IDemocratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)

‘Sinjengembewu yommbila wase-Afrika esesakeni. Nomaphi lapho siwela khona ngabanye ngabanye, kugcina kufike imvula bese siba baningi.’ Lawo mazwi ashiwo nguFakazi KaJehova othembekile owayehlushwe kakhulu iziphathimandla endaweni eyayibizwa ngokuthi iBelgian Congo eminyakeni engaphezu kwengu-50 edlule. Emakhasini alandelayo, uzozwa ukuthi isibusiso sikaJehova, njengemvula ehlumisa izitshalo, siye salandisa kanjani ngendlela emangalisayo inani labamemezeli boMbuso kulo lonke elaseCongo.

Lelo zwe, eselaziwa ngokuthi iDemocratic Republic of Congo, noma iCongo (Kinshasa), lisenkabeni ye-Afrika.a Njengoba lingapha nangapha kwenkabazwe, ligcwele amahlathi enile. Kodedangendlale bamahlathi nasezinkangala kugcwele izilwane zasendle ezikhangayo. Njengoba leli zwe linothile ngengcebo engokwemvelo, sekuyisikhathi eside amazwe angaphandle elifuna futhi lihlushwa yizitha nezimpi zombango.

Ngo-1885, kwamiswa iCongo Free State eyayibuswa iNkosi uLeopold II yaseBelgium futhi kungeyakhe yedwa. Kodwa abantu baseCongo babengakhululekile nakancane. Amadoda kaLeopold ayebasebenzisa ngempoqo abantu futhi ebaphatha ngonya ukuze athole amazinyo endlovu nenjoloba. Amazwe aseYurophu angomakhelwane baseBelgium athukuthela kangangokuthi uLeopold wagcina egobe uphondo. Kwathi ngo-1908, yaphela indaba yeCongo Free State, yaba iBelgian Congo, ikoloni elalibuswa uhulumeni waseBelgium. ICongo yathola uzimele geqe ngo-1960.

Abantu baseCongo bayikhonzile inkolo. Maningi amasonto nezikole zokufundela ubufundisi. Kujwayelekile ukuthola abantu abakwazi ukucaphuna imiBhalo ilandelana. Nokho, njengakwezinye izindawo, kwakungelula ukuqalisa ubuKristu beqiniso. Kodwa into eyenza kwaba nzima nakakhulu eCongo ukuthi kwaphela isikhathi eside abantu bedidanisa oFakazi BakaJehova neqembu lenkolo okuthiwa iKitawala.

Inkinga Yokungaziwa Kahle

Igama elithi “Kitawala” lisuselwa kwelesiSwahili elisho “ukubusa, ukuqondisa noma ukuphatha.” Njengoba negama lizisho, leli qembu lalinomgomo wezombusazwe—ukukhulula iCongo ekubusweni iBelgium. Abanye babecabanga ukuthi lowo mgomo bangawufinyelela kangcono uma becashe ngenkolo. Kuyadabukisa ukuthi amaqembu eKitawala athola izincwadi zoFakazi BakaJehova azifunda futhi azinikeza abanye. Izindawo ayehlangana kuzo zazinophawu oluthi “Watch Tower.” Kungakaphushwa nakuphushwa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bayoke bafike lapha, la “maqembu e-Watch Tower” ayedumile esifundazweni saseKatanga eningizimu-mpumalanga yeCongo. Kwaphela amashumi eminyaka abantu bazi ukuthi abalandeli beKitawala bangoFakazi BakaJehova. Kodwa-ke kwakungenjalo.

AmaKitawala ayesonta izimfundiso zeBhayibheli ukuze asekele imibono yawo yezombusazwe, amasiko ayizinkolelo-ze nokuziphatha okubi. Ayengafuni ukukhokha intela futhi ephikisana nababusi bekoloni. Amanye ala maqembu ayevukela iziphathimandla ehlomile. Akumangalisi ukuthi uhulumeni waseBelgium wawavala.

Ngo-1956 umphathi wakwaNdabazabantu waseBelgian Congo wabhala isihloko sephephandaba esathi ukukhanyisa umsuka weKitawala. Lesi sihloko sasikhuluma ngoTomo Nyirenda, owayedabuka eNyasaland (manje esiyiMalawi), ehlala eNyakatho Rhodesia (manje esiyiZambia). Kubonakala sengathi uNyirenda wayefundiswe ngumuntu mumbe owayekade ehlanganyela nabaFundi BeBhayibheli (namuhla abaziwa ngokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova) eKapa, eNingizimu Afrika. Lesi sihloko sathi: “[UNyirenda] wafika eKatanga [eCongo] ngo-1925, . . . wazibiza ngokuthi uMwana Lesa, ‘iNdodana kaNkulunkulu.’ Wasizakala ngokuthi abantu balapha bayakwesaba ukuthakathwa, wathembisa ukuthi abamlandelayo ngeke bagcine nje ngokukhululeka kubathakathi kodwa bazokwazi nokungazikhokhi zonke izintela futhi bangayigcini nemithetho yabanegunya, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi uhulumeni noma iSonto. Labo ababengawamukeli umthetho wakhe kwakuthiwa abathakathi, bangqinyuzwe baze baquleke bese beyaminziswa ngesikhathi ‘bebhapathizwa’ ngenkani. (Komunye umfula kwatholakala izidumbu ezingu-55.) Ngemva kokusolwa induna, uTomo wabaleka waphindela eRhodesia. Njengoba iziphathimandla zaseRhodesia zazimfunela amacala okubulala, wabanjwa, wahlulelwa futhi walengiswa.”

Iziphathimandla zaseBelgium zithi eCongo, iKitawala yaqala lapho kufika uMwana Lesa eKatanga ngo-1923 kuya ku-1925. Kwakusazophela amashumi eminyaka oFakazi BakaJehova bengavunyelwe ukungena bahlale kuleli zwe.

Ukuze kucace ukuthi yayidalwa yini inkinga yokungaziwa kahle, kubalulekile ukwazi ukuthi maningi amasonto azimele e-Afrika. Abanye bathi ayizinkulungwane. UJohn S. Mbiti, onguchwepheshe ezinkolweni zase-Afrika, wabhala: “Inkinga enkulu ubuKristu obubhekene nayo e-Afrika ukuthi ziningi izigaba zamaSonto, amabandla namahlelo. Amaningi ávela phesheya. Amanye amaningi áqalwa abaNsundu abangamaKristu, abanye ngenxa yokuthi babengafuni ukuhlala besonta esontweni lezithunywa zevangeli zokufika, abanye ngenxa yokuzifunela izikhundla, abanye ngenxa yokuthi babefuna ubuKristu buvumelane nesiko labaNsundu nezinkinga zabo, kanti abanye ngenxa yezinye izizathu.”

Kwagcina sekunamasonto amaningi azimele, amaningi awo ayethathe izimfundiso zawo enkolweni ethile ekhona kakade noma ayeqembuke kuyo. Ngale ndlela, iKitawala yayingenzi into engaziwa. Kodwa ukuba khona kweKitawala kwavulela eLobukholwa ithuba elihle lokuvimbela oFakazi BakaJehova eCongo. Yize abaholi bamasonto babewazi kahle umehluko phakathi kweKitawala noFakazi, bagqugquzela ngamabomu umbono oyiphutha wokuthi iKitawala noFakazi BakaJehova yinto yinye.

Amasonto ayesesimweni esikahle sokusakaza lawo manga. Ngasekuqaleni kwekhulu lama-20, izinkolo zeLobukholwa, ikakhulukazi iSonto LamaKatolika, lalinamandla futhi linethonya eBelgian Congo. Kuyilapho oFakazi BakaJehova bona babengashaywa mkhuba, futhi abefundisi beLobukholwa babefuna kuhlale kunjalo. Babengafuni lutho ngabantu babo futhi bengafuni baphazanyiswe oFakazi BakaJehova.

Uma kuba khona ukuvukela umbuso, izibhelu nezingxabano zezizwe lapha, kwakuvele kuthiwe iKitawala, eyayivame ukubizwa ngokuthi inhlangano ye-Watch Tower. Iziphathimandla zagcina zingasafuni nakulizwa igama elithi Watch Tower. Lokhu kwabadalela ubunzima obukhulu labo ababefuna ukukhonza uJehova eCongo.

Emashumini eminyaka ngaphambi kokuba leli zwe lithole uzimele geqe, oFakazi BakaJehova bakwamanye amazwe babelokhu bebhalela iziphathimandla eCongo bezichazela ukuthi i-Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society ayihlanganise lutho neqembu le-Watch Tower. Kodwa kwaphela iminyaka iziphathimandla ziqhubeka zihlanganisa imisebenzi yaleli qembu lenkolo lalapha nomsebenzi wabantu bakaJehova. Kwazanywa kuzanyiwe ukuthumela oFakazi BakaJehova eCongo kodwa kwanhlanga zimuka nomoya.

Ngenxa yokuthi oFakazi babengavunyelwe ukungena kuleli zwe, kuncane okwaziwayo ngoFakazi beqiniso ababekuleli zwe. Kodwa amanqampunqampu athakazelisayo ezinto ezazenzeka ngaleyo minyaka enzima atholakala emibikweni yeCongo evela emahhovisi amagatsha aseduze. Ake sihlole okunye kwalokho okuthathwe kule ncwadi yezenzakalo zaseCongo zeminyaka engu-30, esibuye sanezela namanye amaphuzu kuyo.

Incwadi Yezenzakalo ZaseCongo—Amanqampunqampu Ombiko Waleli Zwe Ka-1930-60

1930: Sithole ama-oda ezincwadi ngeposi evela . . . eBelgian Congo.

1932: Sithemba ukuthi ngokuhamba kwesikhathi sizokwazi ukushumayela eBelgian Congo nakwezinye izindawo eziseNkabeni ye-Afrika okungakashunyayelwa kuzo.

Kusukela ngo-May 1932 ihhovisi legatsha loFakazi BakaJehova eNingizimu Afrika belizithumela liphindelela izicelo zokuba iziphathimandla zaseBelgium zivumele izikhonzi zesikhathi esigcwele zize eCongo. Lezi zicelo zenqatshwa. Nokho, ngenxa yokufuduka kwabantu phakathi kweCongo neNyakatho Rhodesia, abanye abafowethu baseRhodesia bakwazile ukungena eCongo, kodwa bekuba isikhashana.

1945: Kudingeka isibindi ukuze umuntu amele uNkulunkulu nombuso wakhe waseZulwini [eBelgian Congo]. Akukona nje kuphela ukuthi umsebenzi nezincwadi kuvinjelwe, kodwa abaNsundu baseCongo abazihlanganisa nathi bayathathwa bayiswe esifundeni esithile lapho begcinwa khona endaweni ethi ayibe ijele, ngezinye izikhathi baduve iminyaka. Izincwadi esizibhalelwa abaseCongo ziyaqabukela zifikile lapha [eNyakatho Rhodesia], nesizithumela khona kubonakala sengathi abazitholi; kodwa . . . senza okusemandleni ethu ukuze sisize izisebenzi zoMbuso esikanye nazo ezikuleli zwe eligcwele abapristi.

1948: Sekunabamemezeli boMbuso ababili abahlala kulelo zwe manje, futhi bebelokhu bethumela imibiko ehhovisi eliseBrussels. Sithemba ukuthi ngelinye ilanga le nsimu enkulu iyovuleka ukuze ivangeli loMbuso lishunyayelwe kuyo.

1949: Sekuyiminyaka umsebenzi wokufakaza uqhubeka ngobunzima obukhulu kule nsimu ebuswa amaKatolika. Kuqala, abapristi babeye bamdlise ngisho isigaxa sikasawoti umuntu, bangamniki manzi, ngenxa nje yokuthi ungufakazi kaJehova, kodwa manje izindlela zabo sezifana nezenhlangano yokuQulwa Kwamacala Ezihlubuki; bafuna uhulumeni ubenzele imisebenzi yabo yokukhohlakala. Sekuyiminyaka abamemezeli abaNsundu bedonsa izigwebo ezinganqunyiwe ejele ngenxa yokufakaza, futhi okubi nakakhulu bathunyelwa emakamu okuhlushwa eKasaji, eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-500 e-Elisabethville [manje eyiLubumbashi]. Lapha, bayafukuza emapulazini amancane, babulawe isizungu benemikhaya yabo noma bengabodwa. . . . Ingaphela neminyaka eyishumi belapha. Ngokuvamile bakhuthazelela le minyaka yokuhlaliswa bodwa lingekho nelincane ithemba lokuthi bayoke bakhululwe noma bathole ubulungisa, ngaphandle uma bengalahla ubuqotho babo, okuyinto ebuhlungu.

Ngakho kuye kwadingeka basebenze ngomshoshaphansi; baqhube imihlangano ngasese, futhi bashintshe izindawo zemihlangano ukuze bangabanjwa. Babefakaza ikakhulu ngokuya kubantu abaziwayo ukuthi banomusa nakubangane babo, kodwa noma kunjalo abaningi baye baba senkingeni. Uma ufakazi ebanjwa uvele ayiswe ekamu eKasaji.

ULlewelyn Phillips, ovela ehhovisi legatsha eNyakatho Rhodesia, waya eBelgian Congo eyokhulumela oFakazi abashushiswayo lapho. Undunankulu nezinye iziphathimandla zikahulumeni zalalela lapho echaza umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso nomehluko phakathi kwezinkolelo zoFakazi nezeKitawala. Undunankulu wathula wathula wabe esebuza ngokudabuka: “Uma nginisiza, kuzokwenzekani kimi?” Wayazi kahle kamhlophe ukuthi kukhala isicathulo seSonto LamaRoma Katolika kuleli zwe.

1950: Unyaka ophelile ubunzima kunayo yonke, futhi bekunzima nakakhulu kubafowethu baseCongo Belge. Ngasekuqaleni kwalo nyaka wenkonzo abazitholanga zonke izincwadi zeBhayibheli nezincwadi esasibabhalele zona futhi izindlela zokuxhumana zacishe zavaleka. Kuthe ngomhlaka 12 January, undunankulu wayivala iNhlangano futhi wathi noma ubani ohlanganyela neNhlangano, noma oyisekela nganoma iyiphi indlela noma oyilungu layo uyogwetshwa izinyanga ezimbili ejele futhi ahlawuliswe ama-franc angu-2 000. Amaphephandaba amaKatolika asishayela ihlombe lesi sinqumo. Baboshwa beboshiwe abafowethu. Uhlu olwathathwa nyakenye kowayekade eyinceku [yebandla] e-Elisabethville lwasetshenziswa ukuze kufunwe amakhulu abantu ababezihlanganise neNhlangano, futhi baboshwa kanye nomkabo. Ngemva kokudonsa izigwebo zabo, abaNsundu baseNyakatho Rhodesia babexoshwa, kodwa abafowethu baseCongo bona babeye bathunyelwe eKasaji, ikamu lokuhlushwa eliqhele ngamakhilomitha [angaba ngu-500] e-Elisabethville, lapho abanye besekhona namanje. Abanye abafowethu ababexoshiwe babenikwa inkeshezana yokudla bese bephoqwa ukuba bahambe amakhilomitha angu-30 ngezinyawo besuka eSakania beya emngceleni weNyakatho Rhodesia.

Muva nje kuye kwanezelwa amanye amaphoyisa omshoshaphansi, futhi umuntu uthi angaba neBhayibheli nje bese esolwa ukuthi ungomunye wofakazi bakaJehova.

Sisanda kuthola umbiko wokuthi odade ababili abaMhlophe basesifundeni sase-Elisabethville abatholakale bene-Nqabayokulinda futhi befakaza, bagwetshwe izinsuku ezingu-45 ejele, balengiselwa iminyaka emithathu okumelwe baziphathe kahle ngayo (okusho ukuthi akufanele benze msebenzi weNkosi). Zonke izinsuku bayabikelwa ukuthi bazodingiswa.

1951: Amaphephandaba nomagazini baseBelgium baye banyathelisa izihloko eziningi begxeka ofakazi bakaJehova ne-Watch Tower Society bethi bahlangene neqembu lalapha eBelgian Congo elishiseka ngokungenangqondo okuthiwa “iKitawala.” Umthetho waseBelgium uthi uma umuntu ephendula isihloko esanyatheliswa yiphephandaba noma umagazini, lelo phephandaba noma lowo magazini kufanele uyinyathelise impendulo. Siye sasebenzisa leli lungelo salwela umsebenzi woMbuso ezihlokweni eziwunyundelayo, futhi izimpendulo zethu ziye zanyatheliswa.

Kusukela ngo-January [12], 1949, umsebenzi we-Watch Tower Society ubuvinjelwe eBelgian Congo futhi ofakazi bakaJehova beqiniso baye bahlushwa ngenxa yale mibiko engamanga. Siye sabhalela ungqongqoshe wamakoloni futhi sanikeza ubufakazi obuqand’ ikhanda bokuthi ofakazi bakaJehova ne-Watch Tower Society abahlangene “neKitawala” efuna ukugumbuqela umbuso, kodwa konke lokho kuye kwafana nokuthela amanzi edadeni.

EBelgian Congo baye basebenzisa izikhali eziwukunyundela, ushushiso, izinhlawulo, ukushaya, ukuvalela ejele nokudingisa ukuze bakuqede nya ‘ukushunyayelwa kweZwi.’

