UMbiko Womhlaba Wonke

E-Afrika

I-Afrika iyizwekazi elingelesibili ngobukhulu eplanethini yethu futhi ithatha ingxenye eyodwa kwezinhlanu zendawo eyomile yomhlaba. Malungana nenkabazwe, kunamahlathi ashisayo nezinhlobonhlobo zezilwane zasendle, ezihlanganisa izindlovu, izindlulamithi namabhubesi. Enyakatho kuneSahara, ugwadule olukhulu kunazo zonke emhlabeni. Kuleli zwekazi abanye abaye balibiza ngokuthi iZwekazi Elimnyama, ukukhanya kweZwi likaNkulunkulu kukhanya ngokwandayo.—Math. 4:16.

EGhana uMarie oneminyaka eyisithupha wahudulwa izingane afunda nazo ekilasini zamyisa kuthisha, zamceba ukuthi akacimezi uma kuthandazwa ekilasini futhi akasho ukuthi “Amen.” Uthisha wafuna ukwazi isizathu. UMarie waphendula ngomoya ophansi: “Nina nithandaza kuJesu, kodwa ekutadisheni kwami iBhayibheli nabakithi ngifunde ukuthi kufanele sithandaze kuJehova kuphela ngoJesu. Pho ngingasho kanjani ukuthi ‘Amen’ uma nithandaza?” Uthisha wabamba ongezansi, wayesethi ekilasini: “Myekeni, ungomunye woFakazi BakaJehova.” Kamuva, unina kaMarie wathumelela lo thisha incwadi ethi INcwadi Yami Yezindaba ZeBhayibheli. Lo thisha ufundisa ngayo ikilasi ngesikhathi sezifundo zeBhayibheli.

U-Alfred, ohlala eGuinea, wafunda okuthile ngeqiniso ngo-1996 futhi wazitholela izincwadi ezithile zeBhayibheli. Ngemva kwesikhashana, waphindela esigodini sakubo. Ukuhlangana kwakhe isikhashana noFakazi BakaJehova kwakumqinisekisile ukuthi kungumthwalo wakhe wemfanelo ukutshela abanye lokho akwaziyo. U-Alfred wanquma nokuthi njengoba ayesalindele impendulo yoFakazi ayebabhalele, uzobe akha iHholo LoMbuso. Ngo-1998 wakha ihholo elikahle nje, kodwa abantu balidiliza. Wakha elesibili, nalo balibhidliza. Baphinda balibhidliza nelesithathu.

U-Alfred wayibika enduneni yesigodi le ndaba. Kwahlelwa imbizo okwakuzoba khona kuyo u-Alfred nabaphikisi bakhe. Ngemva kokulalelisisa kahle, induna yagunyaza u-Alfred ukuba akhe iHholo LoMbuso futhi yamnikeza isiqephu sendawo enhle ngasemgwaqweni omkhulu ekuqaleni kwalesi sigodi. Esebenzisa uqalo nezinye izinto ayezithole ehlathini, u-Alfred nesifundo sakhe seBhayibheli, uDaniel, basebenza izinsuku ezingu-14 bakha iHholo LoMbuso elisha.

Lathi lingaphela nje ihholo, baqala ukuqhuba imihlangano ababexoxa kuyo ngezincwajana ababenazo. Induna yesigodi yayiba khona njalo. Lapho ihhovisi legatsha lizwa ngalokhu, kwahlelwa ukuba amaphayona akhethekile abavakashele njalo, abafundise indlela efanele yokuqhuba izifundo neyokusiza abathakazelayo. Lapho umbonisi wesifunda ehambela lesi sigodi, kwaba khona izakhamuzi ezingu-69 kwezingu-400 enkulumweni yakhe.

UJoshua noSusan, abahlala entshonalanga Kenya, balaliswa esibhedlela ngenxa yengozi yemoto embi kakhulu. Abangane babo basesontweni babebavakashela, bathi kumelwe ukuba le ngozi iyisijeziso sikaNkulunkulu. Njengoba wawufunde iBhayibheli nomagazini owawuwuthole koFakazi BakaJehova, lo mbhangqwana wawazi ukuthi izingozi ezinjalo azibangelwa uNkulunkulu. Batshela lezi zivakashi ukuthi uma zingenako okunye ezingabaduduza ngako, zingaphinde zibuye. Wathi ungaphuma nje esibhedlela lo mbhangqwana, wathintana noFakazi BakaJehova. Ngo-November bobabili base beqalile ukuphuma insimu, futhi babhapathizwa ngo-February 2000. UJoshua uyiphayona elisizayo lesikhathi esiqhubekayo, kanti uSusan yena wayeyiphayona elisizayo ngo-April.

U-Otis wayeyisosha ngesikhathi sempi yombango eLiberia. Langa limbe yena ‘nomngane’ wakhe babelibangise ezweni elingumakhelwane beyodayisa imoto ababeyebile. Lo “mngane” wakhe wamshayisa ngemoto ngamabomu u-Otis, wamnqamula imilenze wamephula nomgogodla, wabe eseshaya echitha nemoto. U-Otis wasala engenamilenze futhi ekhubazekile kusuka ezinqulwini kwehle. Nakuba u-Otis ayevame ukucabanga ngokuzibulala, izinto zashintsha lapho uyise eqala ukufunda iBhayibheli nephayona elikhethekile. Njengoba u-Otis ayelele embhedeni ngenxa yokukhubazeka, isigijimi sethemba ayesizwa ekamelweni likayise samjabulisa kakhulu. Wacela ukuba isifundo siqhutshelwe ekamelweni lakhe ukuze naye aphendule. Ethintwe izinto ayezifunda, u-Otis wenza izinguquko. Wayeka ugwayi futhi waqala ukushintsha ubuntu bakhe. Namuhla u-Otis akasakhathazeki ngokuthi ukhubazekile. Usengummemezeli wezindaba ezinhle futhi uhlale egade abantu abadlula ngakubo ukuze abaxoxele ngethemba analo. Lapho ebuzwa ukuthi yini eyamenza waqiniseka ukuthi usethole inkolo yeqiniso ngempela, wathi kwakuyisithakazelo oFakazi abasibonisa kuye siqu. U-Otis wathi: “Abazalwane babengivakashela zonke izinsuku. Lokho kwangenza ngazizwa ngingumuntu futhi.”

