I have had mixed emotions about this whole situation, ranging from total shock and total sadness and somewhere in between there has also been, (due to my human nature) a fair bit of anger. Not anger directed at any one individual, but at the course of events, uncontrolled rhetoric and negative attitudes that have led up to this terrible tragedy. I have also had my times of questioning why and how something this terrible can happen. It just goes to show how your thoughts are real things and as the old saying goes “you are what you read” well– you are also what you think and say. “As a man thinks in his heart so is he” and “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks”. (Matthew 12:34b) All of you who had anything to do with fueling Ricky’s bitterness, condoning his attitudes and sympathizing with him, have taken part in his crime and had a grip on his knife.
(more…)

I’ve been thinking a lot over the last couple weeks about life and the meaning of it, trying to find some semblance of surety that my existence has counted for something. Because I could have been the innocent woman killed that night, and as things stand now I would have been awfully unprepared. Life isn’t something we can make bets on. It’s a privilege not a guarantee, here today and gone tomorrow, but when tomorrow comes I don’t plan on being ashamed with how I spent my life. I might have wasted the first half floating in lukewarm uncertainty, but I won’t take this attack on my faith and family any longer, enough of hiding my head in the sand and letting others take the rap for their convictions, if it’s the last thing I do, I will speak out.

This isn’t about Angela Smith, the victim, who I did not know, nor is it about Ricky Rodriguez who I met only once several years ago. I don’t feel it’s my place to try to make sense of what happened and why. This is about me and who I am.
(more…)

From Dee, North America
(New member of the Family International.)

Although I wasn’t brought up in the Family and joined late in my years, I find it so hard to believe that anyone can blame something on someone who is trying to do any good. I’ve been in the Family now for about 5 years now and have a family of my own since joining and am very happy serving the Lord with them in the Family. We go witnessing and give Bible classes to people who never thought they could be happier. They have hope and they’re spreading their happiness, whether by telling people about Jesus or through their acts of love.

Since joining, I haven’t seen or heard of any type of misconduct, abuse to anyone by anyone in the Family, until now. It’s unfortunate to hear that there were some folks who decided to do things of their own accord back then when there were no black-and-white guidelines regarding those offenses, and if this has already been dealt with by the Family and you feel you’re still not happy, then follow-up with a legal suit of your own against the guilty party, but come on folks: Don’t take it out on others, especially physically. (more…)

By Anaik Alcasas, 29
Mother of one adorable son, United States
Second-generation member of the Family International

A few individuals have turned their vehicles toward some goal they believe will bring them satisfaction. But rather than taking the recommended route, they’ve decided to take a shortcut through a certain residential area. They also believe that the laws of the road don’t apply to them any more, and have decided they shouldn’t have to pay heed to speed limits, stoplights, or yield signs.

This residential area is teeming with children. There are babies and toddlers, young carefree kids, and trendy teenagers. Their parents are walking with them, holding the babies, leading the kids by the hand, shadowed by their teens. They’ve always expected to be safe where they live. They have a right to be safe.

But someone has decided that, so long as the destination is “justice,” anyone who happens to be “in the way” must be volunteering for the profession of road kill. Others have even decided to treat this reckless driving like a sport, to publicize and–unbelievably–to justify the personal road-rage-style sentiments as certain people careen recklessly through what was once a quiet neighborhood. The safety of others doesn’t seem to matter any more, because “somewhere back there” in another time and place, an injustice occurred. (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…)

Maya Stone, 29, Texas.
Second-generation Family member.

To paraphrase a song by Toby Keith, “Proud to be an American” which expresses my feelings about the Family…

“I am proud to be, to be a member in this Family. I am proud to be in this Family where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget those who gave that right to me.”

My name is Maya Stone and I am 29 years old. I am a second generation Family Missionary who lives in Texas. I am happily married to Tim Stone (also a second generation Family member). We have been married for 8 years now, we have 4 lovely daughters, whom we love dearly and want to give the best of lives.

