UMbiko Womhlaba Wonke

◼ E-OCEANIA

Inani lamazwe: 30

Inani labantu: 33 773 304

Inani labamemezeli: 92 691

Inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli: 44 999

Esiteshini sesitimela esile kude emaphandleni aseNew South Wales, e-Australia, abamemezeli ababili babebeka itafula lezincwadi njalo lapho kuzofika izitimela ezimbili ezinqamula izifundazwe. Ngenxa yokuthi lezi zitimela i-Indian Pacific ne-Ghan—zima lapho kuze kuphele amahora amabili, laba bamemezeli baye baxoxa kamnandi nabagibeli abaningi futhi bahambisa inqwaba yezincwadi. Eqinisweni, abanye abagibeli baye benza ngisho “nezimpindelo” kulaba bamemezeli lapho sebebuya.

Umsizi womshayeli we-Ghan uvame ukumemezela asho ukuthi iziphi izinto abagibeli abangazijabulela lapho isitimela sisamile eziteshini ezihlukahlukene. Njengoba acela imvume kulaba bamemezeli boMbuso, manje usebala netafula labo lezincwadi. Yebo, ngenxa yokuthi laba bamemezeli boMbuso abasendaweni eqhelile bafuna izindlela eziphumelelayo zokufakaza, abagibeli abavela kulo lonke elase-Australia naphesheya bathola ubufakazi obuhle.

Umbhangqwana oyizithunywa zevangeli eKosrae, eMicronesia, wahambisela umfundisi wamaBaptist oneminyaka ebalelwa kwengu-80 incwadi ethi Ulwazi. Le ncwadi kwakungeyesiKosrae, esikhulunywa abantu abangaphansi kuka-10 000. Lo mfundisi wayithanda le ncwadi. Lapho lo mbhangqwana uphindela kuye, wawutshela ukuthi ukhuthaze abantu besonto lakhe ukuba bazithathe izincwadi zethu. Njengoba kungenza noma ubani, lezi zithunywa zevangeli zambuza ukuthi kungani. “Ngoba isonto lethu alinazo izincwadi zolimi lwethu,” ephendula. Lo mbhangqwana manje usuxoxa njalo nalo mfundisi osekhulile.

EMarshall Islands, udade oyisithunywa sevangeli wacelwa ukuba atadishe iZwi likaNkulunkulu nomunye udade osepholile. Lapho lesi sithunywa sevangeli sibona ukuthi akayi ndawo, sambuza: “Uzizwa kanjani lapho abanye bekutshela ukuthi bayakuthanda?” Wavele waxakeka nje, wabe esephendula: “Akekho umuntu owake wangitshela lokho.” Lesi sithunywa sevangeli samengama, samanga, sabe sesithi: “Ngiyakuthanda mina. UJehova yena ukuthanda nakakhulu.” Lo dade osepholile wavele wakhala, kusukela lapho yashintsha indlela ayebheka ngayo uJehova. Waqala wathuthuka ngokomoya, wenza isimiso sokufunda iBhayibheli nsuku zonke, waya kuyo yonke imihlangano, waze wathatha ngisho nobuphayona obusizayo. Kwathi ngo-January 2002 wafaka isicelo sokuba iphayona elivamile. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi useqale izifundo zeBhayibheli eziningi futhi useke wahlala ngisho nasesiqhingini esiqhelile inyanga yonke efakaza lapho indingeko inkulu khona.

Kwathi sizipholele nabangane baso ebhishi, isithunywa sevangeli eNew Caledonia safakaza ngokwethukela entokazini eyayivela eFrance eyayivakashele izihlobo zayo kulezi ziqhingi. Le ntokazi yayiyisosha futhi yayike yasebenza eSarajevo. Isithunywa sevangeli sayibuza ukuthi ingathanda yini ukuhlala nabantu abathandana ngempela. Leli sosha lavuma, kodwa lathi linomuzwa wokuthi uhulumeni onamandla kuphela nonombutho ophumelelayo ongaletha ukuthula kweqiniso.

Isithunywa sevangeli sabe sesichaza ukuthi abangane baso abangoFakazi, yize kungabezizwe ezihlukahlukene, bamunye ngenxa yokholo lwabo kuNkulunkulu nothando ngaye. Ngemva kwengxoxo emnandi, bahlela ukuba baphinde babonane ngakusasa baqhubeke nengxoxo. Leli sosha lafika base beqala isifundo seBhayibheli, elasijabulela. Ngemva kwalokho, laqala ukuya kuyo yonke imihlangano. Kwaya ngokuya lakuhalela kakhulu ukudla okungokomoya, futhi njengoba izinsuku zalo zeholide zase zizophela, base befunda nsuku zonke. Kwathi ngemva kokuya emhlanganweni wesifunda nokuyobona ihhovisi legatsha lalapha, labuyela eFrance, lapho liqhubeka khona lithuthuka ngokomoya.

UJeannie ungumemezeli osemusha ohlala ePapua New Guinea. Lapho eya esikoleni uvame ukuphatha incwadi ethi Intsha Iyabuza—Izimpendulo Ezisebenzayo. Ngelinye ilanga uthisha wakhe wesiNgisi wathi bonke ekilasini abalungiselele inkulumo emfushane ngesihloko abasithandayo. UJeannie wakhetha ukukhuluma ngezidakamizwa notshwala, wasebenzisa ingxenye 8 yencwadi ethi Intsha Iyabuza. Uthisha wakhe wajabula kakhulu ngale nkulumo kangangokuthi wathi uJeannie “angasithatha sonke isikhathi sekilasi” uma ethanda. Wasithatha-ke uJeannie. Uthisha wakhe wabe esembuza ukuthi angathanda yini ukwethula inkulumo yakhe kwabafunda ibanga lesi-8 ngakusasa. UJeannie wavuma. Ngemva kwenkulumo, uthisha wakhe wesiNgisi wathi kuye uma kuba khona usuku lokwethulwa kwezinkulumo esikoleni, uyozama ukumfaka esimisweni. Ngenxa yezinkulumo zakhe ezimbili, uJeannie wathola izicelo zamakhophi angu-64 encwadi ethi Intsha Iyabuza. Ngaphezu kwalokho, amantombazane amabili acela nencwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo?, uJeannie waqala isifundo seBhayibheli nawo womabili.