Umlisa okuthiwa u-Avelino wayenesikhokhelo somagazini bethu, kodwa kwakungekho Fakazi endaweni yakubo eMozambique. Ngemva kwesikhathi, kwaqaliswa isifundo seBhayibheli ngeposi. U-Avelino waqala ukutshela abanye izinto ayesanda kuzazi. Ngokushesha kwaqala ukuba kube neqembu elihlangana ndawonye lizofunda izihloko zomagazini INqabayokulinda nencwadi ethi Ukubonisana NgemiBhalo. Lapho abazalwane abathile sebeyizwile le ndaba, bahamba bayoshumayela khona. Bamangala lapho bethola abantu abangu-30 kuleli qembu. Kwaba nenkulumo yeningi, kwaba khona abangu-90. Ngesikhathi kunomhlangano wesigodi eNampula, kwaba khona abayishumi bevela kuleli qembu. Omunye wabo waqhubeka ehlala edolobheni futhi wayifunda yonke incwadi ethi Ulwazi Oluholela Ekuphileni Okumi Phakade ngesonto elilodwa. Ngenxa yalesi sithakazelo, amaphayona amabili avamile athuthela kule ndawo. Lithuthuka kahle kakhulu leli qembu.

ERwanda abamemezeli bafinyelela inani eliphakeme elingu-7 435 ngo-June. Ngokwesilinganiso, ummemezeli oyedwa kwabahlanu wangenela uhlobo oluthile lwenkonzo yokuphayona inyanga ngayinye phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo. Kuqhutshwa izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingaphezu kuka-12 000, futhi eSikhumbuzweni kwaba khona abangu-30 716. Eminyakeni emine edlule, kwakhiwe amaHholo OMbuso angu-51 futhi anikezelwa, kuhlelwe ukuba kwakhiwe amanye angu-115. Naphezu kwemisebenzi enzima yokwakha, abamemezeli benza isilinganiso samahora angu-20 ngenyanga ensimini.

Insizwa eyayihlala eGambia yayifuna ukuthuthela eCanada iyoba umfundisi weSonto LakwaMoya. Ingakahambi, yayisebenza njengonobhala eSontweni LakwaMoya lalapho. Yona nomkayo bavuma ukufundelwa incwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo Kithi? Ngesikhathi befundelwa, baboniswa izici ezithile ezingemuva kwe-Nguqulo Yezwe Elisha, ezihlanganisa “Izihloko ZeBhayibheli Zengxoxo.” Ngemva kwalokho, esikhundleni sokuhuba izingoma zesonto njalo ekuseni njengoba babenza ngaphambili, manje baxoxa ngesinye sezihloko, bafunde yonke imibhalo ekhonjiwe. Lapho kufika incwadi ivela esontweni iyibiza ukuba iyofunda iminyaka emibili esikoleni sabefundisi eCanada, le nsizwa yaphendula yathi: “Ngingabe ngisafunani? Sesilitholile nje iqiniso!” Ngemva kokufundelwa iBhayibheli izinyanga eziyisithupha, yona nomkayo babhapathizwa futhi manje bakhuthalele ukuxoxela abanye amaqiniso amangalisayo abawafundile nabazuzise kakhulu kangaka.

◼ Amazwekazi AseMelika

Mabili amazwekazi aseMelika. Aqala e-Arctic ebanda qá anqamule izindawo ezishisayo nezinomswakama aze ayoshaya ngase-Antarctic. ENingizimu Melika kunezinhlobo zezitshalo nezezilwane eziningi ngaphezu kwakunoma iyiphi enye indawo emhlabeni. Kuwo womabili la mazwekazi izindaba ezinhle zishunyayelwa ngentshiseko.

Indoda yaseBolivia yayingenandaba nje nomkayo nezingane zayo ezimbili. Yayinemikhuba emibi okwakungelula ukuba iyiyeke, ehlanganisa ukuphuza kakhulu nokuhlafuna amahlamvu e-coca. Yamukela isifundo seBhayibheli futhi kancane kancane yayinqoba imikhuba yayo emibi. Icasulwe ukuthi umkayo wayengafuni ukuhlanganyela esifundweni sayo seBhayibheli, yamtshela ukuthi ingase iyeke ukufunda iBhayibheli bese iphindela endleleni yayo yokuphila yangaphambili. Umkayo wethuka ngoba wayekuthanda loko ayeseyiko umyeni wakhe. Wayibuza ukuthi sekwenzenjani. Yamchazela ukuthi yayingathandi ukuya eHholo LoMbuso ishiye umkhaya wayo. Umkayo wabe esevuma ukufundelwa iBhayibheli. Waba khona nasemhlanganweni wesigodi lapho abhapathizwa khona umyeni wakhe.

Umsebenzi wokushumayeza izithulu zaseBrazil ezibalelwa ku-1,700,000 waba nomfutho phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo ka-2000. Amaphayona akhethekile angu-18 alwazi kahle uLimi Lwezandla LwaseBrazil [Brazilian Sign Language (BSL)] abelwa ukuyokhonza ezindaweni ezisemadolobheni ezinabantu abaningi abayizithulu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngenxa yokumiswa kweqembu labahumushi beBSL ngo-September 1999, kwakuqala ukuba kube ne-video yedrama yeBhayibheli, izinkulumo eziyinhloko nezingoma zoMbuso eMhlanganweni Wesigodi ‘Wabenzi Bezwi LikaNkulunkulu.’ Sikhuluma nje iNhlangano yenza ama-video ezincwadi zeBSL ukuze kusizakale izithulu zikhule ekwaziseni iqiniso leBhayibheli. Manje kunamabandla angu-16 olimi lwezandla namaqembu angu-87 kulo lonke elaseBrazil.

Ngemva kweminyaka emine efunda isayensi yokuhlalisana kwabantu eyunivesithi, uMichael wabhalisa esikoleni sabefundisi samaRoma Katolika eToronto, eCanada. Wayefuna ukuba umpristi. UMichael ukhumbula ukuthi isikhulu samaRoma Katolika esasinguprofesa satshela ikilasi ukuthi ukuya kuNkulunkulu ngomthandazo kungenziwa ngezindlela eziningi, hhayi ngoKristu Jesu kuphela. UMichael wasiphikisa isikhulu, ecaphuna amazwi kaJesu akuJohane 14:6: “Akekho oza kuBaba ngaphandle kokuba eze ngami.” Lesi sikhulu saphendula sathi abafundi kumelwe balishiyele kuso iBhayibheli, bona banake ezinye izifundo.