1952: Ngokubona koFakazi BakaJehova, sengathi kukhona isithiyo esibekwe emingceleni yeBelgian Congo. Umsebenzi wokufakaza usalokhu uvinjelwe kuleli zwe lamaRoma Katolika.

Imibiko ethi gqwa evela kuleli zwe ithi abamemezeli abaNsundu bayadingiswa, bavalelwa ejele, bayashaywa futhi banswinywe nakwezinye izinto. Ezindaweni eziningi kubonakala sengathi kuye kwanda ukuphathwa kabi kofakazi. AboMdabu balapha bathunyelwa emakamu bayosebenza khona uma betholakale befakaza noma benezincwadi ze-Watchtower. Waba neBhayibheli nje kuvele kuthiwe ungomunye wofakazi bakaJehova.

Imizi yabafowethu ihlala igadiwe futhi iseshwa njalo. Omunye umfowethu owayesibikela ngokwenzekayo wathi: “[Amaphoyisa aseBelgian Congo] awasalali ngenxa yethu, ehla enyuka efunana nofakazi bakaJehova. Sekukubi ngempela manje kunakuqala.”

Umbiko ka-August wabamemezeli abangu-30 oqabukela ufika kuleli hhovisi, waphetha ngeyoku-1 Thesalonika 5:25: “Bazalwane, qhubekani nisithandazela.”

Njengoba sishilo ngaphambili, oFakazi abaNsundu baseNyakatho Rhodesia babeya eCongo. Kodwa uma bebanjwa, babevalelwa ejele futhi kamuva baxoshwe. Yize abanye badonsa izigwebo ezimfushane ejele, abanye abafowethu bathunyelwa emakamu ukuba bayosebenza khona iminyaka eminingana. Omunye umfowethu wahlala iminyaka ethi ayibe mihlanu emajele ahlukahlukene eCongo. Labo ababemvalele babemshaya njalo. Babemtshela nokuthi uma nje esafakaza ngeke adedelwe.

Kwakungo-1952 ngesikhathi omunye umfowethu othembekile ethi: ‘Sinjengembewu yommbila wase-Afrika esesakeni. Nomaphi lapho siwela khona ngabanye ngabanye, kugcina kufike imvula bese siba baningi.’ Ihhovisi legatsha loFakazi BakaJehova eNyakatho Rhodesia labhala mayelana nalokhu: “‘Isaka lommbila wase-Afrika’ liyasakazeka ngempela eCongo naphezu kokushushiswa kwabafowethu, noma mhlawumbe ngenxa yako. Ngesinye isikhathi ihhovisi legatsha laseLusaka lezwa ukuthi kunabantu abangamakhulu amaningana abahlanganyela nofakazi eKolwezi. Nokho, manje sizwa kuthiwa abaningi babo bayahanjiswa bayiswa kwezinye izindawo eCongo.” Lokhu kusakazeka kwabafowethu kwawusakaza nomsebenzi wokwenza abafundi.

Ngesikhathi abafowethu bezikhandla eningizimu-mpumalanga yaleli zwe, iqiniso lalitshaleka eLéopoldville (manje esiyiKinshasa). Abafowethu baseBrazzaville babethuthuke masinya futhi balihlanganyela ngentshiseko iqiniso nabanye. Abanye baqala ukuwela uMfula iCongo ngesikebhe bayoshumayela eLéopoldville. Ngo-1952, uVictor Kubakani nomkakhe baba ngoFakazi bokuqala ababhapathizwa eKinshasa. Akuphelanga sikhathi esitheni kwabe sekumiswe ibandla.

1953: Sinemibiko ebonisa ukuthi babalelwa ku-250 abafowethu abahlanganyela emsebenzini wokushumayela ezingxenyeni ezithile kuleli zwe, kodwa mhlawumbe kukhona nabanye abaningi. Bafakaza ngokwenza izimpindelo nokuqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya ngezincwadi ezimbalwa noma ngaphandle kwezincwadi, ngoba basuke bengazi ukuthi imizi yabo izoseshwa nini. Omunye umfowethu wacetshwa umuntu ayecabanga ukuthi “ungumngane” wakhe ukuthi unezincwajana ezimbili, futhi wagwetshwa iminyaka emibili ejele Elikhulu e-Elisabethville.

1954: INhlangano nomsebenzi wofakazi bakaJehova kusalokhu kuvinjelwe eBelgian Congo . . . Ofakazi abathembekile abasejele baye baqhubeka beshumayela kwezinye iziboshwa, eziye zibhale ezikufundile ngezinqamu zomsizi emaphepheni eziwacoshe phansi ukuze zifike zifunde emaBhayibhelini azo eziwathola khona ejele. Akungabazeki ukuthi yikho lokho okwenze ukuba kwamanye amajele ofakazi bakaJehova bahlukaniswe nezinye iziboshwa.

Imisebenzi yoFakazi BakaJehova neyamaKitawala yayivinjelwe. Iziphathimandla zazizithatha izincwadi zeBhayibheli ezazithunyelwa kuleli zwe. Lezo ezaziphunyula kuziphathimandla ngezinye izikhathi zazitholwa amaKitawala azisebenzisele izinjongo zawo. OFakazi BakaJehova namaKitawala babebanjwa, bashaywe futhi bayiswe emakamu okuhlushwa. Nokho, uJesu wathi: “Niyobazi ngezithelo zabo.” (Math. 7:16) Iziphathimandla zekoloni zakubona ukuziphatha okuhle kwabafowethu futhi zaqala ukubona umehluko phakathi kwabo namaKitawala.

1955: Umsebenzi usavinjelwe kuleli zwe futhi mancane amathemba okuthi uyoke uvunyelwe, kodwa lokhu akuyidambisi intshiseko yalabo abathanda uJehova nabamkhonzayo. Ukuboshwa nokuxoshwa kwabafowethu abaningi ngonyaka odlule akubenzanga bavilapha.

Okwamanje abakwazi ukwenza inkonzo yendlu ngendlu, ngakho benza izimpindelo baqhube nezifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya. Njengoba elinye ibandla liye labhala, abamemezeli bangathanda nabo ukumemezela izindaba ezinhle obala, yize “singazi ukuthi uJehova uzosivumela yini ukuba sishumayele izindaba ezinhle endlini ngendlu kuleli zwe ngaphambi kwempi ye-Armagedoni.”

1957: Akungabazeki ukuthi ngonyaka ophelile umsebenzi uye wadonsa amehlo abantu abaningi nakakhulu kunakuqala, ikakhulukazi iziphathimandla zikahulumeni nabezindaba. Ngo-November, uMfowethu [Milton G.] Henschel waya ngokuqondile kuhulumeni waseBelgian Congo eLeopoldville wafike wamnika isicelo sokuba iNhlangano nofakazi bakaJehova bakhululwe. Wabuye waphindela futhi eLeopoldville, kamuva kwaya abameleli baseNew York naseBrussels. Ngemva kwalokho isazi sezindaba zabaNsundu saseBelgium savakashela ihhovisi legatsha laseNyakatho Rhodesia, kwavela ithuba lokuchaza kabanzi ngomsebenzi nesigijimi sethu.

Okwamanje umsebenzi usavinjelwe, futhi kunzima ngempela kubafowethu baseBelgian Congo. Bangu-216 ababekhona eSikhumbuzweni, yize babehlangene ngamaqembu amancane.

1958: Ngonyaka odlule, yize umsebenzi wokushumayela izindaba ezinhle wawusavinjelwe futhi abafowethu beboshwa, isigijimi soMbuso siye saba nethonya kwabaningi.

1959: Abafowethu babeqala ngqa ukuthola imvume ngomlomo kuziphathimandla zikahulumeni walapha yokuba baqhube imihlangano yebandla, yize umsebenzi usavinjelwe. Babengakaze bakwazi ukuqhuba imihlangano yebandla, babehlangana nje ngamaqembu amancane batadishe iBhayibheli emizini ethile. Manje baba matasa belungiselela ukugujwa kweSikhumbuzo, okwakuzoba yiwona mhlangano webandla wokuqala, futhi kwaba khona abangu-1 019 [emabandleni] amahlanu aseLeopoldville. Ababebuka bamangala, hhayi nje kuphela ngenxa yokuthi umhlangano waqhutshwa kodwa bamangazwa ukubona umoya wenjabulo amaKristu ayenawo. Kwenza abanye bavele babona ukuthi naba abantu abahlukile kwezinye izinkolo ngoba ‘bayathandana.’

Yize kwakungenakwenzeka ukuthumela izithunywa zevangeli eCongo, isivumelwano sokubekezelela ezinye izinkolo esasayinwa ngo-June 10, 1958, savumela oFakazi BakaJehova lapha “ukuba bahlangane ezindaweni ezivalekile.” Abafowethu bajabula ngokuthi sebengahlangana ngokukhululeka. Ngezinye izikhathi kwakuba khona namaphoyisa kule mihlangano futhi abancome ngokuziphatha kwabo okuhle nokuhleleka.

Kwakukhona nolunye ushintsho oluhle. Kuze kube ngu-1956, zonke izikole zazixhaswe izinhlangano zenkolo. Kwabe sekuthi ungqongqoshe omusha wekoloni onomqondo ovulekile wavula izikole zikahulumeni futhi wakhuthaza ukuba angacwaswa amaqembu amancane. Kwaya ngokuya kuncipha ukudidaniswa koFakazi BakaJehova namaKitawala njengoba iziphathimandla zase ziwazi umehluko. Imvula yayithe ukunisela imbewu eyayisakazekile. Yonke indawo abantu babesekela uJehova.

Ngaleso sikhathi, induna ethile yabamba oFakazi abaningana yabayisa kumphathi wesifunda ukuba bahlulelwe. Umphathi wabuza ukuthi benzeni. Zayima emthumeni enduneni. Umphathi wayithethisa wabe esekhulula laba bafowethu, wathi abahanjiswe emakhaya.

1960: Ngonyaka odlule umsebenzi uye waqhubeka ngendlela emangalisayo eBelgian Congo. Naphezu kobunzima obukulelo zwe kanye neqiniso lokuthi ngokomthetho umsebenzi usavinjelwe, abafowethu baye bakwazi ukuba nemihlangano njalo emaHholo OMbuso.

Kwenzeka isimanga ngesikhathi seSikhumbuzo eLeopoldville, eyinhloko-dolobha. [Amabandla] ayisithupha kulelo dolobha ahlela ukuhlangana ndawonye alalele inkulumo yeningi ngeSonto futhi okwawajabulisa ukuthi kwaba khona abangu-1 417. Njengoba omunye [wababonisi] abhala: “Sajabula safa ngoba sasiqala ngqa ukwenza into enje; izingelosi zikaJehova zazikanise nxazonke.”

Le ncwadi yezenzakalo yeminyaka engu-30 isinikeze umbono ocacile wokuthi kwakwenzekani eCongo, njengoba kubika amagatsha aseduze kwayo. Manje ake sibone ukuthi kwaqhubeka kanjani.

Inkululeko Yezwe Iyasondela

Ngasekupheleni kwawo-1950, iziphathimandla zazingasenankinga nomsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso eCongo, owawuqondiswa igatsha laseNyakatho Rhodesia, yize wawungakaqashelwa ngokomthetho. Kodwa kwakuvela izinkinga ezintsha nokungaqiniseki. Abantu abaningi babenobuzwe futhi ngenxa yalokho bengafuni ukubuswa uhulumeni wamakoloni. Ngo-January 1959, ababhikishi bahlasela izitolo eLéopoldville bathatha okwakuphakathi, zona bazishisa. Baphanga namasonto, bathatha izithixo bazilahla emigwaqweni. Lokhu kwabangela ukuba kube khona umhlangano phakathi kweziphathimandla zaseBelgium nabaholi bamaqembu alapha ezombusazwe. Kwamiswa usuku leli zwe elalizothola ngalo uzimele geqe: June 30, 1960. Njengoba kulindelekile, akukho noyedwa uFakazi KaJehova owayebhikishile.

Kwaqala ukuvela amaqembu ezombusazwe kulo lonke leli. Amalungu awo ayedudana kakhulu ngokobuzwe hhayi ngokwemibono yezombusazwe. Ayebacindezela kakhulu abafowethu ukuba bathenge amakhadi ezinhlangano zezombusazwe. UPierre Mafwa, owayesenonyaka ebhapathiziwe, wathi: “KwakunguMgqibelo ngo-June 1960. Ngangivela emsebenzini ngiya ekhaya emini. Lapho ngidlula esikhumulweni sezindiza esidala eLéopoldville, kweza indoda eyayiphethe insabula. Yathi: ‘Liphi ikhadi lakho lezombusazwe?’ Ngazithulela nje. Yavele yangishaya ebusweni ngensabula, yangidebeza ikhala. Yaqhubeka nokungishaya ngensabula. Ngathi ngiyabaleka ngawa. Ngathandaza kuJehova ngamcela ukuba angikhumbule ovukweni ukuze ngiphinde ngibone umkami nezingane zami eziyisithupha. Ngemva kwalo mthandazo omfushane, ngezwa kuqhuma isibhamu. Amasosha ayesemdubule onyaweni wawa phansi lo muntu owayefuna ukungibulala. Iphoyisa langiyisa esibhedlela, lapho ngelashwa khona. Imibhalo yeBhayibheli yangikhuthaza kakhulu.”

Izithunywa Zevangeli Zokuqala Ziyafika Zivule Ihhovisi Legatsha

Njengoba sesibonile, imizamo yokuthumela abameleli boFakazi BakaJehova eCongo yayiphelele eboyeni okwesithukuthuku senja. Kodwa izinto zazishintsha kwezombusazwe, zivula indlela yokufika kuka-Ernest Heuse, Jr.

UMfoweth’ uHeuse kwakungowaseBelgium, emude, eqatha, enezinwele ezimnyama ezingamasongo. Yize ayengesabi, wayazi ukuthi ukuphila eCongo ngeke kube lula kuye; kumkakhe uHélène; noma endodakazini yakhe eneminyaka engu-11, uDanielle. Ngenxa yesizinda sakhe, u-Ernest wayekulungele kangcono okwakumlindele. Wayengenele inkonzo yaseBethel eBrussels ngo-1947. Ngemva konyaka washada wabe eseyophayona nomkakhe. Kamuva, u-Ernest wathunywa ukuba ayokhuluma nabameli neziphathimandla, ephethe incwajana eyayenzelwe leli zwe ngokukhethekile eyayiveza umehluko phakathi kwamaKitawala noFakazi BakaJehova. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi waba umbonisi wesifunda.

U-Ernest wazama kaningana ukuthola imvume yokungena eCongo, waze wabhalela nenkosi yaseBelgium wenza isicelo. Kwenqatshwa. Igama lakhe lafakwa ohlwini lwabantu “abangafuneki” eCongo.

U-Ernest waphikelela. Waya e-Afrika wafike wazama ukungena eCongo esuka emazweni angomakhelwane. Kwaba nhlanga zimuka nomoya. Ekugcineni, wathola imvume yokuya eBrazzaville, inhloko-dolobha yaseRepublic of Congo. Wabe esegibela isikebhe wawela umfula waya eLéopoldville. Ukufika kwakhe kwaba yiyona ndaba esematheni kuziphathimandla ezazisemsebenzini. Ezinye zathi akanganikwa imvume ngoba igama lakhe lisohlwini lwabantu abangafuneki lapha. Ekugcineni, esinye isiphathimandla, uCyrille Adoula, kamuva esaba ngundunankulu, sathi siyazi ukuthi u-Ernest kade ayezama ukungena eCongo. Sathi uma abaphathi bekoloni bakuqala babengamthandi uHeuse, kumelwe ukuba ungumngane weCongo. U-Ernest wanikwa imvume yesikhashana kwathi kamuva wanikwa imvume yokuba isakhamuzi. Ngakho, ngo-May 1961, oFakazi BakaJehova base benommeleli eCongo, owayezoqondisa umsebenzi wokwenza abafundi.

U-Ernest watshela uHélène noDanielle ukuthi abeze, futhi ngo-September, uDanielle wayesefunda eLéopoldville. Ihhovisi legatsha lokuqala lamiswa enhloko-dolobha ngo-June 8, 1962. Ihhovisi nendawo yokuhlala kwakusesitezi sesithathu ku-Avenue van Eetvelde (manje osekuyi-Avenue du Marché). Ngenxa yokuthi indawo yayincane, izincwadi zazibekwa zodwa edepho. Yize kwakungekuhle lokhu, kwakuyiyona ndlela engcono ngoba indawo yayingekho.

UMfoweth’ uHeuse wavele waqala umsebenzi. Waboleka umshini wokudlala amafilimu nefilimu ehhovisi legatsha laseBrazzaville. Wabe esebukisa amabandla aseLéopoldville nezinye iziphathimandla ifilimu eyayinesihloko esithi The Happiness of the New World Society. Abafowethu nabantu abathakazelayo babeqala ukubona ukuthi kanti kunoFakazi bazo zonke izizwe abahlala ngokuthula nenjabulo. Bamangala ukubona umfowethu oNsundu ebhapathiza abaMhlophe. Umphathi-dolobha waseLéopoldville wayijabulela le filimu kangangokuba waze wathi: “Lo msebenzi [woFakazi BakaJehova] kufanele ugqugquzelwe impela nje.” Izikhathi zokuqala ezine abukisa ngazo le filimu kwaba khona abangu-1 294.

