From Lara C. Purkiss, 20, Italy.
Second-generation member of the Family International.

Here, now, in this day, I would like to take a stand. I would like to take part in proclaiming the truth! I would also like to refute the lies, the slander and the discrimination that those who have been speaking against us and that the media have been saying against our life-style. In other words, our personal and precious lives! I don’t know if my testimony, my statement, will help to rectify or alter the actions you have been taking, but I would like to at least try. I can’t say I completely understand or know what makes you say the things you say, or what motivates you to make an attack on our lives the way you have, but what I do know is this:

I was born and raised into the most wonderful place in the whole world—The Family. Throughout my life I have been to a lot of places, met a lot of people and was taught to, “Love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind and to love my neighbors as myself (Mat.22:37-40).” This is what rules our life, It’s our primary principle. I have been taught that the greatest of these (above all the other basic principals that pattern our lives) is: love. And I have come to know the greatest of all Loves—Jesus. Without Him I really don’t know where I would be. He is what has given us the initiative, the strength, the capability, the motivation, and anything else that we need, in order to do this job for Him. (“Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”—Mk 16:15).

I understand that each one of us who have taken up this calling to fulfill this commission isn’t altogether perfect. I understand that mistakes have been made that have hurt others. But I also know that living your life built on the mistakes of others takes you down a dark path—a path full of bitterness, hate, and anger, basic self-destruction that obviously leads to the destruction of not only yourselves but others. We are all given choices, each one of us, but what is important is what we do with those choices. Will we choose to love or to hate? Will we choose to forgive or to become bitter? Will we choose to live our lives based on hope or on fear? Will we choose to trust or to doubt? Will we choose to up-hold the truth or to become disillusioned by the lies? I don’t know about you, but I choose love, forgiveness, hope, trust, and I choose the truth! It’s not always easy living this way—it is a sacrifice—but I won’t settle for anything less than that—the TRUTH!

I’m sorry that some of you feel the way that you do. That you feel that you were mistreated, un-cared for, and as some claim, abused. In my life growing up, I have never lacked in any way, physically, educationally, emotionally, or spiritually and I never saw any of this abuse or mistreatment going on around me. While looking at my life in retrospect, I have no reason to complain.

My name is Lara. I was born in Chile where I grew up for the first 3 years of my life. I have lived in the following countries: the States, Japan, and then Taiwan, where I spent most of my years growing up. Throughout the younger years of my life, I lived in schools, also known as “combos,” where we were taken care of day and night by people who dedicated their lives to doing this job voluntarily. I was involved most of the time in dance groups which we used to spread the message of love and peace to people from all walks of life. We went from prisons to political campaigns, park openings to handicapped centers, amusement parks to old folks homes. Having had the opportunity to see society at large, I never felt I was missing out on anything. In fact, I felt our lives were superior.

By the age of 13, I went to live in Hong Kong with other members of our group where we, my peers and I, put together a show for one of the top amusement parks there. At age 14 a group of nine young people and two adults went on a road trip to China and Mongolia for humanitarian and educational purposes. When I was 15, I went to Japan and became involved in the care of a group of 2-3 year olds. When I was 16 I decided that I wanted to pursue a higher education and my parents where supportive of that. I got a job teaching English on the weekends and started studying at a university to learn the Chinese language, where I got a scholarship to continue on with my studies. I in no way felt that I had an inferior education. When I was 17, I decided to move to China where I had enough job opportunities; teaching at kindergartens, editing/ recording, and modeling. At 18, I returned to Taiwan and at 19 moved to Italy, where I’ve been living until now as a full-time member. After having experienced a variety in life, I decided that all I would ever be satisfied doing with my life would be that of living a selfless and giving one.

Since I have firmly made that decision I am more convinced then ever that there is nothing more from this life that I would want then that of serving Jesus. He is the best Boss I have ever had and has given us all our needs, above and beyond what we ask. Having met others who have given their lives to sacrifice in this way, I cannot help but smile and wonder how amazing the Lord is and how much He has blessed each of us with. I see beautiful families, so much talent, and so many different amazing characters and personalities—all individuals who have made the same decisions in life as I have.

I wish everyone could have the privilege to be raised in the Family, and to have the experience and the love that I’ve felt. I wish they could feel the satisfaction that comes in knowing that you give your life for a worthy cause. I feel extremely blessed that at such a young age, I already know what I want to do with my life. I thank the Lord, the Family, and my parents for that.

Another wish that I have is that all those who have chosen to do something else with their lives out of the Family will be happy with their choice and not wallow in their self-pity and past hurt. It’s leading to a sad place called—nowhere. Wake up, and get on with your life! If you do feel like you want to help people, turn around and take a good look at those around you, at those who are truly abused and mistreated. It’s obviously not us! We are not the ones that need help or rescuing. First look at yourselves before you start pointing your fingers in the opposite direction.

I once read that: “It’s not an action done towards you that matters, but in your re-action will your salvation be found.” I hope you use life’s problems not as stumbling blocks but as stepping stones to move on ahead and above and beyond.

One last note:
We are not afraid of your threats or your slander! We are not afraid to stand up for the truth!

Lara C. Purkiss