In The Meantime…

Clearer to me the meaning becomes
Why the life I live is folly to some

Somehow the cause and effect needs to start
In the meantime, men are quickly losing heart

“Let’s revolt!” the cry is heard,
“Of rulers whose morals are essentially absurd.”

I don’t mind if on this path they leave us
In the meantime, I’m walking along with my Jesus

I think it no small coincidence that one day in Hialeah, Florida (arguably the dumpiest neighborhood of Miami) a small team of missionaries from The Family had need of some new tires and decided to stop by my father’s tire factory; no small coincidence that that day my father decided to donate tires to them; no small coincidence that of the billons of people in this world yet to hear about The Family, my dad and our little family happened to be touched by their loving sample that day.

I was a wee lad of eight years at the time and I enjoyed the wonders of the average suburban American lifestyle. Watching cartoons all Sunday, an Honor Roll student in Miami Springs Elementary, and Daddy works all week long (maybe I’ll see him a little bit on Sunday afternoon).

These are the things I think of whenever I allow my mind to time travel. Where would I be without Jesus and The Family? Back in my 20 sq. mile world, watching cable TV, accumulating material gain for myself, and watching the whole world spin me by? NO WAY! I have a life of adventure, of purpose, and knowing the answer to things I would’ve had to mull over in my mind every time I would dare to question the way things were.

And now I see the importance of listening to the Lord’s still, small voice that speaks in my heart. Because if someone didn’t heed that voice in 1994, my life would’ve become that exact 20 sq. mile life that I oft time travel to.

I’m so incredibly thankful to work with people who genuinely love me and care about me; the deepest and most unconceivable definition of love. A love that is enough to put up with my various idiosyncrasies; that is enough to lift me when I fall and make a mistake (unafraid of how my inner pride might resist); love enough to share a few words of comfort with me whenever I’m feeling low. It’s hard for me to imagine that kind of camaraderie working at Best Buy or Pizza Hut.

All I can say is that I love Jesus. I love the message that He gave us, this new generation, through David Berg. I love following, with all my heart and soul, the one Guy who loved me so much that He died for me. If a day ever comes when I doubt Jesus’ love for me, I grant you full permission to bop me on the head. I want to be His love slave always. And to conclude this I shall say once more…

To my left and to my right
Others plague me their with spite

I don’t mind if on this path they leave us
In the meantime, I’m walking along with my Jesus

With All My Heart, Daniel Fernandez

I’ve been an active member of the Christian missionary group The Family International for over 2 years. When I found out about the tragedy and specially heard the accusations being leveled against them, I was very shocked and sad. So, after thinking about all that is being said against the Family at this time, I decided to share a little bit of my vision and experience with the young people and children in the Family.

There are several points and things that happened that encouraged me to have the Family as my church, and one of the main ones was the dedication I’ve seen and the sincere love I’ve felt from these missionaries. I’d never met Christians so full of conviction and determined to live as Christ taught, loving God above all and their neighbor.

This love and conviction is part of the daily lives of the young people and children in the Family. Since I’ve met the Family, I’ve seen the unique opportunities their children have of getting a good education, fun and healthy socialization. I love talking to them and they can hold conversations about science, politics, economy and anything. They can discuss all kinds of subjects and are open to share their knowledge and experiences with you and to learn from whatever you might want to or be able to teach them. These children are raised in a safe and loving environment and their creativity and intelligence doesn’t cease to amaze me.

Being an university student my friendship circle is composed of mostly other young people like me, and I can attest with full assurance that few of them have the perception of situations and clarity of thought as the young people and children in the Home with which I fellowship have.

While young people in the world are mainly interested in themselves and the benefits they can get, absorbing the selfish doctrine of watching out for number one and getting goods, I see the young people in the Family learning how to love others and share with the needy.

To me, the Family is the group of people the Lord has chosen to convey His eternal love to the world, with the most loving and radical methods to rescue souls for His Kingdom. I’m sure that there’ll be persecutions, because it’s a promise in the Word, but the Lord will care for us and we will not be confounded.

I love you, my Family!