Ngenxa yodlame lobuhlanga eSolomon Islands, abazalwane abaningi balahlekelwe izindawo nemizi yabo futhi kusinda kwehlela ngokwezimali. Omunye umbhangqwana omuzi wawo wabhidlizwa wanquma ukuya ensimini engabelwe, yize kwakusho ukuthi sekuzophela naleyo madlana encane owawunayo. Wanikela ngesikebhe sawo ukuba kuhanjwe ngaso, lapho usubuya wathi awukaze ushumayele kamnandi kanje. Wathi ubuya wabe uhlela ukuphindela uyolandelela isithakazelo. Kodwa wawuzoyithathaphi imali? Kwathi ngemva kwesonto ubuyile ensimini engasetshenzwa njalo, kwafika umuntu nemali owawuyidinga wathi ufuna ukuthenga indawo owawubaleke kuyo ngesikhathi kuliwa.

Esiqhingini saseSanto eVanuatu, imihlangano yesigodi yayivame ukuba seHholo LoMbuso lendawo. Kodwa ngo-2001 abamemezeli base bebaningi kakhulu bengeke basanela kuleli hholo. Ngakho abazalwane baqasha inkundla encane, eyayisetshenziselwa imidlalo kuphela. Ngenxa yokuthi umphathi wayo wayekhathazekile ecabanga ukuthi bazodala umonakalo kule ndawo, wabiza imali emba eqolo, yize abazalwane babemqinisekisile ngokuthi bazoyihlanza le nkundla ngaphambi nangemva komhlangano futhi bayilungise.

Ngenxa yokuthi lo mphathi unesitolo kuyo le ndawo, wababona oFakazi bethenga izinto zokuhlanza nokulungisa inkundla. Waya wayobona ukuthi kwenzekani. Lapho efika enkundleni, wabona izisebenzi zokuzithandela ezingaphezu kwekhulu zikhuculula, zishanela futhi zipenda, zilungisa nezindlu zangasese. Inkukhu yanqunywa umlomo, wahamba. Kungakabiphi, le nkundla—eyayingasahlalwa mpukane futhi isilungisiwe—yayisiyindab’ egudwini. Lapho abazalwane beyokhokha ngemva komhlangano, lo mphathi wayeseshintshile. Wabephulela ngamaphesenti angu-80 futhi wathi ngokuzayo oFakazi BakaJehova bangayisebenzisa mahhala le nkundla! Abamemezeli abangu-300 bajabula ngokuba khona kwabangu-832 emhlanganweni nokubona kubhapathizwa abangu-13.

◼ E-ASIA NASEMPUMALANGA EPHAKATHI

Inani lamazwe: 47

Inani labantu: 3 869 881 970

Inani labamemezeli: 561 276

Inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli: 390 151

Igatsha laseNdiya liyajabula ukubika ukuthi kwanikezwa ubufakazi obuhle kubantu abaningi kuleli zwe nge-video eyayidlalwa kuthelevishini. Isiteshi se-TV sezwa ukuthi kune-video ethi The Bible—Its Power in Your Life, eyenziwa oFakazi BakaJehova. Sabe sesibhalela indlunkulu yomhlaba wonke eNew York sacela imvume yokudlala le video ohlelweni oluthi Home Shanti (Ukuthula Kwasekhaya). Savunyelwa, futhi igatsha laseNdiya lithi “imizi ekuyo yonke le nsimu yayibona” ekuqaleni kuka-2002.

Kwa-Israel udade owayazi ulimi lwezandla wadlula umbhangqwana oyizithulu uBenny noSharon emgwaqweni. Esikhundleni sokuba agibele ibhasi eya ekhaya, wama wafakaza kulo mbhangqwana, wona wammemela emzini wawo. Ilukuluku lasekuqaleni likaBenny lajika laba isithakazelo esiqotho esigijimini soMbuso, futhi kungakabiphi wayeseya emihlanganweni yebandla. Kodwa ngaphandle nje kokuthi akezwa nhlobo, akaboni kahle. Ngakho kwakunzima ukuba ahambe aye esifundweni futhi aqonde lokho okushiwo umuntu ohumushela olimini lwezandla. Kodwa wazikhandla, futhi ngesikhathi esifanayo, waqhubeka evumelanisa ukuphila nobuntu bakhe nezimiso zeBhayibheli.

Uma ucabanga ngokukhubazeka kukaBenny, iyamangalisa intuthuko yakhe. Uyaphendula esifundweni, abeke izinkulumo ezivuth’ uphondo eSikoleni Senkonzo Esingokwasezulwini—yize kuba khona ozohumusha—futhi muva nje ube ummemezeli ongabhapathiziwe. Umkakhe, uSharon, naye ongezwa kahle nongaboni kahle, waqala kamuva ukufunda kodwa uthuthuka kahle. Njengoba kulindelekile, uBenny noSharon sebehlanganyela ukholo lwabo olusha nabaningi abantu abangezwa ababajwayele.

