dandy clinic in New Delhi, India at approximately 5:20 p.m., April 3rd, 1986. I say approximately as the Indian doctors forgot to note the time of delivery on my birth certificate. I will never get over this stigma. My name is derived from a song that reached a certain height of popularity in The Family International at the time of my birth, namely: “On wings of love, came my angel Mariangela…”
Yes, I am still traumatized by this. (more…)

My name is Gina Wilson, 29 yrs.,– status (FM). I am glad to have this forum in which to comment on such a sad and shocking situation because I think it is one of those times we are forced to reflect on what life means and what our beliefs are. I didn’t know either Angela or Ricky personally, yet I am feeling the effects of these events. What I do know is that our spiritual life is the most personal thing we have. It is ourselves as an individual spirit before our Creator.

Every person is in a different stage of development spiritually, and God sees us each separately, never comparing us one with another. Our conscience is our guide; a gift given to speak to us. We know deep down of each little choice we make whether it is in line with our conscience and we have peace, or we are justifying something for our own self-satisfaction. This is true of every tiny decision we face, constant tests big and small: and only God sees and shares this process with us. This is life, and no one gets away from it. (more…)