IMadagascar
IMadagascar, esogwini olusempumalanga ye-Afrika, ibuye ibizwe nangokuthi iBig Red Island (IsiQhingi Esikhulu Esibomvu). Sikhulu ngempela, singesesine ngobukhulu emhlabeni, futhi umhlabathi waso ubomvu.
Usosayensi ongumFulentshi wabiza iMadagascar ngokuthi “izwe lesithembiso labantu abathanda imvelo” ngenxa yezitshalo nezilwane eziningi ezinhlobonhlobo ezilapho. Izitshalo eziqhakazayo ezingaba amaphesenti angu-80 kwezingu-10 000 ezilapho azitholakali kwenye indawo emhlabeni. Kunezinhlobo zama-orchid eziyinkulungwane, olunye lwazo luveza isithelo esisemqoka esithunyelwa kwezinye izindawo—i-vanilla. Kulesi siqhingi kugcwele nezilwane ezikhangayo ezihlanganisa nama-lemur (izilwane ezisankawu) anomsila oyindilinga nezinhlobonhlobo zezinwabu, ezinomsila othandelayo nezinyawo ezixhakathisa into kuhle kwezandla. Ezinhlotsheni ezingu-400 zezilwane eziphila emanzini nasezweni kanye nezilwane ezihuquzelayo ezitholakala kulesi siqhingi, zingu-12 kuphela ezitholakala nakwamanye amazwe.
Kodwa okukhanga izinceku zikaJehova kakhulu abantu. Kunabantu abangaphezu kuka-14 000 000 eMadagascar, bangamaqembu ezinhlanga angaba ngu-20. Abantu basezinkangala, maphakathi nesiqhingi, bakheke njengabase-Asia, bayakhanya ngebala futhi banezinwele ezinde ezimnyama. Kucatshangwa ukuthi badabuka endaweni eyaziwa nge-Indonesia manje. Labo abahlala ngasogwini banesizinda esixube ubu-Afrika nobu-Arabhu. Ukuxubana kwalezi zici kuveza abantu abangabonakali ukuthi badala kangakanani; ngokuvamile, abazali babukeka belingana nezingane zabo ezeve eshumini nambili.
Izinga lokuzala labantu baseMadagascar lingelinye laphakeme kakhulu emhlabeni, futhi abantu abangamaphesenti angu-80 baziphilisa ngokulima. Lokhu kuyalonakalisa “izwe lesithembiso.” Ingxenye engaphezu kwesigamu yamahlathi aseMadagascar ayeke anotha aseshatshalalisiwe noma onakaliswa.
Naphezu kwalokho, iMadagascar isaqhubeka ichuma ‘njengezwe lesithembiso.’ Ngayiphi indlela? Igcwele abantu abanokwazisa, okuzokhula ezinhliziyweni zabo imbewu yeqiniso loMbuso. Abaningi bayabonga ngokuzwa izindaba ezinhle zokuthi “uJehova uqobo uyinkosi!” Bayajabula ngokuthi ukubusa kwakhe kuzokwenzela isintu lokho okungekho hulumeni wabantu ongakwenza.—IHu. 97:1.
Obani laba bantu abazisize kangaka izakhamuzi zakulesi siqhingi esikhulu ukuba ziqonde ukuthi ukubusa kukaJehova kusho ukuthini? Nakuba abantu abangaba amaphesenti angu-40 balapha besonta emasontweni eLobukholwa, izithunywa zabo zevangeli zehluleka ukugxilisa indlela yokuphila yobuKristu ezinhliziyweni zabantu baseMadagascar. Umuntu ongowokuzalwa lapha wake wathi: “Ake ngikutshele okuthile, mnumzane. Thina bantu baseMadagascar samane safunzwa nje ngobuKristu. Akekho noyedwa umuntu walapha, cha, noyedwa vo, ngisho naphakathi kwalaba asebeguqukile [asebephila isiLungu], ongacabanga ukwakha indlu ngaphandle kokuya esangomeni ayobuza usuku angaqala ngalo. Izinkolelo zakudala aziphelile.” Imihlatshelo yezilwane isenziwa ezindaweni eziphakemeyo naseziqongweni zezintaba. Ukukhulekela okhokho kuyindlela yakhona, futhi abathakathi banethonya elinamandla kubantu. Kubonakala sengathi ukuphila komuntu kwansuku zonke kubuswa kakhulu abafileyo kunangabaphilayo.
Igama LikaNkulunkulu Laziwa Kahle
Nakuba zingenampumelelo etheni ekusizeni abantu ukuba baphile ngendlela yobuKristu, izithunywa zevangeli zeLobukholwa zilenze laziwa igama likaJehova ngezinguqulo zazo zeBhayibheli. Ngo-1830 kwakhishwa “iTestamente Elisha,” kwathi ngo-1835 iBhayibheli eliphelele latholakala ngesiMalagasy, okwenza iBhayibheli lesiMalagasy libe enye yezinguqulo zolimi lwase-Afrika ezindala kakhulu. Inguqulo yamaProthestani yeBhayibheli lesiMalagasy isebenzisa igama likaJehova ngisho nasemiBhalweni YamaKristu YesiGreki, kanti inguqulo yamaKatolika isebenzisa igama elithi Iaveh emiBhalweni YesiHeberu. (IHu. 83:17, 19; IHu 83:16, 18, NW; Mat. 4:7, 10) Umphumela uwukuthi igama elithi Jehova lisetshenziswa njalo ekuphileni kwansuku zonke. Uma uhamba ngamatekisi kule ndawo, ungase ubone kubhalwe amavesi eBhayibheli anjengelithi “uJehova unguMalusi wami” ngesiMalagasy. (IHu. 23:1) Ungase ubone nevesi leBhayibheli elinegama laphezulu libhalwe esiqeshini sendwangu ebizwa ngokuthi i-lamba, esigqokwa abesifazane.
Kodwa obani abaye basiza abantu lapha ukuba bangalazi nje kuphela igama likaNkulunkulu kodwa futhi baqaphele noJehova njengoMbusi wokuphila kwabo?
Izindaba Ezinhle Zifika EsiQhingini Esikhulu Esibomvu
Ngo-1925 abaFundi BeBhayibheli, njengoba babaziwa kanjalo oFakazi BakaJehova, baqala ukusiza abantu baseMadagascar ukuba baqonde iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Kwathi ngo-September 1933, lesi siqhingi sathola ubufakazi obukhulu nakakhulu. Amadoda amabili anesibindi nentshiseko yezithunywa zevangeli, uRobert Nisbet noBert McLuckie, afika edolobheni laseToamasina elisogwini evela eNingizimu Afrika edlulé eMauritius. Ayeshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Njengoba inani loFakazi BakaJehova e-Afrika lalilincane ngalezo zinsuku, bazama ukusakaza izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kubantu abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka ngesikhathi esifushane. URobert Nisbet uyakhumbula: “Izincwadi zethu zesiFulentshi zazihamba ubuthaphuthaphu. Sasimane sifakaze ngoMbuso, sihambise izincwadi bese siqhubekela kwenye insimu engakasetshenzwa.”
Ngemva kokuhlanganisa iToamasina, uMfoweth’ uNisbet noMcLuckie bangena phakathi nezwe eTananarive, inhloko-dolobha. Igama elithi Tananarive igama lesiFulentshi elisho ukuthi Antananarivo, okusho ukuthi “IDolobha Labayinkulungwane.” Leli gama latholakala ngokuthi iNkosi u-Andrianjaka wakaka leli dolobha ngokukanisa namadoda ayinkulungwane ukuze alivikele ngesikhathi elimisa njengekomkhulu lombuso wakhe ngo-1607. Nakhu uBert McLuckie akushoyo ngale nhloko-dolobha: “ITananarive yayimise okwesicathulo sehhashi, kunojantshi wesitimela esikhaleni. Phakathi nendawo kulesi ‘sicathulo sehhashi’ kwakunesikhungo samabhizinisi esiyinhloko, sizungezwe indawo yokuhlala. Izitebhisi eziningi ezintabeni zazenza izakhamuzi zifinyelele emizini yazo.”
Basabela kanjani abantu enhloko-dolobha? URobert Nisbet uyaphawula: “Babezithatha ngokunganqikazi izincwadi zesiFulentshi futhi abanye benza izikhokhelo ze-Golden Age (manje ebizwa nge-Phaphama!) yesiFulentshi. Ngenxa yokuthi abaningi babebuza imibuzo, sabuyela kwabaningana siyoxoxa okwengeziwe.” Ekhumbula okuhlangenwe nakho kwabo, uMfoweth’ uNisbet wathi: “Sabathanda kakhulu laba bantu bendabuko ababehlakaniphe kangaka.”
Nokho, laba bazalwane ababili babenenkinga yokuxhumana nabantu, ngoba bambalwa kakhulu ababesizwa isiNgisi. Nakuba kunjalo, bazama ukufinyelela abantu abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka kwaze kwaba yilapho izincwadi seziphelile. Nakuba kungekho bandla noma qembu elamiswa phakathi nokuhambela kwabo okwathatha inyanga, bachitha amahora angu-185 betshela abanye ngoJehova, bahambisa izincwadi ezingu-214 nezincwajana ezingu-828, futhi bathola izikhokhelo ezingu-21. Yayisitshaliwe imbewu yeqiniso, kodwa kwakusazodlula eminye iminyaka engu-22 andukuba inakekelwe ngokwanele ukuze ikhule futhi ichume.