EJapane, udade okuthiwa uFukue uthi insimu yakhe ekhethekile yakhiwa abantu ahlangana nabo ngezingane zakhe ezintathu. Insimu yakhe ihlanganisa omakhelwane nabazali ahlangana nabo enkulisa, esikoleni nasemihlanganweni yesikole yabazali. Njalo lapho ezethula, usho kalula kodwa ngobuqotho athi usizwa iBhayibheli ekukhuliseni izingane zakhe. Ngokuhlakanipha ube esexoxa ngezinye izinto. Kodwa njengoba esuke esekhululekile umuntu axoxa naye, ukuthola kulula ukuba axoxe ngeBhayibheli. Iphumelele yini indlela kaFukue? Yebo, sikhuluma nje usesize abantu abangu-12 babhapathizwa, abahlanu babo bayaphayona manje. UFukue uyazikhandla ekufakazeni ngokwethukela ngoba naye walithola kanjalo iqiniso.

Edolobheni elincane eKazakhstan, owesifazane othile wagulelwa ingane kwaze kwayenela. Ingane yakhe yesibili nayo yashona isanda kuzalwa. Lona wesifazane wagula emzimbeni nangokomzwelo, wagcina esesesibhedlela. Kwathi langa limbe elele embhedeni ebusuku, wezwa umhlengikazi ehlebeza. Lapho elalelisisa, wezwa ukuthi lo mhlengikazi, ongomunye woFakazi BakaJehova, empeleni wayethandazela yena, emgagula ngegama. Ngakusasa ekuseni lo mhlengikazi waduduza lona wesifazane ngethemba lovuko. Akuphelanga sikhathi lona wesifazane waphuma esibhedlela.

Kwathi langa limbe, sekudlule iminyaka emihlanu, lona wesifazane wezwa izihlobo zakhe zixoxa nothile ngezinto ezazishiwo yilowaya mhlengikazi esibhedlela. Eqiniseka ukuthi kumelwe ukuba lo muntu ungomunye woFakazi BakaJehova, wazethula, kwahlelwa isifundo seBhayibheli. Wazimisela ukuthi ngeke esachitha eminye iminyaka emihlanu, watadisha ngenkuthalo futhi wathuthuka kahle ngokomoya. Akuphelanga sikhathi esitheni, wanikezela ukuphila kwakhe kuJehova ngobhapathizo. Cabanga ukuthi wajabula kanjani lapho eqala ukuya emhlanganweni, ezithela phezu kwalowaya mhlengikazi owayemduduzile eminyakeni emihlanu edlule! Ehlengezela izinyembezi, wathi: “Mhlawumbe ngabe angilamukelanga iqiniso ukuba awungithandazelanga kulesiya sibhedlela. Wangithinta ngokujulile.”

Udade osebenza ebhange nabanye besifazane abangu-20 eTaiwan wanquma ukuzama indlela entsha yokuvusa isithakazelo ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu kozakwabo. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga, ngekhefu, wabhala isimemo “esasibamemela engxoxweni yeBhayibheli yamahhala yemizuzu engu-30 kuya kwengu-45 ngesonto ngesikhathi sekhefu.” Wathi, le ngxoxo “izokusiza ukuba uthole ulwazi lweBhayibheli oluyisisekelo.” Wasisayina lesi simemo wabe esebeka ikhophi etafuleni ngalinye ehhovisi. Ngayo leyo ntambama, bane abasamukela.

EThailand umlisa mumbe okuthiwa u-Arun waba nesithakazelo koFakazi BakaJehova ngenxa yomngane wakhe ayesebenza naye. U-Arun uyachaza: “Ngaphawula ukuthi selokhu umngane wami aqala ukuzihlanganisa noFakazi, usenze izinguquko ezinhle ekuphileni kwakhe futhi nami ngangifuna lokho.” U-Arun wayegembula edla nezidakamizwa. Nakuba ayeke wazama ukuyeka le mikhuba emibi, wehluleka. Wayeshadile futhi ngesinye isikhathi wake wacabanga ukuthi ukuba nengane kuzomphaphamisa. Kodwa kwathi noma sebenentombazanyana, kwazifanela nje. U-Arun uthi: “Umkami waze wakhathala, wangishiya phansi, wathatha indodakazi yethu wayishiya kwagogo wayo.”

Kulesi sikhathi esibuhlungu ekuphileni kuka-Arun, umuntu ayesebenza naye wammemela eHholo LoMbuso. U-Arun waya, yize engezwanga lutho olutheni kulokho okwakushiwo esiteji, wajabulela nje ukuthi abantu babenobungane. Ngemva kwalokho, waqala ukuya njalo esifundweni, wamukela isifundo seBhayibheli futhi waqala ukusebenzisa izinto ayezifunda. Emagange ukubuyelana nomkakhe, waya kuye wamcela, kodwa umkakhe wayengakholwa ukuthi useshintshe ngempela. U-Arun uthi: “Ngamshumayeza naye futhi ngammema ukuba azobona abangane bami abasha kodwa wala, wathi ngikhohlisiwe. Kodwa ngaqhubeka ngimvakashela futhi ngimkhuthaza. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezingaba nhlanu, wathamba futhi wahamba nami saya esifundweni. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, naye wamukela isifundo seBhayibheli.”

Manje u-Arun, umkakhe, nentombazanyana yabo sebendawonye njengomkhaya onobunye nojabulayo. Bobabili abazali babhapathizwa ngo-2001 emhlanganweni wesifunda eBangkok. Ngaphezu kwalokho, umfowabo ka-Arun omncane, naye owayexegelwa isimilo, usezamukele izindaba ezinhle futhi usengummemezeli ongabhapathiziwe.