To give you a brief background, I am the 2nd child in a family of seven. I was born and raised in this Family. My beliefs are that of a Christian. My parents joined the Children of God in the 1970’s (more…)

Nina Moore, 29, North America.
(Second-generation member of the Family International.)

I’m Nina Moore, a 29 year old mother of three and a member of the Family International. I home school my children. They have school five days a week. As a mother I am very concerned about every aspect of their lives, emotional, educational, spiritual and social. My whole life revolves around my children. I spend hours planning their school. I have almost no time to myself, as my children are my life. I have organized a Kids Club where, once a week all my friends with children get together and have Bible studies, games, activities, sports and more. My children are part of the local community soccer league. They have a lot of friends, birthday and dress up parties and do all the normal things kids enjoy doing. I am on the Childcare and Parenting board in the Family where we have board meetings to discuss how we can meet the needs of our children.

My eldest daughter, who is eight years old doesn’t even know what “sex” is. She thinks you get pregnant by getting married. (more…)

(From a second-generation member of the Family)

Hi, My name is Celeste P. Schaaf, I’m 14 yrs old, and currently live in the States.

You (apostates) may say that I’m to young to know or say anything, but since I grew up in the Family my whole life I think I know what I’m talking about!

I met Angela just a few months before all this happened, and I have to say that she was one of the most loving people I have ever met! She took the time to personally talk with each of us teens, she listened to music with me while I cooked lunch, and asked me what I thought about the Family. She listened to everything I had to say, and told me what she thought as well. She was young at heart, even if she was 50-some years old. This Ricky fellow must have been extremely messed up to kill such a wonderful person!

Whether you are in the Family or not, all you ex-members have to agree with this at least, IT’S NEVER RIGHT TO KILL ANOTHER HUMAN!
(more…)

From Amy Moore, 23 yrs, second generation Family member.

My name is Amy and I was born and raised in the best, most loving, caring, concerned and fun-filled environment—The Family International. Most of my life, I am proud to say, I spent overseas. I had the best of the best in every way. Teachers that loved and cared for me, as an individual kid, and taught me as if I was their own, I wasn’t just a number or nameless student in the class (how many that have grown up going to public schools can say that?).

I wouldn’t trade my upbringing, my heritage, my family for any mess of pottage or all the kingdoms of the world that you could give me. The environment that I was brought up in was one filled with love, peace and happiness, care, concern and all that you could ask for, where avenues are open to you to pursue any kind of life you could want or imagine and be given the care and treatment as if you were part of the royal family. This is what I experienced as a kid growing up…and even into my teen years, there is nothing that I would trade or wish differently. (more…)

(Sister to Karen Zerby a.k.a. Maria David, aunt to Ricky Rodriguez)

I met Angela Joy about six years ago. We called her Joy. Such an appropriate name for her. She was a joy to be around. She was undoubtedly one of the most unique people I had ever met. She was a ray of sunshine in our lives. When we had little hope, Joy gave us hope. When we had little faith, Joy gave us faith. With her optimism, and her sweet spirit, anything seemed possible. When she came to visit, the whole atmosphere became charged with her love. With her hugs and “I love you” and her willingness to do whatever was in her power to help and comfort, she transformed our home into a haven of peace and goodwill. The change was so remarkable that we commented on it time and time again. When she would leave, it was like a spark had burned out and only rekindled again when she returned.

I will give you a little background on myself, so you can understand why it is so important that you know why I feel as strongly as I do. (more…)

Name: Chad Desruisseaux
Age: 23 years old
Location: Mexico

My rhetoric is neither to change the reader’s mind, nor to make an epic discourse that will be upheld as an exemplary ideology. I am here merely to lend credence to the fact that while a single voice may not change a crusade; enough, like termites undermining a house one splinter at a time, can rise into a crescendo that will be heard. (more…)

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. (more…)

(Posted with permission)

James and Esther McCarthy
Archbishops

January 26, 2005

Karen Zerby aka Maria David
c/o The Family International

Dear Friend in Jesus,

We here at NCCMI have been listening and watching with sadness the attempts by the news media to destroy what Jesus has ordained.

