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Diary of

FREE!

an Abused Child

The shocking story of a 17-year old girl caught


between cultures, as told in her own words.

The Raid
In the early morning of September 5, 2013, the German police raided
the homes of our families in Klosterzimmern (86738 Deiningen) and our
home at the Georg-Ehnes-Platz 2, 91637 Wrnitz. The parents and their
children were still in bed at the time.
The children were between
the ages of 1 to 17 years old,
and five infants between the
ages of 2 and 7 months.
They were taken away from
their parents without their
consent by a massive force of
dozens of police officers and
social workers. The parents
were informed that their
children would be taken to unknown places and given to unknown foster
families. Any attempts by parents to contact their children were rigorously
denied. The mothers of infants are still with the babies, but their custody
also is temporarily denied.
The reasons?
The Nrdlingen district
court issued a preliminary order
for the temporary withdrawal of
custody based on its perception
of a very high immediate risk
to the mental well-being of the
children. The only legal facts in
this decision, however, are that the parents of the children are part of the
faith of the Twelve Tribes. What is the legal basis in this? People cannot be
found guilty based on their association with a religious faith. Will we be
treated differently from any other citizen simply because of our beliefs?
No specific evidence was produced against any individual affected.
Obviously, the court considered it irrelevant to first get an accurate picture of the children and their well-being. The courts decision came without
any warning. The police and the youth welfare office presented us with a fait
accompli, with all their facts pre-arranged. A previous visit promised by
the judge never took place...

~ from the families of the Twelve Tribes Communities in Germany.


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An Inside View of the Raid in


Germany
The following are entries from the diary of
Eva Krumbacher (known as Havah to
her friends and family in the community)
(17), who was taken in the raid on the
Twelve Tribes Communities in Germany,
giving us a vivid inside look at what our
precious children are experiencing, and
the wonderful spirit that has been put into
them...

Thursday, 5 September 2013


I woke up at 6:00 am from clamor and noises. My imma said, The
house is full of police. Get dressed quick! I had no time to think about
what was happening. My abba ran into the room saying, They want
to take all the children! Suddenly my stomach turned upside down.
What? I thought it was a nightmare. How? Thats not possible. Somehow
I didnt believe it. It was like I was in shock. I started laughing and said,
So ein qwatch! [Thats ridiculous.] I didnt want to face the reality of
the moment.
But then suddenly it hit me. I got so sick from fear. The first children were
ripped away from their parents. Girls cried while their parents got in another
car. The social services promised that surely they would be able to stay in
contact with their parents. Then the next family. I thought, NO! It was still
unreal to me. One after another got in the car and left. Everything seemed so
brutal. The parents didnt even have time to read the papers.
I thought for sure it cant be legal. The social services were stressed. I
told the police, Does the persecution of the Christians start now? I felt as
if I was in a film of the persecution of the Jews. All you have to do is take the
children away and then this life would die out.
Now it was my turn. The police and especially the social services (Frau
Sonntag) were very impatient because my abba took so long to read all the
papers. She tried to tell him that he wasnt allowed to read it all, that he was
only allowed to read the most important parts.
My little sister!? Im 17, so I can decide for myself, but no, my little sister
cannot go without me! I knew that for her there was no way around it she
had to go. I asked three or four times to make sure that we would be able to
stay in communication with our parents. Their answer was always the same:
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Yes, of course, you can surely stay in contact.


We got in the car. Somehow I knew it was all wrong. Everything was
lies. I couldnt comfort myself. Merea was still in a dream. She didnt resist
and she didnt cry. I think she simply did not realize what was happening
yet. When we arrived we had a great surprise: little Jonathan is here too.
He ran to me and cried. He also got taken away from his imma. He cried
and screamed for his imma. Moeda came soon to nurse him. I hope that
he will fall asleep. Now Merea is crying. She woke up to the reality.
I also weep. Not for myself, but for the little children, especially those
who dont have a bigger sister to comfort them, or a mother who comes
three times a day to nurse them. I think about the twins of Marc and Hannah, Hoshuas and Yohannahs children, Zaits and Tikvahs children, the
little Israel from Argentina.

Friday, 6 September 2013


Im totally tired. Last night I slept at the MOST two hours. Jonathan
screamed the whole night. I pushed him in the carriage until he would fall
asleep. I can only cry when I hear him scream because I know that this
is all unjust. I think of all the other children. They all are experiencing a
major trauma.
This morning I heard Mrs. Assenbaum talking on the phone with Frau
Sonntag from the social services. She called me to the telephone. They want
to stick me in a group home. They wanted to separate me from my little
sister. But why is that even a question? I made it very clear on Thursday
morning when the raid happened that I was only going because of my little
sister that she is not going to go anywhere without me. I decided to stay
with Mrs. Assenbaum until we are allowed to go home.
I asked Frau Assenbaum about my lawyer. Why is she not coming? This
afternoon I found out that the first time I can talk to her is on Thursday!
Somehow I didnt think of it right away to call the social services. Now it is
already late morning. I think I can call now. I urgently need a lawyer and
they just push it off.
Today we went on a walk with Jonathan and Annelis to the next
village. We passed the cemetery. When we came back, Jonathan didnt
want to go into the house. The eating habits here are very different. Im
totally sick just from all the stress just to be taken away and to see my
little sister suffer, separated from her parents. First to allow the pain in
my own soul and then to handle the suffering and the pain of separation
of the others.
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Ill never forget this; and I believe the our God is going to do the same
to those that did this to us. Thats what I hope.

Sunday, 8 September 2013


Jonathan slept a little bit better than last night, but still he screamed a
lot. Today were going to eat with the family Assenbaum. Jonathan refused
to get in the car.
I feel so alone. Jonathan screams so much for his imma. Tomorrow Im
going to call the social services and ask why I cant get in touch with my
lawyer. This afternoon they watched TV. Merea had a headache. She needs
to go to school on Thursday. Shes afraid of going. I dont know how to
comfort her. I also want to go home. We cry together. I want to comfort the
children, but I dont know how to comfort myself.
I want to take off somewhere, or not exist at all. In the evening
the drunken boys came home while I rocked Jonathan to sleep in the
hallway. Sometimes I get scared. I decided to stay in the room at night.
I know Im helpless; I cannot get us out of this situation and bring us
home. I will give my best.

Monday, 9 September 2013


I called Herr Herrschner, the head of the social services, at 9:45 am.
They said he wasnt there at the moment. I called every half hour and got
put off every time. He didnt want to know anything about me. After the
fourth time, they connected me to the social services in Nrdlingen. This
Herr Herschner refused to talk to me. At Nrdlingen they kept transferring
me. I explained my situation but they didnt listen to me at all. I was always
interrupted and forwarded. I said I needed desperately to talk to my lawyer,
Juliane Hock. Juliane Hock is at the moment not available. This morning
I already called 15 different numbers, but it looks as if the children from the
twelve tribes are not important to them. This all makes me totally exhausted. But I must remain strong.
Herr Spitzbart and Frau Ziegler are coming to talk to us. Herr Spitzbart, who is supposedly the guardian for us from Ansbach, actually doesnt
have anything to do with Merea and me. This all seems so strange. I think
that for sure there is a worm in the whole thing. There is something not
right! The whole morning the Jugendamt [the youth office of the social
services] from Ansbach tells me that they have nothing to do with the
Krumbacher family, and then Herr Spitzbart comes saying he is the guardian. The Jugendamt told me that Frau Kundlinger is my rechtsperson [legal
advisor]. Something about it is strange. I called my abba and asked him
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to read to me the name of my lawyer. Frau Juliane Hock. What? Not one
person told me about her. They didnt want to give me the name.
Then Herr Spitzbart and Frau Ziegler came to visit Jonathan. First it was
all nice smalltalk, but I think they only try to be so nice so that after they can
say that everything is so good and the children are very happy now. But I
didnt want to be so nice. I wanted to tell them what I feel. Jonathan hung on
to me the whole time. He wouldnt even show his face to them once.
Before I had spoken with Frau Assenbaum about my situation
that I felt betrayed I said that the Jugendamt made many promises
but they just betrayed me. But she only told me that I have to be careful
with what I say, and that the Jugendamt might send me home because I
accuse them too much.
So when they were there and spoke with Frau Assenbaum, she wanted
that I would tell them what I had to say. But I said Im not going to say anything if youre just going to send me home. And they said, No, no, we wont
send you home. But right away, they turned my words around to mean that
I dont want to go home. NO! I do want to go home, but I find it unreasonable and irresponsible to leave my sister here alone. My sister is not going
anywhere without me. So they said, OK, you wont be separated.
I told them that all the children should go home as quickly as possible.
Then they asked about Jonathan. I said it is not going good with him since
he is separated from his parents. He screams the whole night. I cant even
sleep. I confronted them that they said the parents would be in contact with
the children. But now the parents dont even know where the children are!
And also that on September 5 they promised me a lawyer and she never
came. The answer was: Well, the children are well taken care of. But this
answer I could not stand. I could only say that I know those children, and
I know that they are suffering being separated from their parents, and it is
not going well with them. So they can tell themselves all they want as long
as they want, but the children are not doing well.
I confronted them with the case of the Argentinian couple who only
came for a few months for work, and just because they lived in the sect
they took their little son away. I find this very brutal, what they do to the
children. The Jugendamt mishandled the Twelve Tribes children. The
Jugendamt social workers are doing great psychological damage to the children, and their excuse for that is that they are responsible to make sure the
accusations against us are true and to protect the children.
I know that these children, whom I know personally, have never ever in
their life been abused. But the social services puts everything in one lump. I
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dont understand why all the children were taken away. They dont see us as
individuals, and I think that is very unfair.
We saw a film on the TV about child abuse. I found it so brutal. I have
never in my life experienced anything like that. I cant bear it anymore how
the parents of the sect were framed. I only know one thing, and that is
that I never, ever want to leave my parents.