Umuntu WaseMadagascar Wamukela Iqiniso
Ngo-October 1955, ngemva koMhlangano “WoMbuso Onqobayo” eParis, amaphayona akhethekile amabili aseFrance afika eTananarive eqhamuka ngasedolobheni elisogwini iToamasina. Esehlile esitimeleni, athi ukuma kancane phambi kwesiteshi. Athi qala qala abona lesi “sicathulo sehhashi” esinezinkulungwane zemizi emthambekeni wentaba, sengathi isemashalofwini asodongeni. U-Adam Lisiak, owayeyisisebenzi sasemayini yamalahle inkaba yakhe isePoland, wathi kumngane wakhe, u-Edouard Marlot: “Buka, Edouard, insimu yethu yonke le!” U-Edouard wathi: “Adam, sizokwenzani lapha? Abantu balapha bayizifundiswa; thina asizona. Yini esizoyenza, Adam?” Kodwa bafeza okuningi okuhle kulesi siqhingi.
Ngaleso sikhathi iMadagascar yayiyikoloni laseFrance. Njengoba INqabayokulinda yayivinjelwe eFrance nasemazweni ewaphethe, babehambisa i-Phaphama! kuphela, eyayitholakala ngokwenza isikhokhelo kuphela. Ezinyangeni zokuqala eziyisithupha, kwatholakala izikhokhelo ezingu-1 047. UMfoweth’ uLisiak wayeye axoxe ukuthi ngemva kokusebenzisa i-Phaphama! eyodwa njalo nje njengesampula, umagazini wawugcina usunyomfozekile, ungasafundeki. Kodwa izikhokhelo babezithola ngokubonisa abantu wona lo osunyomfozekile.
UMfoweth’ uLisiak noMarlot babengasichithi isikhathi. Bayisebenza le nsimu futhi baqhuba izifundo zasekhaya zeBhayibheli. Ngokushesha isikole sabaqalayo sanikeza oFakazi imvume yokusebenzisa ikilasi laso ukuze baqhube imihlangano yabo. Amabhentshi kwakungawamapulangwe, konke kwakwenzelwe izingane ezincane—kungabafanele abantu abadala. Kodwa akukhonondanga muntu.
Ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha ummemezeli wokuqala waseMadagascar, uRabehasy Noël, wabika inkonzo yasensimini. Nabanye abamemezeli babe sebeyahlanganyela enkonzweni yasensimini. Ekupheleni konyaka wenkonzo ka-1956, iqembu labangu-8 lafaka isicelo sokumisa iBandla LaseTananarive LoFakazi BakaJehova. (Uzophawula ukuthi eMadagascar igama lomuntu landulelwa isibongo.)
Phakathi kwabokuqala ababonisa isithakazelo eMadagascar kwakuyintokazi yaseMalagasy, uRazanaboahangy Narcisse. Ngo-1956, uNarcisse wabona amadoda amabili ayevame ukudlula ngasesitolo ayesebenza kuso. Langa limbe, enye yala madoda yangena esitolo yathenga amaqatha ambalwa enyama yengulube. Yashiyela bonke abasebenza lapho ipheshana lesiMalagasy elithi Life in a New World. “Ngangingenandaba nesigijimi,” kusho uNarcisse. “Kodwa umama, njengoba ayazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda ukufunda, wenza isikhokhelo se-Phaphama! yesiFulentshi futhi wavuma ukuba ngifundelwe iBhayibheli, engangibuzanga nakungibuza.” UNarcisse waqala ukufunda noFakazi, kodwa wayenethemba lokuthi babezohlukana naye uma bethola ukuthi akanasithakazelo. Kodwa waya eba nesithakazelo kunalokho ayekucabanga. Lapho efunda lokho iBhayibheli elikushoyo ngomphefumulo futhi eqonda ukuthi ukukhulekela okhokho akulungile, waqaphela ukuthi wayefunda iqiniso.
Ngo-1959, uRazanaboahangy Narcisse wayesekulungele ukubonakalisa ukuzinikezela kwakhe kuJehova ngobhapathizo lwamanzi. Wabe esebhalisela inkonzo yesikhathi esigcwele. Kamuva washada no-Edouard Marlot. Wabeka isibonelo esihle sokukhuthazela enkonzweni njengesikhonzi sesikhathi esigcwele.
Kuze kube sekupheleni kwenkonzo yakhe ekhethekile eMadagascar, insimu kaMfoweth’ uLisiak kwakuyi-Antananarivo. Wayenezimpindelo nezifundo yonke indawo. Abantu abaningi babemazi ngelika-vazaha (umlungu) ongenazinwele. Ngokuvamile abaninikhaya babemane bathinte amakhanda abo, bese uyabona ukuthi bekukhona u-Adam. URasaona Gervais, umzalwane osebandleni lesiFulentshi e-Antananarivo, uyakhumbula: “UMfoweth’ u-Adam wayenesineke kakhulu kodwa eqinile. Ngesikhathi ngisafundelwa, ngangiye ngithi kwabanye bamtshele ukuthi angikho, kodwa u-Adam wayebuye abuye. Kusukela ekuqaleni, wangimemela emihlanganweni, ngaya. Wayethembekile enhlanganweni kaJehova futhi wangifundisa ukuhlakulela umoya ofanayo.”
Ngo-1970, uMfoweth’ uLisiak noMarlot babelwa esiqhingini esiseduzane sesiFulentshi iRéunion. Kamuva uMfoweth’ uLisiak waphindela eFrance, lapho ashonela khona eMarseilles ngo-January 1988. U-Edouard Marlot useRéunion nomkhaya wakhe.
Amaphayona Engeziwe Ayasiza Ngomsebenzi
Kuningi okwakwenziwa ukuze abantu baseMadagascar bathole isigijimi soMbuso. Umbhangqwana oshadile waseFrance, u-Antoine noGilberte Branca, wafika ngo-1957 futhi ngemva kwalokho wakhonza e-Antananarivo. UGilberte wayephothule ekilasini lama-24 leWatchtower Bible School of Gilead, futhi kamuva nomyeni wakhe waya eGileyadi. Ngemva kokuzalwa kwendodakazi yabo u-Anna ngo-1961, baqhubeka esabelweni sabo. USimone Berclaz, owayefundelwe uGilberte eSwitzerland, naye wathuthela eMadagascar ezosiza ngomsebenzi.
Ngo-1960 kwafika namanye amaphayona akhethekile amabili eMadagascar, uFlorent noHenriette Chabot, evela eFrance futhi aqala ukukhonza eDiégo-Suarez (manje ebizwa ngokuthi i-Antsiranana), enyakatho yeMadagascar. “Kulezo zinsuku,” kukhumbula uMfoweth’ uChabot, “lapho amaphayona eshiya amakhaya nabakubo eya emazweni akude, amaningi ayecabanga ukuthi ayengeke abuyele ekhaya ingakashayi i-Armagedoni futhi ayevalelisa emikhayeni yakubo. Sasizizwa kanjalo.”
Enye indoda uMfoweth’ uChabot ayifundela yaqala ukuzwa ngeqiniso ngesikhathi ithenga ushukela. Usomabhizinisi ongumShayina owayenesikhokhelo se-Phaphama! wayesebenzisa amakhasi ayo ukuze agoqe izimpahla. Ingabe lo magazini wawungafezi lutho? URatsimbazafy Charles wathenga ushukela kule ndoda. Wawugoqwe ngephepha lokugcina lomunye umagazini. UCharles wafunda isikhangiso sencwadi ethi “Lokhu Kusho Ukuphila Okuphakade” futhi wabhalela igatsha laseFrance ukuze athole le ncwadi. Phakathi naleso sikhathi, uMfoweth’ uChabot watholana naye, wamhambisela incwadi, futhi waqala isifundo seBhayibheli. Wathuthuka ngokushesha futhi waqala ukuza emihlanganweni.
Kodwa kwakudingeka ukuba uCharles alungise ukuphila komkhaya wakhe. Wayemshiyile umkakhe futhi ehlala nenye inkosikazi ayeyizalise izingane. Ukuze afanelekele ubhapathizo lobuKristu, kwakudingeka ashade ngokomthetho. (Heb. 13:4) Nakuba aqala inqubo engokomthetho ngo-1960, amaphepha aze alunga ngo-1967. Nokho, ngaleso sikhathi ihholo ledolobha laseDiégo-Suarez lasha langqongqa, izincwadi zikaCharles zasha. (UmSh. 9:11) Kwadingeka aqale phansi futhi, kodwa manje kwathatha unyaka kuphela. Ukuzimisela kwakhe ukuzivumelanisa nezindinganiso zikaNkulunkulu kwazihlaba umxhwele kakhulu iziphathimandla. Ekugcineni, wayesefaneleka ukuba abe ummemezeli woMbuso futhi abhapathizwe! Nomkakhe wabhapathizwa. UCharles ubelokhu ekhonza njengomdala eDiégo-Suarez nase-Antananarivo.