We stand in prayer that all the Family International members will understand what the Holy Bible has to say about you.

Please read 1st Corinthians 4:9–16: (For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. (more…)

Hi, My name is Atlanta Harder (24) and I was born and raised in the Family. I left the Family 4 years ago and I am now married, have a beautiful baby, go to school and have a good job at H&R BLOCK. (more…)

From Steve Martin, 26, second generation member of the Family.

I want to express my thoughts on the murder of Angela Smith and suicide of Ricky Rodriguez. I knew her, never met him. I was shocked, angry at first and sad; nothing prepares you for this type of news. We live in a society where these atrocities are way too common, still hearing it’s happened to someone you know is different, I’m glad they are both in a better place now.

I don’t usually take the time to express myself in writing as I have other hobbies I prefer. I don’t blog, participate in forums or online discussions and generally avoid personal correspondence, but these events call for an exception to my general dislike of composition. There has been too much published in newsprint, TV and online that is opposite of what I know to be true and what I live for.

Seems that the majority of those who would know best – those who have either been members of the Family International and those who have studied us have not been given a fair chance to be heard. (more…)

By Jason Paone, 19, Mexico

1. Prey upon a predator
First choose the organization most likely to defeat you. Do some research; discover one with an excellent track record, undefeated if possible. Look for an organization known for miraculous protective intervention. Find yourself the largest metaphorical hive, and provoke it. Put a finger in God’s eye. You’ll find the results to be astounding, and unprecedented. Not even millstone diving will work as effectively. Your efforts will surely fail.

2. Bizarre/outrageous accusations
Stimulate your creativity; brainstorm as many of the most absurd, unthinkable crimes as you can. Once your brain is sore from mischief, begin to compile your heinous atrocities in random order, with as many twists, and ironies as possible. Complete your creation with a few “Cultist nouns/adjectives” I.E. Brain washers, perverts, child abductors/molesters, communists, blasphemers, etc. (more…)

Name: Jonathan Brown
Age: 20
Location: Mexico (Mexico State)
Nationality: Canadian/Italian

First thing I want to say is to tell all of you who posted on this site to Rock on, keep the faith and keep serving Jesus Christ in spite of any who would try to stop us or deter us from our mission of changing this world as best we can. And to those who are no longer in The Family, I admire and thank you. Rock on likewise.

On the subject of abuse, I myself was never abused and neither were any of the kids that grew up with me. I lived for over 5 years in what we called a “Combo” which happened to be one of the largest in Southern Europe, so the traffic going through that community was a fair amount. (more…)

My name is Emanuel Belanger. I’m 16 years old and currently living in Canada. I’m about certain tall, no, maybe a little shorter. I like playing basketball…Uh, ahem. Back to the subject. When I heard the news of Ricky’s death, I was naturally shocked. I’ve never met him, but from what I’ve heard he was a sweet guy. The metamorphosis he underwent is nothing short of appalling. From being sweet and friendly, he turned into a bitter murderer. And I would like to point out that that had nothing to do with his upbringing. We in The Family International believe in love. That is what governs our actions—a love for God and for our fellow man.

I was never abused in my entire life. I have wonderful, loving parents. They have showered me with their encouragement and attention. Never once have I felt seriously mistreated or unloved. My parents would give their life for me in an instant. How many families in the world can boast that genuine love?
(more…)

From Maria Rosa

Just wanted to add my two cents here, I believe most topics have been covered, but I also want to add my support to the Family International. I am currently not in the Family, but I did grow up in it and I remember my time in the Family as being a time where I felt a lot of purpose in my life, I lived in Family homes where I always felt safe, very safe. and loved and cared for. I was never lonely as there was always plenty of people around to talk to. This was very enjoyable and something I miss.