Tuesday, 10 September 2013


Last night was better with Jonathan. He didnt wake up much because
he was so tired. I sing and I pray with the children. Often Merea starts to
cry. I want to say, Stop crying, but I only want to say it because it wakes up
my own feelings. Often I have my feelings pretty much under control, and
like this the little children do, too. But on the other hand, I dont want to
play something that is not really the case. Really, Im sad. And my sister is
sad. And Jonathan is sad.
In this situation where I am right now I feel so much pressure and try
to not let my mask fall. Everybody talks so nice and they all only want to
hear nice things. But I hate this feeling. I feel betrayed, lied to, and accused.
I have no freedom to express myself. I feel cornered and it doesnt matter
what I say, I am not listened to. The children are bored with all the toys.
Jonathan only thinks about his imma and he doesnt want to be distracted
with toys. And myself, Im totally bored. The whole day I sit on the sofa and
watch the children.
Sometimes the young men come in the room. They smell like cigarette
smoke. I cant stand it anymore. Today I determined that Im going to do
something with the children. I put Jonathan in the high chair and peeled
pears. Merea went out to get salad in the garden. We got busy in the kitchen
until lunchtime. My days here are so empty, worthless, senseless, boring,
and depressing. For Merea and Jonathan its exactly the same.
Somehow today I was a little encouraged. Yesterday the social workers really made it hard for me. Three hours I tried to call them. I thought that we were
important to them. But really, it seems we dont matter to them. They want that
I would go to Berufschule [apprenticeship school]. I have a terrible fear to go
there. I dont want to just go with all those young people that I dont know.
This evening I was happy that I could cook. I was glad that I was busy. I
made a Spanish omelet but it only took me ten minutes. I was a little disappointed that it only took ten minutes. I want out of here and I want to take
all my little friends out of here. I know they are here because of injustice
and I want to do whatever I can that they can come out of this place.
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Wednesday, 11 September 2013


Today was a terrible day for me. Already yesterday and this morning
Merea felt totally nauseous and she didnt want to eat. I know it comes from
the pain of the separation and the suffering in her soul. I want to comfort
her. We know that tomorrow she has to go to school, but she doesnt want to
go. She says she will not go.
The foster mother said that the children in the community have fear for
all that is new. She believes that we dont experience enough of the world
and that we grow up isolated. I tried to explain to her that we are absolutely
not isolated, and that she could ask every child, every youth, every adult,
if they are all here out of their own free will that they would choose the
Community of their own free will.
I know my sisters fear of the school is not because she grew up the
way she has, or because of something they told her in the Community, but
because she is separated from her parents against her will and they have put
her in totally strange surroundings. I want to comfort her. I know it will be
very difficult tomorrow for both of them because in the school they might
laugh about their beliefs or mock them.
Frau Kundlinger called me this morning and told me that I have not
fulfilled my ten years of school obligation so I need to go to Berufschule,
and that I should decide by noon which profession I want to choose! In that
moment I thought about housewirtschaft [Home Economics], thinking
that it might be useful. I said that I could imagine this one is the best, but I
wasnt settled about it. But she registered me as soon as I said it. I felt totally
overrun. I thought later that it was probably so stupid of me that I chose
that, and now it was too late. She didnt even give me time till noon.
I felt totally used, maybe because I am so unwise. I didnt want to be
nave. I wanted to be strong and not be able to be talked into things so easily.
So it came to my mind to call my lawyer. And this time it worked, and I could
tell her about my situation. She praised me that I dared to simply call her and
she gave me the advice to just go there to the school and collect information,
and I dont really have to really apply myself. I was afraid that I would have to
stay in the home economics school for a whole year but maybe if I dont like it
I can choose something else. So I felt a little better then.
Frau Kundlinger also came by again this afternoon. She received a fax
from my abba. She said that the information about the school obligation
not being fulfilled is correct and that tomorrow I had to go to school. And
Merea too. There is no way around it. She also said that if we get wrong information from our parents that we dont have to go to school, that cannot
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continue on. So I got scared that we wouldnt be able to keep contact with
my parents especially Merea. So I have to be careful that I dont jeopardize my contact with my parents, because I cannot trust the Jugendamt. The
contact I have with my parents, and Mereas contact with them, is the most
precious thing I have.
I think I have a free will. My parents are accused because of child abuse.
We all are declared a sect and we are seen as criminals. I dont want to go to
school because I dont want to make a fool of myself. I dont want to go there
just so they can laugh about my faith and mock me. And what if the police
drives me to school! I dont understand what they will accomplish through
all this. I am here because of Merea. And if I am not here because of her,
then school is not worth going to. They took me by police force away from
home, they can also take me to school that way.

Thursday, 12 September 2013


The whole night, the desire in me that the police would pick me up
and take me to school grew. I really wanted to show them my resistance.
This morning I was awoken that I needed to get up and get ready because
of school. What should I decide? I said no, I will not go before Merea is
out of the house. Im here because of her and its more important to me
than my school. The first day, anyway, the police would not come for me
because first the social workers would have to call and tell them I didnt
come today and then tomorrow maybe they would come to get me. This
was all so ridiculous.
I gave Merea breakfast. Frau Assenbaum called the school up and said I
wasnt coming and the school said that was not possible, that I had to come
because the first day is the most important, because thats when everything
is introduced. Why dont the police come! I thought again how crazy this all
is, that I have to go and listen to all of this babble in school and experience
more psycho-terror. But at least I reached my goal of not leaving the house
before Merea. I could still tell her bye before she left.
So at 7:30 I went with Herr Assenbaum and we drove to Ansbach to the
first day of Berufschule Hauswirtschaft. I tried to listen to everything, but
if you dont really know about it all, its hard to take it all in. Its hard for me
to concentrate because I think the whole time about Jonathan and Merea. I
really dont have any reason to be in school because I went from home out of
my own free will so that I could be with Merea.
The 20-minute break was the most difficult for me. I leaned against the
wall of the hallway and didnt move from there for the next 20 minutes. All
of the others were running around and talking. I wanted to go home. If I
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would live at home, all of this wouldnt be so bad; I could get it all out in the
evenings and then in the morning get strengthened.
I am so finished. I cannot trust anybody. I feel myself a hypocrite. I live
community without community. Everything in me only wants to go home.
But on the other hand, I want to stay with Merea that she wouldnt be left
alone. I feel as if I am torn in pieces.
Merea was today as if she was on drugs. She acted pretty unusual. She
was content and extremely happy and excited. Last night she still cried that
she had to go to school and that she couldnt see her parents. She cried on
the telephone with our parents, that she was away so long and wanted to see
them so bad. But afterward it was said that my abba made a bad impression
on her and it wasnt good for her. But I know that it was NOT the case. No
one can talk me into that.
This afternoon Frau Kundlinger and Herr Siegler came to talk to me. I
could not stand their whole explanation. She told me that on the 2nd of October we have the court case. So long still! I must go home! I cannot stand it
anymore! I want to go home! The whole day I ate only one slice of bread and
had not one sip of water. I needed to go to the doctor today to get my health
checkup. But my blood pressure is weak. I feel very weak.

Friday, 13 September 2013


This morning I got up early because I had to go to school. Merea woke
up with me to eat breakfast together. Then I went to the bus. When I got out
of the bus and started walking, I was on the wrong side of the street so I got
a little lost because I was going in the wrong direction. But it was OK because I had enough time and could find my way back. I dont know Ansbach
at all and it all looks like a construction site. I was chilled to the bone, so in
the break time I went to the Brucken Center because its really warm there.
Thats where I can warm myself. Then I go back. I find everything so senseless. A life like this would never fulfill me. I think about the little ones and I
feel very bad. I am forced and I am not listened to.
In the afternoon when I went home and my bus was delayed, Mario
picked me up at the bus stop. I am sick from the smell of cigarettes. He told
me that Jonathan screamed all morning. When I got home, Jonathan was
standing at the door but he was not so happy to see me. He was missing his
imma. I want only to help my little sister and Jonathan to comfort them,
to love them. I am overwhelmed. I just want to be out of here. I find everything not right.
Tomorrow finally comes Juliane Hoch. Maybe I can get an earlier
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appointment with the court. My sister and I must go home! We miss our
parents. We love them and they love us. Its good that Frau Assenbaum is
not home right now. But maybe when she comes home I can have a clear
talk with her. But Frau Assenbaum says shes staying out of the whole
thing and shes innocent about everything. I told her that she is a hypocrite and that she cannot think that she can stay out of it when she is taking care of us.
It is exactly the same thing as the time with the persecution of the Jews.
It all happens so slowly. Everything happens as slow as a snail. And every
one thinks that they dont have anything to do with it. But suddenly its too
late. I will not let anyone hinder me and I will not just swallow everything. I
will fight against it until we can go back.
It seems like Jonathan must go to a different foster family so that his
imma cannot come and have so much contact with him. It is all so inhuman
and dramatic. He will be totally destroyed and his soul torn. As if it isnt
enough that he is away from his imma, but to change again and put him in
a different place so he would forget his imma! But I guess this is the goal
that the children would forget. It is so terrible. I do not want that any of the
children would forget their parents and forget the reason they were born.
The only purpose in life is that they will take on the faith of their parents
and carry it out!

Sabbath Day, 14 September 2013


Last night Jonathan slept restlessly. I believe he understood from the
evening before that they had talked about him going somewhere else. The
whole night he just hung on me. He didnt let go of me. For me it is so terrible. It hangs heavy on my soul. I can hardly stand it. I want to give him the
best I can give him. He is very homesick. He is so destroyed a wreck.
Today Juliane Hock came. I had set all my hopes on her, but it looks
as if she is not really very good towards us. Nobody seems to believe me.
The first thing she made clear is that she is not really my lawyer; she is just
someone who stands by. She doesnt think she will defend us in court, and
she will not further our interests. Anyway, I tried, despite what she said, to
express my will very strongly. But it looks as if the world is against me and
our faith. Nobody believes me. Everyone believes only the media. What I
would love to do is go somewhere in the city and scream, HELP! BRING
US BACK TO OUR PARENTS! WE ARE NOT ABUSED!
I got a yellow [registered] letter today. It came yesterday but my foster
mother didnt accept it since I was in school, because I am still under 18.
Today it came and it means that I can express my opinion about a letter
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that my parents wrote concerning me. But it is difficult somehow to have


an open talk because you never know what is behind the little nice smiles
they all have.
Im totally finished from everything. They want to paralyze you until
you are not able to fight anymore. With children it goes quicker because
theyre weaker and cant defend themselves. It is so unjust to be so persecuted because of your belief. They forbid us to believe. What we believe is to
have fellowship, to live together and work together, and nobody should be
able to take this away from us.
No one has understanding for me. No one looks out for my rights.
And most of the people are cowards and they dont want to say anything.
Everyone is passive and they just watch. Even the foster parents here I
begged them and explained to them and, and, and nothing! They just
hold themselves out of everything and they believe the lies.