UMichael washayela igatsha leNhlangano laseCanada ucingo wacela usizo olungokomoya. Wayefuna ukufunda kabili ngesonto, ngezinye izikhathi wayefunda izahluko ezimbili zencwadi ethi Ulwazi Oluholela Ekuphileni Okumi Phakade ngesikhathi. Ngemva kwalokho, uMichael wasishiya lesi sikole senkolo, wathola umsebenzi ehhovisi elithile. Ngo-October 9, 1999, wavakashela ezakhiweni zegatsha leNhlangano eCanada. Loku kuvakasha kwaba nomphumela omuhle ngoba kamuva waqikelela ukuthi uba khona kuyo yonke imihlangano yebandla, abhale amaphuzu futhi anikeze izimpendulo ezizwakalayo. UMichael wabhapathizwa ngo-February 19, 2000, futhi kusukela ngo-September ubeyiphayona elivamile.

Udade waseCosta Rica wadikibaliswa izinkinga nezingcindezi eziningi ayebhekene nazo. Ngenxa yengozi eyamehlela, uhamba ngesihlalo sabakhubazekile. Selokhu kwashona unina, uyena kuphela onakekela uyise, naye oyimpumputhe futhi okhubazekile emqondweni, kanti unakekela nodadewabo nomfowabo, nabo abagula ngengqondo. Uyapheka, ahlanze indlu, awashe izingubo futhi anakekele umkhaya wakubo—konke ukwenza ekulesi sihlalo sabakhubazekile. Ngenxa yokuthi wayefuna ukuhlanganyela enkonzweni ngangokusemandleni, abadala bebandla bamsiza ngothando ukuba ahlaziye ukuthi imaphi amathuba amvulekele. Okunye ukusikisela kwaba ukuthi achithe imizuzu engu-20 kuya kwengu-30 zonke izinsuku ehlezi eceleni komgwaqo ngesihlalo sakhe. Baningi abantu abadlula ngakubo lapho beya noma bebuya esitobhini sebhasi esiseduzane. Wakhuthazwa ukuba axoxe nabo futhi abahambisele amapheshana noma omagazini, enze nezimpindelo kulabo abadlula njalo. Wakwenza lokho. Wawacabangisisa ngokungathi sína amazwi omphostoli uPawulu akweyabaseRoma 1:14, 15: “Nginecala kokubili kumaGreki nasemaQabeni, kokubili kwabahlakaniphile nakwabangenangqondo: ngakho kimi kukhona ukulangazelela ukuba ngimemezele izindaba ezinhle nakini lapho eRoma.” Lo dade waqaphela ukuthi naye wayenecala komakhelwane bakhe. Lapho exoxa ngenkonzo yakhe manje, kusobala ukuthi uyitholile ngempela intokozo nokwaneliseka enkonzweni yakhe engcwele.

E-Ecuador umbhangqwana oyizithunywa zevangeli wazama ukuxoxa nabantu abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka edolobheni laseGuayaquil. Kodwa ngenxa yemithetho enqala yokulondeka, awuzange uvunyelwe ukungena esakhiweni esikhulu esiyisitezi. Yize wawukwazile ukufakaza ezisebenzini nonogada abangu-20, usebenzisa i-intercom ikakhulukazi, wawungazange uxoxe nabanikazi bamafulethi. Ngenxa yalokho, wanquma ukuxoxa nomphathi walesi sakhiwo. Sezichazile izithunywa zevangeli ukuthi injongo yokuvakasha kwazo ukuqinisa izindinganiso zokuziphatha nezingokomoya zemikhaya, umphathi waphendula: “Ngicabanga ukuthi wonk’ umuntu kumelwe akuzwe lokhu!” Wabe esecela unobhala wakhe ukuba abhale lo myalezo olandelayo futhi awuxhome ebhodini lezaziso: “UNkk. Gabi März uzohambela amafulethi alesi sakhiwo ngeSonto ntambama enza umsebenzi wokufundisa ngenjongo yokuthuthukisa izindinganiso zokuziphatha. Uma noma ubani engeke akwazi ukuxoxa naye, ngicela angazise. Umphathi.”

Izithunywa zevangeli zaqala efulethini eliphezulu, lapho zaqala khona isifundo seBhayibheli nonsumpa wesikole. Esitezi esingezansi, zaqala izifundo ezintathu. Omunye umkhaya waya eSikhumbuzweni futhi kamuva wavakashela ihhovisi legatsha. Zingu-16 sezizonke izifundo zeBhayibheli ezaqalwa yilo mbhangqwana kule ndawo okungangeneki kalula kuyo, lapho kungekho muntu owayeke washumayela khona.

UJessica, iphayona elivamile elineminyaka engu-15 elihlala ePeru, uyena yedwa onguFakazi kubo. Izicathulo ayezigqoka ensimini zase ziguge ziphelile, ngakho wacela izicathulo ezintsha kuyise. Uyise wamthethisa wathi: “UJehova makakunike izicathulo!” Lo dade waya enkonzweni ngezicathulo zakhe ezigugile, kodwa lapho esebuya, wadlula emzini womzalwane okhanda izicathulo. Umzalwane wambiza wayesethi: “Ngicela ungene. Kukhona engikwenzele kona namuhla!” Wayesemnika izicathulo ezintsha. Emangazwe ukuthi ugqoke izicathulo ezintsha, uyise wambuza ukuthi uzithathephi. UJessica wathi: “Ngizinikwe uJehova!”

Insimu yezilimi zakwamanye amazwe e-United States iyaqhubeka yanda. Bangaphezu kuka-16 000 abamemezeli abakhonza kule nsimu, basebenzisa izilimi ezingu-31, singabalwa isiNgisi neSpanishi. Phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo ka-2000, kwamiswa amabandla ezilimi ezingu-11 zakwamanye amazwe, okukhona kuwo nelokuqala lesiCambodia nelesiHmong e-United States.