We lived well and always had our needs met, not luxuriously, but considering that we were living in a third world country, with poverty all around us, I always considered myself very lucky! And was extremely grateful for the many blessings that God saw fit to shower us with, and from a very early age I saw the fruit of the verse, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you.” I feel that I had a wonderful heritage of faith instilled in me, and one that I cherish to this day, as it has brought me through many difficult times.I can’t imagine being raised any other way, and consider myself extremely lucky. (more…)

Email received at Family email box:

Hi there and Praise God for your ministry. My name is RJS and I have been a Christian since ‘89. I saw the story on TV last night about the suicidal member and thought how sad. In no way did I feel like it was the ministry’s fault or anyone else’s. When we do not walk with Christ it is easy for Satan to seep in and distort things. But this is how I heard about the Family and now I am interested in learning more about your Ministry. I am 41 years old and am a motivational speaker. I also wrote a book. I would like to know if you have an outreach in my state and how can I get involved in learning more.

Thank you for sharing the Gospel with so many and I will lift your ministry up in prayer. Have a great day.

RJS

By Julia Kelly (age 17)

What I have to say is not concerning Ricky or Angela. I wrote another article on this site, it still stands as my views on the subject, and I continue to support their families and loved ones in prayer.

I have had an epiphany. I’ve had epiphanies before on a variety of subjects ranging from “What is cool?” to “Does it matter what is cool?” and have, in the past, felt the need to share them with the world. I feel that need now. I figured newspapers wouldn’t be interested and I have no web log of my own to share these things with, but I have this awesome website. So here goes.

I’ve had a rough week. It started off good: I come home from vacation and find a spiffy new website where Family/former Family young people can post their views. That was cool. An article of mine gets posted on this site. That was cool too. I start reading all the entries, they’re all very cool.

Then I start musing the whole incident over in my mind; over and over and over again. I hear what the media is saying, I don’t like it. I hear what some former Family members are saying to the media about the Family, I don’t like that either.

I read some comments from former members that I don’t agree with. I start thinking about these comments a lot. I feel they are wrong, so wrong. I start to get angry at these people. I start to spend a lot of time trying to think of ways to disprove them and humiliate them and expose them. I start to get really worked up.

I start to attack them, sometimes in my mind, sometime verbally. I attack their arguments, their logic, their reasoning. I start to attack their lifestyle and their choices. I start taking personal offense to everything they’re saying, regardless of what it is. I lose sleep over all of this.

I start to get exhausted, I can’t think of much else. My mind is racing with rebuttals, snide remarks, cutting innuendos, and all kinds of things I could say to these people. I start to think they are very evil; I start to think all former members are very evil because of how I feel about a few individuals. I stop doing the normal things I like to do and instead spend the time reading over, musing over, and trying to rebut a few comments I don’t like. I find myself thinking bad things about these people. I find myself becoming bitter. I find myself thinking I have every right to become so. (more…)

Okay just thinking about this has made me sick so I got to tell the truth and get it out there because I can’t stand these lies any longer so here it is … absorb it.

First things first my name is Andre Lavigne and I was born in the Family on August, 11, 1990. I am greatly disturbed by all the lies and crude comments made about the Family! I have not seen any acts of abuse while growing up neither have I heard of any! All I’ve seen are acts of love and kindness, we are taught to tell people about Jesus and if you guys out there think it’s wrong well I quote the Bible verse “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” [ Mat. 5:11 ].

Listen you guys there is nothing wrong with the Family and all the comments made by our apostates are false! I can’t see how Ricky Rodriguez could have done some thing so horrible as to murder an innocent person like Angela Smith, seeing he had such a good up bringing. We teens and kids in the Family are taught not to be violent. We don’t watch overly violent movies or play overly violent computer games, we simply tell the world about Jesus and if you don’t like it well … BRING IT ON!

Andre Lavigne (14) is a second generation member of the Family International, currently residing in the United States with his parents.

By Jason Wells, 16, North America
(Second-generation member of the Family International)

I grew up in the in a large Family Home and can never remember even the slightest hint of abuse, unless you consider my parents putting restrictions on what kind of friends I had. I found out that most parents do that in every circle of life.

