Name: David Grupp Mayo. Age 21. Location: Bolivia.

On May 29th 2003 while at the Berlin Ökumenisch Kirchentag, I attended a conference on World Conflicts and Development. Among other spokesmen, the Sudanese Foreign Minister gave a speech (at the time almost unheard of), and referring to the military conflict in southern Sudan said, “the discovery of possible petroleum resources under the soil in southern Sudan is fueling the conflict by third-parties outside of the conflict interested in the resources”.

It may sound ironic that petroleum, a much needed resource of fuel for the development of nations can become in fact the “fuel” for wars, destruction and death. In a world rampant with wars, crime and pollution it would be wise to remember the words of Mother Teresa, who when asked “What can we do to promote world peace?” replied, “Go home and love your families.”

It is more complicated, time-consuming and taxing to build than it is to destroy. It requires more of oneself to mend broken hearts than to wound them. To make someone’s day through a kind deed or a thoughtful word requires more love and concern than it does to discourage & put them down by not taking the time to show appreciation to those around you.

I have had the privilege of receiving an excellent high school education through a home-schooling program, which I know academically, ethically, as well as Biblically, excels the education given to the average person in a secular environment. I am privileged to have the best parents in the world. I believe my parents made the right choice in raising a family of now 10 brothers and sisters in a missionary community of The Family International.

But what is the value of a good upbringing if one does not choose to use his intellect in a productive way? Not much!

I have decided that I will use my intellect to cause a positive effect in my community and change things for the better, one life at a time, by showing concern and appreciation, and most of all giving people Eternal Salvation by receiving Jesus into their hearts as their Savior. And it is because of that decision that I came to the conclusion that The Family International is my calling and place of service to Jesus Christ, whose example I do my best to follow. I adhere to The Family International’s beliefs and doctrines because I know them, I know they are founded on the Word of God, the Bible, and they have positive results on those who practice them.

I admire and appreciate the founders and leaders of The Family International (formerly known as The Children of God). And I am proud to call myself a member of The Family, and as such ‘a full time volunteer missionary’ alongside all the wonderful and dedicated co-workers I proudly consider my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Even if I were the only one to adhere to The Family’s way of life I would still be proud to stand up for its name, founders and current leaders.

I know that The Family - as an organization or as a collective work of like-minded individuals - has a positive effect on the world and the lives we touch, of that no one can convince me otherwise, because I know the results.

Giving people the chance or bringing them to the point of making the decision of accepting Jesus as their Savior is the most important achievement anyone can make. - If it could be called an achievement, in reality it is allowing yourself to be a tool in our Master’s hand. Being a channel of His love to irrigate hearts, and in so doing once our life on earth is over, our Master Jesus Christ will tell us on arriving to our heavenly destination, “well done My good and faithful servant”…not to mention the appreciation given to you by the lives you will have helped change for the better.

A few weeks ago while walking down a street in the commercial area of town I happened to cross paths with P., a friend my age who used to be our neighbor many years ago. Right away we engaged in small-talk conversation about different things we remembered during our time in the “old neighborhood”. Then P. said, “of all our time as neighbors, the thing I remember the most took place one evening when along with another friend from the neighborhood I had been sitting at a bench in the park planning on going to a bar to have some drinks when your older brother Daniel came up to us, and among other things he asked us was, “would you like to do the most interesting and fun thing you will ever do in your life?”, we told him “sure, what is it?”. Then Daniel said, “pray this prayer with me; Dear Jesus, please come into my heart, forgive me for all my sins, I accept you as my Savior and I ask you for Your gift of Eternal Life. Help me to love You and show Your love to those around me. In Jesus name, amen’”

And just the other day while visiting a plastic surgeon specialist, he told me, “I admire young people like you who have something to teach us older people who apparently have reached our goals”.

I would like to congratulate and give a heart felt thank you to all my teachers, tutors, friends and all who had a positive effect in my upbringing, wherever you are serving the Lord whether it be in The Family International or elsewhere, or even if you are no longer serving the Lord. Your work for the Lord in The Family has had positive fruit and the Lord will surely bless you for it.