I am surprized at the lack of interest shown in the seemingly moral melt down in NB with the unwillingness to deal with serious abuse allegations (albeit not CSA) — Instead we seem to see the "whistle blower punishment syndrome" that we recognize so well in other Canadian fields

Thank you Alanna, for speaking out. I have been on the ugly end of abuse by the sister workers (I am not a worker, but my brother was for 15 years, and for some reason I’m guessing some felt I was fair game because he was in the work). I have also seen workers abusing their companions…but, only the sister workers doing it. The men are more sneaky/devious. So, this whole issue begs: How is this "Showing LOVE one TO another"? So that they whole world will know that WE are HIS? How is this bringing the Spirit of Peace into people’s homes? (and wherever they are). It’s sickening!! I’m not in Canada, but most of my family lives up there. I’m in the USA. Not any better here.

I find it interesting that there has been so little follow up on this letter … It was amazingly courageously and truthfully written. Maybe there have been reactions … just me that haven’t heard about it!

Edgar, I am familiar with Alanna. While in her area there are people who are standing up for her, I have heard very little from any friend or worker in other areas.

This letter should bring a public outcry,( meaning among the friends). I have spoken and written to a few and am totally devastated by their lack of ………… no words.
Many feel God will take care of it, which of course He will in time, but hardly anyone is openly taking a stand for righteousness.
Alanna said, we need your help.
Sadly, we are failing her and others.

I am praying that GOD will show us a way to help.
I am so disappointed that people are just looking the other way, waiting for someone else to make a move.

Overseers and many workers are a big part of the problem.
While I have loved the fellowship, it sure seems to be a haven for perverted and disturbed people.

I encourage all to pray earnestly, fervently, incessantly and unceasingly that God would come to our aid.

Thank you, Alanna, for your courage and strength in speaking the truth about your experience and your observations in the work. Pressure from other friends and workers has been a powerful deterrent to voicing the truth about these issues. Finally, people are realizing that these people have power over us, ONLY if we give it to them. God would never give power to people who use and abuse others, so we know their power is not from God, but self-assumed. We all need to stand up and do what the Holy Spirit moves upon us to do! Thank you again, for being a brave example!

The DSM5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is a valuable tool . There is a section on Personality Disorders; Narcissistic , Histrionic, Antisocial, Borderline Personality Disorders. Trust me, anyone can read and understand this manual.
Personality disorders are thought to have a genetic component, however, expression of the disorder is definitely influenced by how the individual was parented and the individual’s experiences growing up. If a child has too restrictive or shame based parenting , then they struggle to make decisions in line with developmental milestones. This results in that child learning to manipulate or lie to others to have any independence. What is the atmosphere in the "strict" professing family? I grew up with TV is evil rather than , we should watch , read etc that which is good , true or beautiful.
If a child grows up without much guidance/parenting at all, then the child struggles to feel safe because children need help in making decisions and learn boundaries.
Too much or too little "parenting " and the kind of parenting, shame based vs loving guidance will affect the adult personality.
I definitely was easy prey for a covert spiritual narcissist ( he told me so too when he received divorce papers) because I was conditioned to believe I was responsible for my own behavior and God would deal with the abuser if I prayed enough. How many workers have prayed for their abusive co worker to be a nice person? Healthy boundaries and not allowing satan deceive is not preached, but rather, tolerance of evil is encouraged.
satan knows the Bible so remember to stay away from someone who is not living a loving way.
Les Carter phD has very well done youtube videos on Narcissism. They are free and valuable. We can improve our parenting to be aware of how we may influence our children.
There are videos on how to parent so you don’t raise a narcissist. We can learn how to set boundaries so those with personality disorders can’t hurt us.
We must do better! These abusive workers likely have developed personality disorders and the abuse is being tolerated. sad.

Hi Alana I believe everything you wrote , I feel so sorry for you and Morgan your both in my thoughts and prayers

Thank you. We need complete honesty openness and we need to be strong in faith and love meekness and gentleness but that does not mean we do not deal with wrong amongst us with passiveness. Paul is clear on this that those that are able to rightly execute the word and are sensitive to the leading of the spirit should be taking a strong stand for what is right and separating ourselves as a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump as Paul says. Also it is clear there has been a lack within oversight as Paul and Peter and the other faithful servants and elders and disciples met when there were things to discuss together and made decisions about the kingdom together. No one person or select group should decide anything about gods kingdom as there must be unity in the spirit and no one is to lord over another. I hope this will begin a cleansing of the kingdom of rules that are man made and not of the spirit, and lead into deeper fellowship love and unity within the kingdom by everyone taking care to their own spirit and condition and being vigilant in our privilege to carry the name of Jesus. If we say we follow the bible then that is what we ought to do. There is clear direction on how to handle the affairs of the kingdom. The spirit also provides direction. It says when there are concerns that must be brought forward bring them to the church that means the whole church which is not a person or small group of overseers or workers. This is never mentioned in the bible and therefore not scriptural.