When I was 13, I ran away from home for 2 days. By a miracle I survived, considering the area of town I went to. When I was 14, I started hanging out with the teens in my neighborhood. Talking to them, I found out that most of them had been sexually abused in some way sometime in their life as well as they had been doing drugs and drinking alcohol with their friends at public school from an early age. I even live in a really nice neighborhood and the kids are really messed up. When they found out I was homeschooled, I even had neighborhood kids ask if my Mom would homeschool them, too. During the renewal I made a conscious decision that I wanted to be a full time missionary for the Family International, and my life has changed immensely. I’m happy serving Jesus 100%, than serving my selfish wants and desires. (more…)

My name is Paula Braaten, I am 24 years old, am married, have a 2 yr old and live in San Diego where I am a full-time member of The Family International!

I have one thing to say to you Daniel Roiselle, James Penn and all you others who have banded together to put an end to the Family International…it is not going to happen! And we are not afraid of you!

As St. Augustine said “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church!” Angela’s death and your subsequent religious persecution is only making us stronger. Our faith in what we believe in is growing stronger not weaker through every newspaper article and TV show.

I am upset, horrified, mad and downright pissed off. To say that my generation in The Family is abused and brainwashed and raising our kids in an unsafe environment where abuse is rampant is disgusting. You want to see abuse? Go help the 896,000 kids in the States who were abused in
2002 alone not to mention the 1,400 who died that same year because of abuse and neglect. Start a foundation for them, do some good in your life and LEAVE US ALONE!!!!!!

Paula Braaten is a second-generation member of The Family International

I’m Abigail Epstein, 20 years old. I was born and raised in The Family International. I grew up in Taiwan, Japan, Chile. I was living in Argentina during the raids in September, 1993, where it was proven to the court that Family children are free from abuse. I also lived in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil and learned to speak Spanish and Portuguese. When I was 16 I joined my older brother and sister in India, and got to experience the Indian lifestyle, especially during a two-week trip to help with cyclone disaster-relief work. After two years there, I got to experience a completely different culture when I moved to Switzerland. I was there for two years and got some training in teaching and secretarial skills. I am currently living in Canada.

I am in no way a writer, I don’t even like writing, nevertheless, I feel I have to share my thoughts and views on the accusations that are being thrown against me, my parents, my family and loved ones, for it is individuals like us who make up The Family International.

I did not personally know either Ricky or Angela, but here are things I do know:

* I know I had a wonderful upbringing with wonderful parents, teachers and caretakers who showed me nothing but love and concern for my well-being. I know that they gave me the best they possibly could. Now that I’m a mother myself, and am seeing more and more the challenges of raising children, I am becoming increasing grateful for all they gave me.

* I know that I never experienced or saw any sort of abuse from anyone in The Family, EVER!

* I know that my son is the most precious thing on earth to me, and I pray to God I will be able to give him the kind of exciting, love-filled life I have had so far. I know that the place I have the best chance of doing that is right here, in the Family.

* I know that I love my life and place in the Family where I actually have a purpose for life, but if any of you feel that you need to attack me and mine, you should know that I’m more than willing to fight for this life and this place, and I can’t/won’t just stand by while you so viciously attack everything I love. You just might be getting yourselves into more than you bargained for.

Abigail Epstein is a second-generation member of The Family International

My first reaction upon hearing the tragic news of Angela Smith and Ricky was shock, then anger, then deep sadness. Angela was a good friend of mine, she was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known. As for Ricky, I never met him, but growing up in the Family I read about him my whole life, as all kids did, I think.