Sunday, 15 September 2013


It is a do-nothing day. Today is a bazaar in Dombuhl. At breakfast,
Moedah told us that they had a good-bye feast for Ashers. Im so happy that
Israel was the first child that was delivered! Maybe there still exists some
hope!
We went together to the kinderbazaar and met Tikvah, Yohanah, and
Moedah. Merea and I were SO happy! I plan to ask for a new lawyer because
I dont think that this lawyer stands on my side. She does not defend my
interests. Good night.
Different things will become too empty to me, and I find everything so
senseless.
Thankfully, there are still a few secrets and surprises in life.
Hannah, Hannah
Whats life without you
Its not going on.
Theres no way back
Without Him.
Oh, if it werent for you
My Hannah...
I love you and theres nothing
else to say.

Monday, 16 September 2013


This morning when I woke up I was depressed. All of a sudden a new
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day was there and I didnt want this day to come. Oh, that I had wings
like a dove, I would fly away to refuge. And then I could pass my wings
on to Merea... Oh, what a dream. I have got to wake up! Reality is hitting
me.
I slept too long and now I have to hurry up. Why do we need to be
there? I woke up Merea, told her to be a good girl, prayed with her, and said
good-bye. Now I was full of anticipation of what I was going to wait for in
town. I wanted to go to the shopping center. It wasnt open. I still had 1
hours before school, and I had arranged it to meet someone in that shopping center. Where should I wait? I dont know town so well. I waited where
we had danced on a Shabbat once.
The WE met. We had a good time. I showed them my school and I
received lots of encouragement, and a big SALAD from my best friend.
Today I felt a bit better, even though I had a hard time to say good-bye, that
it almost made me cry.
There are some nice girls in my school. All the boys are really strange
in my group except maybe that one Chamite boy, who seems to be the most
normal. Well, I dont know them so well. By the way, most girls are really
messed up, too. I will be too, if I stay too long. Other than that, I hate that
school, just for what we should be learning there.
Basically, youre being taught that a gas stove exists, that you are able
to actually create something expensive to eat, and that a sewing needle can
be useful in life, and that cleaning means to really clean. I am already, after
the third day, totally bored. Its the worst thing that could happen to you. I
never felt so bored in my entire life, so useless. Many times I feel like a fat
pig just sitting down, not being able to do anything.
Now Jonathan is being expected to stop nursing. How terrible! I dont
understand. I need somebody to understand me. My lawyer doesnt stand
up for me. No one does. The whole world wants to think that I am doing
fine. They want me to wear their same smile and say Im fine. I dont want
to! Im finished and kaput.
I cant let go! I have to continue fighting.

Tuesday, 17 September 2013


Today is the most terrible day. Last night I gave myself to make Jonathan sleep, but I guess he had a belly ache or something. I was holding him
to put him to sleep or else he wouldnt sleep at all. In the morning when I
got up, the lady here was so mad at me for carrying him around. I was so
finished. I feel as if they try to find wrongs. I told her that I wouldnt have
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done it, but I think he must have had a belly ache. She then blames me for
feeding him too much. What can I do? Nothing! It isnt me, its she that
provides food. I too would be sick of her food by now, and I really am.
I dont understand why they would take us away from our parents and
give us to parents that dont even like us or show understanding in any way.
They were acting really strange today towards me. It seems to me that they
dont believe me; they probably see me as a liar.
Today it was a relief to get into the bus and drive to town. There you
are alone. Sometimes its a refuge nobody cares about you, and you dont
care about anybody. But I didnt want to stay at peace with that. I decided to
call the judge herself. I was going to tell her that I dont have any rights since
I left my parents and I need a lawyer. The one they gave me was not on our
side and didnt defend me in any way. I am unjustly treated.
I called, and nobody answered. I tried again. The secretary answered.
She said that the judge was in a meeting and that she was giving her a message and I should call later. Oh no! I know those stories. I want her now! It
isnt possible. So I decided to call again. This time the judge was still in a
meeting. I received the message from her that I should either write a letter
or wait for my appointment. NO! I thought, Its crazy. They dont want me
to bother them. I wanted to scream, I NEED HELP! I hated it so many
people, big city, nobody cares about you, and you dont care about anyone. I
need help. Its not right.
When I arrived home the atmosphere hadnt changed. They were still
full of strange behavior towards me. They twist everything I say, and what
they hear about us, and make it sound weird and right at the same time. I
cannot go on like this. I have to get myself and my little sister out of here,
but Im so tired. They scare you, they finish you up, until you think you are
nothing, and you are powerless, and then youre so scared to do anything.
Thats how they keep us locked up in fear. Somehow we cannot give in. I
wont. I will fight until were free. It isnt right. If theyd really care about us,
they would want to talk to me and not push me off like that all the time.
By the way, Jonathans situation is CRAZY. All of a sudden, our caretakers are viewing us with completely different eyes. They are so confused
and just twist everything. They believe the lies.
Good night. No, bad night!

Wednesday, 18 September 2013


This morning when I got up I was glad to be able to leave the house. I
hate the atmosphere my foster parents put in here, especially the woman.
14

She is quite at the end of her nerves and reacts to us a lot. She seems to have
no understanding at all. It seems to me like a terrible nightmare. I have no
guts to continue. I cant handle it, to hear all those accusations.
Sometimes I feel strange. Theres no boundaries in the world. Theres so
many undergrounds in school there, too. Maybe its just that they are so
dull that they are over-grounds. Its not that they exclude me. Rather, they
try to include me, but sometimes I just dont want it. Im scared that theyd
get overfamiliar with me (especially all those crazy ones). Its not my place
and I know where my place is.
I get along with some of the girls here. There is one 16-year-old girl who
is very shy and also didnt know anybody when she came to the school. Im
less shy so she likes to be my partner, since we both feel a bit lost sometimes.
Its good when youre not the only one. Another girl can sympathize with
me, being in a home and under authority of the Jugendamt.
Theres also a Muslim girl. Shes 18 and she wears the headcovering.
We both dont go to religion. Shes very nice but a bit shy or maybe passive. Another girl is 19. She somehow makes me think thats how my imma
was when she was young. Shes social and most normal to me. Shes not the
showing-off type like some younger girls here. She puts me in the circle
when I stand on the side. Another girl is 15 (going to turn 16 on Sunday).
Shes like me when Im home. Shes a talker and always has something to
say. Shes outgoing, kind of wild and hyper more like a 15-year-old. Shes
nice but more like me, kind of arrogant and over confident.
Oh my, its all the world. I hate it altogether. But I try to see the people
behind their masks, and it is possible, I realize, that they are just people like
me. But they are hopeless. They dont have a future. They dont have what I
have. They think they have everything they need and want, but they dont. It
makes me so thankful on one hand, but sad on the other. I dont want to be
separated. I dont want Merea to be either.
Jonathan is supposedly staying, but can only nurse once a day. Merea and I
are able to see our parents on Monday in some public house in town. The youth
department is in a big confusion. Now, all of a sudden, they make Ansbach
responsible for us. They just managed to put our whole story on Donau Ries
and now they are transferring everything back to Ansbach. Donau Ries youth
department told Merea to call my parents ten minutes a week at 3:00 pm on
Monday. Now Ansbach is giving new times. What does it change anyways?
I have to do something before that. Otherwise they will blame my parents for talking me into something. Its crazy. They change their minds full
time and change their people around. Im out!
15

Thursday, 19 September 2013


I went to school that day, and I felt set! I felt it was time for something. When I came home, she took me shopping and I behaved as if to
be staying for eternity. When I came home, Jonathan was sleeping in the
carriage. I asked if she put him to sleep on a walk. She said yes. So I said,
Oh, too bad, because I want to still go for a walk. But its ok, because Ill
just go with Merea. She said, No, I should take him anyway. But I said,
No, I couldnt.
I snuck out the door with my backpack and threw it into some bushes.
Then I returned and ate supper with them. I told Merea to eat and come on
a little walk with me. As we walked I picked up my backpack and sped up.
When I had left the house, Jonathan was screaming because he had seen us
put on our jackets to go outside. I felt so bad and sad for him.
Then I revealed my plan to Merea. I told her I was going home and if
she wants to go home, too, she could come with me to see imma and abba.
She was scared of the trouble we would be getting into, but I said it didnt
matter because were anyways in trouble.
I knew our Fathers plans were greater than ours. I told her that probably
the police were going to bring us back to our foster parents right away, but at
least we would see abba and imma once. When we came to the bus stop, we
were ten minutes late because we were going too slow. I really wanted to give
Merea a chance to decide. I told her that our bus was gone, and if one would
come the next five minutes, our Father was telling us to do that step.
We sat down at the bus stop and waited for two long minutes. I gave it
up. I told Merea I was sorry, and we can probably walk back to the house.
Then the bus came! It was so amazing. I went in, paid our tickets, sat down,
and off we drove. We stopped in Dombuehl, took the next bus and drove to
Woernitz. I knew we were in our Fathers hands. I said to Merea to not be
loud or excited or else somebody would notice it.
We snuck through the back yard and went into the house. My abba was
right there. We hugged. I was so out of breath. I couldnt keep all the excitement inside. It was like having a nice dream. I felt like talking and talking.
I had so much stored up in me. Merea was beside herself. My imma soon
stuck her in bed because she had to go to school quite early.
I stayed up with all my friends, abba, and a lawyer or something like it.
She immediately appeared as soon as we arrived. I talked to her and was encouraged. My abba and she right away informed the police station and the
judge. She said that probably they would come the next morning and take
us back to the foster parents. It was ok for us. At least we saw our parents.
16

But to our surprise they didnt wait until morning. The youth department ordered us back immediately. They wouldnt let us stay the night. Are
they really giving children their rights? What they blame our parents for
doing, they are doing themselves.
By that time I was also in bed. It was 10 pm. That woman then encouraged us to go with them, so we got up and went with the police. I was yelling at them. They felt so bad for us, but thats their job. They drove us back
to our foster parents. I was so afraid of what was awaiting me there, and I
guessed right.
They were so mad. They said I couldnt stay there. The police tried to
calm them down; they kind of defended me and told us to get things cleared
up. They warned me of doing that again because it might hurt my little sister. Then they left. I went to sleep. Somehow I still didnt feel bad about my
decision, but I feared what the next morning would bring.