Umshikashika Wolimi
Ngo-1961, uLaval no-Irene Carbonneau, ababesemsebenzini wesifunda endaweni ekhuluma isiFulentshi eCanada, bafika eMadagascar beyizithunywa zevangeli. Bangena endlini esesitezi esiphansi somuzi owakhiwe ngendlela yaseMadagascar—enekamelo elincane, indlu yokudlela encane, ikhishi elincane, indlu yokugezela encane enamanzi abandayo nompheme omncane ovalekile. “Amagundane namakokoloshe kwakuzichanasela nje,” kukhumbula uMfoweth’ uCarbonneau. “Kwaze kwafika eqophelweni lapho umkami ayesekwazi khona ukuhlukanisa elinye igundane kwamanye ngomsila walo osikekile. Kwakuthi uma elibona, alibize ngokuthi ‘iNkosana’ abese ecela ukudlula kulo.”
ULaval wayekwazi ukukhuluma isiFulentshi nomkakhe esifunda, ngakho babekwazi ukuxoxa nabantu. Kodwa kwakungenjalo ngoRaimo noVeera Kuokkanen, abafika ekupheleni kuka-January 1962 bevela eFinland. Kwakungenzima ukubabona ngesikhathi behla endizeni. Njengoba babesuke eFinland kuwubusika obushubisa umkantsha, babegqoke izigqoko zoboya nezinye izingubo ezifudumele. Kwakuzodingeka benze izinguquko ngempela kule ndawo eshisayo. URaimo wayekhuluma isiNgisi kodwa engasazi isiFulentshi. Kulezi zilimi, alukho nolulodwa uVeera ayelwazi. U-Irene Carbonneau wabafundisa isiFulentshi ngesiNgisi, ngakho uRaimo kwakudingeka ahumushele umkakhe yonke into, ayisuse esiNgisini ayiyise olimini lwaseFinland. Kodwa njengoba uVeera ayefunde eSweden, uhlelo lolimi kwakumelwe luchazwe ngolimi lwaseSweden. Okujabulisayo ukuthi uRaimo wayelwazi ulimi lwaseSweden naye. Kuyadida? Yebo kwakunjalo. Kodwa ngemva kwezinyanga ezimbili, yaqala ukusuka inkungu. Baqala ukwazi amagama athile esiFulentshi. Kodwa ngisho nalapho sebesazi isiFulentshi, kwakusadingeka bafunde isiMalagasy.
Ngemva kweminyaka embalwa, ngesikhathi engekho umuntu owayefundisa uMfoweth’ uKuokkanen ulimi, yena wazithola ehumushela olimini lwesiFulentshi, ehumushela uMalcolm Vigo, umbonisi wamagatsha owayevakashile. UMfoweth’ uKuokkanen usakhumbula ukuthi lapho kucashunwa uLuka 9:62, wayengalazi igama lesiFulentshi elisho ‘igeja.’ Lapho ethi uzama ukulichaza, izilaleli zaqhunsula amehlo ngoba incazelo yakhe yayingahambelani nendlela okulinywa ngayo eMadagascar, lapho kusetshenziswa khona izinkabi. Lapho ezama ukusho ngesiFulentshi ukuthi abazalwane baseMalawi babeqhubela imihlangano ngaphansi kwesihlahla sikamango, wathi babeyiqhubela phezu kwesihlahla. Kwadingeka afunde ukuhleka nalabo ababengakwazi nhlobo ukuzibamba.
Omunye umbhangqwana oyizithunywa zevangeli, uSamuel noThelma Gilman, bafika ngo-April 1962 bevela e-United States. USam uzikhumbula kahle izinkinga zokuxhumana nabantu abhekana nazo. “Ukuze sizinze emzini wethu omusha, sasidinga ipayipi esasizolisebenzisela ukugaxa izingubo. Ngakho mina noMfoweth’ uKuokkanen saya esitolo esisekhoneni siyofuna ipayipi elingamamitha ayisithupha ubude. Sakhetha igama elalisesichazamazwini esincane esasisiphethe. Cabanga ukuthi bamangala kanjani ababesesitolo lapho sibabuza ukuthi banalo yini igudu—elingamamitha ayisithupha ubude!”
Ukuvakashelwa Yizisebenzi Zasendlunkulu
Ngosizo lwezikhonzi zaphesheya kwezilwandle, laqhubeka landa inani lalabo abamemezela ukuthi “uJehova useyinkosi” eMadagascar. Ngonyaka wenkonzo ka-1959 inani labamemezeli laba ngu-41. Ngalowo nyaka uN. H. Knorr, owayengumongameli we-Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society ngaleso sikhathi, waziyela mathupha eMadagascar eyokhuthaza abazalwane.
Ngemva kweminyaka emine lapho uMilton Henschel, unobhala kaMfoweth’ uKnorr, ehambela amazwe ase-Afrika, iMadagascar yaphinde yaba sohlwini lwamazwe ayezovakashelwa. Wagxila ngokukhethekile ezithunyweni zevangeli nakumaphayona akhethekile ayelapha. Bakhuthazeka kakhulu bonke ababekhona. UMfoweth’ uHenschel wabaxoxela okuhlangenwe nakho kwakhe ngesikhathi ephayona. Ungakapheli lowo nyaka wenkonzo, iMadagascar yayisinabamemezeli abangaphezu kwekhulu.
Ngemva kokuhambela kukaMfoweth’ uHenschel, abazalwane nodade bendawo bacelwa ukuba bangenele inkonzo yamaphayona akhethekile. Njengoba bengabendawo, babengahola ngempumelelo emsebenzini wokuvula amasimu amasha. U-Andriamoara Félix wayengomunye owayekulelo qembu. Waqala inkonzo yamaphayona akhethekile ngo-1965. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi uye wakhonza njengombonisi ojikelezayo nanjengelungu lomkhaya waseBethel yaseMadagascar iminyaka eminingi. Ngisho nangemva kokuba yena nomkakhe uHonorine sebenomkhaya, waqhubeka enkonzweni yesikhathi esigcwele. Ngezikhathi ezithile umkakhe usebenza eMnyango Wokuhumusha egatsheni.
Ingabe intshiseko yabo ngenkonzo kaJehova yazizuzisa izingane zabo? Indodakazi yabo, uMiora, isishadile futhi yona nomyeni wayo bakhonza njengamaphayona akhethekile. Indodana yabo, uTimoty, osesekhaya, ivame ukuba iphayona elisizayo.
Ihhovisi Legatsha LaseMadagascar
Lapho umsebenzi wokushumayela izindaba ezinhle sewenziwa njalo eMadagascar ngo-1955, wawuqondiswa igatsha laseMauritius. Kusukela ngo-1959 kuya ku-1962, wawuqondiswa igatsha laseFrance. Kodwa kusukela ngo-1963, iMadagascar yayisinelayo ihhovisi legatsha. Kwamiswa uRaimo Kuokkanen ukuba abe inceku yegatsha. Ekuqaleni, wayekwazi ukunakekela ingxenye enkulu yomsebenzi eyedwa.
Ekuqaleni ihhovisi laliwumuzi oqashiwe owawuba nayikhaya lezithunywa zevangeli. Kodwa lowo muzi wawungekho esimweni esihle. Ngemva kokungena kwezithunywa zevangeli, abanye abantu bendawo babuza ukuthi zazingesabi yini ukuhlala emzini onezipoki. Ngempela, kwakwenzeka izinto eziyinqaba kule ndlu. Ngokwesibonelo, lapho umbhangqwana oyizithunywa zevangeli ubona isibambo sesicabha siphenduka, wavula ufuna ukubona ukuthi kunobani, kodwa kwakungekho muntu ephasishi. Izithunywa zevangeli zezwa ukuthi kwakukade kuhlala isangoma kulelo kamelo. Bafunisisa ukuze bathole ukuthi kukhona yini okwakusele ngemuva okwakusetshenziswa imimoya. Embundwini wekamelo labo kwakushayelelwe uhlamvu lwemali. Umzalwane wajuluka wamanzi ezama ukuluxebula. Zabe sezinqamuka izigigaba ezazenzeka.
Lapho ebuzwa ngalokhu, umninindlu wavuma: “Yebo, le ndlu inezipoki, kodwa ngacabanga ukuthi njengoba niyizithunywa zevangeli futhi ningabantu bakaNkulunkulu, ngeke nesabe lutho.”
Ukunyathelisa Izincwadi NgesiMalagasy
Njengoba umsebenzi wokushumayela wawuqhubeka, kwadingeka izincwadi ezengeziwe zesiMalagasy. Kuze kube u-1963 kwakunamapheshana ambalwa kuphela, njengelithi Life in a New World nelithi Hell-Fire—Bible Truth or Pagan Scare? Kwakukhona nencwajana ethi “Lezi Zindaba Ezinhle ZoMbuso,” eyayikhishwe ngo-1959. Abantu abafundile babekhuluma isiFulentshi futhi besifunda, ngakho abamemezeli babesebenzisa izincwadi zalolo limi. Kodwa kwakunabantu abaningi ababethanda ukufunda ngolimi lwabo lwendabuko.