◼ I-Asia

Leli zwekazi likhulu kunawo wonke emhlabeni futhi isimo salo sezulu sishintshashintsha kakhulu, kanti nezitshalo zihlukahlukene zisuka kwezitholakala ezindaweni ezibandayo ziye kwezitholakala kwezishisayo. E-Asia kunezinkangala zaseTibetan, lapho kunezintaba eziphakeme kunazo zonke emhlabeni. Baningi abangakazizwa izindaba ezinhle e-Asia, nokho mkhulu umsebenzi owenziwayo ukuze kufinyelelwe abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka. Lapha kunokuhlangenwe nakho okuvela eziqhingini zaseJapane naseTaiwan, ngoba zihlobene kakhulu ne-Asia.

EBangladesh bangu-140 ababa seMhlanganweni Wesigodi ‘Wezwi LikaNkulunkulu Lesiprofetho’ enhloko-dolobha, eDacca. Abafowethu basebenza kanzima behlanza inkundla base behlobisa isiteji ngezimbali. Esinye isisebenzi kule nkundla sathi: “Eminyakeni engu-14 ngisebenza lapha, ngiyabaqabuka abantu abahleleke nabacoceke njengani. Nenze le ndawo yaba ehlanzekile nengcwele.”

Ngenxa yelungiselelo lothando lwabazalwane bakwamanye amazwe lokusiza ekwakheni amaHholo OMbuso, sekuhlelwe ukuba e-India kwakhiwe noma kulungiswe amaHholo OMbuso angu-250. Lolu hlelo lushukumise abazalwane balapha ukuba basize nganoma iyiphi indlela. Umzalwane osekhulile wanikela ngendawo engaba amamitha-skwele angu-420 ukuze kwakhiwe iHholo LoMbuso. Nokho, abazalwane abahlola lesi siza bathola ukuthi sasingafaneleki ngoba singakhukhuleka uma kuneziphepho ezihambisana nemvula. Lapho etshelwa lokhu lo mzalwane osekhulile, wakhombisa abazalwane yonke indawo yakhe futhi wabacela ukuba bakhethe noma isiphi isiza esingafanelekela iHholo LoMbuso. Wathi: “Ngaphambi kokuba ngife, ngifisa ukubona iHholo LoMbuso elihle kule ndawo, futhi ngizimisele ukunikela ngakho konke enginakho.”

UKim Hyo-sook, ohlala eSeoul, eKorea, wayeyiphayona elingajabule futhi elingaphumeleli, ngakho umbonisi wesifunda wasikisela ukuba athole insimu yakhe. Wathi: “Ngakwamukela loku kusikisela futhi ngokushesha ngabajwayela abaninikhaya futhi ngaba abangane babo. Ngashintsha izikhathi engibahambela ngazo zavumelana nabo. Ngenxa yalokho, izimpindelo zami zanda zisuka kwezingu-35 zaya kwezingaphezu kuka-80 ngenyanga, futhi nginezifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya ezingu-7. Ngijabula ngempela manje.”

USam, ohlala kwa-Israel, uyena kuphela umfundi onguFakazi esikoleni sakhe. Kwakunguyena kuphela futhi umfundi ekilasini lakhe owanqaba ukuthatha amaphepha okuhlolwa antshontshiwe. Ngemva kokuhlolwa, uthishanhloko wezwa ukuthi bonke ekilasini babekopelile, ngaphandle kukaSam. USam wanikezwa amamaki aphezulu kunawabo bonke. Umphumela walesi sigigaba waba ukunikezwa kobufakazi obuhle ekilasini elixube abafundi abangamaKatolika nabangamaSulumane kanye nothisha babo.

Udade waseJapane oneminyaka engu-83 wahlela ukuhamba ngesitimela ayovakashela indodana yakhe. Ngesikhathi eqoqa omagazini bamuva ayezoyiphathela bona, wakhumbula ukuthi wayenomagazini abaningi ayengabahambisanga, ngakho wabapakisha. Wayephawulile ukuthi abagibeli baba nesithukuthezi ohambweni olude, futhi wacabanga ukuthi angabahambisa omagazini esitimeleni. Endleleni, umlisa owayehlezi eduze kwakhe wambuza ukuthi yini le ayeyifunda ngokuzimisela okungaka. Wabathatha ngenjabulo omagazini futhi waqala ukubafunda ngesasasa. Bebona lokhu, abagibeli abaningana bazicelela omagazini. Lapho efika lapho ayeya khona futhi ethola ukuthi indodana yakhe yayingakafiki ukuzomhlangabeza, wachitha leso sikhathi efakaza kubantu ababelinde izitimela. Yathi ifika indodana yakhe, wayesehambise omagazini abangu-40 futhi bengasekho abayo!

Nakuba ubuBuddha bebulokhu buyinkolo eyisiko eMongolia, abantu abaningi lapha abakholelwa kuNkulunkulu. Leli zwe lenzelwa ipheshana elinamakhasi amane elinesihloko esithi How Precious Is Life to You? (Kuyigugu Kangakanani Ukuphila Kuwe?) Leli pheshana likhuluma ngezingozi zokubhema, isihloko osithanda kakhulu umphakathi. Kwahlelwa ukuba kube nomkhankaso okhethekile ngo-November nango-December 1999, futhi bonke abamemezeli abangu-22 bahlanganyela kuwo. Cishe akekho owalenqaba ipheshana. Enhloko-dolobha, i-Ulan Bator, kwahanjiswa amapheshana angaba ngu-10 000 ngezinsuku eziyishumi zokuqala. Izikhulu eziningi zikahulumeni zawuncoma lo mkhankaso. Wamenyezelwa ku-TV nasemsakazweni izikhathi eziningana, waphuma nasemaphephandabeni amathathu. Kwaqalwa izifundo zeBhayibheli eziningi.