I’ve been an active member of the Family for almost 3 years and fellowship with the Family Home in my city, where I participate in the Word classes and social events. Whenever we can, my girlfriend and I go to the Home for fellowship with our brothers and sisters.

I was told of the very sad situation that happened in January and I was very shocked, especially after hearing that so many lies were coming from former members of the second generation.

Since I’ve met the children and young people in the Family I’ve realized how special they are and what a wonderful upbringing they’ve had. The teaching that the parents in the Homes give to their children should serve as an example to any family in the world. It’s ridiculous to imply, much less accuse the Family of subjecting their children to any type of abuse.

The children in the Family are taught to think and they have the right to choose what to do, contrary to the way children in the world are taught, where the educational system manipulates the kids since a very early age.

I believe the Family is no doubt the church that is best prepared to face the Endtime and to serve the Lord during this period. For me, there’s nothing like the Family, because I’ve never felt so loved and respected in my whole life.

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.

And if your experience is nothing more than a bitter grudge or misunderstanding, that was a long time ago and what was it they did that deserves all this hate. If you (those offended or thought to be offended) are seriously looking for closure or any type of resolution to your hurt, then come out and talk with each other, because if you don’t, you’re just bent on feeding off your hate and just being spiteful and stupid. It’s your fault you can’t go on and should leave others who chose to go on, alone.

You may feel being out in the system you’re your own man (or woman, no sex discrimination here) you’re wrong!!! The system will use and abuse you so bad, your head would spin and won’t even know what hit you. If you had a brother (or friend) and he was gay, would you accept him? You probably would, so if someone, say a friend (relative), wants to serve the Lord then why bother them?

How many times can you tell your story before people start getting bored of it? Move on…. Get smart and get closure. And those who condone such brutal acts, remember, there’s a saying, “You reap what you sow” or “What goes around comes around.”

I tell you there is nothing heroic, honorable or ‘cool’ about the murder of an innocent, unarmed woman like Angela Smith, especially one who called you a friend. This ‘Columbine style’ of making a video & plotting a ruthless murder like that is sick & inexcusable & even the most hardened ‘criminal’ would agree with that. I guess you apostates watch too much TV. But I would seriously question the psychological state of anyone saying otherwise & personally I’d declare them “a danger to society.” Whether they actually committed the act, condoning it, or if they’re just convincing others it was justifiable and drove them to it.

Some former members think they’re ‘disadvantaged’ in life due to their upbringing. Well, do you have any idea what a disadvantaged upbringing is? It’s like a rich kid complaining to a street urchin how he’s disadvantaged because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth & groomed to take over the family business, but he turned it down & now that he has to make his own money he’s disadvantaged. Do you really think he’s going to feel sorry for him?

Why don’t you get out to help those who are really abused & disadvantaged, & believe me there are plenty, & I’m not even talking about those in Afghanistan, Rwanda, or Iraq, I’m talking about right here in the US. Or if you’re too selfish or self-centered to, at least let those who aren’t do so.

Our home prays for you who have been hurt and that you can find closure in a sensible and fulfilling way so all parties can grow and learn from this.

I’m Tabitha, a national disciple of Family International from Central Asia. My dear Family, I love you all and so happy to be a part of you. It’s the best and it’s my life. God bless you in all you’re doing! Here is a little poem that I have to share with you:

Stir up in Spirit & in flesh
And give the best to God.
Fight as a soldier on the field
And don’t say you can’t!

Our Lord is Master of our hearts
He knows the best for sure,
He’ll guide your path and make it clear
And bring you safely Home.

So keep on moving forward, friend
Don’t think now to give up,
Hold on to Jesus & He’ll do
His best in our life.

The storms are blowing on our Family,
And many say we’re wrong,
But if you look from Heavenly side
You’ll see how we are strong!

It doesn’t mean you may sit and rest
And wait till Jesus’ll work it out.
But fight in Spirit & be the best,
The prayer warrior of God!

Claim the keys of Heaven & you’ll see
The changes right away.
’Cause they’re strong, ’cause they are near
They work for us today!

So pray & claim the keys in need
And miracles will come through it,
And doors will open on your side,
And the Family will win the Fight!