Lapho kutholakala imvume yokunyathelisa INqabayokulinda ngesiMalagasy, igatsha ladinga usizo olwengeziwe. URasoamalala Louise, udade waseMadagascar, wayihumusha eyisusa esiFulentshini. Wayesebenzela emzini wakhe, yonke into eyibhala ngesandla. Egatsheni, uVeera Kuokkanen wayebhala indaba ehunyushiwe ngezinhlamvu zamagama, abazalwane bese benyathelisa ngomshini we-mimeograph.
Lapho INqabayokulinda yesiMalagasy, eyakhishwa ngo-September 1963, inyatheliswa okokuqala, kwenziwa amakhophi angaba ngu-600. Ngaleso sikhathi yayiphuma kanye ngenyanga futhi inezihloko ezifundwayo kuphela. Abamemezeli bathokoza. Bathola izikhokhelo eziningi ngomkhankaso wokuqala wezikhokhelo kusetshenziswa umagazini wesiMalagasy. Ngezinyanga ezimbalwa, igatsha lase likhiqiza amakhophi angu-3 000 zinyanga zonke ngomshini we-mimeograph. Abazalwane abathathu babeshintshana ngokusebenza nge-mimeograph cishe imini nobusuku.
Omunye umzalwane uyakhumbula: “Sasidinga izingcwecwe zezinhlamvu zamagama okungenani ezingu-16 nge-Nqabayokulinda ngayinye. Uma kwenziwa umagazini owodwa, sasihlanganisa amaphepha angu-8 abhalwe nhlangothi zombili. Lokhu kwakusho ukunyathelisa amaphepha angaphezu kuka-24 000 ukuze senze amakhophi e-Nqabayokulinda angu-3 000. Kwakuba nemiqingo engu-8 noma ngaphezulu yamakhasi anyathelisiwe ayendlalwa etafuleni, sasiyizungeza izikhathi ezingu-3 000, sihlanganisa amakhasi ngokulandelana kwawo. Ayebe esehlanganiswa ngama-staple. Yebo, konke kwakwenziwa ngesandla.”
Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi iNhlangano yahlela ukuba igatsha laseSwitzerland linyathelise INqabayokulinda yesiMalagasy. Manje isinyatheliswa kabili ngenyanga eBrithani futhi kunyatheliswa amakhophi angu-26 000. Ngokuyisebenzisa, oFakazi BakaJehova eMadagascar manje badla ukudla okungokomoya ngasikhathi sinye namakholwa abakanye nawo kuwo wonke umhlaba.
Umsebenzi wokuhumusha wathuthuka kancane kancane. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezintathu kukhishwe INqabayokulinda ngesiMalagasy, oFakazi bendawo bathola incwadi yokufunda iBhayibheli ethi “UNkulunkulu Makabe Oneqiniso” ngolimi lwabo lwendabuko. Lapho eyithola, uRakotomaro Justin, iphayona elikhethekile elalenza umsebenzi omkhulu ukuze lisize abanye bafunde iqiniso, wayibamba isikhathi eside engasho lutho. Wabe esebabaza: “Oh, yeka indlela amuhle ngayo uJehova! Usinikeze le ncwadi.” Amaphayona ayiphaka ngamabhokisi ukuze ayihambisele abantu abalambile ngokomoya.
Ukuhamba Nababonisi Besifunda
Ekuqaleni kwakunebandla elilodwa kuso sonke isiqhingi. Kodwa njengoba kwakuvulwa amakhaya ezithunywa zevangeli amasha, namaphayona akhethekile ethunyelwa ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene, kwamiswa engeziwe. Phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo ka-1964, kwamiswa amabandla amabili amasha. Ukuze kusizwe la mabandla amathathu ayekhona ngaleso sikhathi, igatsha lahlela ukuba ahanjelwe umbonisi wesifunda, uLaval Carbonneau, kanye nomkakhe u-Irene. Babehamba ngesitimela. Kwakuwuhambo oluthakazelisayo—olujabulisayo. Ngokwesibonelo, bake bezwa into ethile ibangqofa imilenze. Ihansi elalihamba ngaphansi kwebhentshi lalifuna balinake.
Lapho kudingeka ukuba abakwaCarbonneau balishiye elaseMadagascar bayonakekela imithwalo yemfanelo yomkhaya, nguRaimo Kuokkanen owathatha umsebenzi wesifunda. Noma nini uma kungenzeka, yena nomkakhe, uVeera babehamba ngesitimela. Phakathi kwamadolobha asogwini kwakusetshenziswa izikebhe ezithwala abantu. Ngezinye izikhathi kwakudingeka bahambe ngama-‘taxi-brousse,’ noma ‘amatekisi asehlathini,’ ayenzelwe ukuthwala abantu abangu-15 kodwa ayehlale ethwele abangaphezu kwalokho. Lolo hambo lwaluqala ekuseni ngovivi kuze kuhlwe. Ngesikhathi sezimvula, uma amatekisi asehlathini engakwazi ukuhamba, abakwaKuokkanen babehamba ngendiza. Kodwa kwakungelona uhambo lokunethezeka. Inhlangano yezindiza yendawo yayinezindiza ezindala zohlobo lweDC-3, kanti izinkundla okwakugijima kuzo izindiza zazinotshani. Ukuhambela amaqembu ahlukahlukene kwakuvula amathuba okukhuthazana ngokomoya.
UMfoweth’ uKuokkanen wakhonza njengombonisi wesifunda nowesigodi isikhashana. Futhi ngenxa yesidingo, wayebuye asingathe iposi lesifunda nelesigodi egatsheni. Kodwa wasebenza kanzima eqeqesha abazalwane bendawo. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, iphayona elikhethekile lendawo, uRajaobelina Célestin, wafaneleka ukuba abe umbonisi wesifunda wokuqala waseMadagascar.
AmaHindu Aphendukela Ekukhulekeleni UJehova
Njengoba umsebenzi wokushumayela wawuqhubeka, kwakuxoxwa nazo zonke izinhlobo zabantu. (1 Thim. 2:4) Izithunywa zevangeli zazihambisa izincwadi eziningi nomagazini kubantu base-Asia ababenamabhizinisi enhloko-dolobha. UDirajlal Bagvandjee, umHindu osemusha owaziwa ngelikaDirou, wayengomunye wabo. Uma isithunywa sevangeli singena esitolo sakhe nomagazini, wayebathatha ngenjabulo. Kwathi lapho kushona uninalume ngo-1963, uDirou waqala ukuzibuza: ‘Kungani abantu befa, futhi siyini isimo sabafileyo?’ Wazibuza ukuthi kungani uNkulunkulu evumele umuntu olunge kangaka ukuba afe. Wayecabanga nangokuthi likhona yini ithemba lokuphinde ababone abafileyo.
Ngokushesha nje ngemva kwalokho, uSimone Berclaz wamthola njengoba ayefakaza endlini ngendlu. Lapho enza impindelo, wasebenzisa iBhayibheli ekuphenduleni imibuzo yakhe ngesimo sabafileyo futhi echaza ithemba elimangalisayo lovuko. (UmSh. 9:5; IzE. 24:15) Ekuqaleni wayekhungathekile ngoba wayezama ukukuvumelanisa nenkolelo yakhe yobuHindu yokuguquka kwemiphefumulo ibe esinye isimo. Inkolelo enjalo ayinikezi themba lokuphinde ubone abathandekayo. Kodwa kwathi kungakhanya konke, uDirou wayibona indlela elihle ngayo ithemba leBhayibheli lovuko.—Joh. 5:28, 29.
Ngemva kwamasonto ambalwa esifundo seBhayibheli, uDirou waqala ukuba khona kuyo yonke imihlangano. Wabe esephikiswa, ikakhulukazi uyise nabangane bakhe. Naphezu kwalokho, uDirou waphetha ngokuthi “iBhayibheli linengqondo, liyiZwi likaNkulunkulu isibili.” Ngonyaka olandelayo wanikezela ukuphila kwakhe kuJehova futhi wabhapathizwa.
Nokho, ubaba kaDirou waqhubeka ephikisa futhi wathumela abefundisi ababili bamaProthestani kuye ngenjongo yokumbonisa ukuthi kufanele abuyele enkolweni yabazali bakhe. Lapho uDirou ebabuza ukuthi kungani babengamfundisanga uyise iqiniso ngesono, ukufa nesihlengo, abefundisi bathi umthetho wesihlanu uyala umuntu ukuba ahloniphe uyise nonina. UDirou wababuza ukuthi kungalunga yini ukuba alalele umthetho wesihlanu—alalele izifiso zikayise—futhi ngokwenza kanjalo aphule umthetho kaNkulunkulu wokuqala—othi ungakhulekeli abanye onkulunkulu. Inkukhu yanqunywa umlomo kubefundisi, ngakho bahamba. Babe sebeya ehhovisi legatsha, bacela oFakazi ukuba benze uDirou abone ukuthi kufanele abuyele enkolweni kayise. “Ukubona lobu buzenzisi kwaluqinisa nakakhulu ukholo lwami,” kusho uDirou.