Iqiniso lifinyelela nasezindaweni ezikude. EKazakhstan kunekoloni okuboshwe kulo iziboshwa ezingaphezu kwenkulungwane. Ngo-1997, oFakazi BakaJehova ababili baya kumphathi waleli koloni, beyocela imvume yokuxoxa ngamaqiniso eBhayibheli neziboshwa ezazibhalele ihhovisi lendawo loFakazi. Ngemva kwesikhashana nje, oFakazi BakaJehova baqala ukufundela iziboshwa ezingu-20. Ngo-1998, ezine zazo zaba abamemezeli abangabhapathiziwe futhi zanikezwa imvume yokuqhuba imihlangano yebandla. Lapho sebebone izinzuzo zezimfundiso zoFakazi BakaJehova eziboshweni, abaphathi banikeza abamemezeli imvume yokuba basakaze izinkulumo zeningi emsakazweni wasejele. Manje zonke iziboshwa zithola ithuba lokulalela izinkulumo.

Abaphathi baleli koloni sebegculisekile ukuthi inkolo yoFakazi BakaJehova ayisona nje isigubuzelo umuntu asifaka uma izimo zimvumela. Isigigaba esithile sabasiza bakubona lokhu. Iziboshwa azivunyelwe ukuba nemali ngoba zingathenga noma yini, kuhlanganise nezidakamizwa. Noma kunjalo, esinye isiboshwa sasihlale sithola imali emaphaseleni esasiwathunyelelwa. Njengoba sasithuthuka ngokomoya, unembeza waso oqeqeshwe ngeBhayibheli waqala ukusihlupha. Ngelinye ilanga sanikeza umdala owayevakashele leli koloni imali. Sathi ayibe umnikelo womsebenzi woMbuso, kodwa umdala wayenqaba ngoba wayazi ukuthi imithetho yejele yayikwenqabela ukuphuma nemali. Lo mdala wavele wathi kule nsizwa: “Yenza lokho okutshelwa unembeza wakho ngale mali.” Isiboshwa saya kumphathi ongunogada, sabeka imali etafuleni lakhe, sathi: “Unembeza wami oqeqeshwe ngeBhayibheli awungivumeli ukuba ngihlale nale mali. Yenza okuthandayo ngayo.” Unogada wamangala kabi, kangangokuthi wathi: “Kuyo yonke le minyaka engu-20 ngisebenza kuleli koloni, angikaze ngibone muntu edela imali yakhe ngokuzithandela!”

Udade wayefundisa esikoleni eMalaysia. Ngelinye ilanga waxoxa nozakwabo ngoJehova nezithembiso zakhe. Uzakwabo wathi wayedumele kakhulu ngoba onkulunkulu abakhulekelayo babengamsizanga ukuba axazulule izinkinga zakhe. Wayethandaza kuBuddha, konkulunkulu abahlukahlukene bamaShayina, ngisho nakuJesu Kristu. Kwaba nhlanga zimuka nomoya.

Le nkosikazi yayihlukunyezwa amademoni ubusuku nemini. Yayingabuthí quthu ubuthongo ebusuku. Emini, yayihlushwa imimoya emsebenzini, ingakwazi ukusebenza kahle. Ukuphila kwayo kwakudabukisa kangangokuba yaya kwababhulayo, kodwa izinto zaba zimbi nakakhulu.

Udade watshela uzakwabo ukuthi ngokwezAga 18:10, “igama likaJehova lingumbhoshongo onamandla.” Uyabavikela ababiza igama lakhe ngokholo. Lo dade wamkhuthaza ukuba athandaze kuJehova uNkulunkulu lapho amademoni ephinda emhlasela.

Ngakusasa, le nkosikazi yatshela udade ukuthi ithandazile kuJehova yacela usizo, amademoni ayiyeka. Kwaqalwa isifundo seBhayibheli futhi yathuthuka masinyane. Yalahla zonke izinto zokukhulekela kwamanga, amademoni abe eseyeka ukuyihlupha. Ibhapathizwe emhlanganweni wesifunda wamuva nje.

Sekuyiminyaka ecela ku-50 izinsizwa ezingoFakazi eTaiwan ziboshwa isikhathi eside ngenxa yokuzimisela kwazo ukulondoloza ukungathathi hlangothi kobuKristu. Eminyakeni yamuva kwenzeke izinguquko eziphawulekayo. Njengoba kwakubuthwa amadoda amaningi kunalawo amasosha akwazi ukuwaqeqesha kahle, kwanqunywa ukuba ishintshwe imithetho ephathelene nezinkonzo zezwe ukuze abanye ababuthiwe bakwazi ukwenza izinkonzo okungezona ezempi. Iziphathimandla zasebenzisa lokho okwakwenziwe kwamanye amazwe ukuze kucatshangelwe labo abanembeza wabo wawubenqabela ukuba benze inkonzo yezempi. Abenqaba ngenxa kanembeza futhi bakhethe ukwenza umsebenzi kahulumeni ongewona owezempi esikhundleni sokuya ejele, kumelwe bagcwalise ifomu lesicelo. Ngaphansi kwalolu hlelo olusha, labo abachitha izinyanga ezingu-33 benza lolu hlobo lomsebenzi ngeke basebenze ngezimpelasonto, futhi ngeke basebenze njalo ebusuku, okuzobenza bakwazi ukwenza imisebenzi engokomoya.

◼ IYurophu

Nakuba sekuyisikhathi eside iYurophu ibhekwa njengezwekazi, empeleni iyinhlonhlo elikhulukazi lase-Eurasia elitshekele ngasentshonalanga. Umphostoli uPawulu wayisa izindaba ezinhle eningizimu Yurophu eminyakeni ecishe ibe ngu-2 000 edlule. Njengoba uzobona, isigijimi seqiniso esinamandla siyaqhubeka sichuma kule ngxenye yomhlaba.

Ngolunye usuku udade wayezihlalele epaki eZagreb, eCroatia. Wabona insizwa icashe ezihlahleni. Yayiphaphathekile futhi iqhaqhazela, ngakho wacabanga ukuthi iyagula. Waya kuyo wathi: “Mnumzane, ngingathanda ukukuyisa kudokotela uma ugula.” Yathi ayinalutho, yize yayisavevezela. Wabe esethi: “Ulambile? Uyafuna ngikuthengele ukudla?” Yathi: “Cha. Ngicela ungasondeli eduze kwami. Ngifunwa amaphoyisa, futhi angase asole ukuthi simdibi munye.” Udade wabuza: “Wenzeni wena?” Yayisivuma ukuthi intshontshe esitolo, yabe isithi: “Yonke imali ilapha ephaketheni. Ngesaba amaphoyisa nokuboshwa.” Lo dade wayizwela futhi wafuna ukuyisiza. Wayicela ukuba ihlale eceleni kwakhe ukuze baxoxe ngale ndaba. Wayitshela ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wayezoyinikeza ukuhlakanipha ukuze ikwazi okumelwe ikusho lapho iphindela esitolo eyayintshontshe kuso. Yalalela ngokucophelela kodwa yayisavevezela ngenxa yokwesaba. Wayeluleka: “Ubofuna umphathi-sitolo, uvume ukuthi untshontshe imali futhi manje usufuna ukuyibuyisa.” Lapho besaxoxa, kwadlula umakhelwane walo dade wambiza ngegama. Le ndoda yalazi kanjalo-ke igama likadade.