Friday, 20 September 2013


This morning I had a terrible awakening. I was scared of the angry and
disappointed reactions that those foster parents would approach me with. I
didnt say a word. The lady didnt tell me good morning. I was in her house
and I had broken her rules and now she wasnt trusting me anymore. I went
to school. In the bus, I tried to explain my feelings and ask for understanding from Shai. She also had understanding.
My mind was still full of what I had experienced last night. All my
friends, my bed (which I was able to enjoy for ten minutes at the most), to
be able to talk to my parents, and knowing I was heard. I was filled with
thanksgiving for them, that they were maintaining the life, so that I could
come and escape this terrible world for one night and be strengthened. I felt
so refreshed and had power to continue the struggle out here.
Merea and I are just so grateful for everybody that was there to show
us what love is, and that opened their arms for us. School is really terrible.
You really dont learn anything. Nothing! Today, when I had free time, this
woman named Balo appeared. Shes from the Youth Department and is
responsible for Merea and me. She wanted to talk to me about the matter,
and I promised her to not do that again. She was happy with me.
Bla, Bla, Bla. I hate how they talk. They are so inhuman. Rules and
rules! I was never treated like this before. Whatever!
I just put Jonathan down to sleep now. His imma only comes in the
morning from 8:00 am till 9:00 am.
17

Sabbath Day, 21 September 2013


This morning I was too tired to get up. Jonathan wasnt. We got up, ate
breakfast, and waited for his imma to come. On the weekends shell come
one hour later than during the week. That means 9:00 am. I told Merea that
next time shed have to do it on her own. She knows how to and Id have to
stay here because otherwise wed be separated.
Shabbat and Sunday, I guess, are worse than during the week because
we dont do anything. Today was terrible for Merea. School and work are
distractions, so she wouldnt think so much about the better life life at
home, to be with imma and abba. Its the same for me. When Im not doing
anything, Im so miserable.
Merea and Shayan were irritating each other so bad that Merea started
to cry and I couldnt comfort her. Shayan is really like a child. Shell just
fight and argue with Merea until she cries. And then she laughs. She doesnt
know how to handle children because she also irritates Jonathan full time.
Her parents character (which she hates so much) is in her and she cant cut
those iniquities off. I tell her that she has it in her genes and she agrees.
Mario is the contrary. He plays and attracts the children. Jonathan
has a nice time with him. I said its good because otherwise hes going to
be like a girl when he goes home. Mario just has one big problem. Its that
he has a new girlfriend every other day. Its just too bad that people in this
society arent able to keep relationships.
This afternoon I experienced something so beautiful. Merea and I
went on a stroll with Jonathan to make him fall asleep. There are those
really big overgrown hedges outside of the village and one of those was
full of little brown birds. They made such a loud, powerful, and beautiful sound. I never heard so many little birds sing so loud all together. I
stopped and we just listened, fascinated by their songs. We stood there for
at least five minutes. Then when we came closer, they all flew away in two
groups, into two different directions. They must have been at least 500
birds. They filled the sky with black for a few seconds until they disappeared. Somehow it spoke to me. I dont know what, but I loved it.
Jonathan took his nap in his stroller in the backyard. Now hes already
in bed again. Its late.

Sunday, 22 September 2013


Today is dead, deader, deadest, boring, more boring, most boring, stupid, more stupid, and most stupid. This morning we were able to see Moeda
again. That always encourages us. Today were supposed to go somewhere to
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eat. Merea doesnt want to go with us but they dont leave us alone anymore.
Jonathan isnt in such good spirits today. Im writing letters. I thought about
writing to Angela Merkel. Maybe Ill write to her.
This afternoon relatives of the Assenbaums came for coffee and cake.
Jonathan ate 1 pieces of cake. Today is elections. Angela Merkel was voted
in. FDR is raus. Oh well, I dont like politics. What does it have to do with
me? Maybe I put my hope in that. But maybe they can do something for me.
Good night.
P.S. Happy because tomorrow we can talk with abba and imma in Ansbach. Merea is so, so, so happy, and I am also!

Monday, 23 September 2013


This morning when I got up, Jonathan woke up with me. Oh no! Thank
God I was able to put him back to sleep on time for me to go. I cant handle
seeing him scream his head off when I leave the house at 6:45 am for school.
All day, hes all I worry about. Its torture for him and for me because I
know he isnt doing well at home. At least theres something for him to
look forward to today. It is seeing his abba!! Andsaying good-bye again!
Oh, how wicked!
At school hes what I talk about and what I care about. At least that stupid school doesnt take me any concentration, otherwise I wouldnt manage
it. My little sister is in my mind, too. Yesterday she told me that she doesnt
want to go to school because they mock her so bad for her clothes. I tried to
encourage her, and pray for her. I many times pray that our Father would
keep me and give me power and strength to continue believing in Him.
Theres so much unbelief that comes when times are hard.
Today for the first time I was able to kind of talk to some other youth
about who I really am. They dont know much, care much, do much, but when
you actually manage to start an open conversation with them, they have so
many questions. Most of them have never heard about us not even through
TV or newspaper or media. They dont understand anything when I start telling my story. They just say, What is this you believe and why are you gone?
One girl saw the things told about us in TV though. She questioned
me a bit and listened very interested to what I said. After a while she had
so much compassion for us. She said, I thought you all are super bad
people. Im so sorry. That is so terrible! The other girls told me to bring
Jonathan with me sometime (since hes anyways more my boy than the
foster parents). I said that I cant.
After school I had the allowance to be able to see my parents with
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Merea legally for once. It was worse than I thought. Three people were
watching us. One overseeing (youth department), one taking notes, and
one, I think, interviewing us.
First thing I said was that I wanted them to sit around the table with
us. They refused. I said that I felt more comfortable if I saw them and they
wouldnt sit behind my back like that. They said no, they wouldnt. ITS
CRAZY! I got so worked up about them, so I started talking to my parents
about how I feel mistreated by the youth department and everyone else that
goes by them. I was so mad at them. Then we just spoke English.
Anyway, they care beans which language you talk because theyll
anyways write what they want to write. And then they will send what
they think is most important to the judge. It was nice, though, to see my
parents.
Whenever I get really worked up about something those people would
tell me that you are here of your own free will, you can go home if you want,
so dont say anything. I get so indignant. Pure Levite. I need my rights. I
told them that it was unfair to give me such a late appointment because Im
really fighting for it and others already got their appointments with the
judge a few days ago. Maybe I irritate them with the way I am, so they have
me wait extra long. But I dont care, Ill irritate them even more.
Levites fight and Im going to fight and not let them get me down. I will
do my small part to get all of us out. There are sooo many more pages to
write about just today, but I cant anymore. When Im home, Ill talk!

Tuesday, 24 September 2013


Today was stressful as always, but nicer than ever before. My day started like always. I went with the bus to school. When I got off I had a horror
feeling, Oh no, I forgot my handy at home. I was so disappointed. It is
almost my only hope because normally I make a few phone calls on my way
to school and it strengthens me to hear the voice of my friends. Then I know
that I overcome for them. During the school hours I cannot make telephone
calls, so I need to do it before school starts.
I asked one of my classmates if I could borrow his handy quickly
before school starts. He lent it to me. I called my abba and he told me that
he couldnt come today because he needs to drive somewhere. He told me
that maybe Hannah would be coming with somebody else.
Today I have two free hours. I miss Hannah so much. One of my classmates is a Muslim. She didnt know what to do during her break, so I invited
her to come with me to get something to drink and go to a small park. I told
20

her that maybe my sister was coming. Hannah came together with Barak and
Shalhevet, and I was so happy. It was as if we were never separated.
Barak went over my letter for me because he is a good German teacher
and a good lawyer for me. We talked a lot together. Then they all walked
with me back to school. It was very difficult for me to say goodbye to them.
The rest of the day was very depressing. The beautiful dream was over
and the terrible nightmare continued. This afternoon I felt threatened by
someone. He approached me strange and wanted something from me.
Sometimes fear comes to me. I know here I have no protection, and I know
that for Merea there is no protection. It is very difficult for me.

Wednesday, 25 September 2013


Today I did not forget my handy. Hannah came again. I dont know of
anything else that happened today except that Hannah and Baraks came
again to visit me. I would have loved to have just gone with them, but I am
a slave in the world. I am a slave who knows freedom. I know this more
each day that the people who were born as slaves, they dont want to be
anything different than a slave. They are like the lion who has freedom in
front of him but he rather still likes to be in his cage. I am a wild lion who
was now put in a cage. This makes me so aggressive and irritable that I am
handled like that, and Im restrained in this big zoo. I know what freedom
is and I want to be out of here. But nobody can understand me because they
dont know freedom. Sometimes it makes me so frustrated.
Also, I simply cannot speak well in the formal form of German. The
formal form of speaking German is so foreign to me and I hardly can bring
myself to talk to my teachers. I simply cannot do it well. In English you
dont need this formal form of speaking.
I was not made for this world. I could never make it. Maybe I could
manage naturally for a little while, but I would die spiritually. I cannot live
without many people and friends and family.
I need ACTION! Now its all gone. Theres no action, no excitement, no
vision in a life like this. Im dying.

Thursday, 26 September 2013


Somehow, no matter how much I try to deny reality, it always keeps on
hitting me. Its more the foster parents that try to deny reality and they try
to not let it hit them. They try to cover up and they end up lying at me. This
morning when I needed to leave, Jonathan woke up. Usually I could have
made him sleep, but I needed to leave. So he started to cry. The foster father
21

took him away from me, since he was hanging on me, and sat him into the
high chair to eat. It was 6:30 am. The foster mother said he should feed him
so he stops screaming. I was waiting in the hallway for the lady. Until we
left, he didnt stop yelling. I feel so terrible inside. I wish I could love him,
but it seems we cannot do anything.
This afternoon I went on an outing. We went to a nice big lake. There
we could spend some nice time in peace. My sister took a letter for me to
stick into the mail box. Thank you, Hannah, best friend.
When I came home, Merea and Jonathan came to pick me up with the
foster father. How sweet. They were so delighted to pick me up from the bus
station with the car.

Friday, 27 September 2013


This morning was like always. When I came home at 5:30 pm, Jonathan
was extremely sweet. Today he really managed to encourage me. He ran
towards me, hugged me, and gave me a big kiss. Somehow, today I felt so
depressed. I was alone all day and I phoned my sister and Zipporah. I was
so happy to talk to Zipporah, but after, somehow, I was so depressed. I dont
know why, but I just couldnt handle it anymore to be alone. I wanted to go
home but I cant.
I cooked supper. We cleaned up. Our foster parents are going to a birthday
party. At supper time Shai got a phone call. A friend told her that there was
somebody pursuing her, and after a while of explanation, Shai remembered
that man. He had been watching her all week in school, but she hadnt thought
anything of it. After Shai told us the whole story, she said that if she saw him
the next Monday she would call the police. Her father probably got him to catch
his daughter. After we all calmed down and we were hanging out in the living
room, our foster parents left for the birthday party in the next village.
All of a sudden, they both came back in. They had met that man between the two villages and stopped. They asked him what he was doing and
he said in a strange accent that his car broke down and a friend was picking him up. So they turned and drove home to call the police. The police
took quite a while to come. Then they just came to the house to talk to Shai
and got all informed. The foster father still went to look if the man was still
around, but he was gone. He probably hid in some cornfield and now hes
gone already. The police are talking to Shai right now.
Shai is going with the police. They will take her to another foster family.
First shell go to the police station and say everything again. It is too risky
to let her stay the night here because her pursuers are watching her.
22

The foster father just told me that the police asked if it had something
to do with the Twelve Tribes. He told them it didnt at all have anything to
do with us this time. I hope they dont make a big story about that one. You
never know, they lie so much.
Bye, bye Shai, hope to see you soon. Latest on Monday in town. But
shell probably just stay one night. Its hard for me to let her go! Shes like
a little wild sister to me. But Im glad shell be in safety! I love you Shayan!
Good night.

