Name: Davida Maria Martel Dias.
Age: 20
Location: Gambia-West Africa
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

I’ve come here today to take a stand alongside my fellow brothers and sisters. Reading what each one had to say is very encouraging and uplifting, and I’d like to say “thank you” to all you apostates—yes, thank you! All this stir up that you have caused will only serve to strengthen our cause. It unites us and it forces us to once again take a stand and be strengthened. You know that! I’m sure you remember…or have you also forgotten that, along with how you’ve forgotten what a wonderful place you grew up in, the amazing upbringing you’ve had, and the great, caring people whom surrounded you?

I stopped to think about the accusations you are bringing up against ME. One in particular stood out to me, how you’ve said I’m brainwashed and controlled, that I’m being told what to do and what to say. At first that was an insult and a bit offensive, but then I stopped and thought about it a little more and realized…actually, in a way, yes, I’m being told what to do!! I follow Jesus (Love) and He tells me what to do! I’m His servant, I love Him, I chose to be His follower and to do all He tells me to do…and guess what?? I’m happy with the results! I’m happy with where I’m heading and what I’m doing with my life. Are you?

Now you, on the other hand, are also being controlled, by anger, by hate, by lies, (The Devil). Take a look at where you’re heading–to death and destruction. I think any sane person would choose to be controlled by love instead of hate, by life instead of death, by truth instead of lies. I’ve chosen that! And I choose, rather, to die for this truth I live for than to live in the lies and hate that you strive for, if need be. Even if that means I must go to the arena with MY FAMILY. I’ll lift my voice on high and proudly stand up for what I live for.

I want to remind you of a verse: 2 Peter 2:19, “While they (you) promise them (us) liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” — Yes I’m in bondage, of love, for love has overcome me. However, you’re also in bondage, of hate and lies, for hate and lies have overcome you.

There really is no comparison: the happiness, joy, fulfillment, peace, love, satisfaction, knowledge, and truth we have in this life, and will have eternally, as a result of the life we live, is way beyond what you, or anyone else for that matter, has to offer. That’s what we live for; that is our goal & our purpose. That is the reality we live and what we are looking forward to and going to enjoy forever! What are you living for? What are you looking forward to?