Kwakubajabulisa ngempela abafowethu ukuthi ngemva kokulinda iminyaka eminingi kangaka base beze bamthola ozobasiza. Ngaphambili, babezwa ngendaba nje ukuthi kukhona abafowethu abaMhlophe. Abanye babezibuza ukuthi kazi bakhona ngempela yini ngoba iziphathimandla zaseBelgium zazimi kwelokuthi abekho oFakazi BakaJehova eBelgium. Abafowethu babekujabulela kakhulu ukuba noMfoweth’ uHeuse.

Ukuphila Ngeqiniso—Kuyinselele

Wawusemkhulu umsebenzi owawudinga ukwenziwa ukuze kusizwe abafowethu baphile ngeqiniso. Ngokwesibonelo, izingxabano zezizwe zazimi ngenhla futhi abanye ababonisi bamabandla babengakhulumisani nabanye ababonisi. Uma umuntu esuswe kwelinye ibandla eligcwele abafowethu besizwe esithile, wayemukelwa abadala bakwelinye ibandla eligcwele abesizwe sakubo. Izinqumo ezenziwe kwelinye ibandla zazingashaywa mkhuba kwelinye. Babephila ngamasiko futhi ukucabanga kwesizwe kwathonya amabandla.

Amasiko esizwe adala ezinye izinkinga. Kwezinye izizwe, ukuthi indoda nomkayo bayazwana yini kwakuya ngokuthi isizwe sithini. Empeleni nje, indoda nomkayo babengasondelene. Umshado wawubhekwa njengento okufanele yakhiwe yisizwe. Uma amalungu esizwe engayifuni inkosikazi yendoda ethile, ayengayiphoqa ukuba iyixoshe ithathe enye—ethandwa yiwo.

Uma indoda ifa, kwakuvela inkathazo. Ngokuvamile abasemzini babethatha yonke into esendlini, bashiye inkosikazi nezingane besele dengwane. Kwezinye izizwe, indoda yayiba necala uma kushona inkosikazi, futhi abasekhweni layo babeyihlawulisa.

Kwakukhona nezinye izinkinga. Kuze kube namuhla, abantu abaningi eCongo bakholelwa ukuthi akekho umuntu ovele azifele nje. Ngenxa yalokho, ngomngcwabo kwenziwa imisebenzi okuthiwa eyokudalula umbulali. Kuphucwa ikhanda kwenziwe namanye amasiko amaningi. Kwezinye izizwe, uma kufa indoda, umkayo kuthiwa uyahlanzwa ngokuba alale nendoda ethile yakuleso sizwe. Emingcwabeni, kuvame ukushiwo amazwi abhekiswe kumufi, okubonisa inkolelo yokuthi umphefumulo noma umoya awufi. Uma ucabanga ngawo wonke la masiko agxilile lapha, ungabona ukuthi babebhekana nezinkinga ezingakanani labo ababefuna ukuqhuba ukukhulekela kweqiniso. Abanye ababethi bangamaKristu eqiniso babengakawalahli ngokuphelele la masiko futhi babezama ngisho nokuwangenisa ebandleni lobuKristu.

Kwakudingeka ababonisi abanesibindi nabaqotho ababezoqondisa izinto. Labo abathanda uJehova babezimisele ukufunda kubo nokushintsha lapho kudingeka khona. Kwakungelula ukuchitha imibono eyayigxilile yalabo ababekholelwa ukuthi sebeyalazi iqiniso kanti akunjalo. Nokho, inkinga enkulu ukuzedlula zonke ukuthi abantu babedidanisa oFakazi BakaJehova namaKitawala.

Lapho sekudume kulo lonke leli zwe ukuthi kuvulwe ihhovisi legatsha, amaqembu amaningi abafowethu abhala ecela ukuba enziwe amabandla. Amaqembu amaKitawala nawo enza okufanayo. Omunye umbiko uthi: “Abanye abantu babevela endaweni eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-2 300, bafike nohlu olude lwamagama alabo ababefuna ukuba oFakazi BakaJehova. Ngezinye izikhathi lolu hlu lwalubhalwa ehehebeni lwephepha elingamasentimitha angu-70 ububanzi nangu-90 ubude futhi ngezinye izikhathi laliba namagama abo bonke abantu abahlala emadolobhaneni amabili noma amathathu.”

Ngaphambi kokuba abantu noma amaqembu athile kuthiwe angoFakazi BakaJehova, kwakudingeka kutholakale ukuthi obani abangamaKristu eqiniso nabangamaKitawala. UMfoweth’ uHeuse wathumela abafowethu abavuthiwe ukuba bayophenya. Lokhu kwathatha iminyaka. Ake sizwe ezinye zezinto ababhekana nazo laba bafowethu abathembekile.

Ukuyokhuluma NamaKitawala

Ngo-1960, uPontien Mukanga, umfowethu othe klwí ngomzimba, omnene, wamiswa waba umbonisi wesifunda wokuqala eCongo. Ngemva kokuqeqeshwa eCongo (Brazzaville), wavakashela amabandla eLéopoldville namaqembu angawodwa ambalwa aseduze. Nokho, lukhulu olwalusamlindele: ukuyokhuluma namaKitawala.

UMfoweth’ uMukanga waqala waya eKisangani (ngaleso sikhathi okwakuthiwa iStanleyville), eqhele ngamakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-1 600 enhloko-dolobha. Wayeyokwenzani lapho? UMfoweth’ uHeuse wayehlangane nomLungu othile enkonzweni yasensimini owambonisa isithombe esasithathwe eStanleyville ngemva nje kokuba leli zwe lithole uzimele geqe. Kwakuyisithombe sophawu olukhulu oluphambi kwesiteshi sesitimela olunomfanekiso weBhayibheli elivuliwe nombhalo othi: “Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society—International Bible Students Association—Kitawala Religion Congolese—Viva Patrice E. Lumumba—Phambili Antoine Gizenga—Phambili NgoHulumeni We-M.N.C.” Kusobala ukuthi eKisangani iKitawala yayiwasebenzisa kabi amagama ezinhlangano ezingokomthetho zoFakazi BakaJehova.

Babekhona yini abangoFakazi BakaJehova ngempela eKisangani? UMfoweth’ uMukanga wathunyelwa khona ukuze ayothola kahle. Okuwukuphela kokwaziswa igatsha elalinakho ngokwendoda okwakuthiwa uSamuel Tshikaka, owayethole iqiniso eBumba wabe esebuyela eKisangani ngo-1957. USamuel wayengelona ilungu lamaKitawala futhi wayezimisele ukusiza uMfoweth’ uMukanga, kamuva owabhala: “Sahamba noSamuel sayohlola laba bantu abasebenzisa igama elithi Watch Tower. Saya kumfundisi wabo, wasitshela ngeqembu lakhe. Sathola ukuthi yize abanye babo babewasebenzisa amaBhayibheli, bonke babekholelwa ukuthi umphefumulo awufi. Babefundisa uthando ngokushintshana ngamakhosikazi.

“Ngemva nje kokuba ngifikile, amaphoyisa azama ukubopha amaKitawala kuleli dolobha. AmaKitawala aphindisela ngokulwa. Amaphoyisa abiza amasosha ukuba azowalekelela. AmaKitawala amaningi afa. Ngakusasa kwafika isikebhe esasithwele abafile nabalimele sivela phesheya komfula. Kwakukhona nonobhala waleli qembu, wangibona ukuthi yimi ebengivakashele umholi wabo kuthangi. Wangibheca ngecala wathi yimi engibanikele kuziphathimandla, washo nokusho ukuthi laba ababulewe ngesikhathi kulwiwa bafe ngenxa yami. Watshela abangane bakhe abangamaKitawala ukuba baqiniseke ukuthi angibaleki, kodwa ngaphunyula ngabaleka bengakangibulali.”

Lapho amaphephandaba aseBelgium ebika ngalesi sehlakalo, abhala isihloko esithi “OFakazi BakaJehova Balwa Namaphoyisa.” Kodwa iziphathimandla zaseCongo—ezaziwazi umehluko phakathi kwamaKitawala noFakazi BakaJehova—zanikeza umbiko onembile. Akukho nelilodwa iphephandaba laseCongo elabeka oFakazi BakaJehova icala ngalesi sehlakalo!

Waphelelaphi uSamuel Tshikaka? Usahlanganyela futhi ungumdala eBandleni LaseKisangani Tshopo-Est. Manje kunabamemezeli abangu-1 536 emabandleni angu-22 eKisangani. Indodana kaSamuel, uLotomo, ingumbonisi wesifunda njengoba nje uPontien Mukanga ayenguye eminyakeni engaba ngu-40 edlule.

Umbonisi Wesifunda Owaqondisa Izigwegwe

UFrançois Danda ngomunye umbonisi wesifunda owasebenza ukuze aveze umehluko phakathi koFakazi namaKitawala. Uyachaza: “Kwakunzima futhi abantu babedidekile ngempela. Njalo nje amaKitawala ayebeka uphawu olunegama elithi ‘Watch Tower’ ngesiNgisi ezindaweni ayehlangana kuzo. Kuzo zonke izincwadi zethu, noma ngabe zingalulimi luni, uyalithola elithi ‘Watch Tower’ ekhasini lokuqala. Ake ucabange-ke, nangu umuntu ufunde izincwadi zethu futhi usefuna abantu bakaNkulunkulu. Angase ayithole indawo yemihlangano ebhalwe ukuthi ‘IHholo LoMbuso LoFakazi BakaJehova’ ngolimi lwendawo, abese ethola enye ebhalwe ukuthi ‘Watch Tower’ ngesiNgisi. Kukuphi lapho ezothambekela ukuya khona? Uyabona ukuthi kwakudida ngempela.

“Abafowethu abaningi babengenalo ulwazi olunembile, futhi kwakukhona izincwadi ezimbalwa. Amabandla ayevame ukuxuba iqiniso nezimfundiso zamaKitawala, ikakhulukazi mayelana nobungcwele bomshado. Kwelinye idolobha engavakashela kulo, babecabanga ukuthi eyoku-1 Petru 2:17, ethi ‘thandani bonke abazalwane,’ isho ukuthi odade babengalala nanoma imuphi umfowethu ebandleni. Uma udade ekhuleliswa umfowethu ongeyena umyeni wakhe, umyeni wakhe wayeyithatha njengeyakhe leyo ngane. Njengasekhulwini lokuqala, ‘abangafundile nabangagxilile’ babesonta imiBhalo.—2 Pet. 3:16.

“Nganikeza inkulumo yeBhayibheli engagwegwesi ngezimiso zikaJehova zokuziphatha, kuhlanganise nezomshado. Ngathi kunezinye izinto okwakuzodingeka sizilungise ngesineke, kancane kancane, kodwa hhayi indaba yokushintshana ngamakhosikazi. Ngokujabulisayo, abafowethu baqonda futhi bawamukela umbono weBhayibheli oqondile. Ngisho nabanye ababengamaKitawala kulelo dolobha balamukela iqiniso.”

Imizamo kaMfoweth’ uMukanga noDanda nabanye abaningi abafana nabo yakwenza kwacaca kubantu ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bahlukile kumaKitawala. Namuhla, akukho muntu ohlanganisa “amaKitawala” nelithi “Watch Tower.” Asekhona amaKitawala, yize engasadumile noma engasenamandla njengakuqala. Ezindaweni eziningi awaziwa nokwaziwa.

Ukuhlela Kangcono Kubangela Ukwanda

Ekupheleni konyaka wenkonzo ka-1962, bangaphezu kuka-2 000 abamemezeli ababekhonza uJehova ngentshiseko kulo lonke elaseCongo. Nokho, bambalwa abafowethu ababefaneleka ngokomBhalo ukwengamela. Ukungakwazi ukufunda nokubhala kwakungenye yezinkinga, ikakhulu kubantu asebekhulile. Enye kwakuwukuthi abaningi babephuza ukuzivumelanisa nezindinganiso zikaNkulunkulu ezilungile ngoba babebanjwe amasiko. Ngaphandle kwalokho, noma ubani owayeke wazibandakanya namaKitawala kwakudingeka alinde iminyaka eminingi andukuba athole amalungelo enkonzo.

Kodwa kancane kancane izimfundiso eziyiqiniso zemiBhalo nokusebenza komoya kaJehova kwawasiza amadoda ukuba afanelekele izikhundla zokwengamela emabandleni. Kukhulu okwafezwa ababonisi besifunda namaphayona anesibindi ekuqiniseni nasekuqeqesheni abafowethu ezweni lonke. Cishe ngaso leso sikhathi, ababonisi besifunda namaphayona akhethekile ayeqeqeshwe eZambia bangena eKatanga naseningizimu Kasai imbala, lapho yayikade ibambene ngezihluthu khona.

Ngemva Kukazimele Geqe—Iminyaka Yokubekezelelwa Kwezinkolo

Khumbula ukuthi ngo-1958 uhulumeni wakhipha isinqumo sokubekezelelwa kwezinkolo, okwanikeza abafowethu inkululeko yenkolo ethe xaxa. Ekuqaleni kwawo-1960 abafowethu baqhubeka becela ukuba baqashelwe ngokomthetho. Babengaceli ukuba uhulumeni ubaxhase ngezimali, kodwa babefuna ukuqashelwa ngokomthetho. Loko kuqashelwa kwakuzobenza bakwazi ukushumayela izindaba ezinhle ngaphandle kokukhathazwa. Kwakuphuthuma lokhu ngoba ezindaweni eziningi iziphathimandla zazakha amaqhinga okuhlasela abafowethu. Izindawo zemihlangano zazishiswa, abafowethu bashaywe, baboshwe futhi bagqunywe ejele. Lapho abafowethu bekhalaza eMnyango Wezobulungisa, babephendulwa kanje: ‘Nixole, kodwa njengoba ningabhalisiwe ngokomthetho, akukho lutho esinganenzela kona.’

Uthuthuva olwalusemaphandleni lwalwenezela kule nkinga. Izwi likahulumeni omkhulu lalingashaywa mkhuba ezindaweni ezithile zezwe. Kwezinye, incwadi evela ehhovisi legatsha yayanele ukuba iziphathimandla zalapho zidedele abafowethu ejele. Kodwa ezindaweni ezaziphikisa kakhulu, akukungakanani okwakungenziwa ukuze kuvikelwe abafowethu bangashushiswa futhi bangagqunywa ejele.

EKinshasa abafowethu babengaphikiswa kakhulu. Ngaphambili, imibuthano emikhulu kuleli dolobha kwakusuke kungeyemishado nemingcwabo kuphela. Kodwa ngo-1964, ihhovisi legatsha lahlela ukuba kube nemihlangano emibili yesifunda enhloko-dolobha. Abafowethu abaningi babezobe bekuqabuka loku. Emihlanganweni ekhethekile yokulungiselela eyesifunda baqeqeshelwa kokubili ukwethula izinkulumo nokuhlela iminyango yemihlangano.

Ngenxa yesasasa ababenalo, abafowethu bakhuluma ngalo mhlangano kwezwa nabanye, futhi le ndaba yafika kundunankulu wesifundazwe saseLéopoldville. Njengoba ayengabathandi oFakazi BakaJehova, wabhala ngomshini incwadi eyayizothunyelwa kuziphathimandla zendawo. Le ncwadi yayithi uFakazi nje oyobanjwa eshumayela noma ehlangene nabanye ngenjongo yokukhulekela, akaboshwe. Kodwa lapho le ncwadi ifika endaweni okwakuzokwenziwa kuyo amakhophi, ngumzalwane okwadingeka enze lo msebenzi. Ayesemancane kakhulu amaphepha okwenza amakhophi esitokweni, futhi wayazi ukuthi izitolo zaseLéopoldville azinawo. Kwathi uma ubasi wakhe ebuza amakhophi ale ncwadi, umzalwane wamtshengisa amashalofu angenalutho—iphepha alikho!

Kwenzeka lokho nje, abafowethu babethandaza ngokujulile kuJehova ngale ndaba. Kwenzekani? Uhulumeni wanquma ukwakha izifundazwe ezintsha kungalindele muntu, sahlakazeka lesi esasiphethwe undunankulu ophikisayo! Eminyakeni engaphambili, baningi ababezama ukubahlukumeza noma ukubaqeda nya abantu bakaNkulunkulu. Kodwa behluleka.—Isaya 54:17.

Kufika Izithunywa Zevangeli Ezengeziwe

Phakathi nawo-1960, inhlangano yabamba ithuba lokuthumela izithunywa zevangeli eCongo. Kwavulwa ikhaya lezithunywa zevangeli elincane eKinshasa. Ngo-March 1964 kwafika izithunywa zevangeli zaseCanada, uJulian noMadeleine Kissel. Ngemva kweminyaka engu-40, basakhonza ngokwethembeka njengamalungu omkhaya waseBethel eKinshasa.