Shabbat, 28 September 2013


Last night I went to bed late because there were still secret police coming around. They were still checking out the situation, but it was too late
anyways. Today I was happy to have more time for the children. Merea
really needed me today. It was so different without Shai. Somehow I think
it was nicer. I taught Merea how to crochet a little bit and she drew a nice
picture for imma and abba.
Im getting kind of irritated at everybody sometimes. Its just taking too
long. Its worse than I thought. Sometimes I get hopeless. Everything takes
so long. It doesnt seem as if anything is happening except that everyone is
getting tired of fighting. We are starting to get kind of used to the drama. I
hate it. But what should I do?
Tonight Jonathan is going to sleep by himself in our room, and Merea
and I in Shais room. Our foster parents decided that it would be best for
him. Im just surrendered. I feel like a dead dog. I try to not be depressed,
and to give my best to encourage Merea and Jonathan, maintain a tiny bit
of child training, and dont know how to help myself. I feel as if I need some
time off of this mess.
Good night.

Sunday, 29 September 2013


Today was like last Sunday. Its always kind of boring. Something that
makes me kind of nervous is the court hearing on Wednesday. I really
hope that we will be able to say the right things. Its really up to our Father
because they twist everything in your own mouth. They can misuse everything you say, and also if you dont.

Wednesday, 16 October 2013 (Havah and Merea escape to Switzerland)


When I woke up this morning, I knew exactly what I would do today.
A few day ago, I told Merea that Im going to leave sometime because I can
23

and will no longer stay in school. I do not know how I can explain that to
my foster parents and anyways I dont want to attend any other school.
No one heard me or wanted to hear me. I have expressed my opinion
and my desire repeatedly to anyone, but why was I not heard? The judge did
not want to listen to me when I was consulted. Also the Jugendamt and the
legal adviser had no ear for me.
Then as a last hope I have written a letter to the Chancellor Merkel,
with the hope that she would respond to me. The letter remained unanswered until this day.
I can live here no longer, if I am not heard! I do not see that someone
who says that he saves me and then he does not hear me at times. And no
one is interested in my desires! I was a free person and now I am tied up...
and forced to attend a school where I need to waste my time!
I was protected by my parents and cared for, now I am thrown in a pile
of broken glass and any protection is torn from me.
I am supposed to see the world...and my range is as small as never before. For six weeks I go to Ansbach every morning and back in the evening.
I was promised freedom but I am led into a prison! I always felt like a free,
young lion. And now I am to follow some people, who do not have a personal interest in me, into the zoo?
And there I should be free in my 2 meter diameter room, to go around
in circles? I am going there merely to be exploited, like everyone else in
this circus! It is envy that leads people to do such things! I have no more
strength to fight in the cage, and maybe it helps Jonathan ultimately more
if I do the first step, that he will also come out faster. I think to myself that
if we were to start from scratch, then we would know how to act and no one
would have a chance to bring us back.
Maybe they would even wake up and realize how crazy they are two
girls picked up against their will by 100 police officers! Well, unfortunately,
this is all just a dream. In reality I am so weak and small and my enemies are
so big and strong. But if God wills it, he will allow us to run away at least.
Merea wants to come with me. I said to her that she must run from
her school to the train station, rather than take the bus to go home. Then
she would have to board the next train that stops. Actually we had already
planned to run away for weeks, and Merea asked me every day when we
would finally do it. I put it off again and again because of Jonathan. I had to
cry every time I thought about leaving him. When I told my father what we
were doing, he was upset and told us that we should not do it.
24

It could also be dangerous. Six weeks have passed since we were separated from our parents against our will. The judge herself has said that there
is no end is in sight! We decided that today is the day we can finally escape.
Merea and I made our last plans. It took a long time to get Jonathan to sleep.
He slept very restlessly and woke up very early in the morning. I felt
bad, but I wanted to do it. Shortly thereafter, I had to go to school. I had
planned to spend the whole morning sick and then be excused. From there
I could go to Dombhl and continue with Merea on the train. Our goal was
to arrive in Switzerland before nightfall.
When I arrived in Dombhl, I bought tickets for both of us and waited
for Merea. Our train left at 1:24 p.m. Mereas school ended at 1:05 and I
hoped that she would make it because it was a longer route to the station.
When Merea saw me from a distance, she began to run. She was so happy
and excited to run away that we finally made it to escape.
When we boarded the train and it started to depart, we felt liberated.
We never wanted to go back. It seemed like it took forever by the time we
arrived at the next station. From there, we took the train to Zurich, Switzerland. My little sister was very impatient in the train and every time we
stopped, she asked when do we get
out. The day had been very long
but finally we got off the train.
We had arrived in Switzerland safely! That was our goal,
because we are Swiss citizens and
here we want to continue to feel
safe. We hope to be heard by the
authorities here and hopefully be
allowed to always stay with our
parents.

25

Havah and Merea spent three weeks of freedom in Switzerland with


their parents and grandmother, before they were suddenly taken captive
by the Swiss authorities and taken to the German border where they
were handed over to German authorities. Here is the order of events of
that day though through Havahs eyes:

Friday, 8 November 2013


This morning I was happy. Tomorrow is Sabbath. I was baking the
dessert with Merea and the bread for tonight. Imma and Abba went on a
trip since this morning at 7:00. It was 3:00 clock in the afternoon. Abba and
imma would be home soon and there was somebody ringing the bell. I went
to see who it was but the finger was on the little hole. I ran back and told my
grandmother. She went and called through the door, Who is it? Somebody told their name. She carefully opened the door.
Two police men rushed into the house. When they were in, they said
that they came to get me and Merea. We were in the kitchen. They came
and told us to pack some important things. We screamed and cried. Merea
held on to Gromutti and cried. We dont want to go! We can not go! Our
parents need to come home! We want to say goodbye! You cannot bring us
to Germany! We are Swiss citizens! We dont want to go to Germany!
We cried and yelled. I was not putting on my shoes. My abba wanted
me to give him the phone number the lawyer. I didnt find it. The police said
I had five more minutes. I was trying to push off the time. Yarash called. I
held on to Merea. Gromutti was putting on her shoes. She wanted us to
be more peaceful. Merea yelled and two other policemen came to carry her
out. I screamed and told them to wait for my parents, because they were
coming in 10 minutes. They said, No. I said, You can not carry me out. I
am Swiss. One policeman was shocked.
The other said, No, she is not Swiss.
I screamed, But I am! I ran into the other room to search for my identity card. They jumped up and grabbed me. I searched and searched, but
I only found Hannahs passport. I showed them, Look, this is my sister.
But they didnt believe me. They grabbed me and sat me on the chair, put
on my boots, stuffed me into my jacket, and dragged me out. I screamed as
loud as I could. No neighbors came to rescue us. I was soooo helpless. They
tumbled me into the car and buckled me. I was quiet. Merea screamed and
cried. I called my parents. I said, They are bringing us to Germany.
Yarash followed us and told them where we were. They followed until the
German border. When they showed our Swiss papers they were surprised,
but it was too late. Merea and I banged against the windows. I needed to use
26

the restroom so urgently. Merea too. We wanted to hug our parents but they
didnt let us. We went weeping to use the toilets. When we came back we all of
a sudden just pulled ourselves out of their claws and ran to our parents. After
a while of discussion we were forced to go with the German police and our
parents could follow to the police station. We sat in the police station hallway
for 5 hours with my parents. Then the Youth Department came.
Herr Singer, Herr Ziegler, Frau Kundinger and two other women. My
parents went to talk with them. We were praying that our Father makes a
miracle and lets us go home, but no! My parents both came back crying. I
thought, I wished we could all just die! I screamed at the police and said,
Are you here to protect and save people, or are you here to deliver us to
these wicked enemies?
The police man didnt answer. I said, This is abuse. I never experienced
such abuse! We ran away from them. We ran for our lives and now you are
handing us over to them again?!? We will die!!! One police man came over
to me and told me I should stop. I would make it worse for Merea if I expressed more feelings. He wanted me to promise that I be quiet. I said, Ill
be quiet if he promised me first that we wouldnt be separated.
He agreed and went to talk to the Youth Department. He came back
and wasnt able to promise anything, so I kept on preaching to them and
yelling around and crying, and saying that they were the biggest children
abusers on earth ever. He told me to be quiet but I said that I wasnt because
he didnt give me his promise. Some policemen got some seelsorge person
(soul caretakers preacher) from the Rot Kreuz (Swiss Red Cross) to talk
to me. They thought I turned crazy. I yelled at him to not talk to me and
that I was totally normal and was using my brain and that I wasnt at all
crazy, but if he wanted to know why I was acting like that I would tell him.
I said, They are abusing us! They are taking us away from our parents and
separating us on top of it all.
Wicked Frau Kundinger grabbed Merea and started walking away with
her. I dont even know whether or not Merea was able to kiss my parents good
bye. I quickly hugged my parents and ran behind Merea. I held her tight.
Merea screamed to let her come with me. They pulled me away from her.
The last thing I heard of her was: But promise that I can sleep with my sister
tonight. Please! and then I just heard loud cries. Policemen commanding her
to be quiet and cold answers from Frau Kundinger and Herr Singer.
We drove for four hours and arrived in a village at 2 oclock in the
morning. I asked, Where is Merea? Tell me. I wont do anything before
you tell me.
27

But they just answered, She is in the other car. It was raining and
super cold outside and I had hardly anything to wear, so I followed into the
house. I didnt say a word. They asked if I had a phone.
I said, No.
Herr Singer said that he thinks I do.
I said, No.
The lady that received us asked if she could look through my bag.
I said, No.
So they came to the conclusion that I have one and they will look into
my bag.
I said, No! and that the woman can look herself through my bag
without you all, because I hate you for what you do and are.
Herr Singer mockingly said, OK. Eva never lies. You can trust her that
she will show you her bag after.
When they left, he wanted to shake my hand. I looked him in the eyes
and said, I wont shake the hand of a wicked man like you!
He mockingly answered, Oh, I expected that.
As soon as they left, I put my cellphone on the table, threw my head
into my hands and cried. The woman showed me where my cellphone would
be kept and a little bit of the house. She told me that I was in a home with
7 other girls and there are more homes in this village. I saw my room, she
gave me a toothbrush and toothpaste, and some towels. I didnt want to fall
asleep. I know, Merea must have either arrived now or is still on the road
somewhere. At 3:00 clock she was still on the road they said. I know Merea
didnt sleep in the car. She told me before she left that she will not be able to
sleep and she is scared to sleep because she is scared of what they do to her.
To me this is real bad child abuse. To do something so bad to a child in the
middle of the night.