Uyise wabe eseya kubenzi bemilingo nakwabezombangazwe ukuze athole usizo, kamuva washicilela isihloko esimangalela oFakazi ngamanga ephepheni lendawo futhi wayeka ukumkhulumisa uDirou. Abazali bakaDirou babenamadodana amahlanu namadodakazi amathathu, futhi wonke umkhaya wawucabanga ukuthi le nkolo kaDirou iphazamisa ubuhlobo bawo. Noma kunjalo, uDirou wayeqiniseka ukuthi wayenesibopho sokulalela uNkulunkulu kuqala.—Marku 12:28-31.
Ngo-February 1967, uDirou waba iphayona elikhethekile, ngonyaka olandelayo washada noSimone. Ngemva kokuxoshwa eMadagascar ngo-June 1970, bakhonza eKenya iminyaka emithathu naseNdiya iminyaka ecishe ibe ngu-20. ENdiya wayekhonza eKomitini Yegatsha.
Kodwa kwenzekani emkhayeni wakubo kaDirou? Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, uyise waqala ukufunda iBhayibheli nezincwadi zalo, unina walamukela iqiniso leBhayibheli, futhi abafowabo nodadewabo kanye nabashana baba oFakazi ababhapathiziwe. Sebebonke, bangu-16 ababa abakhulekeli bakaJehova emkhayeni wakubo. Abanye bakhonza egatsheni laseMadagascar; abanye basiza emisebenzini yokwakha yomhlaba wonke. Umkhaya wakwaBagvandjee uyisibonelo sezithelo ezinhle kulesi siQhingi Esikhulu Esibomvu esikhiqizayo ngokomoya.
Izithunywa Zevangeli Zibeka Isisekelo
I-Watch Tower Society yaqhubeka nokuthumela izithunywa zevangeli ukuze zisize ngokushumayela izindaba ezinhle eMadagascar. Phakathi kwazo kwakunoMargarita Königer noGisela Hoffmann, odade baseJalimane abafika ngo-March 1966. UDade Hoffmann uveza imizwa yakhe: “IMadagascar inomoya wokuthula, ayifani neze nokuphila okumatasa nokusheshayo eYurophu naseMelika. Enye yezinto zokuqala ezangimangaza kwakuyizihlahla ezinkulu zenhlaba. Ekhaya ngangizitshale esitsheni sezimbali, futhi ngangiziqhenya uma zikhula ziba amasentimitha angu-15. Kodwa lapha ngabona eziphakeme kangangezindlu! Futhi lapho sibuya emhlanganweni wethu wokuqala kusihlwa, izinkanyezi ngazibona ziseduze kunangaphambili. Sase siphila ukuphila okulula lapha.”
Lab’ odade ababili basheshe baqaphela ukuthi abantu bendawo banemfudumalo kakhulu futhi banomusa. UDade Königer wathi: “Sathola ukuthi abantu bafundile impela. Ngisho nogogo asebekhulile lé emaphandleni babethanda ukufunda iBhayibheli nezincwadi zalo. Ukuze bathole izincwadi, babethanda ukushintshisana ngezimpahla. Izingane zaziza zigijima ngemva kwethu zizosinikeza ilayisi ukuze zithole omagazini INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama!” Lab’ odade ababili kanye nabakwaBranca baqala umsebenzi wokushumayela eFianarantsoa futhi baqinisa iqembu elincane e-Ambositra. Womabili la madolobha angaseningizimu ye-Antananarivo.
Kwakunezinye izithunywa zevangeli ezavula amasimu amasha. UHugh Haisley noThomas Baynes bakhonza eToliara, idolobha elisogwini engxenyeni eseningizimu yeMadagascar. UMary Dolinski waseCanada wakhonza eTaolanaro no-Edouard noNarcisse Marlot.
Ngo-1961, ngesikhathi izithunywa zevangeli zokuqala zithunyelwa eMadagascar, kwakubika abamemezeli abangaphezudlwana kuka-75. Ngo-1970, ngemva kweminyaka ecishe ibe yishumi kushunyayelwa, lezo zithunywa zevangeli zajabula lapho zibona inani labamemezeli abangu-469—ukwanda ngamaphesenti angu-525! Kodwa kwakufufusa ifu elimnyama phambi kwabo. Kakade, kusukela ngo-1967, kwakungasavunyelwa zithunywa zevangeli ezintsha ukuba zingene eMadagascar.
Ngo-4:00 ntambama ngo-June 5, 1970, kwasuka lokho. AmaPhoyisa KaHulumeni aya egatsheni afike atshela uSamuel Gilman ukuthi zonke izithunywa zevangeli kwakumelwe zifike emaPhoyiseni KaHulumeni ngakusasa. Izithunywa zevangeli ezazisenhloko-dolobha ngalesi sikhathi—uMfoweth’ uGilman, uKuokkanen, noLisiak—baya kumphathi wamaPhoyisa KaHulumeni. Batshelwa ngamafuphi ukuthi zonke izithunywa zevangeli zoFakazi BakaJehova kumelwe ziphume kuleli zwe ngaleso sikhathi, zihambe ngendiza ngalobo busuku! Batshelwa: “Ningasibuzi isizathu ngoba ngeke nisithole, phumani niphele.” Ezinye zazisanda kuthola ama-visa azo eminyaka emithathu. Lapho zisho ukuthi ama-visa azo ayesasebenza, lo mphathi wathi mazimnike ama-passport azo. Wagxiviza isitembu esithi Annulé (Ayisebenzi), futhi abazalwane babe sebetshelwa ukuthi bakuleli zwe ngokungemthetho.
Izithunywa zevangeli azikwazanga ukuhamba ngalobo busuku. Ekuseni ngoMsombuluko zaya enxuseni lezwe ezazivela kulo zacela usizo. Noma kunjalo, ngoMgqibelo, mhla ka-20 ku-June 1970, zonke izithunywa zevangeli ezingu-20 kwadingeka zilishiye leli zwe. Iningi lazo laya eKenya. EzazingamaFulentshi zaya eRéunion, izwe elingaphansi kweFrance. Abazalwane nodade bazo zonke izindawo zaseMadagascar bafika bezozivalelisa. OFakazi bendawo babekhala, nezithunywa zevangeli zikhala. Ezinye zazo zase zineminyaka eminingi ziseMadagascar, kwase kusekhaya.
Ngesikhathi ziseMadagascar izithunywa zevangeli zazizame ukufundisa abantu ukuba bakhe ukholo lwabo eZwini likaNkulunkulu, ukuba bathembe uJehova futhi baqonde indima kaJesu Kristu enjongweni kaNkulunkulu. (1 Kor. 3:5-14) Kuyafaneleka ukuthi emhlanganweni wakhe wokugcina engakalifulatheli leli zwe, uFlorent Chabot wathi: “Uma ningabalandeli bezithunywa zevangeli, uma sezihambile ngeke nikwazi ukuqhubeka ningoFakazi BakaJehova. Kodwa uma ningoFakazi BakaJehova, ngisho sezihambile, niyoqhubeka ningoFakazi BakaJehova.”
Ukuvinjelwa
Ukuvinjelwa koFakazi BakaJehova kwamenyezelwa ngo-August 8, 1970, kuyi-Official Journal of the Malagasy Republic. Kwakuzokwenzekani koFakazi baseMadagascar? Lapho ebuzwa lowo mbuzo, uNgqongqoshe Wezangaphakathi wathi: “Ningakhathazeki. Uma sezihambile izithunywa zevangeli, bazosala nathi.” Wabe esenza ngesandla uphawu lokuqeda okuthile.
Ngenhlanhla-ke nokho, abashushiswanga kakhulu oFakazi bendawo. Kodwa abazalwane nodade bendawo bazizwa kanjani lapho izithunywa zevangeli zixoshwa? URavelojaona Rahantamalala, owayezazi eseyintombazanyana izithunywa zevangeli, wathi: “Njengoba izithunywa zevangeli kwadingeka zihambe, abazalwane abaningi bendawo badangala. Abanye babengasafuni ukwaziwa njengoFakazi BakaJehova.”
Umbiko wonyaka wenkonzo ka-1971 wabonisa ukwehla kwenani labamemezeli ngamaphesenti angu-12. Kusobala ukuthi abanye banqotshwa ukwesaba umuntu futhi bayeka ukumemezela izindaba ezinhle. (IzAga 29:25) Kodwa abaningi banikeza ubufakazi bokuthi ukholo lwabo luqinile. Ngonyaka wesithathu, elaseMadagascar laqala ukuba nokwanda futhi.
Ekuqaleni, imihlangano yayiqhutshelwa ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene emizini yabazalwane, kube khona imikhaya emithathu noma emine. Inani lababeba khona emihlanganweni landa kancane kancane. Endaweni yaseManakambahiny e-Antananarivo, uDade Ravelojaona wavula umuzi wakhe waba indawo yemihlangano. Ngosizo lukaJehova, ngisho nangezikhathi zezinxushunxushu zombango, akwenzekanga zigigaba ezitheni. “Kwakhiwa amabandla okungenani ayishumi kuleli qembu elincane laseManakambahiny,” kusho uDade Ravelojaona. “UJehova wayibusisa imizamo yethu yokushumayela nokwenza abafundi phakathi naso sonke isikhathi sokuvinjelwa.”