Ngokushesha nje ngemva kwalokho, udade wamangala lapho ebona incwadi ebhalelwe yena ephephandabeni lendawo. Le ncwadi yayithi: “Nkk. Barica, ngiyabonga kakhulu ngeseluleko sakho somusa. Ngibonga ngiyanconcoza—wangisiza, ngabe ngisejele. Angikwazi ukuza kuwe ngikubonge, ngoba angazi ukuthi uhlalaphi. Kodwa ngikubhalele ukuze abaningi abayozithola besesimweni esifana nesami bafunde lokhu futhi baphendukele kuNkulunkulu weqiniso osizanayo, uJehova! Ngayiphindisela imali. Umphathi-sitolo wathi imali eyayintshontshiwe kwakungama-kuna angu-1 500. Kodwa mina ngakhipha ama-kuna angu-1 700 ephaketheni. Wathi ngingawathatha ama-kuna angu-200 ngoba imali eyayilahlekile kwakungama-kuna angu-1 500. Ngaphendula: ‘Cha, Mnumzane, bengingenalo ngisho ne-kuna elilodwa leli ephaketheni lami, ngisho nelokuthenga isinkwa sodwa lesi.’ Umphathi-sitolo wabe esenginikeza izimpahla ezithile. Wathi: ‘La ma-kuna angu-200 awakho.’ Ngaphezu kwalokho wanginikeza ama-kuna angu-500, izinkwa ezimbili eziphelele, amakhathoni amabili obisi, izitshana ezincane ezinhlanu ze-yogurt, iphawondi lenyama ebizwa ngokuthi i-salami nokudla kwabantwana. Wathi: ‘Lokhu ngikwenziswa ukuthi uyindoda ethembekile futhi ulivumile iphutha lakho.’ Ngibonga uNkulunkulu, nawe ngokuthi angigcinanga ejele. Ngiyaphinda ngithi ukwanda kwaliwa umthakathi!”

ECopenhagen, eDenmark, kunelinye lamatheku amakhulu eYurophu. Ngaphandle kwezikebhe, ingaphezu kuka-2 000 imikhumbi efikela lapha njalo ngonyaka. Lapho abazalwane bengena komunye umkhumbi futhi bebuza amatilosi ukuthi ayabazi yini oFakazi BakaJehova, avuma. Ayesebatshela nokuthi ukhona uFakazi KaJehova owayekulowo mkhumbi. Abazalwane bafuna ukumbona. Lapho bebonana, bathola ukuthi wayengakabhapathizwa. Wayevela esiqhingini esincane esikuyiPacific Ocean esinabantu abangu-2 000 kuphela. Babengekho oFakazi kuleso siqhingi, kodwa iqiniso walifunda ezincwadini ayezithole emathekwini ahlukahlukene emhlabeni. Wayezifundile izincwadi futhi wazinikeza umkakhe ekhaya. Bobabili bavumelana ngokuthi babelitholile iqiniso. Wayefakaza ngokuzimisela kwamanye amatilosi ngezinto ayezifundile. Wathola isikhokhelo somagazini bethu, futhi abazalwane bamethembisa ukuthi bazoqikelela ukuthi ibandla eliseduze liyatshelwa ngaye nangomkakhe.

Abamemezeli baseBremerhaven, eJalimane, bavame ukuya ethekwini bayohambisa izincwadi kwabasebenza emikhunjini nakubashayeli abasuke belayisha noma behlisa izimpahla emalolini abo. Omunye umzalwane uthi wake wahlangana nabashayeli bamaloli ababevela emazweni angu-48. Uyachaza: “Ukuze sanelise izidingo zabo bonke laba bantu, sihlale sinezincwadi zezilimi ezingu-39 emotweni yethu.” Abashayeli bamaloli abaningi baseRussia bake beza emihlanganweni ngesikhathi besethekwini. Ngelinye iSonto ntambama, uFred noChristian babona omunye wemikhumbi ethwala abantu emikhulu kunayo yonke emhlabeni usesikhumulweni. Abantu ababesemkhunjini abangu-950 babengabezizwe ezingu-50! Sebengenile kuwo, itilosi elalivela kwesinye seziqhingi zasePacific laya kubazalwane, labuza: “Ninayo le ncwadi ephuzi enezithombe ezigqamile?” Lalibuza incwadi ethi INcwadi Yami Yezindaba ZeBhayibheli. Babengenayo abazalwane, futhi leli tilosi labonakala ukuthi lidumele. Bathi bangaqeda ukuhambisa zonke izincwadi zabo, uFred waya eBethel eSelters—uhambo lwamahora ayishumi ukuya nokubuya—eyolanda izincwadi ezengeziwe. Ngakusasa, bahambisa omagazini abangu-900, izincwajana ezingu-300 nezincwadi ezingu-850 kulezi zisebenzi! UFred walithola naleliya tilosi elinomusa futhi walinika incwadi ephuzi elaliyifunile. “Lapho lizwa ukuthi sasihambe ngemoto amakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-1 000 siyolanda le ncwadi,” kuchaza uFred, “amehlo alo agcwala izinyembezi.”