Sabbath Day, 9 November 2013


The woman here told me that Merea had arrived safe in a foster family. Today I have my first encounters with the girls here. Its ok, but at every
question they ask me where Im from... and at every answer I gave, Im holding back tears. There is another girl that arrived here this week. We talked
together on the big couch. She was telling me in tears, how they had taken
her away from her parents, because her father supposedly was beating her,
but it wasnt true.
28

She has a sick sister the age of Merea, and she is scared for her, because
she could die any moment if her liver stops working. I felt much compassion for her. I told her my story too. We were both crying, just wanting to
go home. We started a huge puzzle together with 3000 pieces. We both feel
we dont fit into the puzzle of this world. She said she doesnt fit anywhere
and so they stick her in a home for people that dont fit. It made me so sad
because I have somewhere to fit, but they dont let me fit there.
Tonight we had a birthday party for one of the girls. It was fun. At one
point the phone rang, and the teacher answered. She came back and said
to the other girl, Hey, we forgot to call your mom. She was so worried
about you...
I said, My mother is worrying about me too. She doesnt even know
if Im still alive and she doesnt even know whether I have a bed and food.
She is probably dying of fear and sorrow and I can not even tell her that Im
fine. Then I ran to my room.
I couldnt hold the tears back longer. All those thoughts overwhelmed
me, about my parents and Merea I am still so helpless, so powerless. I
was getting ready for bed. I took a shower. But the girl I was talking to earlier came to ask me to continue on the puzzle with her. So I went. Maybe I
shouldnt think too much about my situation and think more about how to
encourage her and be a friend.
By the way, today I went shopping with Fee. Because I dont have any
clothes with me. We got some clothes to change, while the other ones are
washing and a jacket.

Sunday, 10 November 2013


Today Rosi is here. This morning we puzzled again. After breakfast and
lunch, she called me into her office to talk. I started crying when she told
me something like, Must have been quite hard, or You probably still need
to recover from everything.
Everything came out of me. All my worries about my little sister and
my parents. I told her that my mother is going to die if she doesnt know
where we are I said that my imma is super sick and cant do anything
and all she can do is be a mother and now she will die of sorrow. Merea is
sad and scared without me. She probably already tried calling me and is
frustrated because they took my cell phone away. I hope she has kind foster
parents. I cant do anything for her. Im writing her a letter.
This afternoon we messed our puzzle up again. Because its going to
take us weeks to get it done and it needs to be out of the way for a couple
29

of days. I wrote a letter to abba and imma and hope to be able to send it to
Wernitz by mail. Now I need to rewrite my whole nice letter for Merea,
cause I wrote in English accidentally.

Monday, 11 November 2013


Today I had a Brothers Meeting with Herr Pechtel and Herr Neumaier.
First I worked for a couple of hours in the main house kitchen. Today is
terrible everything new. I cant take it all in, that this is HELL-REALITY
in my life. All day Im holding back tears. The slightest question makes
me shaky. Herr P and N both like me very much, try to help me and see in
what way. They are actually people that dont have anything to do with the
entire mess and are onlookers (real neutral) and are saying that it is really
exceptional for them to have a normal girl and that they dont see that Im
needy for more education
They want to have me, but cannot except that I need to be watched full
time. They want the best for me, which means for them, that I can have a
lot of contact and I can go outside on my own. That will only work or be
allowed, if the Youth Department agrees. Thats the only sad thing about
it. But they seem to be quite convincing, and see me as a good person. Its
amazing to hear such words from strangers. They said that right into my
face, before even really talking to me. That was more or less intro to what
they said after.
Rosi my watchman was very surprised also. At the end, it turned
out that they asked me questions and one of them was Was it you that
wrote the letter to Angela Mercel? I nodded.
He said, Did she answer?
I shook my head. I was about to cry. My eyes got all watery. Rosi noticed. Herr Pechtel said, Im really interested in you. I would love to ask
you many questions about your family and little sister and but I think it
would be a little bit much right now.
I just turned and hid my face. Thank God I didnt burst into tears. But
they probably noticed, even though I was smiling all along and looking
straight into their eyes when they were talking. They want to clear things
up After all they probably wont do much.
Anyways, this afternoon Britta is my watchman. She tells me that
Herr Singer is coming to bring my things today. I wanted to die, I told her.
She told me no, but all I could remember of him was that Demon on Friday
night in his face, and sure enough it was still the same face. I honestly
wanted to die and never have to see him, but the girls encouraged me. They
30

gave me a little horse of fabric to comfort me and to take with me. The bell
is ringing, Jule opens, I hear his name. I want to jump under the table. I stay
sitting. Jule brings him in...
She calls Britta to come because, Herr S ah. Oh, was is da!!?! That
makes Singer kind of nervous. He looks all around and behaves kind of
scared. I shake his hand (half-heartedly) because Britta told me to. Britta
takes him into the office to talk. He left my bags in the entrance. I grab them
and bring them to my room. Im super nervous. Ill check my things after.
I still want to die. When I come back to the dining room all the girls are
crowded, talking about how gross and strange he is. Its my turn now. Singer
asks me how Im doing, and I tell him BAD, but I smile, to suppress tears.
He asked me why I was saying bad and smiling. I told him, that I was
suppressing my tears. He told me that Merea is in a foster family with other
children and that she asked to be with Ishshah Schott. I told him that she
needs somebody that she knows already so she doesnt turn crazy. I told him
again that I dont regret the step I made to take off with her, cause at least
she had her abba and imma for 3 weeks, and that was worth it, because we
would obviously still not be home yet. He told me, that on the other hand I
wouldnt be separated from Merea if I wouldnt have done that. I told him
that that it was totally senseless to get us again and it should be obvious to
him by now that we love our parents and theres no abuse and no reason for
us to be taken away.
He plainly answered that if we would not have been registered in KLZ,
we would not have needed to leave our parents and that basically its their
own fault. I was totally perplexed and shocked I just stared at him with
my brain, racing with words to tell him, but nothing came out of me. I just
stared and thought that it is time for that man to wake up. Back to the Nazis
Just because you are registered in the house of a Jew, no matter what you
really are, you get killed or whatever.
The worst was that he actually repeated it a couple of times in our conversation. He would just say it over and over again, as if he didnt believe me
that we really havent lived there for a long time. I told him that we arent
Gypsies and we need to be registered somewhere and that Im not at all
ashamed of it. He told me that he cant imagine abba and imma to register
anywhere else but KLZ or Wrnitz. I hated the way he was saying it, so I always said, Really? Im not so sure about that. It for sure was not at all their
plans lately, because we wanted to stay where we were, but maybe they have
no other choice now.
I just hope so badly that it will be in Ansbach, because they promised
to me, that I only need to be gone because I decided to be with my sister. I
31

didnt tell him anything about that. I kind of had a black out, but after all
it might have been good, because it would have arrived anyways. He just
let everything bounce off his ears again. In the end, I gave him a letter for
Merea. He asked to see my room. I told him that he doesnt have any need to
see it and there are plenty of nice people that can see it. He also asked Britta
to go through my bags with her before I got them, but my bags were already
in the room and before Britta could allow him to, I answered, NO! She
can look through them with me, dont worry. Finally he was gone. Britta
watched me unpack my shoes out of one bag, then she said, she doesnt want
to get mixed in with my things and let me unpack my other bag by myself.
I felt like you need me to be a stone to a stone. If Id be super honest
with Singer, he could misuse everything I say.

Sabbath, 16 November 2013


Today we slept in. Last night we all watched the voice of Germany. We
had to, cause we need to do everything together. Tomorrow I can talk to Abba
and Imma for 5 min. Im extremely excited, but totally frustrated at the same
time. What should I ask or tell them in 5 minutes? I dont know but I will just
tell them that I love them. I want to ask about Merea, and all the decisions I
need to make here. I need somebody to help me, but Im alone. I hope that
they wont mention anything about where I live. I hope the five minutes will
be long. Last night I cried so much. I told Fee that I dont know what to say in
5 minutes and that I feel so misused and cheated by the Youth Department. I
hope Britta will have a better mood than last time.
I need something to do. This afternoon I will go shopping with Christine and Denise and tonight we are going to a concert. Im trying to make
friends with the girls and trainers. Yesterday I baked bread for supper and
rolls for today brunch. I want to go home soooo badly. I wonder what
Merea is doing. Who she is with and how she is doing. I pray sooo much
and nothing seems to happen. I dont want to stop, but its so hard to not
give up. I want to hang on to what I said in the beginning, that I will fight
till were all out. But now I feel so broken, kaput, tired, dead. I feel so dead,
like a piece of meat being kicked around. But I need to keep on fighting and
being strong. If this continues for long, like they all say till your 18 I
will literally die. It cannot be that I need to be here till Im 18 if there is no
single proof that we were abused.
I want to go home. Thats all I want and all that will carry me through.
I hope Merea can be strong too. I dont want them to mess her up, but thats
what they are doing now. I dont know if I should regret that we took off.
Actually I dont, but maybe it did do worse to Merea. I dont know and there
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is so much I need to talk about, but I cant, because Im alone. Im so lonely,


so dead, and so sad.