◼ IYUROPHU

Inani lamazwe: 45

Inani labantu: 727 550 200

Inani labamemezeli: 1 456 309

Inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli: 647 279

Ngenxa yesifo azalwa naso, u-Eva oneminyaka engu-25 ubudala, ohlala eTiranë, e-Albania, mfushane, ungamasentimitha angu-113. Kodwa naphezu kwezinselele uyajabula ngokuba yiphayona elisizayo, yize abanye abantu behlekisa ngaye ngoba emfushane. Esikhundleni sokuba abathukuthelele, u-Eva uyabahlonipha bonke abantu futhi uhlale eneme, okuyinto abayiphawulayo abantu abacabangayo. Omunye walabo bantu kwakuyinkosikazi eyayigulelwa indodakazi yayo eneminyaka engu-26 ubudala inesifo sokucindezeleka. Le nkosikazi yayiyiyise esibhedlela indodakazi yayo nasemasontweni amaningi, inethemba lokuthi izokwelapheka. Kwathi ngolunye usuku yabona ukuthi u-Eva ungumuntu ohlala eneme yabe isinquma ukumvakashela. Lapho u-Eva evula umnyango, le nkosikazi yathi icela afunde iBhayibheli nendodakazi yayo. Njengoba kungenza noma ubani, u-Eva wavuma. Kungakabiphi, le ndodakazi yaqala ukuba ngcono—kangangokuthi nonina wacela ukufunda naye. U-Eva manje useza njalo nale ndodakazi nonina emihlanganweni futhi bobabili bathuthuka kahle ngokomoya.

Osemusha okuthiwa uBenjamin wakhula kubo bengamaKristu eBelgium. Kodwa kwathi lapho eqala ukuba ibhobhodlana, uBenjamin waqala waphila ukuphila okumbaxa-mbili. Wayenza sengathi uphila ngezimiso zeBhayibheli kodwa wazibandakanya neqembu lentsha eyayiyizidakwa, idla izidakamizwa futhi ibhema. UBenjamin wayelalela nomculo ongcolile. Akuphelanga sikhathi, waqala ukuhlushwa amademoni nokuquleka ngenxa yokuphuza kakhulu—kodwa waqhubeka edla izidakamizwa ezinamandla. Wayengasayingeni indaba yokuhlanzeka futhi wagula wabangwa nezibi. Kulesi sikhathi esibuhlungu ekuphileni kwakhe, wabona ukuthi abantu athi ngabangane bakhe babengamkhathaleli nakancane! Waqala lapho-ke uBenjamin ukucabangisisa ngokuphila kwakhe nokuthi wayephikelelephi. Wabonisa ukuhlakanipha, wanquma ukuphindela kulabo abazombonisa uthando lweqiniso, umkhaya wakubo noJehova.

Nokho, zisuka nje ukuzimisela kukaBenjamin kwavivinyeka. Amademoni amhlasela kakhulu futhi intombi yakhe yamncenga ukuba angazihlanganisi noFakazi. Yaze yacela nabapristi abangamaKatolika nezihlubuki ukuba bazame ukumyekisa. Kodwa ngosizo lwabazali bakhe nabadala bebandla ababemthanda futhi benesineke, uBenjamin waqala ukwakha ukholo oluphilayo kuJehova, wabona ukuthi ngempela umthetho kaNkulunkulu “uphelele, ubuyisa umphefumulo.” (IHu. 19:7) Ngenxa yalokho, wagcina eyishiyile indlela ayekade ephila ngayo. UBenjamin usengcono empilweni futhi usethole injabulo yeqiniso.

Kwathi uhambisa umagazini, umbhangqwana webandla elikhuluma isiFulentshi eBrithani wakhuluma nezintokazi ezimbili zaseZimbabwe. Lab’ oFakazi bazichazela ukuthi baqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya zamahhala futhi bazibuza ukuthi ziyasazi yini isiFulentshi. Zathi cha, kodwa ziyafisa ukutadisha iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Zombili zaqala ukuza eSifundweni Sencwadi Sebandla. Lapho sesiphumile isifundo sencwadi sokuqala ezazize kuso, umzalwane othile wazibonisa indaba kaNathan Muchinguri waseZimbabwe, esekhasini 20 le-Ncwadi Yonyaka Ka-2002. Lapho zibona isithombe soMfowethu noDade Muchinguri ekhasini 21, zababaza. Kwakuyisithombe sikagogo nomkhulu wazo! Lezi zintokazi zachaza ukuthi le eZimbabwe, zazihlala kude nomkhaya wakubo futhi zazingasaxhumani nawo. Njengoba kungenza noma ubani, zayicela leyo Ncwadi Yonyaka. Lezi zintokazi ezimbili manje sezifunda njalo, zaqiniswa isibonelo sikagogo nomkhulu wazo abathembekile.

Lapho bekhonza ensimini engayodwa eCzech Republic, odade ababili bahlangana nentokazi enomusa eyabangenisa. Nokho, yayinemibono yayo eyayiqiniseka ngayo ngezindaba ezithile zeBhayibheli, njengokuthi kusho ukuthini ukuba “neziphiwo zomoya.” (1 Kor. 14:12) Ngaphezu kwalokho, yenqaba ukufunda INguqulo Yezwe Elisha YemiBhalo Engcwele, yathi ifuna ukusebenzisa inguqulo esetshenziswa yiwo wonke amasonto. Ngemva kwengxoxo yehora eyabonakala ingabayisi ndawo, lab’ odade kwase kudingeka baphuthume ukuze bangashiywa isitimela. Babejabule ngokuthi base bephumile kulo muzi ababeshukeke kangaka kuwo. Nokho, omunye walabo dade wathola ukuthi ushiye iBhayibheli lakhe nebhuku abhala kulo emzini wale ntokazi, okwakusho ukuthi kumelwe babuyele. Kanti intaka ibekelwe amazolo! Le ntokazi yathi ihlole iBhayibheli lalo dade ngaphandle kwemvume futhi iyayithanda indlela elihunyushwe ngayo, izikhombo zemibhalo ehlobene kanye nekhonkodensi. Yabuza ukuthi ingayithola yini INguqulo Yezwe Elisha. Ngaphezu kwalokho, yavuma ukuqhutshelwa isifundo seBhayibheli. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi, unina naye useyafundelwa.

