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.

It is my firm belief that a child, any child, born in or out of the Family no matter where their residence or language or culture, that they are given something to believe in, otherwise they will go their own way which usually leads to self destruction. So even though I was not able to partake of some of the most characteristic blessings that the Family lends I was given something to believe in by my parents who raised me in the nurture and admonition of the Lord in everyway they could. Because of this I am now able to testify with conviction what I believe to anyone who would ask! And I tell you that I will not be easily led astray by any deceits that our detractors would wish to throw us off with. When I hear of the lies these apostates use to malign us with, it doesn’t move me one bit. Not because I have been brain washed (which I have not been) but because I know in my heart what is the truth. I say this to all you who would seek to hurt or destroy us! You can kill me and burn my trail but you CANNOT change the truth!

I know what I am here for and that is to serve others and give them the love that Jesus would give them. I am here to be a blessing to all whom I can. I am here to let others know of my faith so that they may too burn free in spirit and know the true meaning of happiness. I have found this meaning, and it didn’t have to come after years of searching I found it the day I learned to read (which by the way was when I was 2 because of my quality upbringing). I learned it from the Word of God and what my parents taught me. They taught me to love even when I am hated, to give when I am in need, to teach of the knowledge I have to those in need of the love of Christ. Even though my upbringing was not an exciting one, it was a challenging one and that is what has made me strong. I now stand on the Word of God with conviction in my heart and a message on my lips to all who will listen. Please stop trying to hurt us lest you find yourself fighting against a work of God himself and you must endure the consequences of such an act. To all those who are opposing us I tell you; I am praying for you because I love you with the love of Christ which is true and never will die. I pray that you will come back to his loving arms he is waiting to wrap around you and that you can once again see the light. I love you.

P.S. In a matter of months I will be moving to Ukraine to continue my missionary training. How many people my age can you find that know what they are doing with their lives?

Olivia is a second-generation member of The Family International