Hearing the comments made by ex-members and others who know basically nothing about the Family or Angela (which amounts to nothing but hearsay), and the ever growing grapevine is so abhorrent to me.—And from some of the things some of you say I almost think some of you may be capable of committing the same crime Ricky did! Angela did not deserve to die, and Ricky has enough on his plate to answer for, so what he said about “wishing he would have taken more with him,” is a sick thought … one that will probably fester and grow in your mind, if you’ll let it, till you too may get to the same spot Ricky was in. Your tongue is like a rudder it sets the course of your boat, and what actions you will take. So you’d be wise to watch what you allow to come out of your mouth. (more…)

From Isaac, 22, missionary in Mexico

MI NOMBRE ES ISAAC MI EDAD ES 22 SOY MISIONERO EN MEXICO SOY CASADO Y TENGO UNA HIJA MARAVILLOSA Y FORMO PARTE DE LA FAMILIA INTERNACIONAL. YO NACI EN EL GRUPO LA FAMILIA INTERNACIONAL Y NO ME ARREPIENTO DE ESO, ESTOY ORGULLOSO DE SER PARTE DE ESTA FAMILIA Y QUE MI HIJA SEA EDUCADA EN ELLA COMO YO LO FUI CUANDO ERA NINO. YO ESTUVE FUERA DEL GRUPO POR UN TIEMPO Y POR LO QUE HE VISTO Y VIVIDO NO TENGO LA MENOR DUDA QUE LA FAMILIA ES EL MEJOR LUGAR PARA CRIAR A MIS HIJOS, NO SOLO POR LA ESCUELA QUE SE LE ENSENA SI NO POR EL AMOR Y LOS BUENOS VALORES QUE SE LES INCULCA. (more…)

Lori Osborn, Age 16

I’m not so sure how much I should be involved with all this, since I don’t know all the details. I just wanted to reveal my point of view out of all this. I don’t know Angela or Ricky, but I do know the Family—of course—I was raised here.

I am in complete shock that being raised in a loving and compassionate environment like the Family, that Ricky could have done something so heartless and sick. I love the Family, I love it because we are a simple group of people who love Jesus and others and want to do our best to serve the Lord. What is so amazing to me is that the offspring of these good morals and standards could result in such a heartbreaking story. Even if things weren’t perfect before, there is never an excuse for taking things in your own hands and handling it with anger, and we were taught that since birth! (more…)

(Sent to Michaela F. Rieli, Brazil, by Martin Puckey (19), USA, former second generation member of The Family International)
(Note: Posted with permission)

First of all, let me apologize for the nerve I apparently struck. And that is not sarcastic in any way. I could have and should have chosen my tone a bit more tactfully but I want you to know that I in no way whatsoever was attempting to knock you or the Family. Like I said, I have no regrets or bitterness or ill will towards the Family in any way whatsoever. I was brought up in a community full of love and kindness and with people who truly cared about me. Yes, like you said, you can see bad in just about anything if you choose to focus on it, but I am not decieved into thinking that the few occasions where things weren’t as great as they could have been were any worse then the experiences which everybody has at times in their childhood.

Nobody has a perfect childhood, and the good parts completely overtake the bad in my opinion. I have very fond memories of my upbringing and my decision to no longer be in the Family was not prompted by hatred or ill will, merely a realization that it wasn’t for me and I wanted more [by which I mean different things] out of life. I feel that as long as I am living my life in the right frame of mind, and I am not harming anyone, but trying to make the lives of people I meet just a little better for having known me, then I am still cool with God. I believe that in order for people to respect me and my decisions, I must first respect them and theirs. So I do not think that the way I think and what I believe is right for anybody but myself. Everyone has a right to their own life and I am not going to discriminate. I am proud of you and your choices. (more…)

My name is David Olinger I’m 17 living in Miami Florida. I’m here because of the crazed bantering of a few ex-members who refuse to get on with their life! I have two family members out of the family and plenty of friends that are out of the Family, and most of them are very happy with their lives now. My older brother was in a rather crazy teen combo when my family was in Chile. He was even put on silence restriction for a month. My parents have apologized many times to him for that. Though that didn’t stop him from getting on with his life, his so called “underdeveloped Family schooling". He made it though college with an A average. My other older brother and his friend went in for GED, and guess what? They scored one of the highest scores in the history of the school. (more…)

By Rachel, 11 years old

Stop putting me in a box (and sticking the “Brainwashed and abused, handle with care” label on me!)