Ezinye izithunywa zevangeli ezafika ekupheleni kwawo-1960 sezizinze kwamanye amazwe. Ngo-1965, uStanley noBertha Boggus babelwa eCongo ngemva kokukhonza eHaiti. UMfoweth’ uBoggus, ongumbonisi ojikelezayo, waphindela e-United States ngo-1971 ngenxa yempilo. Esezophela u-1965, kwafika uMichael noBarbara Pottage bajoyina izithunywa zevangeli eCongo. Manje baseBethel YaseBrithani. UWilliam no-Ann Smith babelwa eCongo ngo-1966; basebenza ikakhulu eKatanga. Ngenxa yokuvinjelwa komsebenzi, babelwa eKenya ngo-1986. UManfred Tonak waseJalimane, owaphothula ekilasini lika-44 laseGileyadi, waba umbonisi ojikelezayo eCongo. Lapho umsebenzi uvinjelwa, wabelwa eKenya. Manje ungumqondisi weKomiti Yegatsha eTopiya. Ngo-1969, uDayrell noSusanne Sharp beza eCongo lapho sebephothulile ekilasini lika-47 laseGileyadi. Ngemva kokuxoshwa eCongo, babelwa eZambia futhi kusukela ngaleso sikhathi bebeseBethel eLusaka. Ezinye izithunywa zevangeli zabelwa emazweni aseNtshonalanga Afrika. Phakathi kwazo kwakunoReinhardt noHeidi Sperlich, abashona ngenkathi kuphahlazeka indiza. Le nhlekelele yabadabukisa kakhulu bonke ababebazi.

Ngo-1966 kwavulwa ikhaya lezithunywa zevangeli lokuqala ngaphandle kwaseKinshasa eLubumbashi, eningizimu-mpumalanga yezwe. Makhathaleni, kwavulwa namanye eKolwezi, enyakatho-ntshonalanga yeLubumbashi, naseKananga (okwakuyiLuluabourg), eKasai. Ukuba khona kwezithunywa zevangeli kwaba ithonya elinamandla elasiza abafowethu baphila ngeqiniso. EKasai, ngokwesibonelo, abafowethu babesaxabana ngenxa yobuzwe. Njengoba izithunywa zevangeli zaziyizifiki, zazisethubeni elihle lokuxazulula izinkinga nokwahlulela ngokungakhethi.

Kusukela ngo-1968 kuya ku-1986, zingaphezu kuka-60 izithunywa zevangeli ezakhonza ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene zezwe. Ezinye zaziye eWatchtower Bible School of Gilead e-United States, ezinye ziye eGilead Extension School eJalimane. Ngaphandle kwalezo, kwafika amaphayona akhuluma isiFulentshi ezoba izithunywa zevangeli eCongo. Amaningi afunda izilimi zalapha, futhi wonke asebenza kanzima eduduza abantu ngezindaba ezinhle zoMbuso.

AmaHholo OMbuso Ngawo-1960

Emadolobheni amakhulu, kwakuhlanganyelwa ezakhiweni ezivulekile. Kwakufuneka zona lezi ezinjena ngoba kwakushisa futhi kunomswakama, futhi imihlangano eminingi yayiqhutshwa kusihlwa noma ekuseni ngovivi, kusapholile. Kwakuhamba kahle uma lingani. Kodwa ehlobo kwakuye kudingeke ihlehliswe imihlangano.

IHholo LoMbuso lokuqala lanikezelwa ngo-1962. LaliseKimbanseke, eKinshasa, kungelelinye lamabandla ayisithupha ayekhona ngaleso sikhathi. Kusukela lapho, amabandla aseCongo aye azimisela impela ukwakha amaHholo OMbuso. Nokho, kwakuba khona izinkinga eziphathelene nomthetho. Kwakuye kwenzeke umfowethu avumele ibandla ukuba lakhe ihholo endaweni yakhe, kodwa lingabhaliswa ngokomthetho. Bese kuthi uma eshona, kufike abomndeni wakhe bashaqe ihholo nakho konke okuphakathi. Akukungakanani okwakungenziwa ukuze kuvinjwe le nto. Kamuva, ngesikhathi umsebenzi uvinjelwe, amahholo amaningi athathwa yiziphathimandla zawasebenzisela izinjongo zazo. Lezi zinkinga zaphazamisa ukwakhiwa kwamaHholo OMbuso amaningi.

Noma kunjalo, amaHholo OMbuso akhiwa ezweni lonke. Nakuba amaningi ayeyizakhiwo ezingatheni, wonke ayebonisa ukholo lwalabo ababewakha. Lalela nasi isithunywa sevangeli sichaza izindawo zokuhlanganyela ngasekupheleni kwawo-1960.

“Uma siya eHholo LoMbuso eLéopoldville, kumelwe sehle ngomhubhe ophakathi kwezindlu ezipulasiteliwe. Nalu uquqaba lwezingane lusilandela. Singena egcekeni elibiyelwe ngodonga lukasimende. Leli Hholo LoMbuso elivulekile emaceleni lingemuva komuzi ohlala abafowethu abathile. Abafowethu baprakthiza izingoma zoMbuso. Kwaze kwamnandi ukubalalela! Bacula ngezinhliziyo zonke. Siyajabula ngoba leli hholo lenganywe izihlahla, ngakho zakha umthunzi. Lithatha abantu abangaba ngu-200. Isiteji sakhiwe ngosimende safulelwa ngothayela. Uma isikhulumi sisukile egadeni, kungase kudingeke sithi ukugoba kancane. Kunebhodi lezincwadi ezivela ehhovisi legatsha nezabelo zebandla. Kunetafula lezincwadi. Abafowethu babeke izimbali eceleni kwesiteji. Kukhanyiswa iziketekete ukuze bakwazi ukuqhuba imihlangano kusihlwa. Uma sithi siyaphuma, nazi izingane phandle zilindele ukusiphelezela zisiyise emgwaqweni omkhulu.

“Manje sesiya phakathi emaqaqasini aseCongo. Njengoba sifika esigodini esinamaqhugwane, nali iHholo LoMbuso. Liphaswe izigxobo ezingu-9, lafulelwa ngamaqabunga amaningi. Kumbiwe imisele emincane enquma phakathi ehholo. Isimanga-ke siwukuthi uma sihlala enhlabathini bese senabela emiseleni, kuhlaleka kahle nje impela. Ngenhla komfowethu oqhuba umhlangano kulenga uphawu olubhalwe ukuthi ‘IHholo LoMbuso’ ngolimi lwalapha. Kunabantu abangaba ngu-30. Kungenzeka ukuthi bayisigamu kuphela abangabamemezeli. Zimbalwa izingoma zoMbuso abazaziyo. Yize bengakwazi ukucula, bacula ngomdlandla, futhi sonke sicula ngokusuka ezinhliziyweni.

“Manje sesilibangisa enyakatho yezwe. Simisa imoto bese siyaqalaza. Sibona inxuluma, ngalé kwalo kunesakhiwo esivelele. Sakhiwe ngezibhombolozi zoqalo oluhlanganiswe lwaqina ngqi. Kunezikhala zamafasitela nesicabha odongeni loqalo. Sifulelwe ngotshani. Phambi kwesakhiwo kunesinandi esigundwe kahle, kunendlela ehamba kuso, futhi kunophawu oluncane oluthi: ‘OFakazi BakaJehova.’ Uma sihamba ngale ndlela, sifika eHholo LoMbuso bese abafowethu besamukela ngentokozo. Njengoba singena, siphawula ukuthi amabhentshi akhiwe ngezigxobo zoqalo ezivundle phezu kwezinye. Kuhle ukuthi iHholo LoMbuso linophahla olungangenwa amanzi! Ukube bekungenjalo, bekuzokwenzeka inhlekelele: Uma amanzi engena ezigxotsheni zoqalo, ziyamila bese zikhula ngokushesha. Esikhundleni sokuba ibhentshi lakho liphakame ngamasentimitha angu-30, lingaphakama kakhulu kunalokho. Ibhodi lezaziso linesimiso semihlangano nezincwadi ezivela ehhovisi legatsha. Abafowethu baphaka izincwadi etafuleni elakhiwe ngoqalo oluvaviwe lwathungwa ngomhlanga.

“Sesiya eningizimu eKatanga, seliyashona ilanga lapha. Kuyabanda kule ndawo, kudingeka sigqoke izingubo ezifudufudumele. Sifika endaweni enemizi, futhi njengoba sisondela eHholo LoMbuso, sizwa abafowethu becula. Abafowethu balapha abavamile ukuba namawashi, bakala ngelanga ukuthi sekuyisikhathi semihlangano. Abafika kuqala ehholo baye bacule baze babe baningi asebefikile, bese umhlangano uyaqala. Sihlala ebhentshini simpintshane. Izincwadi zigcinwa ekhabetheni elidala, kodwa azihlali isikhathi eside ngoba kunamaphela nomuhlwa odla amaphepha. Lapho isifundo sesiphumile, abafowethu bathi asibuke ihholo labo. Izindonga zakhiwe ngamagatsha amancane ahlanganiswe ngomhlanga zabe seziphahlekwa. Uphahla okungangeni manzi kulo lwakhiwe ngotshani obulukiwe.”

UJehova Uvikela Izinceku Zakhe

Ngawo-1960, izimpi zombango nodlame kwakuyinsakavukela. Baningi abantu abafa, kubona kwakunabantu bakaJehova. Abafowethu babedinga ukholo nesibindi ukuze bahlangane ndawonye, kwazise imihlangano yayiye ididaniswe nezimbizo zezombusazwe. ESifundazweni Sase-Équateur kwagasela amasosha eHholo LoMbuso ngesikhathi isifundo sisephakathi. Asheshe abona ukuthi abafowethu bakhulekela uNkulunkulu, abazele ezombusazwe. Abe esehamba-ke, athi wona awananxa nenkolo noNkulunkulu.

EKisangani, uBernard Mayunga nabamemezeli abathile bake bathelekelwa izidlamlilo ezazifuna izinduna zalapho, zifuna ukuzibulala. Ngenkathi uBernard ebuzwa ukuthi uyisizwe sini, waphendula: “Ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova.” Emangazwa yile mpendulo, umholi wezidlamlilo wafuna incazo. UBernard wamshumayeza ngemiBhalo, lo mholi wayesethi: “Ukube bonke abantu bebenjengani, ngabe azikho izimpi.” UBernard nabanye oFakazi ayebanjwe nabo badedelwa.

Baqashelwa Ngokomthetho Ekugcineni!

Kwaze kwaba ngu-1965 iBethel YaseCongo iphakathi eKinshasa. Indawo yayincane futhi icinene. Inani labamemezeli boMbuso lalisondela ku-4 000, futhi kwase kudingeka nezakhiwo ezinkudlwana. Ngemva komzukuzuku befuna indawo, abafowethu bathola indlu eyayineminyaka eyisithupha kuphela yakhiwe e-764 Avenue des Elephants, eLimete, eKinshasa. Yayinezitezi ezimbili namakamelo amane. Abafowethu bashona emsebenzini bashintsha amagumbi ayengaphansi, elokuphumula nelokudlela, aba ihhovisi. Igalaji laba indawo yokuthumela omagazini nokwenza amakhophi. Lesi sakhiwo sanwetshwa ngo-1972.

Ngo-November 1965, uJoseph-Désiré Mobutu waketula umbuso wathatha izintambo. Ihhovisi legatsha laphinde lafaka isicelo sokuqashelwa ngokomthetho, kwathi ngo-June 9, 1966, uMo-ngameli Mobutu wasayina umthetho osamukelayo leso sicelo. Manje abantu bakaJehova base bezothola amalungelo afana nawezinye izinkolo ezaziqashelwa ngokomthetho eCongo. Abafowethu bagcina beyitholile into ababekade beyisebenzela futhi beyithandazela kusukela ngo-1932. Base bekhululekile ukuba bashumayele obala, baqhube imihlangano emikhulu, futhi bathenge nezindawo. Kodwa le nkululeko kwakuzoba eyeminyaka eyisithupha kuphela.

Imihlangano Yesigodi Inikeza Ubufakazi

Yeka indlela ababekujabulela ngayo abafowethu ukuhlela imihlangano yesifunda bevikelwe umthetho! Uchungechunge lokuqala lwalunemihlangano engu-11, sebebonke ababa khona bangu-11 214 futhi kwabhapathizwa abangu-465.

Amasonto alapha awotha ubomvu. Abefundisi babelwe ngawo wonke amandla abo ukuze bavimbele oFakazi BakaJehova bangaqashelwa ngokomthetho kule nsimu ethelayo, ababeyibheka njengeyabo. EGandajika, eSifundazweni SaseKasai, abaholi benkolo bakhalaza kumphathi-dolobha. Ngenxa yokuthi akazange abanake, bathuma intsha endaweni yomhlangano ukuba iyowuphazamisa. Kulo mhlangano kwakudlalwa ifilimu yeBhayibheli, futhi kwakufike izinkumbula zabantu zizoyibuka. Nalezi zigilamkhuba zazotha zayibukela. Kwazihlaba umxhwele ezakubona. Njengoba kwakulokhu kushintshwa kufakwa ezinye izingxenye zefilimu, lezi zinkumbula zabantu ezazibalelwa ezinkulungwaneni, zazimemeza: “Phambili noFakazi BakaJehova!”

OFakazi BakaJehova base begunyaziwe ukuba babe nemihlangano emikhulu, kodwa kuningi okwakudingeka kulungiselelwe ngaphambi kwayo. Kwakudingeka baprakthize amadrama eBhayibheli, kanti amadrama adinga ukugqokelwa izingubo ezifanele. Kwakudingeka baxhume imishini ye-sound futhi bakwazi ukuyisebenzisa. Konke lokhu bakufeza ngoba babezimisele ukusebenza nokufunda.

Uhambo Lokuyokhonza Imihlangano Yesifunda

Ngo-1964 kwakunezifunda ezanele ezazingakha izigodi ezimbili eCongo. Ngo-1969 kwamiswa esesithathu eKasai, ngo-1970 zase zizine. Ngenxa yemigwaqo emibi, kwakunzima ukuba ababonisi besigodi nabanye abantu baye emihlanganweni yesifunda neyesigodi. Ngokwesibonelo, ake sikhaphe umbonisi wesigodi uWilliam Smith, njengoba eya emhlanganweni wesifunda.

“Imvula yayigqibe le ndawo ngamanzi, ngakho imifula yayidla izindwani. Sasilibangise eKamina, lapho kwakuhlelwe ukuba umhlangano wesifunda ube khona. Sasizohamba amakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-320 siya khona. Ngenxa yemvula ewumvimbi, eminye imigwaqo yayigcwele udaka, kwezinye izindawo imigwaqo yayingamadamu. Enye indawo ehlala abantu yayiphenduke ichibi. Izimoto, amaloli, nezimoto zikahulumeni zazimi yonke indawo zilinde ukuba amanzi abohle. Abaningi babecabanga ukuthi kuzophela amasonto amabili bebambezelekile.

“Ngangazi ukuthi abafowethu basilindele ngabomvu isimiso somhlangano. Abanye babehambe ngezinyawo izinsuku eziningi beze emhlanganweni. Ngabuza ukuthi singakwazi yini ukugega le ndawo. Ngamangala lapho abantu bengitshela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babevule umgwaqwana omncane, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi inhlabathi yayithambile, babengavumeli muntu adlule kuze kudlule umbonisi wesigodi eya eKamina.

“Abafowethu basezigodini ezimbili babesebenze imini nobusuku bevula umgwaqo omusha, owawugega le ndawo okwakungahambeki kuyo. Ngasheshe ngabathola abafowethu ngase ngilungela ukuhamba ngeveni kulo mgwaqo ababewuvulile. Kwakuthe mbo abantu bezobuka ukuthi le veni izokwazi yini ukuhamba. Angikwazi ukudumala esaba yiko lapho siyibona ibisha isanda kungena nje kulo mgwaqo omusha!

“Bayidudula beyidudulile abafowethu imoto, yangathi nyaka. Babekade besebenze kanzima kakhulu, futhi wawubabona nasebusweni ukuthi bajabhile. Babesazimisele nokho ukuba umbonisi wesigodi afike emhlanganweni. Izibukeli ezazicabanga ukuthi lo mgwaqo omusha uyingozi kunokuba ube usizo, zaphindela ezimotweni zazo. Abafowethu baphinde bazama. Manje bakhipha konke okwakusevenini, eyayisindwa izincwadi, imishini ye-sound, i-generator nokunye. Abafowethu bagubha futhi badudula, amasondo aqala ukuya phambili.

“Ngemva kwehora, bamemeza ngentokozo behlabelela nezingoma zoMbuso behalalisela ukuthi sikwazile ukudlula odakeni. Abafowethu babenze into ababecabanga ukuthi ayinakwenzeka laba ababehlezi ezimotweni. Ngenxa yokusebenza kanzima kwabafowethu, umhlangano wahamba kahle. UJehova wayebasekela abantu bakhe futhi ebasiza ukuba benze intando yakhe.”

Umbuso Omusha Wenza Izinguquko

Kwakungelula ukufika kubantu abasakazeke endaweni engamakhilomitha-skwele angaphezu kwenkulungwane enamahlathi acinene neyinkangala. Izithunywa zevangeli zazishumayela emadolobheni amakhulu, abafowethu nodade balapha abangamaphayona akhethekile bona besebenza insimu yasemaphandleni. Nokho, abantu abaningi emaphandleni babengafundile, okwakwenza kube nzima ukwakha amabandla aqinile. Ngaphandle kwalokho, izinguquko kwezombusazwe zase zizothinta ukuphila kwabafowethu.