Udade waseReykjavík, e-Iceland, usebenza e-Marine Research Institute okwenzelwa kuyo izinhlelo zokuqeqesha abadobi. Muva nje, abantu abangu-14 abavela emazweni ahlukahlukene asathuthuka bebezoqeqeshwa izinyanga eziyisithupha. Lo dade wanikeza umuntu ngamunye ozoqeqeshwa incwadi ethi Is There a Creator Who Cares About You? Wayethole ezesiNgisi, isiPutukezi, isiShayina, iSpanishi nezesiVietnam. Bonke laba bantu abangu-14 bayithatha le ncwadi. Ubuso bendoda nowesifazane bambe baseVietnam bachachamba lapho bebona le ncwadi ngolimi lwakubo. Le ndoda yathi: “Ngiyaphupha ngilele yini! Isimanga-ke lesi. Uyithole kanjani?” Omunye wase-Uganda yena wayeseyazi le ncwadi futhi wayincoma kwabanye. Intokazi yaseCuba yona yathi iyayifuna ngoba indodakazi yayo eneminyaka engu-13 ubudala isiqalile ukubuza imibuzo elukhuni ngokuphila.

Ngaphambi kokuba laba bantu baphindele emazweni akubo, lo dade wabatshela ukuthi ubabekele ezinye izincwadi (izincwadi eziyishumi zethi Ulwazi, omagazini abangamashumi amathathu nezincwajana eziyishumi) etafuleni elisekilasini abazozifunda endizeni uma sebegoduka. Njengoba ungalindela, wathi efika nje ngoMsombuluko ekuseni ngemva kokuba sebehambile, waqonda kulelo tafula. Uthi: “Ngangithi ngizothola Ulwazi nomagazini abambalwa abasele kodwa itafula lalomile!”

Insizwa yaseLatvia, esizoyibiza ngokuthi u-Arthur, yayingenandaba noNkulunkulu. Kodwa kwakungavumi ikholelwe ukuthi abantu bavela ezimfeneni. Ngo-1996, u-Arthur waganga wabe eseboshwa. Wabe eseqala ukucabanga kabanzi ngokuphila. Kwakuthi uma abazali bakhe bemvakashele, bamkhuthaze ukuba afunde iBhayibheli, becabanga ukuthi lingase limsize. Kwathi langa limbe ngo-1998 ngesikhathi u-Arthur ebhala incwadi, isiboshwa ayehlala naso samnika incwadi ayezobhalela kuyo. Kwakuyincwadi ethi Ungaphila Phakade EPharadesi Emhlabeni. Efuna ukwazi ukuthi iquketheni, u-Arthur wayivula, wangabe esayibeka phansi, wayifunda wayiqeda ngezinsuku ezintathu. Esinye isiboshwa sasinencwadi ethi Ulwazi. Lapho sibona ukuthi u-Arthur uyalithanda iBhayibheli, samnika yona. Samnika nekheli likaFakazi othile esasimazi.

U-Arthur wambhalela lo Fakazi futhi ngemva kwalokho waqala ukufundelwa iBhayibheli ngeposi. Lapho ededelwa ejele ngo-April 2000, akachithanga sikhathi waqala ukuya emihlanganweni yebandla. Abazali bakhe-ke bona, okuyibona ababemkhuthaze ukuba afunde iBhayibheli? Njengoba kungenza noma ubani, u-Arthur wabatshela ngokholo lwakhe olusha. Waba yini umphumela? Nabo baqala ukutadisha iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Cabanga ukuthi bajabula kanjani lapho bebhapathizwa bobathathu emhlanganweni okhethekile ngo-March 2002!

Ngesikhathi esemusha, udokotela ohlinzayo olungisa amathambo eSpain wafundela ukuba umfundisi esikoleni sabefundisi. Ngenxa yezinto ezazimxaka, ngemva kweminyaka emithathu washiya phansi engasakholelwa kuNkulunkulu. Yize ayengabathandi oFakazi BakaJehova, wayefuna ukwazi ukuthi kwenzeka kanjani ukuba abantu “abangafundile” kanje bayiqonde kahle kangaka imiBhalo, yena ebe engazi lutho kodwa echithe iminyaka esikoleni sabefundisi. Wathanda ukwazi okwengeziwe ngoFakazi ngesikhathi izisebenzi zasesibhedlela zimphatha kabi. Kwamkhumbuza indlela abaye baphathwe ngayo oFakazi. Ngemva kwaleso sigigaba, lo dokotela wasamukela isifundo seBhayibheli sasekhaya samahhala. Izinto ayezifunda zamhlaba umxhwele kangangokuba kungakapheli sikhathi wayesefunda kathathu ngesonto! Waqala nokuya kuyo yonke imihlangano, wabhalisa naseSikoleni Senkonzo Esingokwasezulwini. Muva nje, ubhapathiziwe.

◼ E-AFRIKA

Inani lamazwe: 56

Inani labantu: 739 543 571

Inani labamemezeli: 915 262

Inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli: 1 550 572

Abazalwane banesasasa elikhulu ngokwakhiwa kwamaHholo OMbuso eBenin, okunikeza ubufakazi obuhle. Lapho kunikezelwa elinye iHholo LoMbuso, ilungu eliqavile emphakathini lathi komunye woFakazi BakaJehova: “Isonto lenu yilo elihle kunawo wonke lapha, futhi liyohlala linjalo. Kungani ngisho njalo mina mKatolika wansondo? Abantu balapha abangamaKatolika basanda kunikwa ama-CFA angu-17 000 000 [$23,000, U.S.] okuqedela isonto lethu, elaqala ukwakhiwa ngawo-1950. Kodwa abefundisi bayidla leyo mali. Kwenye indawo kulo leli dolobha amaKatolika ayekade eqongelele ama-CFA angu-3 000 000 [$4,000, U.S.] okwakha isonto, kodwa nayo le mali ‘isinyamalele.’ Yingakho nje ngithi lesi sakhiwo yisona esihle kunazo zonke lapha futhi siyohlala sinjalo.”

