Contrary to the trend, we didn't drink much at all. The parties we had were more like picnics, great food and just visiting. We had a small congregation, all white, and most were related. We got a big influx of Special Pioneers from Miami and that sure changed things. We still didn't drink but as it was getting close to 75 and most of these people had sold their homes and were just trying to get the TRUTH out it was a very gung ho bunch. I'll never forget the rush we used to get when Sinutko was laying it on thick at the Assembly, "We are not backing off '75!" Not knowing it was a lie we were pretty pumped up over it. In rural Alabama it was good to meet a group like we had come up there. Nice people really, I enjoyed knowing them. Sadly, the highs are equaled by the lows. When 75 came and went, so did they. Most got divorced, most have "fallen away." Sad really. Still, feeling you were the only ones who had the message that could save all the people you were talking to and sharing this "work" with a small group that were giving it their all was refreshing. Moonies probably feel the same way about helping all of us to learn that Korea is the promised land and that Rev. Moon is correcting the errors of Christ, (he was supposed to have gotten married and had children they think) I guess even if it is a load of crap if you see it as God's Gift you can enjoy pushing it. There are repercussions though that last the rest of your life. Those families that came and then disintegrated after the failure of 75. They suffered for the lies and the egos up in Brooklyn, as did we. Our large close family has been decimated by the cult known as Jehovah's Witnesses to the point that probably half avoid the other half and that quite a few won't speak to some others, even parents and immediate family members. Not over biblical sins, but over trying to expose the cult. They could probably forgive us anything but that. Sad.