Ngonyaka ka-1970 kwaqala isimiso sokuba kube neqembu elilodwa lezombusazwe. Leli qembu lalaziwa ngokuthi i-Popular Movement of the Revolution (Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution ngesiFulentshi), noma i-MPR. Umgomo walo wawuwukuba zibuye emasisweni, futhi lokhu kwakuhlanganisa nokwetha kabusha amadolobha amancane namakhulu. IStanleyville yayisiyiKisangani, i-Elisabethville isiyiLubumbashi. Ngo-1971 uhulumeni washintsha igama lezwe nelomfula walo omkhulu laba iZaire, esikhundleni seCongo. Imali yashintshwa yaba ama-zaire esikhundleni sama-franc. Uhulumeni wathi abantu abawashintshe namagama abo: Esikhundleni samagama esiLungu kwakufanele babe nawangempela esiNtu. Othayi bavalwa ngoba kwakuthiwa yinto yabeLungu. Abafowethu bazenza ngenhlonipho zonke lezi zinto.—Math. 22:21.

Umqondo owawukhona kwezombusazwe wawuthi uma nje umuntu ezalelwe eCongo kusho ukuthi uyilungu le-MPR. Ukuze abantu baqhubeke besebenza, beya esikoleni, noma bedayisa emakethe kwakufanele nakanjani babe nekhadi lezombusazwe. Kanti okunye ukuthi kwakulindeleke ukuba abantu bafake ibheji leqembu lezombusazwe, ikakhulu uma bengena ehhovisi likahulumeni. Kwakusinda kwehlela kubantu bakaJehova. Abafowethu balahlekelwa imisebenzi nezingane zaxoshwa ezikoleni.

Noma kunjalo, zikhona izikhulu zikahulumeni ezazikuqonda ukuma koFakazi BakaJehova. Ungqongqoshe wezangaphakathi wabuza umfowethu owayemsebenzela ukuthi kungani engalifaki ibheji leqembu lezombusazwe. Umfowethu wamchazela izizathu ezingokomBhalo. Lo ngqongqoshe waphendula: “Siyanazi nina, futhi ngeke sinikhathaze; kodwa inhlangano yentsha yona izonihlupha.”

Kuthiwa uMongameli Mobutu uqobo lwakhe, ngemva kokuzwa izikhalazo eziningi ngoFakazi BakaJehova, waphendula amalungu eqembu lakhe kwenye imbizo: ‘Uma kuyoke kwenzeke ngibe nezinkinga, ngiyobe ngingazidalelwanga oFakazi BakaJehova. Khumbulani ukuthi ubani owakhaphela uJesu. KwakunguJuda, omunye wabafundi baKhe. Uma kukhona ozongikhaphela mina, kuzoba umuntu engidla naye.’

IBethel Iyanwetshwa Ngenxa Yezidingo

UNathan H. Knorr wavakashela eCongo ngo-January 1971 esuka endlunkulu eBrooklyn. Phakathi kwezinto ezaxoxwa ngesikhathi elapha, ukunwetshwa kweKhaya LaseBethel nesakhiwo samahhovisi. Ngo-1970 kwakunabamemezeli abacishe babe ngu-14 000 emabandleni angu-194 namaqembu angawodwa angaphezu kuka-200. Ngenxa yesidingo sezincwadi esasiqhubeka eCongo, ishede laseBethel lase lilincane kakhulu. Yeka intokozo eyaba khona lapho uMfoweth’ uKnorr ememezela ukuthi isakhiwo sizonwetshwa! Umdwebi wamapulani wadweba ipulani lesakhiwo esisha sesimanje, esinezitezi ezimbili, esasisikhulu ngokuphindwe kabili kwesasikhona. Sasinehhovisi elikhulu, ubhazabhaza weshede namakamelo engeziwe.

Ngo-June 1971 amapulani aphasa, wabe usuqala umsebenzi. UDon Ward wathunyelwa lapha evela eDahomey (manje esiyiBenin) ukuba azoqondisa umsebenzi wokwakha. Kweza izisebenzi zokuzithandela eziningi zizosiza zivela emabandleni angu-39 eKinshasa, futhi zawuphothula lo msebenzi zisebenza ndawonye. Konke loku kwanda ensimini nokunwetshwa kweBethel kwakuzicika nakakhulu izinkolo zeLobukholwa, njengoba sizozwa.

Iminyaka Yawo-1970—Isikhathi Sokuba Nesibindi Nesokuqapha

Ngo-December 1971 uhulumeni waphasisa umthetho olawula izinkolo namaqembu omthandazo amaningi amasha ayeqhibuka ezweni lonke. Lo mthetho omusha wawuthi zintathu kuphela izinkolo ezisemthethweni: ISonto LamaRoma Katolika, amasonto obuProthestani nesonto lamaKimbangu, okungelendabuko. Ngo-1972 nezinye izinkolo ezintathu zaqashelwa ngokomthetho: UbuSulumane, ubu-Orthodox BamaGreki nobuJuda. Izinkolo eziningi ezincane zazibopha ngabhande linye nobuProthestani.

Ngenxa yalokho, kusukela ngo-1971 kuze kube u-1980, kwakuyinkathi yokungaqashelwa ngokomthetho kwezinkolo ezithile, noma yokuvinjelwa kwazo ngezinga elithile, okwakuyithiya ngandlela-thile imisebenzi yabantu bakaNkulunkulu. Yize oFakazi BakaJehova babengaqashelwa ngokomthetho, akukhishwanga mthetho wokuba zixoshwe izithunywa zevangeli, kanti neBethel ayizange iphazanyiswe. Ikhaya lezithunywa zevangeli elaliseKananga lavalwa, kodwa ayeseBukavu, eKisangani, eKolwezi naseLubumbashi awavalwanga. Abafowethu babengeke besakwazi ukuhlela ukuba kube nemihlangano yesigodi emikhulu. Ezindaweni eziningi, nokho, abafowethu babehlangana emaHholo OMbuso. Babeqhuba imihlangano yesifunda emincane emahholo amakhudlwana. Kwakuya ngokuthi iziphathimandla zaleyo ndawo zithini. Ezindaweni okwakumandla kuzo ukuphikiswa, abafowethu babazi ukuthi bazoshushiswa futhi baboshwe. Abafowethu abaningi bagqunywa emajele. Ezindaweni ezineziphathimandla ezinomusa, abafowethu babeziqhubekela nenkonzo yabo ngenkululeko.

Naphezu kwemingcele, oFakazi baqhubeka beshumayela ngesibindi. Abafowethu abathathu nodade oyedwa baya emakethe beyoshumayela. Kwaqhamuka abalisa ababili babopha umfowethu oyedwa ngesikhathi ehambisela umuntu owayenesithakazelo incwadi. Bamyisa eziko leqembu lezombusazwe bamfaka egumbini limbe bathi akalinde umholi waleli qembu. Wafika umholi wathola lo mfowethu ehambisela omunye umuntu owayelindile incwadi ethi Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation?

“Uyisakaza lana wena le nkulumo-ze yakho?” kubuza lo mholi ngokhahlo.

Umfowethu waphendula: “Uxolo kancane, uma othile engakubuza athi, ‘Umuntu wazivelela noma wadalwa?’ ungamphendula uthini?”

Inkukhu yanqunywa umlomo kumholi. Waphenduka wabheka la balisa ababebophe umfowethu, wathi: “Myekeni ahambe. Akephuli mthetho.”

Lo mfowethu waphindela emakethe waqhubeka nokushumayela. Makhathaleni, lo mholi wadlula ngasemakethe wabona lo mfowethu. Emkhomba, lo mholi wathi kwayehamba nabo: “Inesibindi leya nsizwa.”

Ngo-1974 umbonisi wegatsha u-Ernest Heuse waphoqeleka ukuba aphindele eBelgium ngoba kwakusho odokotela bakhe. Kwase kuyisikhathi u-Ernest ephethwe iphika, futhi njengoba ayethandwa umalaleveva, impilo yakhe yayiya iba yimbi. Abafowethu babewuthanda umkhaya wakwaHeuse; wawuye wabamba iqhaza elikhulu enkonzweni. Waqhubeka ukhonza uJehova ngentshiseko eBelgium. U-Ernest washona ngo-1986; umkakhe, uHélène, washona ngemva kweminyaka engu-8. EKinshasa, umsebenzi wokwengamela igatsha waphathiswa uTimothy A. Holmes, owayekade eyisithunywa sevangeli kusukela ngo-1966.

Bayaphinda Baqashelwa Ngokomthetho Ngo-1980

Ngo-April 30, 1980, umongameli wezwe wasayina umthetho ovumela ukuba i-Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses iqashelwe ngokomthetho. Sasingakaze sibe sikhulu kangaka isithakazelo eqinisweni, kwaba khona abangu-90 226 eSikhumbuzweni futhi kwakuqhutshwa izifundo zeBhayibheli ezicishe zibe ngu-35 000 emizini yabantu abathakazelayo. Kwaba nenani elisha eliphakeme labamemezeli namaphayona. Kwakudingeka izakhiwo ezingcono ukuze izidingo zensimu zaneliswe kahle. Ngakho abafowethu bathokoza lapho iNdikimba Ebusayo ivuma ukuba bathenge indawo enkulu ngokuphindwe izikhathi ezimbili nesigamu kunaleyo igatsha elalinayo eCongo. Kodwa, njengoba sizozwa, kwaba khona izingqinamba.

Kwase kuphele iminyaka abafowethu bengakwazi ukuhlela ukuba kube nemihlangano yesigodi. Base bengayihlela manje ngoba base bekhululekile. Ngo-1980 kwaqhutshwa iMihlangano Yesigodi ‘Yothando Lwaphezulu’ emihlanu ezweni lonke. Abanye kwakudingeka bahambe amabanga amade beya emihlanganweni. Imikhaya eminingi yayihamba amakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-400 ngezinyawo. Amaphayona akhethekile amabili ayelé kwamamangalahlwa achitha amasonto amabili ehamba ngamabhayisikili ibanga elingamakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-700 esihlabathini esibishayo nasehlathini elicinene. Abanye babevela naseCongo (Brazzaville), eBurundi naseRwanda.

Eminyakeni eyalandela, kwadingeka kuhlelwe ukuba imihlangano yesigodi ibe sezindaweni ezengeziwe. Kuyavunywa, abafowethu base benayo inkululeko yenkolo, kodwa izingcindezi zomnotho nazo zazithe bhe. Kwakunzima kwabaningi ukuziphilisa. Amanani ayephakama, kodwa lutho amaholo. Izinto zokuhamba zazimba eqolo ukuba abafowethu bangahamba ngazo ibanga elide. Ngakho ihhovisi legatsha labonisa uthando lahlela ukuba kube nemihlangano eyengeziwe eduze kwalapho abafowethu abaningi behlala khona.

Kungaba nzima ukuhamba emigwaqweni yaseCongo: Kunemithi esiphukile, amabhuloho abhidlikile, isihlabathi esibishayo, nemigodi enodaka. Abameleli bamagatsha nomkabo bebelokhu bebonisa umoya wokuzidela lapho bekhonza imihlangano yesifunda neyesigodi. Nokho, ukuzidela kwabo kuncane uma kuqhathaniswa nokwabafowethu nodade abathembekile balapha okuye kudingeke bahambe ngezinyawo izinsuku eziningi futhi balale endle. Namanje kusenzeka ukuba abafowethu bahambe ngezinyawo amakhilomitha aphakathi kwangu-50 kuya kwangu-150 beya emihlanganweni yesigodi.

Kuvulwa Amakhaya Ezithunywa Zevangeli Amasha

Ukuqashelwa ngokomthetho ngo-1980 kwavulela izithunywa zevangeli ezintsha intuba yokungena kuleli zwe. Ngo-1981 kwavulwa ikhaya elisha eGoma (eSifundazweni SaseKivu). Eminyakeni emibili eyalandela, kwavulwa amakhaya engeziwe eLikasi (eKatanga), eMbuji-Mayi (eKasai), eKikwit (eBandundu) nasethekwini laseMatadi (eCongo Esezansi). Amakhaya ayekade evaliwe aphinde avulwa. Ekugcineni, ngo-1986 lavulwa e-Isiro (eSifundazweni Sase-Orientale), okwenza amakhaya ezithunywa zevangeli aba ngu-11 esewonke kuleli zwe. La makhaya ayephinde abe amadepho ezincwadi. Izithunywa zevangeli yizona ezazixhumanisa ihhovisi legatsha nensimu. Abafowethu nodade bendawo babesazisa isikhuthazo nokuqeqeshwa ababekuthola kuzo. Unyaka wenkonzo ka-1981 waphetha ngenani elisha eliphakeme labamemezeli abangu-25 753. Ayemakhulu amathuba okwanda.

Abamesabi UKimbilikiti

Elithi Kimbilikiti yigama ledlozi lesizwe. Leli dlozi likhonzwa isizwe samaRega esihlala endaweni enamahlathi acinene esempumalanga ephakathi yezwe. Ukuphila kwalaba bantu—iningi labo elingabazingeli, abalimi nabadobi—kubuswa izinkolelo ezihlangene noKimbilikiti. Leli hlelo ligcwele izimfihlo, futhi abefundisi balo banethonya elikhulu kwabalesabayo leli dlozi.

OFakazi BakaJehova balapha abamesabi uKimbilikiti ngoba bayazi ukuthi uJehova nguye kuphela uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Yibona bodwa abangazenzi izinto ezifunwa abapristi bakaKimbilikiti, njengokwenza imisebenzi ngezimbuzi nezinkukhu, ezijika zidliwe yibo abapristi.

Kusukela ngo-1978, abasonta kuleli hlelo baqala ukushushisa oFakazi BakaJehova ingcaca. Bashisa amaHholo OMbuso amaningi, baxosha abafowethu abathile emizini yabo, babaphuca nezimpahla zabo. Baze babathakatha imbala futhi babaphonsa bezama ukubalethela amashwa kodwa behluleka. Kwathi ngo-August 1983 abasonta kuleli hlelo benza isenzo esihlasimulisayo—babulala abafowethu abangu-8 ngesihluku esikhulu eduze kwasePangi, indawo esemaphandleni.

Lesi sigigaba esihlasimulisa umzimba salishaqa ibandla, ikakhulu labo ababeshonelwe umyeni noma ubaba abamthandayo. Ihhovisi legatsha nabafowethu bendawo basukumela phezulu banikeza imikhaya eyayithintekile usizo olungokomoya nolungokwenyama.

Ababulali bona babenomuzwa wokuthi ngeke bathintwe muntu kule ndawo eqhelile nenamahlathi. Kodwa ekugcineni izelelesi zabanjwa. Icala laqulelwa enkantolo yesifunda saseKindu. Abamangalelwa bathi yidlozi uKimbilikiti elalibavuse iqunga lokubulala. Nokho, umshushisi wadalula ukuthi inkinga yangempela yayikuphi. Wathi: “Abathile [besizwe samaRega] ababenza amasiko kaKimbilikiti futhi abazi izimfihlo sebehlanganyela noFakazi BakaJehova. Sebezambulile izimfihlo, ikakhulu lezo ezimayelana nokungabi khona kwedlozi elinguKimbilikiti. Ngokwenza kanjalo badalule ukuthi, njengoba oFakazi BakaJehova besho, amadoda amadala asuke eqamba amanga aluhlaza uma ethi leli dlozi lifuna ukwenzelwa imisebenzi.”

Ngakho, abamangalelwa yibona abatholakala benecala hhayi idlozi uKimbilikiti. Lapho icala lidluliswa, inkantolo ephakeme eBukavu yasivuna isigwebo sentambo esanikezwa ababulali. Abashushisi baxwayisa ngemiphumela eyotholwa yizikhonzi zikaKimbilikiti uma zingaphinda zihlasele oFakazi BakaJehova.b

Zenzekile nezinye izigigaba ngemva kwaleso, kodwa abasonta kuleli hlelo sebeyazi manje ukuthi ngeke bazithukusa ehlathini izinto ezinjalo noma bathembele kuKimbilikiti ongekho ukuthi uzobavikela. Okwamanje, oFakazi BakaJehova baqhubeka ngokwethembeka besiza abanye ukuba bagqashule kuleli hlelo. UJehova uye wabonisa uthando ngokubusisa le mizamo. Sikhuluma nje kunabamemezeli abashisekayo abangaphezu kuka-300 abakhonza emabandleni akule ndawo. Bathanda uJehova; abamesabi uKimbilikiti.

Umsebenzi Uyavinjelwa

Ngo-1985 umsebenzi woMbuso wawusuchuma eCongo. Kwase kuqalile ukwakhiwa kweBethel entsha endaweni eyayithengwe ngo-1980. Kwakukhona izisebenzi zokuzithandela zakwamanye amazwe ezibalelwa ku-60 zizosiza. Wathi uphela lo nyaka wenkonzo kwase kunabamemezeli ababalelwa ku-35 000 nenani lamaphayona selikhuphukile. Izithunywa zevangeli ezingu-60 zazishumayela ngomdlandla kulo lonke leli. Ababonisi abajikelezayo babeqeqesha abadala bamabandla namaphayona. Konke kwabonakala kuzobangela ukwanda.