Kwamanye amazwe ukuthanda izithixo kwenza kube nzima ukuba abasanda kuhlanganyela bamelele iqiniso leBhayibheli. Cabanga ngomkhaya othile eCôte d’Ivoire owawenza amasiko nsuku zonke phambi kwesithixo sawo. Lapho intombazane yakhona imelela iqiniso leBhayibheli futhi yenqaba ukuhlanganyela ekukhulekeleni kwamanga, abakubo besaba ukuthi izoba namashwa. Noma kunjalo, le ntombazane yama yaqina, okwenza ukuba iphikiswe futhi ixoshwe nasekhaya. Kodwa ayibabambelanga igqubu abakubo, yaqhubeka ibavakashela.

Umphumela waba ukuthi ugogo wayo waqala ukuba nesithakazelo eBhayibhelini, waze wacela lo mzukulu ukuba abuyele ekhaya, wabuya nangempela. Ugogo waqhubeka ethuthuka ngokomoya, wabhapathizwa eseneminyaka engu-62. Unina wale ntombazane kwamhlaba umxhwele lokho okwakufundwa ugogo wayo, naye wabe eseqala ukutadisha iZwi likaNkulunkulu, futhi manje naye usefakaza kwabanye. Yebo, sezintathu izizukulwane ezikhululiwe ekukhulekeleni kwamanga ngenxa nje yokuthi intombazane yaba qotho kuJehova futhi yangayeka ukubonisa abakubo uthando.

EMozambique abazalwane bavame ukuya emajele bayoqhuba amakilasi ezifundo zeBhayibheli neziboshwa. Ngo-2001 iziboshwa zeqa kwelinye lala majele. Kodwa iziboshwa ezase zifundelwa zenqaba ukweqa. Iziphathimandla zakuzwa lokhu futhi zabancoma oFakazi BakaJehova ngomsebenzi wabo. Manje iziphathimandla sezigqugquzela zonke iziboshwa ukuba zifunde nabazalwane. Ngenxa yokuthi seziziphatha kahle, iziboshwa ezimbili sezincishiselwe isigwebo. Esinye sazo silindele ukubhapathizwa emhlanganweni wesigodi olandelayo.

UJudith oneminyaka engu-27 ubudala, ohlala eNamibia, walimala engozini yemoto wakhubazeka kusukela entanyeni kwehle. Wafisa ukuzibulala, ezibuza: ‘Kungani kwenzeke kimi?’ Wavakashelwa abantu basemasontweni ahlukahlukene bezothandazela ukuba aphinde ahambe. Kwathi lapho imithandazo yabo ingaphendulwa, bathi kuye kumelwe ukuba uNkulunkulu umjezisela into ethile. Lokhu kwenza uJudith wafuna nakakhulu ukuzibulala. Kodwa okokuqala wayefuna ukwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu umjeziselani. Ngakho ngelinye ilanga wacela unina ukuba abize umfundisi wesonto langakubo. Kwathi uJudith esalinde umfundisi, kwafika oFakazi BakaJehova. Wavuma ukuba bamqhubele isifundo seBhayibheli sasekhaya ngencwadi Ulwazi, enethemba lokuthi iBhayibheli lingase liyiphendule imibuzo emkhathazayo. Lapho befunda isahluko 8, esithi “Kungani UNkulunkulu Evumela Ukuhlupheka?,” wezwa ukuthi ingozi eyamehlela ayibangelwanga uNkulunkulu. Uyababaza: “Cabanga impumuzo nentokozo engaba nayo lapho ngizwa ukuthi izinto ezimbi aziveli kuJehova!” UJudith waqhubeka efunda, wanikezela ukuphila kwakhe kuJehova, futhi manje ulinde isimiso esisha lapho eyophinde abe umqemane khona.

Ngesikhathi kuqothulwa abantu eRwanda ngo-1994, intokazi okuthiwa uChantal yabalekela eBurundi engumakhelwane. Ilapho, yathola incwadi ethi Ungaphila Phakade EPharadesi Emhlabeni, yayifunda yayiqeda. Lapho iphindela eRwanda ayikwazanga ukuthola oFakazi ngoba umkhaya wakubo wawuhlala endaweni eqhelile. Kodwa unina wahlangana nabamemezeli boMbuso ababili befakaza emakethe. Ukuze babonane noChantal, bazibhala ephepheni izinsuku ababezoza ngazo emakethe, base belinika unina. Ngolunye lwalezi zinsuku, uChantal wahlala esangweni lemakethe ephethe leliya phepha ukuze bonke abadlulayo balibone. Akeve athokoza lapho abazalwane bembona base beyazethula kuye! Bebona isithakazelo sakhe esiqotho, bammemela eSikhumbuzweni, wafika nangempela—yize kwadingeka ahambe ngezinyawo izinsuku ezimbili eya lapho sasizoba khona!

Kusukela lapho uChantal akabange esaphutha ezifundweni, nakuba kwakukude. Ngeshwa, abakubo bamphikisa. Omunye wabafowabo waze wamxosha nasekhaya emjaha ngocelemba! Kodwa uChantal wama waqina. Ngemva konyaka, imihlangano yayisiqhutshelwa eduze nakubo, yize kwakusadingeka ahambe amahora angu-8. Noma kunjalo, uChantal manje wayesenomuntu omqhubela isifundo seBhayibheli, okuyinto ayeyiqabuka. Akuphelanga sikhathi, wanikezela ukuphila kwakhe kuJehova futhi manje useyiphayona elivamile. Umkhaya wakubo wona? Phela, washintsha ngokuphelele. Umfowabo owayemxoshile manje useyiphayona elivamile, omunye usanda kubhapathizwa, kanti unina usengummemezeli ongabhapathiziwe. Ngaphezu kwalokho sekumiswe iqembu elingalodwa endaweni yakubo, ngakho sebehamba imizuzu emihlanu nje kuphela uma beya esifundweni.