Ekuqaleni kuka-1998 isiteshi somsakazo esincane esingaxhasiwe uhulumeni eLuxembourg sasinohlelo lwezingcingo, sibuza izilaleli ngemigomo yazo ekuphileni nalokho ezikulindele. Kwakutonyulwa noma yiziphi izinombolo zocingo. Umsakazi wenza iphutha lapho eshaya inombolo yesifundazwe salapha, wazithola esexoxa nowesifazane owayeqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-400, eseduze kwaseNuremberg, eJalimane. Lwamhlaba umxhwele ulwazi ayenalo nesimo sakhe esiqondile sengqondo ngokuphila, futhi wambuza ukuthi kwakwenzeke kanjani ukuba abe nombono omuhle kangaka. Wazisho ukuthi unguFakazi KaJehova, eqaphela ukuthi leli kwakuyithuba ayengalilindele lokutshala imbewu yoMbuso. Le ngxoxo yavusa ilukuluku lomsakazi, futhi udade wathi uzobuye amshayele ucingo. Wamshayela ucingo ephindelela ezinyangeni ezimbili ezalandela. Wachaza okwengeziwe ngoNkulunkulu, ngokuphila nangoFakazi BakaJehova, futhi wakwazi ukuphendula imibuzo eminingi. Sesiphembekile isithakazelo sakhe, lo msakazi wafuna ukufunda okwengeziwe. Washayela ibandla laseLuxembourg ucingo wacela isifundo seBhayibheli sasekhaya futhi wabuza nangemihlangano. EHholo LoMbuso, wahlatshwa umxhwele imfudumalo nobungane amukelwa ngabo. Kwaba isiqalo esihle sesifundo sakhe seBhayibheli sasekhaya.

Ngemva kwezinyanga ezingu-13 eshayele ucingo lo dade waseJalimane, umsakazi wabhapathizwa. Ngo-October 1999 waba iphayona elivamile. Kwaba kuhle ukuthi lo dade waseJalimane wazisho ukuthi unguFakazi, wabe esebamba ithuba lokutshala imbewu yoMbuso.

EPortugal, isithakazelo sika-Antonio esigijimini seBhayibheli saphenjwa ukuxoxa kwakhe njalo nomfowabo ongomunye woFakazi BakaJehova lapho emvakashele. Esefike kwakhe, u-Antonio wayeye alangazelele ukufunda okwengeziwe ngeBhayibheli. Wathandazela usizo ngobuqotho. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, kwafika oFakazi ababili kwakhe futhi baqala ukumfundela iBhayibheli. Njengoba ayekhula ngolwazi, u-Antonio waqala ukushintsha ukuphila kwakhe ukuze kuvumelane nentando kaNkulunkulu. Okokuqala, unembeza wakhe wamshukumisela ukuba ayeke ukuzingela, umdlalo ayezifela ngawo. Kamuva, lapho eseyiqonda indaba yokungathathi hlangothi kobuKristu, wanquma ukwesula esikhundleni sakhe esasihlonishwa kakhulu sokuba umphathi-dolobha, isikhundla ayeseneminyaka engu-15 ekuso. Yize acindezelwa ukuba acabange kabusha, iseluleko esikuJakobe 4:4 samnika amandla okuba enqabe. Intuthuko yashesha lapho yena nomkakhe beqinisa ubuhlobo babo noJehova futhi beqala ukuya ezifundweni. Ngesikhashana nje, base beya ensimini futhi basanda kubhapathizwa.

ESpain sithola okuhlangenwe nakho komzalwane okwathi eminyakeni eminingi edlule, wahlushwa uzakwabo ngenxa yokholo lwakhe. Kwase kuyizinyanga eziningi lo zakwabo eyihleka usulu futhi eyigxeka inkolo yalo mzalwane. Umzalwane waze wacikeka, ngakho wathandaza kuJehova ukuba amsize akhuthazelele lesi simo esinzima ngendlela efuze ekaKristu, angaphindiseli okubi ngokubi. Umzalwane wamangala lapho isimo sengqondo sikazakwabo sishintsha. Waze waxolisa nokuxolisa, futhi waqinisekisa umzalwane ukuthi ngeke aphinde akhulume kabi ngoNkulunkulu phambi kwakhe. Ngemva kwesikhashana le ndoda yayishiya le nkampane.

Kwadlula iminyaka engu-24 ngaphambi kokuba umzalwane aphinde abonane nalo zakwabo. Manje base bebonana eHholo LoMbuso lapho lo mzalwane ayeyonikeza khona inkulumo. Uzakwabo lo wamtshela ukuthi wayetadishe iBhayibheli futhi waba uFakazi obhapathiziwe. Futhi wathi nakuba kwase kudlule iminyaka eminingi, wayengazange amkhohlwe “lowaya Fakazi owakhuthazela ngesineke esingaka lapho yena noNkulunkulu wakhe behlekwa usulu.”

◼ Iziqhingi Zomhlaba

Iziqhingi zomhlaba zihlukahlukene kakhulu ngobukhulu futhi azifani namazwekazi, wona amakhulu kakhulu kunazo. Yize sifake nezwekazi eliyisiqhingi i-Australia, isiqhingi esikhulu kunazo zonke yiGreenland, engamakhilomitha-skwele angu-2 200 000. Ezinye iziqhingi zincane kakhulu. Phakathi kwezinkulu kunazo zonke nezincane kunazo zonke kunezinkulungwane zeziqhingi. Cabangela okuhlangenwe nakho okumbalwa okuvela kwezinye zazo.

Emsebenzini wendlu ngendlu e-Australia udade watholana nowesifazane ongabonisanga sithakazelo esitheni eZwini likaNkulunkulu. Yize lona wesifazane alithatha ipheshana, udade wacabanga ukuthi akukungakanani angakufeza ngokuphindela. Noma kunjalo, lo dade waphikelela ezama ukuthola lona wesifazane ekhaya, yize engamtholanga ekuqaleni. Lapho udade emthola futhi, lona wesifazane wathi ngemva kokuhambela kukadade kokuqala, wathenga iBhayibheli elibizayo. Udade waqala ukumfundela iBhayibheli. Manje lona wesifazane wenza izinguquko ezinkulu ukuze avumelanise ukuphila kwakhe nezimiso zobuKristu uya kuyo yonke imihlangano.

Lapho umzalwane eshumayela endlini ngendlu eDominican Republic, wathola inkosikazi eneminyaka ebalelwa kwengu-60. Sebeqedile ukuxoxa, umzalwane welula isandla ethi uyavalelisa. Uma umninikhaya engaseluli esakhe, umzalwane waqaphela ukuthi uyimpumputhe. Umzalwane wathembisa ukuthi uzobuya.