Nokho, akubona bonke ababekuthakaselela ukubona abantu bakaNkulunkulu bechuma ngokomoya futhi beba nezinto. Abefundisi babesebenzisa abezombusazwe ukuthikameza umsebenzi wabafowethu. Ngo-March 12, 1986, uMongameli Mobutu wasayina umthetho-sivivinyo wokuvimbela umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova. Ngakusasa kwamenyezelwa emsakazweni ukuthi sesivinjelwe. Umsakazi mumbe wathi: “Ngeke siphinde sizwe ngoFakazi BakaJehova [eCongo].” Wayeqambe eshilo!

Ihhovisi legatsha labuyisa izithunywa zevangeli ezine ezazikhonza njengababonisi besigodi futhi labela abafowethu balapha ukuba babe ababonisi besigodi. Ngenxa yokuthi izithunywa zevangeli zazingasakwazi ukushumayela obala, zazizwa sengathi ziboshelwe endlini. Abafowethu balapha babehlala beqaphile lapho beshumayela. (Math. 10:16) Kuyadabukisa ukuthi abaningi abathakazelayo bangenwa itwetwe futhi bayeka ukufunda. Amanye amaHholo OMbuso avalwa, amanye aze abhidlizwa nokubhidlizwa. Amanye adliwa iqembu lezombusazwe. Abafowethu kwadingeka bahlangane ngamaqembu amancane. Babelandwa emizini yabo ebusuku baboshwe, kuntshontshwe nezinto zabo.

ESifundazweni Sase-Équateur abafowethu abaningi bashaywa futhi bavalelwa ejele. Elinye iphayona elikhethekile lashaywa kabuhlungu futhi lavalelwa ejele izinyanga ezintathu. Konke lokhu kwakuwumphumela wesimemezelo sasemsakazweni. Kwenzeka konke lokhu nje awukaphasiswa umthetho othi sivinjelwe. Kwathi sisanda kuphuma nje isimemezelo esithi sivinjelwe emsakazweni, abafowethu bakhalaza kodwa abangaphendulwa. Kwase kuthi ngo-June 1986, umongameli wezwe wethula inkulumo emphakathini, wasola oFakazi wathi abalithandi izwe lakubo futhi abalihloniphi igunya.

Yeka ukuthi izinto zase zishintshe ngokushesha kanjani! Abantu abebekade behlonishwa zolo lokhu, manje sebeyadelelwa. Ukwakhiwa kwegatsha elisha kwama, kwathi kanti bekuchwaza umsindo wenjabulo esakhiweni kwathula kwathi cwaka. Zonke izisebenzi zokuzithandela zakwamanye amazwe kwadingeka zihambe kuleli zwe, izinto zokwakha zadayiswa. Abafowethu bakule ndawo abangaba ngu-20 basala bagada isakhiwo.

Khona manjalo kwafika incwadi evela kumphathi wamaphoyisa eyayibhalwe ngo-June 26, 1986, ithi zonke izithunywa zevangeli kumelwe ziphume ziphele kuleli zwe. Loku kuvinjelwa kwakuhluke kakhulu kokwango-1972 ngoba ngaleso sikhathi izithunywa zevangeli zazivunyelwe ukuhlala. Yeka ukuthi kwakudabukisa kanjani ukubona uMnyango Wokuthumela Izincwadi ugcwele izimpahla zezithunywa zevangeli ezase ziyindlela! Ngo-July, zingu-23 izithunywa zevangeli ezahamba zaya kwamanye amazwe. Lezo ezazingekho ziseholidini kwamanye amazwe azibange zisabuya. Manje kwaqala inkathi yokwenza ushintsho futhi eCongo.

Kuhlelwa Kabusha Ukuze Umsebenzi Wenziwe Ngomshoshaphansi

Uma abaphikisi babecabanga ukuthi bazobathena amandla noma babaqede abantu bakaJehova, babeshaye phansi. Babengawazi amandla omoya ongcwele kaJehova nokuthi abantu bakaNkulunkulu bazimisele kanjani. Idlanzana lezithunywa zevangeli ezingomakad’ ebona lakwazi ukusala kuleli zwe. Izisebenzi zasegatsheni zaziqhubeka zisebenzela emizini eminingana zengamela umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso. Abafowethu babeqhubela iSikole Senkonzo Samaphayona emizini yabathile kulo lonke leli zwe.

Yayingekho indlala engokomoya. Abafowethu babeqhubeka benyathelisa futhi behambisa izincwadi zeBhayibheli. Ihhovisi legatsha lathumela izinkulumo zomhlangano wesigodi nowesifunda ukuba zibekwe emabandleni. Uma ababonisi besifunda behambele amabandla babedlala amadrama omhlangano aqoshwe ngezilimi zendawo. Lokhu kwakwenziwa minyaka yonke kusukela ngo-1986 kwaze kwaba yilapho ukuvinjelwa sekuphelile. Yize kwakungomkhulu umsebenzi lokhu, abafowethu bazuza kakhulu kukho.

Abadala babeya kuziphathimandla zikahulumeni bayochaza isimo sethu sokungathathi hlangothi futhi bazame ukukwenza kucace ukuthi, ukuthi abathathi hlangothi akusho ukuthi baphikisana nohulumeni. Ngale ndlela igama likaJehova nezinjongo zakhe laziwa yibo bonke, ngisho nabasezikhundleni eziphakeme kakhulu kuleli zwe. Kwahlala obala ukuthi izinceku zikaJehova zihlukile—azithathi hlangothi nakancane kodwa zinokuthula futhi azivukeli mbuso.

Abamemezeli BoMbuso Bayancipha Babuye Bande

Umbiko wenkonzo wango-1987 wabonisa ukuthi inani labamemezeli lehle ngamaphesenti ayisithupha. Abanye babesaba futhi bengafuni ukuzihlanganisa nenhlangano evinjelwe. Kwaba khona ushushiso olunonya ezindaweni eziningi.

Kodwa kwakuthi ngezinye izikhathi isikhuni sibuye nomkhwezeli. Ngokwesibonelo, enye inkosi yabiza imbizo ifuna ukugxeka oFakazi BakaJehova. Le nkosi yaphakamisa INcwadi Yami Yezindaba ZeBhayibheli yabe isitshela abantu ukuthi noma ubani ohambisa le ncwadi kumelwe bambophe. Abantu bathi bafuna ukuyibonela eduze le ncwadi khona beyokwazi ukuyibona. Yavuma, abantu bayibuka bayithanda. Abanye babe sebecela amakhophi ephayoneni elikhethekile elalihlala kwesinye isigodi. Leli phayona elikhethekile liyakhumbula: “Ngaqala izifundo zeBhayibheli eziyishumi. Ngangingakaze ngishumayele esigodini sale nkosi. Ukube yayingazange isigxeke, mhlawumbe ngabe laba abalitholanga ithuba lokuthola iqiniso!”

Abafowethu bazivumelanisa nezimo ezintsha. Yize babevinjelwe ngezindlela eziningi, ‘babengaminyene kangangokuthi bangakwazi nokunyakaza.’ (2 Kor. 4:8) Lapho kuphela unyaka wenkonzo ka-1988 inani labamemezeli lase likhuphuke ngamaphesenti angu-7. Kwakuqhutshwa izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-60 000. Abafowethu abasebenza eMnyango Wenkonzo eBethel bahambela amadolobha amakhulu ukuze bakhuthaze abafowethu futhi bahlangane nabadala bendawo nababonisi abajikelezayo. Ihhovisi legatsha lalapha lalisalokhu lengamele iBurundi neCongo (Brazzaville) engumakhelwane, futhi nakhona umsebenzi wawuvinjelwe.

Omunye umfowethu owayenguthishanhloko esikoleni esithile eKolwezi wenqaba ukwenza isifungo sezombusazwe. Ngenxa yalokhu, washaywa kabuhlungu wabe esethunyelwa eLubumbashi, lapho abaphikisi babecabanga ukuthi uzofike abulawe khona. Lo mfowethu wachaza ngomoya ophansi isizathu sokuba angathathi hlangothi. Bamdedela base bembuyisela eKolwezi. Labo ababemshayile kwadingeka baxolise! Wabuyiselwa emsebenzini futhi wamiswa waba umhloli!

Ngo-October 1988, amakhosi endawo asidla isakhiwo saseBethel eKinshasa futhi athatha nenqwaba yezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Amasosha ayehlale entshontsha amabhokisi ezincwadi namaBhayibheli abese eyozidayisa emakethe. Abantu babezithenga, okwakwenza kube lula ukuba abafowethu baqale izifundo zeBhayibheli.c

Ngo-1989 inani labamemezeli boMbuso lase lifinyelele ku-40 707 naphezu kokuvinjelwa. Izitha zoFakazi BakaJehova zazithukuthele zingqangqa. Owayengungqongqoshe wezobulungisa ngaleso sikhathi, umngane owaziwayo weSonto LamaKatolika, wathumelela bonke abashushisi basezinkantolo eCongo incwadi ebonisa ukudumala ngokuthi umsebenzi wabantu bakaJehova usaqhubeka. Wabakhuthaza ukuba babeke oFakazi BakaJehova icala futhi kuvalwe namaHholo OMbuso abo. Kamuva, enkulumweni ayethula kubaholi benkolo, wachaza abantu bakaJehova ngokuthi “amademoni uqobo lwawo.” Lokhu kwasusa ushushiso esifundazweni saseBandundu okuhlala kuso lo ngqongqoshe.

Izingane Zivalelwa Ejele

Ngaleso sikhathi, ezinye izingane ezingoFakazi BakaJehova ezazisesikoleni zaboshwa ngoba zenqaba ukuhlanganyela emigidini yezombusazwe. Ubaba wabafana ababili naye wavalelwa ejele kanye nabo. Onogada basejele kwathiwa bangabaniki ukudla. Exakekile, omunye unogada wabuza: “Kuleli jele sinababulali namasela, futhi siyabanika ukudla. Kungani kufanele ancishwe ukudla lo mlisa nabafana bakhe ababili?” Lapho engayitholi impendulo ezwakalayo, lo nogada wabanika ukudla. Abafana bahlala izinsuku ezingu-11 ejele, uyise, oyiphayona elikhethekile, wahlala ezingu-7. Loku kuvivinywa akuzange kubadangalise nakancane.

EKikwit, indoda yimbe eyayingeyena uFakazi KaJehova yaboshwa ngemva kokuba kuboshwe umkayo onguFakazi kanye namadodakazi ayo amabili. Lapho iziphathimandla zithola ukuthi le ndoda yayingahambisani nezinkolelo zomkayo, zathi ayigoduke. Yenqaba, yathi ngeke igoduke ishiye umkayo nezingane. Lapho ekugcineni idedelwa nomkhaya wayo, yafunda iBhayibheli futhi yabhapathizwa. Sikhuluma nje ingumdala webandla.

Kuxabene Ubendle Ezweni

Ngo-September 1991 amasosha avukela uhulumeni eKinshasa, aphanga izinto yonke indawo. Lokhu kwabangela indlala enkulu nokuntuleka kukaphethiloli nokuba abantu abaningi baphelelwe umsebenzi nokwehla kwamandla emali. Amahhovisi egatsha oFakazi BakaJehova eNingizimu Afrika naseFrance athumela izinto zosizo.

Njengoba igatsha lalapha eCongo lalishikashikeka nezalo izinkinga, lalinakekela nababaleki abavela emazweni angomakhelwane i-Angola neSudan. Enyakatho-mpumalanga yeCongo, uZekaria Belemo, owayengumbonisi ojikelezayo, wavakashela iqembu labafowethu abangababaleki ababevela eSudan. Wafike wanikeza inkulumo ngesiNgisi ayesibhidilisha, yahunyushelwa olimini lwesi-Arabhu. UZekaria wayezibuza ukuthi kazi laba bafowethu bayizwile yini inkulumo. Eminyakeni engaba mihlanu kamuva, izinsizwa ezimbili ezazivakashele eBethel zeza kuye zambuza: “Usasikhumbula? Sasiphakathi kwalabo ababelalele inkulumo yakho ekamu lababaleki. Sasithatha isikhuthazo owasinika sona futhi saqala ukutadisha iBhayibheli.” Kamuva, lezi zinsizwa zanikezela ukuphila kwazo kuJehova.

Izingxabano zezizwe zazingenye inkinga enkulu eyayikhona kuleli zwe. Abaningi babesuke eKasai bathuthela eningizimu eKatanga. Ngo-1992 no-1993, abantu baseKatanga babaxosha kulesi sifundazwe. Abaningi balabo ababevela eKasai kwadingeka bashiye imisebenzi, izimpahla nemizi. Babalekela emakamu ukuze basindise ukuphila kwabo, nakwezinye izindawo ababengaqoqana kuzo ndawonye ukuze bavikelane. Abangaphezu kuka-100 000 babuyela kwelakubo eKasai. Phakathi kwabo kwakukhona oFakazi BakaJehova abangaba ngu-4 000. Abafowethu abahlala eduze benza konke okusemandleni abo ukuze basize, yize nabo babezihluphekela futhi ukudla kuyindlala. Elinye ibandla elingasemzileni omkhulu osenyakatho yeKatanga lathumela abafowethu abathile ukuba bayohlangabeza iloli ngalinye elifikayo ukuze bathole ukuthi linabo yini oFakazi. Uma sebebatholile, babebanika usizo abaludingayo.

Igatsha laseNingizimu Afrika lathumela amaloli amaningana agcwele ukudla nemithi okwakuzonikezwa abafowethu abangenamakhaya ababelinde emakamu. Lezi zinto zasindisa ukuphila. INdikimba Ebusayo yathi abafowethu baseKinshasa abathenge ukudla, imithi, amageja namafosholo ukuze imikhaya ikwazi ukuphinde iyohlala eKasai futhi ilime amasimu ayo.

Ezinye Izimpawu Zoshintsho

Inkulumo kamongameli nengqungquthela yabezindaba eyayingo-April 24, 1990, yabonisa ukuthi iziphathimandla zase ziwushintshe kakhulu umbono wazo ngoFakazi BakaJehova. Engqungqutheleni yabezindaba nezintatheli zakuleli nezakwamanye amazwe, umongameli waqinisekisa ukuthi uhulumeni uyaziqaphela zonke izinhlobo zenkululeko eziyisisekelo, kuhlanganise nenkululeko yabezindaba nenkululeko yenkolo. Lokhu kwavula indlela yokuba abafowethu bashumayele futhi bahlangane ngokukhululekile. Labo ababesejele, badedelwa.

Uyamkhumbula umsakazi owayesho ngeqholo emsakazweni ngo-1986 ukuthi iCongo ngeke iphinde izwe ngoFakazi BakaJehova? Wayeshaye phansi. Ngesikhathi kuqala ukuvinjelwa ngo-1986, kwakunabamemezeli abangu-34 207 eCongo. Kwathi kuphela unyaka wenkonzo ka-1990 base bengu-50 677, eSikhumbuzweni kwaba khona abangu-156 590. Imbewu esesakeni lethu lommbila wase-Afrika yayithelile naphezu kokuphikisa, ukunyundela, ushushiso, nolaka lwabaholi benkolo nabezombusazwe. Ngo-1997, lapho kugumbuqelwa umbuso kaMongameli Mobutu, loya msakazi nguye okwadingeka abaleke kuleli zwe, hhayi oFakazi BakaJehova.

Baphinda Bathola Inkululeko

Umthetho kamongameli wango-1986 wavimbela yonke imisebenzi yoFakazi BakaJehova futhi wavala nenhlangano yabo engokomthetho kuleli zwe. Kodwa, ngo-January 8, 1993, iNkantolo Ephakeme Yobulungisa YaseZaire (Congo) yakhipha isinqumo ecaleni elaliphakathi koFakazi BakaJehova neRepublic of Zaire. Inkantolo yathi umthetho kahulumeni wawuyiphutha futhi yawuchitha. Abajabulanga abajabulanga abafowethu!

Leso sinqumo seNkantolo Ephakeme sasusa isidumo ngoba yayisebenzise umthetho-sisekelo omusha, umongameli nabalandeli bakhe ababengawufuni. Abanye bathi lesi sinqumo singumhlahlandlela. OFakazi abazange basho lutho, kodwa yeka ukuthi lokhu kwabunikeza kanjani ubufakazi, obaletha udumo egameni likaJehova! Izihloko zamaphephandaba amaningi zaphawula ngaleli cala eliyingqophamlando. UMnyango Wezobulungisa wabe usutshela ongqongqoshe bezifundazwe ezihlukahlukene ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova base bephinde bagunyazwa ngokomthetho ukuba baqhubeke nemisebenzi yabo yenkolo. Yeka ukunqoba kwabantu bakaJehova nokukhulekela kweqiniso!

Izingqinamba Zokuthumela Izincwadi Ngaphakathi ECongo

ICongo iyizwe elibanzi. Nokho, ngaphandle nje kogu oluncane oluseBas-Congo, ingxenye enkulu yaleli zwe izungezwe amazwe. Imithwalo emikhulu eminingi ifikela ethekwini laseMatadi. Kunojantshi owodwa nomgwaqo owodwa phakathi kweMatadi nenhloko-dolobha, eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-300.

