From Claire Martin, 18, Reunion Island
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

This is my conclusion, after hearing of the dreadful murder of Angela Smith by Ricky Rodriguez, and his consequent suicide.
I’m saddened to tears, but more determined than ever to live my life as a professional missionary and revolutionary for Jesus. I realized more than ever now that the ever-elusive “Endtime” which we’ve been preaching for decades is now fully upon us without a shadow of a doubt.

Angela ranks in Heaven’s Endtime Archives as being the very first Family Martyr of the End. She is Up There now enjoying the bigger rewards and pleasures than she’s ever dreamed of! But her death is not what speaks the most to me; what touches me most is how she lived: a selfless, sharing, caring and giving, Christ-centered soul.

But she’s not the only one! I know dozens, scores, hundreds of people, young, old and in-between who are just like her! They too are 100%serious about their lives and they realize that one day, they too may be caught between a wall and a knife, threatened with death for their faith, conviction and dedication to an elite cause. (more…)

By: Elizabeth Amber M., 26, Chile
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

How can one defend a pre-meditated murder done in cold-blood? How can one slander a murder victim? How can someone who knows nothing about a situation write or speak about it without having done any research? How can someone who has never met me say they know how I feel or how my life is? What happened to freedom of speech where both sides of a story were printed and people were given a chance to choose what to believe instead of being told, where stories were based on evidence, not hearsay or rumor? How can a country that fought for religious freedom so easily deny that right to their own people? It’s beyond me.

I was born and raised in this amazing organization. I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting lifestyle than the one I received growing up traveling all over Europe, North, Central and South America. I have met and talked with people from over 100 countries. Listening to the types of lives they’ve lived has only convinced me further that I am living and working in the best group on Earth. I’ve had the opportunity to learn about so many things that many my age have never, and probably never will. I’m a well adjusted, secure, self-confident, independent individual and, thanks to the Family, I have a very wonderful, fulfilling and satisfying ministry and lifestyle that lets me explore and try out new things and opportunities. I have always felt loved by those I’ve lived with and have felt their care and concern daily in all that they’ve done to take care of me and make sure I had all I needed physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. What more could one ask for? (more…)

By Rosie Paone-Bruni, 17, USA.
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

I heard the news a little while ago. How are you? I hope you’re doing okay and are happy where you are now. I’m praying for you, I hope you know.

I feel the need to write you a personal note and express to you my sentiments on the recent course of events. First I want to tell you how much I love you. How much I always looked up to you and appreciated all the good in you. For so long you were an example to me of what I wanted to be. Thank you for that. I know you’re in a good place now where you’ll be in good Hands, but I still do pray for you. No matter what you’ve done in the past, you’ll never lose the love of at least one Person. The Lord will never forsake you. But I wanted you to know that none of us have forsaken you either. We will always still love you and care about you. You’ll never stop being a part of us. (more…)