Lapho ephindela, le nkosikazi yathi yayixoxele indodakazi yayo indlela eyayimangale ngayo ngokuthi kukhona owayeyibonise isithakazelo ngisho iyimpumputhe. Yayisichaza ukuthi yayitshelwe ukuthi lalingekho ithemba lokuthi iyophinde ibone. Umzalwane wayixoxela ngoNkulunkulu wethemba futhi wayifundela ezinye zezindaba zeBhayibheli ezibonisa indlela uJesu avula ngayo amehlo ezimpumputhe. (Mathewu 9:27-30) Lokhu kwayithinta kakhulu le nkosikazi.

Umzalwane wabe eseyobuza kuyi-Foundation for the Blind ukuthi kukhona yini engenzelwa kona le nkosikazi. Kwahlelwa ukuba ibonwe, futhi lapho le nkosikazi ifika khona, yatshelwa ukuthi uma ingase ihlinzwe cishe ingabuye ibone. Yahlinzwa kahle. Phakathi naso sonke lesi sikhathi, yayiqhubeka ithola ulwazi lweBhayibheli. Ngemva kokuhlinzwa, yaqala ukufunda incwadi ethi INcwadi Yami Yezindaba ZeBhayibheli futhi yayiqeda ngamasonto ambalwa. Yabe isifunda incwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo Kithi? nencwadi ethi Ulwazi Oluholela Ekuphileni Okumi Phakade. Ngesikhathi iseyimpumputhe yayike iphuthe emihlanganweni, kodwa kusukela isibona, ayisaphuthi nakanye. Yaqala ukuxoxela abanye lokho eyayikufunda nangosizo eyayilutholile ukuze iphinde ibone. Yabhapathizwa emhlanganweni wesigodi ngo-1999.

Ngesikhathi efakaza esiqhingini saseRéunion, udade wahambisela owesifazane omagazini bethu. Lona wesifazane wathi: “Akusizi, angikwazi ukufunda.” Udade wacela ukuba amfundise ukufunda, futhi lona wesifazane wavuma ngenjabulo. Udade wabuya nencwajana ethi Apply Yourself to Reading and Writing nethi Jabulela Ukuphila Emhlabeni Phakade! Izifundo zokufunda ukufunda zazithatha isigamu sehora, nesifundo seBhayibheli sithathe isigamu sehora. Wathuthuka ngokushesha ekufundeni ukuzifundela nasekuqondeni iqiniso.

Nakuba izingane zakhe zazama ukumyekisa ukufunda, wazitshela ukuthi uzoqhubeka efunda. Kungakabiphi wayesefunda incwadi Ulwazi futhi waqala ukuya njalo ezifundweni. Usanda kubhapathizwa. Ngaphezu kwalokho, manje useyakwazi ukufunda iBhayibheli nezinye izincwadi.

Udade waqala isifundo seBhayibheli nentokazi enguHina eNorth Island eNew Zealand. Esayifunde kabili incwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo?, uHina watshela udade ukuthi ufuna ukuba omunye woFakazi BakaJehova nokuthi wayezoshiya isoka lakhe, elalingubhongoza eqenjini lezigilamkhuba. Ngesibindi, waya kulo futhi walitshela ngayekuhlosile. Wamangala lapho lithi: “Shona khona.”

Isoka labuye lacabanga ngokunye futhi laceba ukuziphindiselela, lingaziphindiseleli nje kuHina kuphela kodwa nakoFakazi BakaJehova. Lanquma ukudubula iHholo LoMbuso. Nokho, owayekade ekanye nalo ngaphambili kuleli qembu wasikisela ukuba isoka leli liye esifundweni liyobona oFakazi andukuba lenze isenzo esikhulu kangaka. Lavuma isoka, futhi ngalobo busuku lalikhona eSikoleni SeNkonzo Esingokwasezulwini. Lahlabeka umxhwele kangangokuba labiza imbizo yeqembu futhi lalitshela ukuthi manje lase lifuna ukuba omunye woFakazi BakaJehova! Kamuva embuthanweni waleli qembu owawusemathuneni, langcwaba isidwedwe salo (uphawu lokuthi liyilungu leqembu lezigilamkhuba), libonisa ukuthi lase liyishiya indlela yalo yokuphila yangaphambili, eyayihlanganisa ukusebenzisa izidakamizwa nebhizinisi lotswala elingekho emthethweni. Lona noHina baba khona njalo ezifundweni. Manje sebeshade ngokomthetho, futhi uHina ubhapathiziwe muva nje. Umyeni wakhe naye uzimisele ukufanelekela ubhapathizo.

Igatsha laseTrinidad laqala umkhankaso okhethekile nge-Phaphama! ka-February 8 no-22, 2000. Owokuqala wawunesihloko esiwuchungechunge ngemikhaya engenababa, owesibili wawukhuluma ngokuzibulala. Izigaba zabantu owawuzoyiswa kuzo zazihlanganisa izinhlangano zezenhlalakahle, izinhlangano zamaphoyisa akhonza umphakathi, izikole, ongqongqoshe bakahulumeni, amalungu ephalamende, izinhlangano ezizimele nezinye.

Umbiko ongaphelele ubonisa ukuthi kwahanjiswa omagazini abangu-14 941, izincwadi ezingu-1 374 nezincwajana ezingu-90. Umphumela walo mkhankaso waba izimpindelo ezingu-860 nezifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya ezingu-29, eziningi ziqalwe nabantu ababengeke batholakale ngezindlela ezivamile zokufakaza. Ongqongqoshe bakahulumeni neminyango eminingi bathumela izincwadi zokubonga lo msebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova. Enye yezincwadi ezafika yayivela kuyi-Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs. Yayithi: “Siyabonga ngezipho . . . zomagazini i-Phaphama! . . . Bayafundisa kakhulu. Khona-ke singabonga uma ningasithumelela amanye amakhophi ayisithupha ukuze siwahambise kweminye iminyango. Futhi uma ninokwaziswa okungasisiza sithuthukise izinqubo zethu emkhakheni wokuphila komkhaya, siyojabula uma ningasithumelela kona.” Le ncwadi yasayinwa ummeli-jikelele uqobo lwakhe.