Baqeqeshelwa Ukuqondisa
Kwamiswa ikomiti yokusiza umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova bendawo nokuhlala bexhumene neNdikimba Ebusayo. Umthwalo wemfanelo womsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso eMadagascar wathweswa oFakazi bendawo. Phakathi nesikhathi sokuvinjelwa, abazalwane babesebenzisa isidlaliso esithi Ineny, esisho ukuthi “Mama,” uma bekhuluma ngeNhlangano. Kwathi umsebenzi ungavinjelwa, i-Ineny yanikeza usizo olwaludingeka. Kanjani?
UMilton Henschel wasendlunkulu yomhlaba wonke wavakashela iMadagascar njengombonisi wamagatsha. Wenza amalungiselelo aqondile okunakekela izidingo ezingokomoya zabazalwane baseMadagascar. Kwamenywa abazalwane ababili abaholayo ukuba baye endlunkulu yenhlangano kaJehova ebonakalayo beyoqeqeshwa. Bazuza kakhulu, naphezu kwezinkinga zolimi, futhi bawufanelekela kangcono umsebenzi owawungaphambili.
UMfoweth’ uHenschel wasikisela nokuthi iphayona elikhethekile laseMadagascar liye eSikoleni SaseGileyadi. Lokhu kwakuzolihlomisela ukwenza okwengeziwe ekuholeni emsebenzini wokushumayela ngoMbuso. Kwakhethwa u-Andriamasy Théodore, insizwa eyayilukhuluma ulimi lwesiNgisi neyayike yasiza ekuhumusheni izincwadi. Ngokuqondene nokuqeqeshwa akuthola eGileyadi, uthi: “Kwakuwukuqeqeshwa okusekelwe eBhayibhelini okushubile okwathatha izinyanga ezinhlanu nokwangifundisa imikhuba emihle yokutadisha. Ukusebenza ingxenye yosuku ngalunye eminyango ehlukahlukene eBethel kwanginikeza amathuba amaningi okubona indlela inhlangano kaJehova ebonakalayo esebenza ngayo. Ukuhlangana nabazalwane nodade abagcotshiwe kwakungokunye kokuhlangenwe nakho okuvuzayo engakuthola eGileyadi. Ngafunda okuningi ekupheni kwabo, emuseni wabo nasekuthobekeni kwabo.”
Ngemva kokubuya kukaMfoweth’ u-Andriamasy eGileyadi, wabelwa ensimini ukuze akusebenzise kahle lokho ayekufundile. Ukuqeqeshwa ayekutholile kwaluqinisa ukholo lwakhe futhi kwamenza wakwazi naye ukukhuthaza abafowabo abangamaKristu phakathi naleyo minyaka enzima. Ngezikhathi ezithile ukhonza ezabelweni ezihlukahlukene egatsheni. Muva nje ubefundisa izithunywa zevangeli ezintsha isiMalagasy.
Bayaqhubeka Bekhonza Naphezu Kokuvinjelwa
OFakazi BakaJehova abazidonselanga amehlo abantu ngesikhathi sokuvinjelwa, kodwa baqhubeka nokukhulekela kweqiniso. INqabayokulinda yayihunyushwa njalo. (Isaya 65:13) Babehlangana emizini yabazalwane ukuze bakhuthazane. (Heb. 10:23-25) Ababonisi besifunda babehambela amabandla; kuhlelwe imihlangano yesigodi neyesifunda, ngisho nemibuthano emikhulu yayenzelwa ehlathini. Njengoba laliqhelelene nedolobha, ngezinye izikhathi ababeba khona babeba ngu-1 500. Ngo-1972 kwavulwa ihhovisi kanye nedepho yezincwadi endaweni eyayiqashiwe. Umzalwane oholayo ebandleni ngalinye kwangu-11 ayekhona ngaleso sikhathi wayelanda izincwadi edepho. UMfoweth’ u-Andriamoara, owanakekela idepho okwesikhashana, ukhumbula ukuthi abazalwane babethwala amabhokisi ezincwadi obala, omakhelwane bebuka.
Phakathi neminyaka embalwa yokuqala yokuvinjelwa, oFakazi babeqaphe kakhulu. Ngezinye izikhathi babecabanga ukuthi amaphoyisa abagadile nokuthi bayalandelwa. Ngenxa yalokho babefakaza ikakhulu ngokwethukela. Uma kwenziwa indlu ngendlu, babengena emzini owodwa emgwaqweni, bese beya komunye okomunye umgwaqo. Esikhundleni sokuphatha izincwadi zabo ngezikhwama, babesebenzisa isaka noma ubhasikidi, ukuze kube sengathi baya emakethe. Nokho, izikhathi eziningi babekwazi ukuqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ngaphandle kokuphazamiseka. UMfoweth’ uRakotojaona, manje okhonza egatsheni nomkakhe, uLea, ukhumbula ukuthi ngesikhathi eqala ukufundelwa ngo-1972, isifundo sakhe sasiqhutshwa ngaphandle kokwenziwa komzamo okhethekile wokusifihla.
Baqaphe Ngokweqile?
I-Ineny yaqhubeka yenza amalungiselelo okuhambela kwababonisi bamagatsha. La malungiselelo othando akhuthaza abazalwane nodade futhi abasiza ukuba babhekane nesimo ngendlela eyakhayo. Ngokwesibonelo, ngo-1973 ngesikhathi u-André Ramseyer ehambele eMadagascar, waqaphela ukuthi abazalwane babeqaphe ngokweqile. UMfoweth’ u-Andriamoara ukhumbula indlela uMfoweth’ uRamseyer ayibeka ngayo: “Ukhona yini oke waboshwa ngenxa yokuthi unguFakazi KaJehova? Cha. Bukhona obunye ubunzima enibe nabo? Cha. Mhlawumbe niqaphe ngokweqile. Ingabe mhlawumbe ukuqapha okuyihaba? Akufanele sesabe.” Yeka indlela okwakuwusizo ngayo lokho kuhambela! Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi kuqhubeke, oFakazi bendawo bashumayela obala nangesibindi ngokwengeziwe. Ngenxa yalokho, phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo ka-1974, kwabikwa inani elisha labamemezeli abangu-613, okwedlula wonke amanani angaphambi kokuvinjelwa ngamaphesenti angu-30!
Baphinde Bayaqashelwa Ngokomthetho
Ngasekupheleni kuka-1983, abazalwane—bezibiza ngegama lenhlangano yentuthuko yendawo—bafaka isicelo sokuqashelwa komsebenzi wabo. Ngo-February 24, 1984, banikezwa lokho kuqashelwa, kodwa kwakungasho ukuthi ukuvinjelwa koFakazi BakaJehova kuqediwe. Noma kunjalo, lesi sinyathelo esisha sabathokozisa kakhulu abazalwane. Inkonzo yasensimini yanda, futhi kwafinyelelwa amanani aphakeme amabili ngo-April—abamemezeli abangu-1 708 babika inkonzo yasensimini kwathi abangu-8 977 baba khona eSikhumbuzweni. Ngakho, inani labamemezeli lalenyuke ngamaphasenti angu-264, elababe khona eSikhumbuzweni lanyuka ngamaphesenti angu-606.
Nakuba babeqashelwa ngokomthetho njengenhlangano yentuthuko, ngo-1993 abazalwane bafaka isicelo sokuba oFakazi BakaJehova baqashelwe ngokomthetho njengenhlangano engokwenkolo. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezimbalwa, ngo-October 4, 1994, lokho kuqashelwa ngokomthetho kwamukelwa. Yeka intokozo! Manje base bengaphinde baziwe obala ngokuthi bangoFakazi BakaJehova.
Usizo Olwengeziwe Lwakwamanye Amazwe
Kodwa ngisho nangaphambi kwalokho, ngo-1987 izithunywa zevangeli zase zingaphindela eMadagascar. Ngo-September 1991 abakwaKuokkanen, ababengamaphayona akhethekile eHelsinki, eFinland, babuyela eMadagascar, futhi uMfoweth’ uKuokkanen wamiswa njengomqondisi weKomiti Yegatsha. “IMadagascar yayisishintshile,” kusho uMfoweth’ uKuokkanen. “Abanye babazalwane nodade esasibazi babesekhona, kodwa abaningi base beshonile. Iningi labamemezeli lalilisha eqinisweni.” Wawumningi umsebenzi wasehhovisi owawudinga ukwenziwa. Kodwa kwakuthokozisa ukubona inani elisha labamemezeli abangu-4 005 ngo-August 1991!
UDirajlal Bagvandjee nomkakhe, uSimone, ababexoshwe kanye nabanye ngo-1970, nabo bacelwa ukuba baphindele eMadagascar. Njengoba eyiciko lokukhuluma nabantu, uMfoweth’ uBagvandjee usiza igatsha ekutholeni izimvume, amaphepha asemingceleni nezinye izincwadi zomthetho. Kusukela ngo-1992 ubekhonza njengelungu leKomiti Yegatsha YaseMadagascar. Izikhulu ziye zimangale lapho zizwa iNdiya, elalingumHindu, likhuluma ngoJehova, uJesu Kristu noMbuso kaNkulunkulu.