Amagatsha aseYurophu áthumelela igatsha laseCongo amaloli anamandla, okuye kwathuthwa ngawo izinto futhi asetshenziswa nasekwakheni. Kusukela ngo-1999 idepho yaseBethel ibiseMatadi. Lokhu kuye kwasiza kakhulu ngoba izincwadi zithulwa emikhunjini zifakwe edepho kuze kufike iloli elivela egatsheni lizozithatha liziyise eKinshasa.

Ngawo-1980, iloli lalikwazi ukuhamba lidabule izwe lisuka eKinshasa liye eLubumbashi, lime emadepho asemakhaya ezithunywa zevangeli eKananga naseMbuji-Mayi. Yize indiza yayingathatha amahora amabili isuka eKinshasa iya eLubumbashi, iloli elilayishile lalithatha amasonto amabili! Nokho, njengoba iminyaka iqhubeka, imigwaqo yaya ngokuya iba mibi kwaze kwagcina kungasahambeki kuyo. Yize kunemifula okuhambeka kuyo ngezikebhe ibanga elide, izikebhe eziya enhla nezwe ezisuka eKinshasa azithembekile. Ngaphandle kwalokhu, kuneziyaluyalu zezombangazwe kwezinye izindawo, ezenza ukuthi izimoto ezisuka eBethel zingakwazi ukufinyelela ezindaweni eziningi ezizungeze iKinshasa. Indlela engcono kakhulu yokuba igatsha lithumele izincwadi eziya kude, ukuzithumela ngendiza.

Amanye amagatsha aye asiza ngokuthumela izincwadi kubafowethu. Igatsha laseCameroon lithumela izincwadi ngeloli kulo lonke elaseCentral African Republic kuze kufike nasenyakatho yeCongo. Igatsha laseRwanda nelaseKenya asiza ekunakekeleni izingxenye ezisempumalanga yaleli zwe. Amabandla akwezinye izindawo eningizimu athola izincwadi egatsheni laseNingizimu Afrika nelaseZambia.

ISikole Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo—Yisibusiso Kule Nsimu

Ngo-1995 kwahlelwa ikilasi lokuqala leSikole Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo eKinshasa. Kwathi kushaya u-April 2003, base bengaphezu kuka-400 abafowethu abaqeqeshwe kulesi sikole emakilasini angu-16. Abafundi abahlanu sebengababonisi besigodi, abangaphezu kuka-60 bangababonisi besifunda. Abanye abangu-50 bamiswe baba amaphayona akhethekile. Laba bafowethu baye babasiza ngempela abanye abafowethu ukuba babe nogqozi lokushumayela.

Kwabanye kwakungelula ukuya kulesi sikole. Lapho uGeorges Mutombo ethola incwadi eyayimmemela khona, wayehlala endaweni eyayiphethwe amavukela-mbuso. Kwadingeka ahambe amakhilomitha angu-400 ngebhayisikili aye eKamina lapho ayezothola khona indiza eya eKinshasa, lapho isikole sasikhona. Endleleni wanethwa imvula izinsuku ezintathu futhi wadlula ezindaweni ezingu-16 ezazigadwe amasosha. Wadlula nasendaweni eyayigcwele ubugebengu. Ngesinye isikhathi wajahwa iqembu lezigcwelegcwele, nazo ezazihamba ngamabhayisikili. Zayeka ukumjaha lapho kuqhuma isondo lebhayisikili legosa lazo. Kusobala ukuthi izigcwelegcwele zambona ngokugqoka uGeorges ukuthi unguFakazi. Zamemeza zathi ngeke zisamjaha ngoba ziyabona ukuthi uNkulunkulu wakhe, uJehova, unaye.

Izakhiwo Ezazizokwazi Ukuthwala Umsebenzi

Kusukela ngo-1965 ihhovisi legatsha beliku-764 Avenue des Elephants, eLimete, eKinshasa. Ngo-1991 kwathengwa indawo engxenyeni yedolobha enezimboni. Izakhiwo ezintathu ezinkulu ezazikule ndawo kwakukade kungezenkampani yezindwangu, kamuva zaba ezesitolo sokukhanda izinto. Abafowethu bazilungisa lezi zakhiwo ukuze imisebenzi yasegatsheni yenzelwe endaweni eyodwa. Yize umsebenzi wabanjezelwa iziyaluyalu zezombusazwe, waqala ngo-1993 ezakhiweni zegatsha ezintsha lapho kufika izisebenzi zokuzithandela zakwamanye amazwe. Ngo-April 1996, izisebenzi zasegatsheni zathutha ku-Avenue des Elephants zaya ezakhiweni ezintsha. Ngemva kokuthutha, omunye umdala waseBethel waphawula: “Ukubona wonke umkhaya usuphinde wahlangana ndawonye kusikhumbuza eminyakeni eyishumi edlule ngesikhathi umsebenzi wethu uvinjelwa. Simbonga ngokujulile uJehova uNkulunkulu nenhlangano yakhe ebonakalayo ngalezi zakhiwo eziyigugu.” Ngo-October 1996 abamemezeli bafinyelela inani elisha lika-100 000. Abafowethu babejabulele ithemba lokuthi basazokwanda nakakhulu.

Kufika Izithunywa Zevangeli Zizolekelela

Ngawo-1990 zase zingaphinda zithunyelwe futhi izithunywa zevangeli kuleli zwe zizoba kanye nezingu-7 ezakwazi ukusala lapha kuyo yonke iminyaka umsebenzi uvinjelwe. Ngo-July 1995, uSébastien Johnson nomkakhe, uGisela, babelwa eCongo besuka eSenegal. Kwakusazofika ezinye izithunywa zevangeli. Ezinye zazivela e-United States ngemva kokuphothula eGileyadi, kanti ezinye zazivela eBelgium, eBrithani, naseFrance. Ngo-March 1998, uChristian noJuliette Belotti bafika bevela eFrench Guiana. Ngo-January 1999, uPeter Wilhjelm nomkakhe, u-Anna-Lise, babelwa lapha besuka eSenegal. Kamuva, kwafika ezinye izithunywa zevangeli eCongo zivela eCameroon, eMali naseSenegal.

Ngo-December 1999 kwavulwa ikhaya elisha lezithunywa zevangeli budebuduze neKinshasa. Zingu-12 izithunywa zevangeli ezihlala khona. ELubumbashi, kunekhaya lezithunywa zevangeli elingakaze livalwe selokhu laqala ukusebenza ngo-1965. Kwavulwa ikhaya lesibili lapha ngo-2003. Njengamanje kunemibhangqwana eshadile emine ehlala khona. Ikhaya elisha lezithunywa zevangeli lamiswa ngo-May 2002 eGoma, empumalanga yaleli zwe, kwabelwa izithunywa zevangeli ezine. Lezi zithunywa zevangeli ziyaqhubeka ziyisibusiso kule nsimu enkulu nekhiqizayo.

Ukungathathi Hlangothi KwamaKristu Ngesikhathi Kulwiwa

Eziningi zalezi zithunywa zevangeli zafika ngenkathi yezinguquko ezazinodlame kuleli zwe. Ngo-October 1996 kwasuka impi empumalanga yaleli zwe futhi yasheshe yadlulela nakwezinye izindawo. Injongo yale mpi kwakuwukugumbuqela uMongameli Mobutu. Ngo-May 17, 1997, amasosha kaLaurent-Désiré Kabila angena engasadle nkobe zamuntu eKinshasa, kwase kuba nguye umongameli.

Ngesikhathi ababukeli be-TV emhlabeni wonke bebukele izithombe ezihlasimulisa umzimba zababaleki abampofu abakhungethwe indlala nezifo, abantu bakaJehova babeqhubeka bememezela isigijimi seBhayibheli sethemba nenduduzo. Kuyadabukisa ukuthi izinkulungwane zafa empini, kuhlanganise noFakazi abangaba ngu-50. Ngenxa yempi, abaningi babulawa isifo sohudo nezinye izifo.

Ngenxa yempi, abantu abaningi abanabo omazisi. Lokhu kubadalela inkinga abafowethu uma behamba beyoshumayela kwezinye izindawo. Emigwaqweni kunezindawo eziningi ezigadwe amasosha. Abamemezeli bakwelinye ibandla babengenabo omazisi, ngakho omunye umdala wasikisela ukuba bakhiphe ikhadi i-Advance Medical Directive/Release, ngempela benza kanjalo. Kwenye indawo egadwe amasosha, amasosha athi kubo: “Asifuni le nto thina. Sifuna umazisi wesakhamuzi ngasinye sakuleli zwe!”

Abafowethu baphendula: “Leli yikhadi elibonisa ukuthi singoFakazi BakaJehova.” Amasosha abayeka badlula.

EKisangani, amasosha akwamanye amazwe ayelwela uhulumeni walapha avalela izinsizwa ezine ezingabafowethu ejele. Laba bafowethu babebhecwe ngecala lokuthi bayizimpimpi zesitha. Njalo ekuseni, la masosha ayekhetha iziboshwa eziyishumi, azithathe ngeloli aziyise ehlathini afike azibulale. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga ekuseni athatha abafowethu ababili nezinye iziboshwa eziyisishiyagalombili. Ahamba. Iloli lama endleleni ngoba kwakunesidumbu emgwaqweni. Amasosha athi abafowethu abasingcwabe. Lapho sebeqedile, bama balinda ukuba kubuye iloli elalihambe labashiya. Yize babenethuba lokubaleka, ababalekanga ngoba babengafuni ukufaka engozini ukuphila kwalaba abanye abafowabo ababili ababesale ejele. Iloli labuya zingasekho iziboshwa ezingu-8, sezidutshuliwe. Lapho befika ejele, bonke bamangala ukuthi laba bafowethu bona babuye bephila. Kwadlula isikhashana umnyango wejele waqhunyiswa amasosha aphikisayo ayesengenile ezothatha leli dolobha. Amasosha akwamanye amazwe abaleka, abafowethu bakhululeka.

Amagatsha AseYurophu Afaka Isandla Ngezikhathi Ezinzima

Ezindaweni eziningi eCongo kuye kwalwiwa kusukela ngo-1996, abantu abaningi baba ondingasithebeni. Izinkulungwane eziningana zabafowethu baseCongo zabalekela emakamu ababaleki eTanzania naseZambia. Njengoba izindawo eziningi eCongo zase ziphethwe amavukela-mbuso, kwaba nzima ukuba igatsha lixhumane nabafowethu abakulezo zindawo futhi libanakekele. Kwamiswa amakomiti osizo emadolobheni amakhulu ukuba anikeze izinto zosizo. Umkhaya waseBethel wabonisa umoya wokuzimisela nokuzidela ngokusebenza kuze kube sebusuku usiza ngokuhanjiswa kwezinto zosizo. OFakazi BakaJehova eBelgium, eFrance, naseSwitzerland bathumela ngendiza eCongo inqwaba yokudla, izingubo zokugqoka, imithi kanye namabhangqa ezicathulo angu-18 500 nezingubo zokulala ezingu-1 000. Usizo lusaqhubeka lutholakala. Ludambisa usizi oluningi. Kuzuza oFakazi BakaJehova nabanye abantu.

Ngo-October 1998 kwaphuma isihloko ephephandabeni laseKinshasa. Sasithi: “Amabandla obuKristu oFakazi BakaJehova emazweni ahlukahlukene eYurophu aye ahlangana aqoqa izinto zosizo ezingamathani angaphezu kuka-400 eziya eCongo-Kinshasa naseCongo-Brazzaville. Ngokubambisana kwezisebenzi zokuzithandela zaseNgilandi, eFrance, naseSwitzerland, amathani angu-37 elayisi, ubisi oluyimpuphu, ubhontshisi namakhekhe anamavithamini asethunyelwe eKinshasa, esuka ngendiza e-Ostend, eBelgium, afikela ehhovisi loFakazi BakaJehova eKinshasa. Enye indiza . . . izofika . . . namathani angu-38 okudla.

“Kuyaphawuleka ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova baye bophula ababaleki eMpumalanga Afrika selokhu kwaqala ukuqothulwa kohlanga eRwanda. . . . Usomlomo woFakazi BakaJehova wathi le minikelo yokuzithandela, ehlanganisa ukudla nemithi okungaphezu kwamathani angu-200, yasiza ekulweni nomqedazwe wesifo sohudo. Ngaleso sikhathi, oFakazi BakaJehova baseFrance naseBelgium bakha amaqembu amaningana azosiza ababaleki emakamu. Wabala nezinto zokusiza abasele dengwane eMpumalanga Yurophu naseBosnia ezazinikelwe oFakazi BakaJehova.”

Impi Ayiyithiyi Intuthuko Engokomoya

Ngo-September 1998, amavukela-mbuso ahlasela eNdjili, emaphethelweni eKinshasa. Phakathi nalesi siphithiphithi, iqembu labafowethu labalekela emzini okwakuhlala kuwo umbonisi wesifunda. Umbonisi wesifunda wabathandazela wabe esebafundela u-Isaya 28:16. Lelo vesi lithi: “Akekho obonisa ukholo oyoba netwetwe.” Wabakhuthaza ukuba bazole futhi bathembele kuJehova ukuze abaqondise.

Abanye bathi kungcono banqamule ebhulohweni baphume eNdjili, abanye bathi kungcono badlule ngakujantshi. Ekugcineni laba bafowethu banquma ukuhlala khona lapha. Kwadlula izinsuku ezintathu amabutho kahulumeni abuye ayithatha le ndawo. Laba bafowethu babona ukuthi ukube bebehambe nganoma iyiphi yalezi zindlela ebebezicabanga, bebezovaleleka empini.

Umfowethu waseBandleni LaseMuseka Kipuzi eKatanga wayedayisela amasosha inhlanzi. Ngemva kokuxoxa naye, elinye isosha lathi uyimpimpi yeqembu eliphikisayo. La masosha ambopha, amshaya amenabisa, abe esemyisa eziko lawo lakule ndawo. Bafika khona ebusuku. Amasosha athi akawadansele. Lo mfowethu wathi: “Kumnyama nje, nizongibona kanjani?”

Athi: “Cula-ke.” Wacula ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakhe ingoma ethi “Phonsa Umthwalo Wakho KuJehova.” Amazwi ayo awathinta amasosha, acela ukuba ayiphinde. Wayiphinda. Elinye isosha lathi akacule enye. Wayesecula ingoma ethi “Siyakubonga, Jehova,” ngesiKiluba, ulimi lwakubo. Lapho eseqedile, amqaqa izinto ayembophe ngazo. Ngakusasa ekuseni amphindisela kubo afike abuza omakhelwane ngaye ukuze aqiniseke ukuthi akayona impimpi. Ngaphambi kokuba amasosha ahambe, athi kuye: “Cishe wafa, uyohamb’ usinda. Usindel’ inkolo yakho! Siwathandile amazwi ezingoma ezimbili oziculile. Ungayeki ukukhonza uNkulunkulu wakho!”

Ukwakhiwa KwamaHholo OMbuso Kudumisa UJehova

Eminyakeni yamuva iNdikimba Ebusayo yoFakazi BakaJehova iye yenza umzamo okhethekile wokuxhasa ukwakhiwa kwamaHholo OMbuso emazweni angamile kahle ngokwezimali. Abafowethu baseCongo balijabulela leli lungiselelo ngoba babewadinga ngempela amaHholo OMbuso. Ngokwesibonelo, eKinshasa kwakunamabandla angu-298 kodwa amahholo afanelekayo ayengafikile ngisho naku-20. Kwakudingeka inqwaba yamahholo kulo lonke izwe. Ngo-April 1999 kwaqala isimiso sokwakha amaHholo OMbuso eKinshasa. Kamuva, saba khona nakwezinye izifundazwe eCongo. Ngasekuqaleni kuka-2003 kwabe sekwakhiwe amaHholo OMbuso angu-175 kuwo womabili amaCongo.

Umlisa mumbe owaqala ukuzwa iqiniso ngawo-1950 wahlabeka umxhwele lapho ebona kwakhiwa iHholo LoMbuso ngaphesheya kwakwakhe. Wathi: “Angikaze ngibanake oFakazi. Manje ngiyazibona izithelo zokuzikhandla kwabo. Bákha iHholo LoMbuso eduze kwakwamfowethu, manje nali elinye phesheya kwakwami. Ungathi balandelana nami!” Lo mlisa wavuma lapho emenyelwa eSikhumbuzweni sokufa kukaKristu nasekunikezelweni kwaleli Hholo LoMbuso elisha. Manje useza njalo esifundweni.

Amabandla amathathu eMatete ayeqhubela imihlangano esakhiweni esesigugile, ayesithenge ngo-1994. Ayengenayo imali yokusilungisa, ngakho sahlala sinjalo kwaze kwaphela iminyaka eyisithupha. Ngaphesheya kwaso kwakunesonto elikhulu. Ngesikhathi lakhiwa, umpristi wathi oFakazi BakaJehova bazohamba lapha. Omakhelwane babehlekisa ngabo ngoba bengenayo indawo enhle yemihlangano. Ngisho nalapho laba bafowethu sebeqala ukwenza izitini belungiselela ukwakha iHholo LoMbuso elisha, abanye omakhelwane babesalokhu behlekisa ngabo. Yeka indlela abamangala ngayo lapho belibona seliphelile! Manje bathi oFakazi BakaJehova banesakhiwo esihle kunazo zonke kule ndawo. Omunye umakhelwane owayengafuni ukukhuluma noFakazi wahlabeka umxhwele lapho ebona lokho abakufezile. Weza esakhiweni futhi wathi usezobalalela oFakazi uma befika kwakhe.