My name is Rachel. I am 11 years old. (I’m turning 12 in February). I was born and am being raised in the Family International. I was shocked at the news of Ricky and Angela’s deaths. I did not know Ricky personally, but I did know Angela. I remember a sweet, dedicated woman, always ready to give a helping hand. I admired her very much. It was a very sad thing that turned Ricky to killing someone he knew and loved as a child.

But tell me this; if someone that you knew absolutely nothing at all about grew up being a Catholic, or a Jew, or a Hindu, or a Muslim, became extremely bitter about their childhood, and morbidly killed a member of that organization and then took his own life, would you set out to slander, take the children away from their parents, and eventually destroy the entire group of thousands just because one member hated it? Is that right? (more…)

Here are my thoughts that I wanted to post here on the site. By the way, thank you and God bless you for your time and sacrifice in making this possible. My name is Jasper McCollum. I’m an SGA member of The Family International residing in the United States.

The Time Cometh
Lyrics and music: Jasper McCollum
[Inspired by: Jn. 15:20; 16:2, 2Thes. 2:1, Rev. 20:4]

Verse 1:
I picked up the paper today
as I read what it had to say;
attacks on my faith,
articles clearly filled with hate.
The words jumped off the page
and hit me sqaure in the face
as I prayed to a God of grace
the hour was not too late.
You know what clearly came to mind
as I read line after line
a verse on constant rewind
coming to life before my own eyes!

Chorus: [Jesus speaking]
The day will come when they kill ya
and think they’ve fulfilled the will of the One whoes blood was spilled for the sins of the world.
They’ll put you out of their holy place
as they mock you and spit in your face
what they’ve done to Me, they’ll do to you, because they believed not the love of the truth they’ll be blinded by strong delusion, justifications for what they have done as they hide from the light of the sun but they’ll never be gone from My love.

Verse 2:
So I flipped on CNN
taken with shock once again
How can they can take such a horrible thing twist it and use it for their own ends?
awful lies rung in my ears
my religious freedoms were smeared
as the whole thing was clearly geared
and the conclusions drawn were steered.
What they fail to see is that their aim
is pointing right in God’s face
as they fire round after round
thinking to bring His children down

Repeat Chorus

Verse 3:
As the life left her on the floor
she looked into the eyes of her Lord
as she heard these precious words;
“Blessed in my sight is the death of my girl.”
And I saw the souls of them that were slain, who would not deny their faith beheaded for His holy name and they lived again and with God they reigned.

Jasper McCollum is a second-generation member of The Family International

My name is Abi Orcutt and I live in California. I am in the Family International. I’m 24 years old and a mom of three.

I’m not very gifted at putting my thoughts to paper, but I feel the need to speak up about what is taking place.

I’m the type of person that would have loved to live in “Little House on the Prairie” days, things seemed to be simpler back then. To be honest I felt like I was living in those days before this whole thing happened with Ricky. My life was simple, challenging and full of excitement, but simple. It’s got me really thinking about if what I’m doing is the best, that of raising my kids in the Family. I guess that is what these ex-members wanted us to do, so you acheived that goal. And since I owe it to you, since you got me to stop and look at my life, I feel I also owe it to you to tell you exactly how I feel about what you are accusing The Family and me of. (more…)

By Christian Yoder
Second-generation member of The Family International

Hi, my name is Christian Yoder and I am full time missionary volunteer for the Family International.

I was born and raised in Japan for the first seven years of my life and have been living in the USA ever since. When I heard the news of Angela and Ricky, and even though I have never met either one personally, I was shocked and very grieved to say the least. So I cannot begin to imagine what those people who did know them are going through this very moment.

What took place was an extremely cruel and brutal murder, and the fact that some of you former members come around and try to condone and even justify this act is just beyond me. No, there is no one with a gun to my head forcing me to type out this note; I do this on my own free will because of the frustration I feel that some of you seem like you could not be more heartless about the situation.