UThembisile ungudade oshisekayo ohlala eduze kwelinye lamanxuluma asebukhosini eSwazini. Wayefuna ukuyofakaza kubantu abahlala kuleli nxuluma, kodwa kwakuyinselele ngoba kwakunogqayinyanga abangavumeli noma ubani. Ngemva kokuthandaza ngale ndaba, waqunga isibindi waqonda ngqo kuleli nxuluma. Washumayeza ogqayinyanga, oyedwa wabo wathatha incwajana ethi Ungaba Umngane KaNkulunkulu! Ngemva kokumphonsa imibuzo nokumsesha, bamngenisa—wajabula wafa. Umusa wabantu balapha wammangaza nakakhulu uThembisile. Useyisebenza njalo le nsimu futhi useqale izifundo zeBhayibheli ezintathu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, lab’ ogqayinyanga sebevele bamyeke angene. Empeleni ngelinye ilanga ugqayinyanga wathi kuye: “Khululeka Nkosikazi; ngena. Muhle umsebenzi owenza lapha.”

◼ EMAZWEKAZINI ASEMELIKA

Inani lamazwe: 56

Inani labantu: 807 517 534

Inani labamemezeli: 3 023 062

Inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli: 2 676 288

Edolobheni elincane e-Argentina, amaphayona amabili akhethekile abona umbhangqwana ugquba inqola eyayinenja elimele. Acela ukuwugibelisa emotweni awuyise kudokotela wezilwane. Wabonga wanconcoza, ikakhulu ngoba akekho umakhelwane owayefuna ukuwusiza. La maphayona athola ukuthi le ndoda yayingumKatolika ofundisa ikhathekizimu nokuthi yona nomkayo babeya kuyo yonke imikhosi eyayenzelwa osanta. Kodwa ukushisekela kwabo iSonto LamaKatolika akuzange kubavimbele ukuthatha INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! Ngemva kweminyaka engaba mibili amaphayona elokhu ewuvakashela lo mbhangqwana, awumemela eSikhumbuzweni. Ngalobo busuku laliyidliva, nokho wafika futhi imfudumalo owamukelwa ngayo yawuhlaba umxhwele. Ngaphezu kwalokho wathi wawuqala ukuqonda ukuthi iSidlo SeNkosi Sakusihlwa sisho ukuthini. Manje uqhutshelwa isifundo seBhayibheli njalo futhi uya kuyo yonke imihlangano, awunandaba nokuthi bazothini omakhelwane abangamaKatolika.

Ngesikhathi beshumayela eBarbados, udade oyiphayona nomunye uFakazi babehamba emgwaqweni ngesikhathi bebona owesifazane othile emi emnyango. Baqala ukumshumayeza kodwa bamangala lapho ethi: “Ngenani. Ngisayothatha iBhayibheli lami,” njengokungathi ubebalindele. Odade bangena, bahlala naye phansi base bembonisa ukuthi isifundo siqhutshwa kanjani, besebenzisa isifundo 1 encwajaneni ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo? Ngemva kwalokho, lona wesifazane wabuza iphayona ukuthi yilo yini elalimshayele ucingo lacela ukumqhubela isifundo seBhayibheli sasekhaya samahhala ngalelo langa ekuseni. Iphayona lachaza: “Ngamtshela ukuthi akumina. Kusho ukuthi akabange esafika lo owayeshaye ucingo. Kodwa kuyasijabulisa ukuthi sifike ngaye kanye u-11:30 ekuseni, isikhathi esasizoqhutshwa ngaso lesi sifundo.” Iyathuthuka le ntokazi futhi isiyaya nasezifundweni.

Ukufakaza ezimakethe kungathela izithelo. Isithunywa sevangeli saseBolivia siyalandisa: “Umyeni wami wahambisa ipheshana entokazini edayisa enqoleni emakethe yabalimi. Yayinomusa, ngakho ngaphindela kuyo ngacela ukuyifundela iBhayibheli ngencwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo? ‘Sizofundela lapha yini?’ ibuza. Ngathi: ‘Anginankinga. Sengijwayele.’ Manje uma ngifika inginika isihlalo sayo esincane, sifundele khona lapho eduze kwenqola yayo. Uma kufika abazothenga, iyabadayisela bese siyaqhubeka.”

Owesifazane waseCanada wathola INguqulo Yezwe Elisha YemiBhalo Engcwele kumngane wakhe. Wakujabulela ngempela ukuyifunda wabe esenquma ukuthola okwengeziwe. Wabe eseya engosini ye-Internet esemthethweni yoFakazi BakaJehova (www.watchtower.org) wabhala incwadi ecela isifundo seBhayibheli nencwadi Ulwazi. Lapho odade ababili befika bemnika incwadi, wayibamba wayinkonkoshela wathi uzobe eseyiqedile ngakusasa ekuseni! Ngakusasa kusihlwa waqala ukuya esifundweni futhi wavele wazizwa esekhaya phakathi kwabazalwane nodade. Wathuthuka masinyane ngokomoya futhi sikhuluma nje ungummemezeli ongabhapathiziwe, unesifiso sokubhapathizwa maduze nje.

EColombia owesifazane okuthiwa uSol wayekhubazekile ehlale esembhedeni. Wayengafuni ukubonwa abantu ngaphandle kwabakubo. Ngolunye usuku umakhelwane wabo, ongomunye woFakazi BakaJehova, wanikeza unina kaSol amakhophi e-Nqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! wathi akawanikeze uSol. USol wagcina evumile ukubona lo makhelwane, owabe esecela ukumfundela iBhayibheli. USol wavuma futhi ngemva kwesikhathi esingangonyaka waya eSikhumbuzweni. Wayeqala ngqa ukuphuma endlini ngemva kweminyaka engu-7. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezimbili waya emhlanganweni omkhulu eqala ngqa. Yize engakwazi ngisho nokuhlala aqonde, uSol usephuma insimu. Kanjani? Abazalwane bamgquba ngombhede okhethekile abamakhela wona lapho behamba indlu ngendlu. Ngenxa yesibonelo nesikhuthazo sikaSol, unina usebhapathiziwe manje kanti nezingane zakubo ezimbili zingamaphayona.