This reminds me of Gods people in the Old Testament wanting a king. The human nature likes this approach for some reason maybe it allows us to not take responsibility for the condition of the kingdom. If we want to the kingdom to be united then united we must stand and be willing to act upon the direction of the spirit even when it seems like no others are standing. Be strong in faith let gods spirit lead.

So sad to read this young worker, Allana, talk about what she has endured from companions and coworkers. My dad said his older brother, just a young man himself, told an older sister worker that the younger sister hadn’t gone into the work to be a slave to older "servants"! There have been false accusations made, too, with the innocent persons trying to get the workers to meet with the accuser as is scriptural but being ignored by the workers. This double life is like the Pharisees, whited sepulchers. And wearing costumes and buns to look like the 50s is certainly not scriptural but most women are afraid to buck the rules. Fear based compliance rather than loving service isn’t scriptural either. We have to do better.

"Now what are we going to do?"

This question has been risen by many and often.

Friends and workers.
I will live by faith. I will take the question "now what are we going to do about it?" and bring it to God! Find an answer and do that in my life and my little area of impact.

Jesus is my overseer.
The spirit is my guide.
And love is the law.

We walk only the way, life and light of Jesus and these three of no other leader.

Hello Andrew, so good to see you here, encouraging Alanna. Your comments are encouraging, there is only one overseer, the ministry has gotten sidetracked.
I wondered so many times Andrew, why you left the work. I enjoyed having you in our home sooo much.
You told me once that you loved being in our home, it was lovely to hear that.
I wish you all the best my dear Andrew.

So sad to read this young worker, Allana, talk about what she has endured from companions and coworkers. My dad said his older brother, just a young man himself, told an older sister worker that the younger sister hadn’t gone into the work to be a slave to older "servants"! There have been false accusations made, too, with the innocent persons trying to get the workers to meet with the accuser as is scriptural but being ignored by the workers. This double life is like the Pharisees, whited sepulchers. And wearing costumes and buns to look like the 50s is certainly not scriptural but most women are afraid to buck the rules. Fear based compliance rather than loving service isn’t scriptural either. We have to do better.

Thank you so much Alanna.

I would like to say that your professional and personal approach to this letter is beautiful.

What a powerfully written letter. Thank you, thank you and thank you for your courage, grace, Persistence, and astounding bravery.

I call all the workers out for their complicit behaviour in the lack of transparency and false belief of "fitting in."

To all the workers I recommended: look at Alanna and others who are being wise and full of the spirit and sharing the truth.

Facing Hurts and fears will always be much Better than false securities.

To me and all: let us take the verse we read this morning, and apply it with the help of the spirit.

The ONLY overseer is Jesus.
The ONLY law is love.
The ONLY guide is the spirit.

Thanks again Alanna. Wow.
Thanks to all who love and encourage an honest answer.

This letter resonates with my soul, after having loved ones in the work and witnessing how new young workers have been treated so poorly in our home by their older co-laborers everything this woman has said is true and it has Distressed us for SO LONG. Since the Dean Bruer story broke I have heard people say "well sister workers wouldn’t do that" in my mind a screaming voice has resounded over and over that SOME sister workers I’ve interacted with and have witnessed how they treated their companions are some of the meanest, most vindictive humans alive and I am not sure how they can even call themselves servants of God because they are NOT living it. Allana, if you ever get to see this, your bravery, and courage is amazing. Many just have to step away because the abuse is intolerable and then they are told they didn’t pray enough etc etc. The only thing that brings me comfort in all of it is God sees the whole picture and these individuals will be dealt with some day if they are not here on earth.

It seems some workers act as though it is a "right of PASSAGE" to treat their companions poorly because they withstood it when they were young. What a horrible cycle. I pray change is on the way, we don’t need workers, male or female. that are tyrants, or dictators, who cut a swath with their swords of tyranny and rules we need HUMBLE servants full of love, and kindness and hearts like Jesus that are fishers of men. Please know you’re in our prayers Allana.

This is an authentic letter from an authentic worker. Absolutely

Thanks Deborah.I wish more workers will come forward regarding all kinds of abuse.
Emotional abuse is just more difficult to recognize, I only realized recently that what I experienced myself from a elder and his wife was infact emotional abuse and it had a effect on me.With God we can heal but it is a long road and feels so unfair and unnessasary.

Thank you for writing this letter. My siblings were abused by workers in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s and no one believed them. My mom also spoke of sexual abuse as a child by workers in her dying days. Unfortunately three of my siblings have prematurely passed due to unhealthy lifestyles that stemmed from this abuse, the pain and shame were overwhelming! Again thanks, but too late for my family.

Thanks for your answer to my question. I could worry about the long term pressure on her … In one sense it could be regarded as courageous to be open about her concerns. … Yet, from what I understand about the Bainbridge situation positive change is unlikely and her position as it is could easily become unlivable without mental damage. Thanks again for your reply