I was raised with the most care one could ever hope for; I had everything I really needed. I never lacked physically, I always had clothes in my dresser, food in the fridge, and toys under the tree for Christmas. I never lacked socially, I always had friends my age nearby to play with, not to mention nine siblings. I never lacked emotional support; my parents and friends were always there to pull me through with whatever emotional battles I may have been going through. And I certainly have not been lacking spiritually, as the Lord has always been there to bless, comfort, and protect me.

I believe this because I choose to. This is my faith, and my decision to stay in the Family is a choice I make everyday. If you’re too narrow minded to accept this, I know a few good psychologists if you ever feel you need the help.

As an American citizen, I have the freedom to choose what I want to do with my life……I choose The Family.

From Kenji Yamaguchi

I will risk sounding dull, dry and dreary (the horror) when I say that my entire childhood can be summed up in a single word.

Love.

Truly I am the same as all of these before me, none of us being treated unfairly, none of us being handled in any unreasonable way, none of us giving any claim or basis to your (Daniel Roselle) statement that, “thousands are being methodically abused", but rather giving a wall of evidence that this is indeed not the case, and that you are in fact attempting to stuff our mouths with the excrement that is your lies.

Honestly, with 20/20 hindsight I would say that I was handled “perfectly” by those who watched over me, and taught, cooked, cared for, and gave their lives for me. You, however, I have neither seen nor met, your credibility has already been destroyed by the lies you have told, and yet you have the gall to tell me that my upbringing was wrong, that I should go your way, that I am being abused by people you don’t know exist, that my parents and caretakers should be punished, and that what I have lived, breathed and bled* for should be heaved into the ground. (*I cut my finger once while out witnessing, counts for bleeding for my lifestyle, heh) (more…)

(From Nadia Paone, 30, second-generation member of the Family International)

My first reaction to realizing that the old abuse issue was what would come out of the sad and tragic event of last week was “God, not again.” I felt tired. We’ve been through this issue from every angle and our detractors and accusers have always ended up with egg on their faces when the results of all their “reports of rampant abuse in the Family” and stirring up authorities to take action, turn up test result after test result, time and time again, proving that each of these supposed “abused children” is actually healthy, loved, abuse-free, well adjusted and educated. And yet, because child abuse is something that turns any feeling human being’s stomach, it’s juicy and something that will get attention. (more…)

So what do I know? – Well in the 22 years of my life this is what I’ve seen & experienced: love & general concern for myself & those around me in a very real & tangible way. Looking back on my childhood & the life I’ve led over the years a feeling of happiness & most of all gratitude comes over me. So I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank The Family, which is every individual who surrounded me with love, faith in the Lord & His unending love for me & others. You have so lovingly showered my life with security, peace in the knowledge of God’s protection, purpose & meaning in a world that offers none, and hope for the future as we look to God for our guidance. I would also like to thank my wonderful parents for bringing me up in such an awesome & Godly lifestyle, one in which I wouldn’t trade for anything! What better gifts than these can be given a person? I know my life would feel awfully empty & pointless, and instead of hope for the future, fear would abound in me had I not received these truths. For those reasons I feel blessed beyond measure and I am truly thankful for my Family heritage.

-Linda Salazar

Linda Salazar is a second-generation member of the Family International.

Dear Readers,

My name is Michelle Lavigne, and I am 19 years old. I was born and raised in the Family International. It is my joy and privilege to still be living and working in it today! To make myself more real to you who do not know me. I worked as teacher, as well as a missionary in Africa. I also helped to teach my younger brothers and sisters in the States. I have lived in four different countries, (Canada, USA, Mexico, and Africa) as most children in the Family have had the joy of traveling and experiencing different cultures. And I am presently working as a secretary in the United States of America.

As all members of the Family, my main job is witness to everyone I can, and help all those in need (spiritual or physical), no matter color, race or wealth.
(more…)

I woke up on Monday Jan 10th like most every other morning wondering, “Is it really 7:00 am already