Isakhiwo Esisha Segatsha
Kusukela kwamiswa igatsha ngo-September 1963, kuye kwasetshenziswa izakhiwo ezisezindaweni ezihlukahlukene. Kusukela ngo-1972 kuya ku-1987, ikamelo lalanele ukuba libe ihhovisi nedepho yezincwadi. Kwabe sekuqashwa indlu enkudlwana. Ngaleyo minyaka, amalungu eKomiti Yegatsha, njengoba ayenemikhaya ayeyinakekela, ayewenzela emakhaya umsebenzi omningi.
Nokho, njengoba umsebenzi wokufundisa ngeBhayibheli wawanda eMadagascar, kwadingeka izakhiwo ezazingathwala lo msebenzi. Kwathengwa indawo eqhele ngamakhilomitha angaba mahlanu e-Ivato International Airport. Ngemva kweminyaka emithathu, ngo-April 1993, kwaqalwa ukwakhiwa ngosizo lwabazalwane baphesheya. UWalter Elkow, ongowaseCanada nowayewazi kahle lo msebenzi, wafika ezoqondisa lo msebenzi owawuzothatha izinyanga ezingu-30. Kwalandela nezinye izinceku zomhlaba wonke, futhi izisebenzi zokuzithandela zomhlaba wonke zazikhokhela izindleko ukuze zizosiza ekwakheni izinyanga ezintathu noma ngaphezulu. Selilonke, leli qembu lezisebenzi zakwamanye amazwe nezendawo lalingu-110. Ngezimpelasonto, inani lezisebenzi zokuzithandela lalikhuphuka ngoba abazalwane nodade basemabandleni endawo babefika bezosiza.
Bonke babekhuthazana. Nakuba izisebenzi zomhlaba wonke eziningi zazingakwazi ukukhuluma ulimi lwendawo, laba bazalwane nodade abavuthiwe babeka isibonelo esihle enkonzweni yasensimini. Ngokwesibonelo, uDavid Smith, owasiza iminyaka ecishe ibe mibili engumakhenika wezimoto ezinkulu, wayengakwazi ukukhuluma isiMalagasy, kodwa wayazi ukuthi INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! yesiMalagasy kunganikeza ubufakazi obuhle. Ngakho emomotheka ngobungane, wayeye ame emgwaqweni ephethe omagazini ngesinye isandla abe ebonisa ukuthi bayimalini ngesinye. Wayehambisa omagazini abangu-80 ngosuku.
Lezi zakhiwo zegatsha ezintsha ezinhle ngempela ziyisipho esivela kuJehova! Ngesikhathi kunikezelwa igatsha ngo-December 7, 1996, kwamenywa asebemnkantsh’ ubomvu abangu-668. Yeka isenzakalo esijabulisayo! Kwathi ngakusasa abangu-7 785 baba khona enkulumweni ekhethekile eyayisesigangeni esasibizwa ngokuthi iGileada. Kungani yayilapho? Le ndawo eqhele ngamakhilomitha ayisithupha egatsheni, yayithengelwe ukuba kwakhiwe iHholo LoMhlangano kuyo. Kwakukuhle kudelile—umthambeka ugcwele abazalwane nodade begqoke ezikanokusho bephethe izambulela ezinemibala egqamile ukuze bazivikele elangeni!
Izinhlu Ezandayo Zezinceku Zesikhathi Esigcwele
Selokhu amaphayona okuqala aseMadagascar aqala inkonzo yesikhathi esigcwele ngawo-1960, inani lalezi zisebenzi ezikhuthele liye landa kancane kancane unyaka nonyaka. Cishe ummemezeli woMbuso oyedwa kwabayisithupha eMadagascar manje usenkonzweni yamaphayona. Izinsizwa nezintombi eziningi zikwenze kwaba umsebenzi wazo. Ukuze kuqiniswe amaphayona, kwavulwa iSikole Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo ngo-1979 eMadagascar, njengoba kwakunjalo nakwamanye amazwe. U-Andriamasy Théodore no-Andriamoara Félix, abase beneminyaka eminingi besenkonzweni yesikhathi esigcwele, baba othisha. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi amaphayona amaningi aye azuza kule mfundo.
Esinye sezihloko ezidingidwa kabanzi esikoleni sihilela ukubonisa abanye ukukhathalela. Amaphayona amaningi aye akwenza ngempela lokhu. Ngokwesibonelo, ngo-1998 ngesikhathi uRandriamampianina Niaina nomkakhe uVeroniaina babelwe edolobheni elincane laseSoanierana-Ivongo elisogwini olusempumalanga, basibona isidingo sokubonisa ukukhathalela abanye. Owesifazane owayengumnikazi womuzi ababehlala kuwo wayenendodana ekhutshazwe uvendle. La maphayona akhethekile axoxa nalo mfana ngezithembiso zeBhayibheli eziyigugu eziphathelene nomhlaba omusha kaNkulunkulu. Le nsizwa yakujabulela ukufunda iBhayibheli noNiaina noVeroniaina. Kodwa abakubo abathandanga. Unina waze watshela la maphayona akhethekile ukuba atshele indodana yakhe ukuthi awasenaso isikhathi sokufunda nayo. Kodwa ayengeke akwenze lokho. Uthando lwale nsizwa ngoJehova nezindlela zaKhe lwakhula ngokushesha. Ngezinyanga ezingu-8 yabhapathizwa. Ngenxa yalokho, la maphayona axoshwa kulo muzi.
Ingabe le nsizwa ayibange isaboniswa ukukhathalelwa? Lutho. Isihlalo sayo sabakhubazekile sase sigugile—futhi manje isiphelile indaba yaso. Nakuba sase sifikile esisha, isonto eyayisonta kulo ngaphambili lalingafuni ukuyinika ngoba yayisikwenye inkolo. Ngakho abazalwane ebandleni bayamsiza lo mzalwane okhubazekile ukuba abe khona emihlanganweni.
Eminyakeni yamuva iNhlangano ibithumela amaphayona akhethekile esikhashana emasimini angabelwe ukuze anikeze abantu abengeziwe ithuba lokuzuza esigijimini soMbuso. Ngo-November 1997 kwathunyelwa abazalwane ababili eMahaditra, idolobha elincane elalinommemezeli oyedwa vó. Kuyamangaza ukuthi ngo-October wangonyaka olandelayo, kwase kumiswe ibandla labamemezeli abangu-14. La maphayona akhethekile esikhashana awasewona awesikhashana kodwa asengawesikhathi esigcwele kuleli dolobha.
Ngo-June 1996 amanye amabili aya eMahasoabe, idolobha elincane elaliyinsimu engakaze isetshenzwe. Awakwazanga ukuhamba ngemva kwezinyanga ezintathu njengoba kwakuhleliwe—abantu bawancenga ukuba ahlale. Ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha, kwamiswa iqembu elingalodwa, ngemva kwezinye ezintathu, leli qembu laba ibandla elinabamemezeli abahlanu namaphayona avamile amabili. La maphayona akhethekile “ayengawesikhashana” asekuleli bandla, alinakekela kahle. Ezindaweni eziningi ezingabelwe muntu, kubikwa imiphumela efanayo.
Ukutheleka Kwezithunywa Zevangeli
IMadagascar iyinsimu ethelayo. Kuqhutshwa izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingaphezu kuka-20 000—ummemezeli uqhuba ezingaphezu kwezimbili. Ngo-1993 kwathunyelwa izithunywa zevangeli eziyisithupha eMadagascar zizosiza emsebenzini, zivela oPhikweni LweSikole SaseGileyadi eJalimane. Zavula ikhaya lezithunywa zevangeli eToamasina, idolobha elingelesibili ngobukhulu eMadagascar, elisogwini olusempumalanga. UDaniel noHélène Kmita, izithunywa zevangeli ezingomakad’ ebona ezazikhonza eSeychelles, zabelwa kulesi siQhingi Esikhulu Esibomvu. Imibhangqwana emihlanu engamaphayona avamile yasendaweni ekhuluma isiFulentshi eCanada nayo yavolontiya ukuzokhonza lapha. U-Ivan Teyssier, isithunywa sevangeli saseFrance esase sikhonze iminyaka eminingi eParaguay, wafika ezosiza emsebenzini kuleli gatsha. UDante noChristina Bonetti, ababeyizisebenzi zomhlaba wonke eMadagascar ngesikhathi kwakhiwa igatsha, bacelwa ukuba babuye sebeyizithunywa zevangeli. Lezi zifiki ziye zafeza okukhulu ekwandiseni umoya wokuphayona kubamemezeli bendawo. Ezinye sezisifunde kahle isiMalagasy kangangokuba seziyafaneleka ukukhonza amabandla esiMalagasy njengababonisi besifunda.