Sunday, 17 November 2013


Last night we were at a concert here in Schnaittach. The first rock band
was all old people. The second one was a bit more attractive. I thought I
turned crazy and I was totally aware that it was absurd to think, but the
boys on stage had long tied-back ponytails, the length of our boys. They
really looked like some of our boys, and I kept on staring at them. I knew
it was crazy but I was sooo homesick. I just looked at them and hoped for
some really nice music. At the end anyways, it turned out to be quite perverted.
I want to just meet somebody, just see someone from afar, just look
into the eyes of somebody of us! Im so dead and so lonely. Today we slept
in. At 12:00 we eat lunch. At 11:30 I can talk to my parents YOOHOO!!!!
I was going to phone them and Britta was listening. She dialed the number and handed me the phone. We were supposed to speak in German, the
Youth Department commanded. My abba picks up and starts on English.
I tell him to talk German. Our time on the phone was so nice, so lovely, so
refreshing. I didnt feel alone. I asked a couple of questions, I had saved for
the end, because I wanted to push the time off as long as I could. My abba
said that they dont allow him to phone with Merea.
I started crying. I think I know why. She is doing so miserable and
they are probably treating her bad and dont want my parents to know.
I love abba and imma and Hannah and MEREA SOOOOOOOOOOOO
MUCH!!! I will die without YOU. I need someone to free me from my
chains. After our phone call I thought I was going to be happy all day.
But the feeling of loneliness soon came back tonight when we went to
church to hear some nice harp music and a small sermon. I wanted to
scream. I want to mess it all up. Each one of us got a candle. Everyone
put them on the benches. I held mine in my hands all along. It was cold
in the church. I was wrapped into my jacket and stared into my candle
on my lap. I was so alone everyone was so strange. If I wasnt in my
group, I would have just stayed sitting until everyone was gone and until
my candle would die off and then I would start crying and wouldnt
stop. I felt like the little tealight was a little person and had understanding for me. I looked at it and wanted it to tell me the future but I was
so crazy. It is just a candle and too soon, everything was over and I
needed to blow my little friend out, leave it there, and walk out into the
dark. I hated it.
33

I dont ever want to enter a church again. Just to be alone, I dont want
to be so sad. I want to be with my friends. Its so terrible to be alone. In the
car the music was so depressing. I think its me singing, but I guess thats
just how everybody feels in the world. ... So alone and dead... Plastic world
with dead plastic smiles. They dont act like it though. They always cover up,
they dont even imagine anything else. They cant even imagine what real
life is like. All I can hang on to is that I have a place to belong and I need to
fight for it until I and the other children have it back!

Monday, 18 November 2013


Today I worked in the main kitchen again. For the first time I am allowed to go outside without a teacher and walk there with another girl.
The ladies in the kitchen are nice and relaxing. We work and have a nice
atmosphere. At 1:00PM I was going to meet the other girl and walk home
with her but school wasnt over yet, so I sat down outside and waited. The
children or youth inside the school were going nuts seeing me, so I got
kind of scared and went back to the kitchen to wait 5 more minutes. When
I went outside, she just came and we walked off together. All of a sudden
a strange man crossed the road in front of us. We walked past him and he
made an ugly face. After he kept following right behind our heels. I sped
up and the girl I was walking with wondered why. She is 14 and extremely
naive towards everything in general. After a while he couldnt keep up and
was further away from us (I guess because we didnt hear his steps). I was
relieved when I saw that we got rid of him. We crossed a big, busy road and
he got stuck there. After he didnt follow us anymore. There are so many
things that worry me. What about Merea... I can hardly think straight.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013


I had a good day in the kitchen. We prepared food for a goodbye of one
of the workers of the home. This evening we had a Love Tour talk
about sex with a woman that came. It is nothing but PCB in training and a
little more to relationships. What love is, what it feels like, how to prevent
pregnancy I try to not really let those things influence me too much,
especially her way to solve problems I know my way of solving such
problems and dont want to take on strange concepts. It wasnt too bad,
anyways I knew most of it already, like menstruation, hormones... The
things I didnt know I neither want to really know or I just dont need them.
Tomorrow we will all go shopping in the Franken Center. Im not really
excited about it, because I dont like to go shopping with a whole group. OK,
its time to go to bed.
34

Wednesday, 20 November 2013


Today we went shopping in the Frankencenter in Nrnberg. It was
hour drive there. I was hoping to see a car from Baufach or anything. But
I didnt meet anybody. I guess its too far away for such coincidence. I was
bored. Anyway I dont have any money, so I couldnt buy anything. We
were there all day and came home in the late afternoon. Everytime we drive
somewhere I pray so hard to meet someone, but nothing happens. Im so
desperate. Fee just told me that on Sunday I will be able to call my parents
again and I will see them on Monday. (Smiley faces) Ha-Ha Yoohoo!
All I can do is pray that soon Merea will also see them. I think she is
dying not being able to know anything about us for 2 weeks. Its outrageous!
Im so afraid for her. Im glad shes not in a home, in a way, because children
here in homes dont get any attention or love. They probably have better
chances in families. I just hope so badly that she is being treated nice. I want
to have her with me. I cant wait to see her. She is my little sweetheart sister.
I cant live without her. I thought that I will always be able to sleep, because
I usually sleep so deep and dont even hear the alarmclock, but since almost
2 weeks, I awake at least 3 times a night and I never need my alarm clock
because I always woke up 5-10 minutes before. Im glad I dont have nightmares, but the nightmare Im living is terrible enough. I still hope sometimes to just wake up and it will all not be true. But fantasy cannot save us. I
think it will be the total real Hand of God that will rescue us.
!!And Ill be so happy to see my ABBA and my IMMA!!

Friday, 22 November 2013


We watched a movie on how an American President got killed.

Sabbath Day, 23 November 2013


Today two girls went somewhere. I, Jule, and Denise stayed in the house.
We wanted to let a kite fly, but it got stuck in a tree. It took us long to get it
out. Jule got impatient and I needed to climb the tree. I hoped those thin
branches would hold me. All the strings were caught in the little twigs on
the outside. After I finally freed the kite with the help of Denise, I needed
to rake the yard. The girls had stinky attitudes. We had to make cards for
the Christmas man, so we would get something and not just chocolate. I
ask for fabric so I can sew something. I dont want to believe that were not
going to be free before Christmas. Its unreal.
I never thought our Father would allow us to be stuck for sooo long!?!
We didnt get warned by the prophets, or did we? I didnt think our Father
35

was going to let us be taken captive now. Why do we need to be out here?
Just to get more and more defiled? I mean the little ones too. Its not what
we were born for! I think our Master is powerful to save, and if not happens??? Does He want our enemies to make fun of Him? Im senseless! My
life is dead. I cant think straight anymore. Is this real?
I can only think of Merea. She cant withstand everything. She is feeling
100 times worse. Shes a child and needs even more care and attention. They
are probably giving her pills. Im soooooo scared for her. They could be
putting stuff into her food if she was not taking pills or be stuffing her with
chocolate. I know that she is doing bad! When I tell the Youth Department,
they dont even say anything to it. They basically say that Im right. They
know that they are killing lives, messing up futures, and damaging souls.
Im so mad. Im being so brainwashed out here and Im about to snap. No,
Im not! Im fighting to be normal.
The main kitchen helps me be normal. I can work with people that have
a bit more common sense. We do normal work and also have normal talk.
Kitchen is totally real life, not crazy youth or retarded professionals. I want
to go home. It will be hard to come back in a way, because we will all be so
different. We will need to come back together and get totally renewed. We
will be so messed up and come back to total surrender and have a clean
conscience. The children need to get loved It will be a challenge. We need
to come straight into the fire. When I come home, I dont want to be treated
like anything strange or special and when I have bad words in my mouth I
want to get rid of them. Tonight they watched a Movie on RTL II about spirits. It was so disgusting and filthy. I said I was too tired. I almost fell asleep
on the couch, because I wasnt watching, but I didnt want to sleep listening
to that ugly story. I hate it. I miss home so badly. I think, the worst for my
little sister, is if she needs to go to bed, scared. I want her to always have
peace and not need to suffer under terrible fears.

Sunday, 24 November 2013


Today I could call Abba and Imma. I was super happy, but Sandra has a
bad mood today. Today I was not able to do anything. I was going nuts just
sitting around, wanting to occupy myself with something. I dont know how
to write those letters Id better be writing I cant without any connection.
Tonight we decorated the living room for Christmas. I dont see the heck of
being here without Merea. Im very happy to see abba and imma tomorrow,
but Im scared of the separation again, and that time will be too short. Its so
unfair. I was happy to hear from them today, that Merea is with Ishsha and
Chaninah and Besorah. Im so glad for her and hope that they will never
separate them.
36

I was mad that the Youth Department never told me about that. All
along I had terrible fears for her, when I actually could have been more
relieved. I for sure dont hope this will be forever, but its better than having
her be alone in a foster family. Im happy for what the day tomorrow will
bring.
On November 28, 2013 Eva Krumbacher (Havah) is free at last!
Her parents received the
decision of the district court
that the loss of custody of
their daughter was repealed.
She was picked up at the
facility in which she was
held since her return from
Switzerland. Havahs
younger sister Merea
remained in the custody of
the Youth Department along
with appoximately 30 others
of her friends and classmates from the Twelve Tribes Communities
in Germany. Havahs letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel
remains unanswered.

Eva Krumbachers Letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel


Dated: September 23, 2013
Dear Madam Chancellor Angela Merkel,
I hope that this letter will be read and considered carefully.
I wanted to write you the day before yesterday. I was totally impressed
with your strong statement on television, because you have so well
stated that this country needs childrens rights and religious freedom. I
found you very honorable and admired you very much. I was very glad
that you had been elected.
To start with, I want to introduce myself to you. My name is Eva
Krumbacher. I am 17 years old and was forced to leave the so-called
sect of the twelve tribes through a police raid. This intervention has
separated me and the other 39 children and babies at once from our
37

parents. All of us had been used to having a close, loving relationship


with our parents. I found this to be a very brutal and aggressive
intervention in our private lives. I think you must have heard about
this matter.
I love my life there in the community and would never wish for
something else, at least not now. I would say that all rights have been
revoked, especially of the smaller children. Children have the right
to live with their parents if they want it. My little sister, for example,
is suffering mental harm through this separation from our parents. I
call that child abuse, when children are removed forcibly from their
parents. It goes against the will of the child.
Also, there is no freedom of religion, if parents are not allowed to teach
their children the way they want it. I was trained by my mom always
at home and have not become stupid. The only reason, why I did not
obtain a qualified degree is because we were at the time outside the
country. I think its wrong when our training is referred to as poor or
bad. That is unfair. I want to get justice and speak for the rights of
young children because their human rights (the right to be together with
my father and my mother, the right to psychological integrity, right to
express my religion) is being trampled upon and not being recogized.
I place great hope in you. I wish that Germany to be a strong country
through you, and that through you, we will be granted religious
freedom and the freedom to teach children at home, as is that possible
in most European countries.
I really hope that this letter will be read seriously and will not
inconsiderately be thrown in the trash. I need help and the children
need help. I put my hope in you, so that we can return home. Please
listen to me .
Greetings and thanks
Eva Krumbacher