Umbhangqwana owawusanda kuba amaphayona akhethekile eCosta Rica wavakashela inkosikazi ethile ensimini yawo. Bafike bayitshela ukuthi umalokazana wayo, onguFakazi ohlala e-United States, wayeshayele ihhovisi legatsha loFakazi BakaJehova ucingo ecela ukuba othile aye kumamezala wakhe. Lo mbhangqwana uyalandisa: “Samangala lapho le nkosikazi eneminyaka engu-65 ubudala ikhala. Yathi ayikholwa ukuthi sesifikile ngoba yayisanda kukhuluma nomalokazana wayo, owayikhuthaza ukuba ikulalele okushiwo oFakazi. Yayingacabangi ukuthi sizoshesha kangaka ukufika.”

La maphayona athi le nkosikazi yayiqala ukuvuma ukuxoxa noFakazi. YayingumKatolika oshisekayo futhi eminyakeni engu-12 edlule yayize yamba yajula ezinkolelweni zamaKatolika ukuze ifundise abanye. La maphayona akujabulela ukuphendula imibuzo yayo eminingi mayelana neBhayibheli noFakazi BakaJehova, ngemva kwalokho yamukela isifundo seBhayibheli. Umyeni wayo kanye nendodakazi yayo nabo sebefuna ukwazi okwengeziwe ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu.

Ilungu lomkhaya waseBethel ePuerto Rico lithi: “Ngahlela ukuhambisa i-Phaphama! ka-July 8, 2002, enesihloko esithi ‘Kungani Siwadinga Amaphoyisa?’ kukaputeni wesiteshi esikhulu samaphoyisa. Wazithanda impela lezi zihloko wayesengikhuthaza ukuba abanye omagazini ngibahambise kumphathi-dolobha nakwezinye iziteshi zamaphoyisa ezikule ndawo. Empeleni, esinye isikhulu samaphoyisa sathi sizongihambisa ngemoto singiyise kwezinye iziteshi zamaphoyisa. Asigcinanga lapho, sanginika nemvume yokuhambisela amaphoyisa esiwaphethe omagazini abalandelayo. Sathi: ‘Amaphoyisa azothola lokho akudingayo—azosizakala engqondweni nangokomoya.’” Ngenyanga eyodwa lesi sikhonzi saseBethel saya eziteshini zamaphoyisa ezingu-8 futhi izikhulu eziningi zazicela omagazini abengeziwe. Sahambisa omagazini abangu-164, safaka nabanye abantu abahlanu emzileni waso kamagazini.

Eziqhingini zaseTrinidad naseTobago, owayeseneminyaka engu-25 eyilungu eliqavile leSonto LamaNazaretha waya enkulumweni yombonisi wesifunda emenywe umuntu asebenza naye. Lapho kuphuma isifundo, umbonisi wesifunda waya kuye waxoxa naye ngomusa. Kwammangaza lokhu ngoba esontweni lakhe abantu babekhethana kuye ngohlanga nangokuma kwakho ngokwezimali. Eqinisweni, ngenxa yokuthi wayehlukile kumyeni wakhe ngokohlanga, abantu asonta nabo babemphatha kabi. Ngakho lokho akubona eHholo LoMbuso nesikhuthazo asithola kumbonisi wesifunda, kwamenza wamukela isifundo seBhayibheli. Zingakapheli izinyanga eziyisithupha waba ummemezeli ongabhapathiziwe, enikela amahora angu-70 kuya kwangu-100 ensimini inyanga ngayinye. Wabhapathizwa eMhlanganweni Wesigodi ‘Wabamemezeli BoMbuso Abashisekayo’ ka-2002 futhi ufisa ukuba iphayona elivamile. Usiza nendodakazi yakhe eneminyaka engu-7 ubudala, esinikeza izinkulumo eSikoleni Senkonzo Esingokwasezulwini.

E-Uruguay umlisa mumbe owayengena umuzi nomuzi edayisa imigexo eneziphambano wafika emzini kaFakazi. Udade wabamba ithuba wamchazela ngeBhayibheli ukuthi kungani engeke azithenge izinto azidayisayo. Lo mlisa akagcinanga nje ngokuhlonipha lokho akusho kodwa wathi uyazithanda izinto ezingokomoya. Eqinisweni, wathi wayeseye emasontweni amaningana ethi uzothola izimpendulo zemibuzo yakhe, kodwa wehluleka. Ekugcineni waphetha ngokuthi amasonto anendaba nemali nje kuphela, awanandaba nokusiza abantu ngokomoya. Engakahambi, lo dade wammemela eHholo LoMbuso.

Wagcina ngalelo langa ukumbona kwaze kwaba ngemva konyaka lapho ephinde efika kwakhe. Lo dade wamangala kakhulu lapho lo mlisa ethi: “Manje angizele ukuzodayisa, kodwa ngizokutshela ukuthi sengisesahlukweni 15 sencwadi Ulwazi.” Wachaza ukuthi bonke abakubo sebeyafundelwa futhi bayaya nasezifundweni. Lapho esehamba wathi: “Sizobonana emhlanganweni wesifunda ngempelasonto ezayo.”

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ENew Zealand

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ETahiti

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EPapua New Guinea

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EThailand

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ENdiya

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EJapane

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EBrithani

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E-Albania

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ESpain

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ENamibia

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EBenin

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ECongo (Kinshasa)

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ECanada

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ETobago

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EBolivia