Uhambo Lokukhuthaza Amabandla
Ngesikhathi kuqala umsebenzi wesifunda lapha ngo-1963, kwakunamabandla amathathu kuphela ayehanjelwa umbonisi wesifunda ezweni lonke. Manje ababonisi abajikelezayo abangu-17 bakhonza amabandla namaqembu angu-253. Ukuhamba emaphandleni akukakabi lula. Ngenkathi yezimvula, imigwaqo engagandayiwe iyavaleka ezindaweni eziningi, ababonisi besifunda bese kudingeka bahambe amabanga amade ngezinyawo. Ukuze bahambele amabandla athile, kungase kudingeke bahambe ezindleleni ezinodaka izinsuku eziningi—ukuya! (Qhathanisa neyesi-2 Korinte 11:23-27.) Ngezinye izikhathi abazalwane bakwelinye ibandla bayamphelezela umbonisi wesifunda ukuze bamsize bamthwalise imithwalo yakhe uma eseya kwelinye. Lapho bewela imifula—ngokuvamile engenamabhuloho—zonke izinto bazifaka kopulasitiki ukuze zingabi manzi, bese bezithwala ekhanda. Ngesikhathi sezimvula amanzi angafika nasemakhwapheni.
Nakuba bengenazinto ezitheni, abazalwane bendawo banomusa omkhulu futhi benza konke abangakwenza ukuze bamukele ababonisi abajikelezayo nomkabo. Bayakhuthazana bonke. Akuve kwenelisa ukuba nabazalwane nodade abazama ukwenza okusemandleni abo ukuze bajabulise uJehova! (Roma 1:11, 12) Futhi yeka ilungelo okuyilo ukuqinisa ukholo lwalaba bantu abathandekayo abayigugu kuJehova!
Lapho Kugadla Isiphepho
Ukuphila kule ngxenye yomhlaba kuhlanganisa nokubekezelela iziphepho. Njalo ngonyaka kuba nenkathi okugadla ngayo iziphepho eziqhingini ze-Indian Ocean. Igatsha liyayigada imibiko yesimo sezulu futhi lizilungiselele ukusiza abazalwane ezindaweni ezisuke zithintekile. Ngo-1997 kwaba neziphepho eziningana eMadagascar, kuhlanganise nesaziwa kakhulu uGretelle, esalalisa uyaca ogwini oluseningizimu-mpumalanga. Amadolobha amabili amakhulu namaningi amancane aba imvithi. Bacishe babe yikhulu oFakazi BakaJehova ababehlala endaweni eyayithintekile.
Masinyane igatsha lathumela iloli elincane nemoto enkudlwana egcwele izimpahla zosizo, amathuluzi nezinto zokwakha. Kwakunodokotela kuleli qembu elaliyonikeza usizo. Ukuze lingene ezindaweni okungahambeki ngemoto kuzo, leli qembu lasebenzisa izikebhe ezincane.
Kwabathatha izinsuku ezimbili ukufika lapho babeya khona, eVangaindrano. Ukunikeza usizo kwaqala ngaleso sikhathi. Kwalungiselelwa ukudla nezindawo zokukhosela. Udokotela wahlola yonke imikhaya yoFakazi futhi wayinikeza imithi eyayiyidinga. Nemikhaya engebona oFakazi yazuza. Lapho iningi leqembu selibuyela emuva, kwasala ababili isikhathi esingangenyanga ukuze bakhe kabusha izindlu zabazalwane. Ihhovisi legatsha lathola izincwadi eziningi zokubonga ngosizo olwalunikezwe yiNhlangano. Ngisho nabanye abangebona oFakazi bathi: “Inkolo yenu eyobuKristu ngempela!”
UJehova Uyaqhubeka Ekhulisa
Izithunywa zevangeli nalabo ababa abafundi ngenxa yazo eMadagascar batshala futhi banisela imbewu yeqiniso loMbuso. Umbiko wokuqala ngqá waseMadagascar wathunyelwa uRobert Nisbet noBert McLuckie ngo-1933. Ngemva kweminyaka engu-22, umsebenzi wavuselelwa, futhi ngonyaka wenkonzo ka-1956 kwaba nenani labamemezeli abangu-8. Ngesikhathi izithunywa zevangeli zixoshwa ngo-1970, kwakunabamemezeli boMbuso abangu-469 kuleli zwe. Izithunywa zevangeli azibange zisakwazi ukusiza ngendlela ezazisiza ngayo. Kodwa “uNkulunkulu waqhubeka ekhulisa.”—1Kor. 3:6.
Labo ababekade bekhonza eMadagascar ngaphambili, kwathi kamuva bathola ithuba lokubuyela khona, babona ubufakazi bokuthi labo ababebafundele iqiniso leBhayibheli babekhiqiza izithelo zabo. Ngokwesibonelo, uRamanitra Hélène, owayeneminyaka engu-15 ngesikhathi u-Irene Carbonneau emfundela, wayengenwe uvendle futhi engasakwazi ukuhamba kahle. Naphezu kwalokho kukhubazeka nokuphikisa komkhaya wakubo, uHélène wathi ufuna ukuba ummemezeli wezindaba ezinhle. Ngisho nalapho abakwaCarbonneau bebuyela ekhaya eCanada, waqhubeka ethuthuka. Lapho u-Irene evakashile isikhashana ngo-1995, uHélène wathi: “Bonke ekhaya sebelamukele iqiniso ngaphandle kukababa!”
Ngesibusiso sikaJehova, ngo-1980 omncane eMadagascar wayesebe inkulungwane, abamemezeli boMbuso kaNkulunkulu bengu-1 021. (Isaya 60:22) Ngo-1993 inani labamemezeli ledlula ku-5 000, futhi lafinyelela inani eliphakeme kunawo wonke lika-10 300 ngo-1999.
Kuthiwani Ngekusasa?
Umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso unekusasa eliqhakazile eMadagascar. Ngo-1956 bangu-7 abantu ababa khona eSikhumbuzweni sokuqala esagujwa kulesi siqhingi. Babelokhu banda ababa khona baze bafinyelela enanini eliphakeme kunawo wonke lika-46 392 ngo-1999. Ngayo leyo nyanga, kwakunabamemezeli abangu-10 346 kulesi siqhingi. Phela, ngokwesilinganiso, ummemezeli oyedwa weza nabantu abathakazelayo abathathu kulesi senzakalo esibaluleke kakhulu kangaka!
Lesi siQhingi Esikhulu Esibomvu sisalokhu siyipharadesi labo bonke abafuna ukuhlanganyela iqiniso leBhayibheli nabanye, beshukunyiswa uthando ngoJehova nangabanye abantu. Kunamashumi ezinkulungwane zabantu abathobekile lapha abafuna ukwazi okwengeziwe ngoJehova. Abavelele ezweni, futhi abacebile ngokwezinto ezibonakalayo. Ngokuvamile badla ilayisi, inyamana nemfino. Emadolobheni amaningi amakhulu namancane, abantu abanawo ugesi noma amanzi asempompini. Emadolobheni amancane isinkwa asitholakali njalo, ingasaphathwa eyebhotela noshizi. Noma kunjalo, abafowethu nodadewethu abathandekayo babonga uJehova ngokudla kwabo kwansuku zonke futhi bayakujabulela ukuphila kwabo okulula. Kunokuba ‘bakhathazeke ngokuthi bazodlani noma bazophuzani noma bazogqokani,’ bazama ukuqhubeka befuna kuqala uMbuso nokulunga kukaNkulunkulu. (Math. 6:31-33) Bayabonga ngelungelo lokukhonza uJehova, uMbusi Wendawo Yonke, futhi kanye nomhubi, bathi: “UJehova uyinkosi; umhlaba mawethabe, zijabule iziqhingi eziningi.”—IHu. 97:1.
Isaga saseMadagascar siyeluleka: “Yiba njengonwabu—elinye iso alibheke emuva elinye libheke phambili.” Kuhle ukuba elinye iso libheke emuva ukuze ufunde kokwenzeke esikhathini esidlule. Kodwa akusizi lutho ukuphila ube ugxile kokwedlule. Masibheke phambili. Kunezikhathi ezinhle kakhulu ezizayo. UJehova usibekele ukuphila—ukuphila okuphakade—epharadesi lembulunga yonke eligcwele abantu abathandana ngempela. OFakazi BakaJehova eMadagascar bazimisele ukugxilisa amehlo abo kulowo mgomo.
[Isithombe esigcwele ikhasi 224]
[Izithombe ekhasini 230]
(1) URabehasy Noël, (2) URobert Nisbet, (3) UBert McLuckie, (4) U-Adam Lisiak, (5) U-Edouard Marlot, (6) UNarcisse Marlot
[Isithombe ekhasini 233]
URaimo noVeera Kuokkanen
[Isithombe ekhasini 235]
U-Andriamoara Félix, elinye lamaphayona akhethekile okuqala endawo
[Isithombe ekhasini 236]
Yonke into yayenziwa ngesandla
[Isithombe ekhasini 237]
URasoamalala Louise, umhumushi osemnkantsh’ ubomvu
[Isithombe ekhasini 245]
U-Andriamasy Théodore ufundisa izithunywa zevangeli ezintsha isiMalagasy
[Izithombe ekhasini 251]
Isakhiwo segatsha esiphelile neKomiti Yegatsha (kusukela kwesobunxele kuya kwesokudla): u-Eleha, Raimo Kuokkanen, Dirajlal Bagvandjee