38

To All Who Want to Hear from Us


Posted 11 December, 2013
He who spares his rod hates his son, but if you love him, chasteneth him
betimes. (Proverbs 13:24)

Times Change, and with Them the Values


One day someone came along and deceitfully crept into our homes,
exploited our hospitality, took secret videos, manipulated them, and then
played them to the public. Such a thing was once forbidden and frowned
upon, but that was probably at that time when spanking was still allowed,
not forbidden and frowned upon. Times change, and with them the values.
The prophet Isaiah foresaw this long ago.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who exchange darkness
for light and light for darkness, who call bitter sweet and sweet bitter!
(Isaiah 5:20)

By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them


Of course, you can see everything either way. The Son of God spoke to
the teachers of the Law about a judgment based on the fruit.
Therefore I say unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you
and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:43)
By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or
figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree
bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree
can not bear good fruit. (Matthew 7:16-19)
Whats the answer to the riddle? Both authorities and journalists agree
that our children are healthy, happy, alert, and obedient, but they say the
method of education is wrong even criminal.
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and the peace of thy
children shall be great. (Isaiah 54:13)
We are being praised for the fruit and reproved for the discipline. But
perhaps the authorities and neighbors who have seen the good fruit had not
been fooled after all. Here is a very enlightening comment from the newspaper:

39

Dishonest comparison (NUB 7.2/7.3 )


I just dont believe the one-sided exaggerations. These children are
not abused in my eyes. When I went in the 60s to elementary school,
we also were chastised in the same way and not abused. This must be
clearly differentiated. At that time, people said, What kind of father is
there who does not discipline his child, if it needs to be brought back to
the path of conscience?
Still today I respect my teachers for this, except the one that hit me with
his hand in the face. Really, this was abuse; one on the butt is love!
We have to relearn again, people; otherwise our country becomes like
Sodom and Gomorrah (wherever it is not yet). Wake up!

The Original Recipe


The original recipe for education from the Creator is in the Bible, in the
book of the Proverbs of Solomon, who was once considered the wisest man
on earth:
He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines
him promptly. (Proverbs 13:24)
So what does this mean? He who spares his rod hates his child, but he
who loves has corrected in time. This proverb includes three key ingredients:
The rod
Love
In due time

The Rod
The rod is a thin, flexible branch that stings if you get it on the bottom.
It could only injure if one would furiously swing it, and that only happens
when you do not correct in due time that is, if you wait until youve had
enough of this! and are full of rage and anger. The Word of God calls such
behavior hating his child.
To love ones child means: as soon as he is disobedient, take the child to
his room where you can take care of him undisturbed and in peace. In the
film, that peace was misunderstood and condemned as emotionless and
cold. You could also have considered that peace as positive, as it really is.
Emotionless, yes without the emotions of anger and wrath. According to
the sect commissioner in the film, Everyones hand slips at one point or another with emotions, anger, and afterwards you will have to apologize for
40

it which is true, you should. The purpose of this correction is completely


missed. Correction in love and from love is always a controlled training
process, without wrath, and for the benefit of the child, with the prospect
of a positive future. We condemn disciplining a child in anger, for with the
anger comes violence and abuse.
At each correction it depends on the how of the measure, while the
following verses always serve as a guideline for parents:
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the
Lord! Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they be discouraged!
(Colossians 3:20-21)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your
father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise),
that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in
the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)
Violence begets violence, and that is why we condemn any violence in
dealing with children. Therefore all of our children know that we love them.
This is their consistent testimony in their cards and letters to us, to their
lawyers, and before our judges.
Top priority: the first commandment in raising children is to turn ones
heart to his children.
And he shall turn the heart of fathers back to the children, and the
hearts of children to their fathers, lest I strike at my coming earth with
a curse! (Malachi 4:6)
I hope the judges will let our children speak for themselves.
Now, what I say here is very different from what is said by those who
have left us. Those three siblings and their parents, who were five of six
witnesses, actually represent only their own sad family history. They hold
the Community accountable for the violence they have experienced in
their family. Their two family members who are faithfully remaining in the
Community were somehow not called as witnesses. Perhaps witnesses who
would not blame the Community were not desired. It looks that way to us.
Also, the sixth and final witness projected his experience in his own family
to the whole community.
However, this problem cannot be generalized. Their experience in no
way reflects the mindset of the Twelve Tribes. In every society there are
black sheep. The statements of the dropouts differ so starkly from those
41

who remain in the Twelve Tribes. Both are true! But the dropouts have their
experience solely due to the choices of their parents, not the Community.
Unfortunately, the youth welfare office and district court have not taken
this possibility into consideration, otherwise they would have dealt differently with us. The medical officer had indeed just recently found that there
were no signs of physical or mental violence against our children.

Propaganda
In the film you can see how the punishment part of the education takes
place. But for the sake of propaganda, the most important part of the whole
was intentionally cut away: the reconciliation, the encouragement, the embrace, the restoration of the mother-child relationship, where no feelings of
separation remain all the little ingredients that cause a child to grow into
a confident adult. If any ingredients are missing, the fruit will be different.

Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words...


For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of Man
will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and
of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26)
Since the change in societal values, parental education according to
the Bible is being persecuted in Germany and referred to as grievous bodily
harm which can be punished with severe prison sentences. So we, along
with the remnant of the sincere German Christians, had preferred to be
discreet, but God has allowed it to become public to show everyone how
children should be educated, because He is not ashamed of it. He has published His word is very clearly and you can read it in ANY Bible!
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary
when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and
chastises every son whom he receives. (Hebrews 12:5-6)
On the lips of the wise wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him
that lacks understanding. (Proverbs 10:13)
Who spares his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth
him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24)
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction

42

will drive it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)


Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he
will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from
Sheol. (Proverbs 23:12-14)
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings
shame to his mother. (Proverbs 29:15)

Dear Judge
Believe me, if I did not have my faith, my childs education would look
quite different. If I have to change my way of parenting, my faith must first
be changed, because it is the Word of God, dictating to me how I should
raise my children! If the nation of Germany does not protect religious freedom, then my faith is useless here. It is the practice of religion that matters
the works, not simply the mental belief. That is not faith at all.
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but it
does not have works? Can such faith save him? (James 2:14)
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will
say, You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from
your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:17-18)

~ from the families of the Twelve Tribes Communities in Germany.


43

The

The Commonwealth of Israel

Come and see us!

T H E R E I S A P E O P L E who woke up this morning with one thing on their minds to love their
Creator with all their heart, mind, and strength, and to love one another just as He loved them. Being
just ordinary human beings, we are far from perfect in our love, yet, in hope, we persevere. Our goal?
That the kingdom of God would come on earth as it is in heaven, so that love and justice can rule on the
earth. Sound impossible? It would be, were it not that the Son of God came to earth to redeem mankind,
to set us free from the curse of sin, and to enable us to love. Because we have come to see His worth and
our own desperate need, we have surrendered everything in order to follow Him. Our hearts and our
homes are open night and day to any who are interested in our life or are weary of their sin and want to
know the purpose for which they were created.

UniTEd STaTES (1-888-893-5838)


CaLiFORnia
Community in Vista, 2683 Foothill Drive,
Vista, CA 92084 % (760) 295-3852
Morning Star Ranch, 12458 Keys Creek Rd,
Valley Center, CA 92082 % (760) 742-8953
nORTH CaROLina
Community in Asheville, 9 Lora Lane,
Asheville, NC 28803 % (828) 274-8747
Community Conference Center
(between Statesville and Taylorsville, NC)
471 Sulphur Springs Road
Hiddenite, NC 28636 % (828) 352-9200
TEnnESSEE
Community in Chattanooga, 900 Oak Street,
Chattanooga, TN 37403 % (423) 752-3071
Community in Pulaski, 219 S. Third St,
Pulaski, TN 38478 % (931) 363-8586
GEORGia
Community in Savannah,
403 East Hall St, Savannah, GA 31401
% (912) 232-1165
ViRGinia
Stoneybrook Farm (Washington DC area),
15255 Ashbury Church Rd, Hillsboro, VA 20132
% (540) 668-7123
VERMOnT
Community in Island Pond, P. O. Box 449,
Island Pond, VT 05846 % (802) 723-9708
Basin Farm, P. O. Box 108,
Bellows Falls, VT 05101 % (802) 463-9264
Community in Rutland, 134 Church Street,
Rutland, VT 05701 % (802) 773-3764
MaSSaCHUSETTS
Community in Boston, 92 Melville Ave,
Dorchester, MA 02124 % (617) 282-9876
Community in Hyannis, 14 Main Street,
Hyannis, MA 02601 % (508) 790-0555
Community in Plymouth, 35 Warren Ave,
Plymouth, MA 02360 % (508) 747-5338
nEW HaMPSHiRE
Community in Lancaster, 12 High Street,
Lancaster, NH 03584 % (603) 788-4376

nEW YORK
Journeys End Farm, 7871 State Route 81,
Oak Hill, NY 12460 % (518) 239-8148
Common Sense Farm, 41 N. Union Street,
Cambridge, NY 12816 % (518) 677-5880
Community in Oneonta, 81 Chestnut Street,
Oneonta, NY 13820 % (607) 267-4062
Community in Ithaca, 119 Third Street,
Ithaca, NY 14850 % (607) 272-6915
MiSSOURi
Community on the Lake of the Ozarks
1130 Lay Ave, Warsaw, MO 65355 % (660) 438-2541
Stepping Stone Farm, Rt. 2, Box 55,
Weaubleau, MO 65774 % (417) 428-3251
COLORadO
Community in Manitou Springs, 41 Lincoln Ave,
Manitou Springs, CO 80829 % (719) 573-1907
Community in Boulder, 583 Aztec Dr,
Boulder, CO 80303 % (303) 974-5097

Canada (1-888-893-5838)

Community in Winnipeg, 89 East Gate, Winnipeg,


Manitoba R3C 2C2, Canada
% (204) 786-8787
New Sprout Farm, P. O. Box 189, 7191 Howard
Rd., Merville, BC V0R 2M0, Canada
% (250) 337-5444
Mount Sentinel Farm, 2915 Highway 3a,
South Slocan, (Nelson), British Columbia V1L 4E2,
Canada % (250) 354-2786
Fairfield Farm (Vancouver area)
11450 McSween Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2P 6H5,
Canada % (604) 795-6199

For information about our communities


in Europe, South America, and
Australia, please visit our web site.
Call us toll-free 24 hours a day:

1- 888 -TWELVE-T
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