Kwesinye isakhiwo, owesifazane othile waya komunye udade owayephekela izisebenzi. Wafike wabuza: “Nakha isonto yini?”

“Sakha iHholo lethu loMbuso,” kuphendula udade.

Owesifazane wathi: “Lesi sakhiwo sizonifuza. Phela nina nihlale nihlanzekile. Isonto lenu lizofana nani!”

Ushintsho Ekuphathweni Kwegatsha

Ukuze kunakekelwe izidingo zensimu, kwadingeka ukuba iKomiti Yegatsha yalapha ihlelwe kabusha. Ngo-May 1996 iNdikimba Ebusayo yenza ushintsho. Ngo-May 20, 1996, kwamiswa uSébastien Johnson waba umqondisi weKomiti Yegatsha. Yena noPeter Ludwig, owayenezelwe ekomitini ezinyangeni ezimbili ngaphambili, kwaba yibo amalungu eKomiti Yegatsha encishisiwe eyayengamele umsebenzi. Eminyakeni eyalandela kwamiswa abanye: UDavid Nawej, uChristian Belotti, uBenjamin Bandiwila, uPeter Wilhjelm, uRobert Elongo, uDelphin Kavusa, no-Uno Nilsson. Ngenxa yempilo, uPeter Ludwig nomkakhe, uPetra, kwadingeka babuyele eJalimane, lapho bekhonza khona ehhovisi legatsha.

Abafowethu abaseKomitini Yegatsha bayazikhandla ukuze badlulisele isiqondiso esingokwasezulwini kuyo yonke le nsimu. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ezinye izinceku zikaJehova ziye zathunyelwa eCongo zisuka eNyakatho Melika, eYurophu naseJapane ukuba zizoba izisebenzi zakwamanye amazwe, izikhonzi zaseBethel zakwamanye amazwe nezithunywa zevangeli. Ngonyaka wenkonzo ka-2003, umkhaya waseBethel eKinshasa wanda waba namalungu angaphezu kuka-250. Isilinganiso sobudala sasiyiminyaka engu-34.

Usemkhulu Umsebenzi

Umprofethi wasendulo wabhala: “Ibusisiwe indoda enamandla ebeka ithemba layo kuJehova, futhi eqholo layo linguJehova.” (Jer. 17:7) Yize kusalokhu kunempi ezindaweni eziningi eCongo, abafowethu bayaqhubeka bememezela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso. Nakuba impi yombango iyithiya imizamo yehhovisi legatsha yokunikeza usizo olungokomoya kulo lonke leli zwe, kwakukhuthaza ukubona abamemezeli befinyelele inani elisha shá labangu-122 857.

Lapha sixoxe ngezinceku ezithembekile eCongo. Ngeke sikwazi ukubasho ngamagama bonke abafowethu nodade abaningi abaye baba nengxenye ekuvikeleni nasekumiseni ngokomthetho izindaba ezinhle eCongo. Kodwa bonke mabaqiniseke ukuthi uJehova uyabazisa. Umphostoli uPawulu wabhalela amaKristu ayekanye nawo: “UNkulunkulu akayena ongalungile ukuba akhohlwe umsebenzi wenu nothando enalubonisa kulo igama lakhe, ngoba niye nabakhonza abangcwele futhi niyaqhubeka nibakhonza.”—Heb. 6:10.

Usemkhulu umsebenzi. Kusenamasimu amasha okudingeka avulwe. Kudingeka kwakhiwe amaHholo OMbuso. Izakhiwo zegatsha zidinga ukunwetshwa. Noma kunjalo, uma sibheka iminyaka engaphezu kwengu-50 yomsebenzi ongokwasezulwini eCongo, sivumelana namazwi ashiwo umfowethu ngo-1952: ‘Sinjengembewu yommbila wase-Afrika esesakeni. Nomaphi lapho siwela khona ngabanye ngabanye, kugcina kufike imvula bese siba baningi.’ Silangazelela ukubona ukuthi uBaba wethu wasezulwini, uJehova uNkulunkulu, uzoyikhulisa kangakanani imbewu yoMbuso.—1 Kor. 3:6.

[Imibhalo yaphansi]

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 229]

“Ngeke siphinde sizwe ngoFakazi BakaJehova [eCongo]”

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 249]

“Cishe wafa, uyohamb’ usinda. Usindel’ inkolo yakho!”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 168]

Ake Sithi Qaphu Qaphu NgeCongo (Kinshasa)

Izwe: IDemocratic Republic of Congo ingapha nangapha kwenkaba-zwe futhi inkulu ngokuphindwe izikhathi ezingaphezu kweziyisithupha kuneCongo (Brazzaville) eyakhelene nayo. Indawo enkulu yeCongo esenyakatho igcwele amahlathi aluhlaza, aminyene kangangokuba ukukhanya kwelanga akufiki phansi. Empumalanga yezwe, kunezintaba nezintaba-mlilo eziqhumayo. ECongo esentshonalanga kunendawo engamakhilomitha angu-37 egudle ugu lwe-Atlantic Ocean.

Abantu: Kubantu baseCongo abayizigidi ezingu-55, kunezizwe zabantu abaNsundu ezingaphezu kuka-200. Kulaba bantu, abangamaphesenti angu-50 bathi bangamaKatolika; abangamaphesenti angu-20 bathi bangamaProthestani; abangamaphesenti angu-10 bathi bangamaKimbangu; kanti abangamaphesenti angu-10 bathi bangamaSulumane.

Ulimi: Kukhulunywa izilimi eziningi. Nakuba ulimi olusemthethweni kuyisiFulentshi, izilimi zabaNsundu ezikhulunywa kakhulu isiLingala, isiKingwana, isiSwahili, isiKongo nesiTshiluba.

Indlela yokuziphilisa: ICongo inengcebo enkulu engokwemvelo—uphethiloli ongakahluzwa, idayimane, igolide, isiliva ne-uranium—kodwa impi esanda kulwiwa kuleli zwe ikunciphise kakhulu ukuthunyelwa kwezimpahla kwamanye amazwe futhi yandisa nezikweletu zaleli zwe. Imikhaya yasemaphandleni iyazilimela ukudla kwayo okuningi, okuhlanganisa umdumbula, ummbila nelayisi.

Izilwane zasendle: Ziningi izilwane zasendle. Ezindaweni ezinamahlathi kuvame izimfene, ama-gorilla nezinkawu. Kwezivulekile kukhona izinyamazane, izingwe, amabhubesi, obhejane namadube. Emifuleni kukhona izingwenya nezimvubu.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 173, 174]

Wafuna Iqiniso Walithola

UHenry Kanama wayesonta eSontweni LabaVangeli eLuena, kodwa kwahamba kwahamba wabona ukuthi alikho iqiniso kuleli sonto. Wayejwayele ukuya ezintabeni ayothandaza futhi azindle. Elapho, watholana neqembu elathi likwazi ukuxoxa nemimoya engabonakali. Abasonta kuleli sonto batshela uHenry ukuthi bacabanga ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukude, nakuba bengazi ukuthi ukuphi.

UHenry waqala ukufuna uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi watholana nomuntu owamnika i-Phaphama! yesiFulentshi. Akumthathanga sikhathi uHenry ukubona iqiniso leBhayibheli. Nansi-ke into ayeyifuna! Wabhalela oFakazi BakaJehova ekhelini alithola kumagazini, futhi ngokushesha wayeseqhutshelwa isifundo seBhayibheli ngeposi. Ekugcineni, uHenry nomkakhe u-Elisabeth, nabanye abantu ababebajwayele babhala babuza ukuthi bangabhapathizwa kanjani. Incwadi abayithola yathi abaxhumane namahhovisi egatsha asemazweni abakhelene nawo. Amaningi ayekude.

Leli qembu elincanyana, elalinoHenry no-Elisabeth kanye noHyppolite Banza nomkakhe, uJulienne, lanquma ukuya eNyakatho yeRhodesia. Bonke babeqonda ukuthi kwakuzodingeka bafunde isiBemba ukuze bajulise ulwazi lwabo lweqiniso. Babala izindleko, bahamba. Ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha belapho, babhapathizwa ngo-1956.

Babuyela eCongo ngawo lowo nyaka, bafike bazisa abanye izindaba ezinhle ngentshiseko. Ngo-1961, uHenry nabanye abangane bakhe baboshwa bavalelwa ejele. Bamangalelwa ngokuthi bangabalandeli bamaKitawala ayebulele induna eyayakhe uzungu lokubulala enye induna. Babungekho nokho ubufakazi balokhu futhi badedelwa kamuva.

UHenry no-Elisabeth base bengenela inkonzo yokuphayona. Bagcina sebengamaphayona akhethekile futhi ngemva kwesikhathi bajikeleza. Yize uHenry ashona ngo-1991, u-Elisabeth useyiphayona elivamile namanje. Enye yamadodana abo, u-Ilunga, iyajikeleza.

[Ibhokisi/Izithombe ekhasini 178]

U-Albert Luyinu—UFakazi Othembekile

U-Albert waqala ukuzwa iqiniso ngo-1951 ngomuntu ayesebenza naye, uSimon Mampouya waseCongo (Brazzaville). U-Albert waba udokotela wamazinyo wokuqala eCongo, futhi isikhundla sakhe emphakathini senza kwaba nzima ukuba amukele iqiniso. Yena nomkakhe babhapathizwa ngemva kokugubha iSikhumbuzo ngo-1954. Babhapathizwa ebusuku ngoba umsebenzi wawuvinjelwe ngaleso sikhathi.

Kusukela ngo-1958 kuya ku-1996 u-Albert wayengummeleli wezomthetho we-Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses, inhlangano ababhaliswe ngayo oFakazi lapha. Ukhumbula etolika inkulumo yomshado eyayinikezwa uMfoweth’ uHeuse kukhona izimenywa ezingu-1 800. Le nkulumo yaqale yachaza imithwalo yemfanelo yenkosikazi engumKristu. U-Albert ukhumbula ukuthi wabuka umkakhe nabanye odade ababekhona, wathi ngenhliziyo akobe niyezwa njalo. Ukhumbula nokuthi kwathi lapho ezwa imithwalo yemfanelo yendoda engumKristu, waswela umgodi wokucasha. Yathi iqambe iphela inkulumo, wayesenyobozela!

[Isithombe]

U-Albert no-Emilie Luyinu

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 191-193]

Ingxoxo NoPontien Mukanga

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1929

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1955

Umlando wakhe omfushane: Waba umbonisi wesifunda wokuqala eCongo.

Ngo-1955 ngaya esibhedlela ngiphethwe izinyo. Ngelashwa udokotela wamazinyo, u-Albert Luyinu, wabe esengitshengisa isAmbulo 21:3, 4, esikhuluma ngesikhathi okuyobe kungasenazinhlungu ngaso. Ngamshiyela ikheli lami, ngalo lelo langa weza ekhaya kusihlwa. Ngathuthuka masinyane ngokomoya futhi ngabhapathizwa ngawo lowo nyaka.

Ngamiswa njengombonisi wesifunda walo lonke elaseCongo ngo-1960. Wawungelula lowo msebenzi. Kwakuphela izinsuku eziningi, ngisho namasonto, ngihamba ngeloli eligcwele nswi emigwaqweni egebhukile, ngihleli ngemuva ilanga lishisa bhe. Omiyane babengihlupha ebusuku. Kwakuvame ukuba iloli life, bese kudingeka ngilinde lize likhandwe. Ngangihamba ngedwa ezindleleni zesiZulu, futhi kwakwenzeka ngiduke.

Ngake ngahambela idolobha elincane elisenyakatho yeCongo. Ngangihamba noLeon Anzapa. Sasihamba sobabili ngamabhayisikili siya kwelinye idolobha elincane eliqhele ngamakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-120. Saduka, kwase kudingeka silale ubusuku obubodwa ehhokweni lezinkukhu. Sasincinzwa ubukhuphe, ngakho umninikhaya wabasa umlilo omncane phansi, yize ayengekho amafasitela.

Ngalobo busuku indodana yomninikhaya yalwa nabanye abantu bakule ndawo. Kungakabiphi umninikhaya naye wabamba ezakhe. Sasazi ukuthi uma bengamhlula, sizoba senkingeni. Asizange sibuthi quthu ubuthongo ngalelo langa ngenxa yobukhuphe, intuthu nempi.

Ekuseni ngovivi sanyenya ngamabhayisikili sahamba, kodwa kungakapheli sikhathi saphinde saduka. Sahamba usuku lonke emgwaqweni ongasasebenzi. Kwathi selimathunzi, sesifile indlala futhi sikhathele siyingcuba, uLeon wawiswa ibhayisikili lakhe. Washayeka ngobuso edwaleni, wadabuka udebe lwangenhla. Wopha kabi kabi, kodwa saqhubeka saze safika kwesinye isigodi. Lapho abantu bebona uLeon, bafuna ukwazi ukuthi ulinyazwe ubani. Sabachazela ukuthi wayewe ebhayisikilini. Bathi ayikho leyo nto, yimina engimlimazile. Asilalanga nangalelo langa; uLeon wayefa izinhlungu, kanti nabantu bakule ndawo babesho ukungiqeda nami bethi bayangijezisa. Ngakusasa ekuseni saqhubeka nohambo saze safika esigodini esathola kuso umuthi. Bagcoba iMercurochrome odebeni lukaLeon base bevala inxeba ngezingcingo ezincane eziyisithupha. Ngemva kwalokho sahamba amakhilomitha angu-80 siya eGemena, lapho ngamshiya khona uLeon ukuze elashwe esibhedlela esincane. Ngaqhubeka ngedwa ngayohlangana nomkami, sabe sesisebenza ndawonye sehlisa umfula saya eKinshasa.

Umka Pontien uMarie wayevame ukuhamba naye kulolu hambo. Washona ngo-1963. Ngo-1966, uPontien waphinde washada waqhubeka nomsebenzi wokujikeleza kwaze kwaba u-1969. Namanje usesenkonzweni yesikhathi esigcwele, uyiphayona elivamile.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 195, 196]

Ingxoxo NoFrançois Danda

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1935

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1959

Umlando wakhe omfushane: Wayengumbonisi ojikelezayo kusukela ngo-1963 kuya ku-1986. Wakhonza eBethel YaseCongo kusukela ngo-1986 kuya ku-1996. Manje ungumdala futhi uyiphayona elikhethekile.

Ngo-1974, ngangihambele ibandla laseKenge, eSifundazweni SaseBandundu, ngesikhathi thina esasingu-7 siboshwa izishoshovu zeqembu elibusayo. Sabekwa icala lokuthi siyenqaba ukuhlanganyela emigidini yezombusazwe edumisa umongameli wezwe. Zasivalela esitokisini esasingenamafasitela, siyisikwele esingamamitha amabili. Akekho noyedwa owayekwazi ukuhlala noma ukulala; sasincikana nje kuphela. Sasikhishelwa phandle kabili ngosuku, sahlala kuleso sitokisi izinsuku ezingu-45. Lapho umkami, uHenriette, ekuzwa lokhu, wahamba amakhilomitha angu-290 esuka eKinshasa ezongibona. Kodwa wavunyelwa ukuba angibone kanye vo ngesonto.

Langa limbe kwavakasha umshushisi omkhulu kuleli jele. Abezombusazwe bamenzela umcimbi wokumdumisa. Bonke abantu, ngaphandle kwethu, bahaya izingoma zezombusazwe basho neziqubulo zeqembu lezombusazwe. Umshushisi wathukuthela wangqangqa, wathi kimi angitshele laba abanye abafowethu abayisithupha ukuba bacule. Ngamtshela ukuthi yibona abazozinqumela ukuthi bayacula yini noma cha, hhayi mina. Ngenxa yalokho ngashaywa.

Makhathaleni salayishwa ngemuva evenini enkulu. Kwakukhona namasosha amabili ayesigadile, phambili kugibele lo mshushisi nomshayeli. Sasilibangise edolobheni laseBandundu, inhloko-dolobha yesifundazwe saseBandundu. Imoto yayindiza. Ngatshela abafowethu ukuthi mababambelele, ngabe sengithandaza. Kwabe angiqedanga ukuthandaza, imoto yaya ngamandla ejikeni, yagingqika. Kwaba yisimanga ukuthi akekho owafa noma owalimala. Sabona ukuthi uJehova wayesivikele. Lapho sesiyivusile imoto, umshushisi wathi kula masosha amabili awasiphindisele ejele ngezinyawo. Imoto yaqhubekela phambili eBandundu.

Uma sifika ejele, amasosha axoxela iziphathimandla ngokwakwenzekile futhi azincenga ukuba zisidedele. Umphathi wejele wahlabeka umxhwele kakhulu, naye ekholelwa ukuthi nguNkulunkulu owayesivikele. Izinsuku ezimbalwa ezalandela sazichitha esitokisini esivamile futhi savunyelwa ukuba sixubane nezinye iziboshwa egcekeni. Ngemva kwalokho sadedelwa.

Ngemva kweminyaka engu-24 bejikeleza, uFrançois noHenriette bamenyelwa eBethel. Ngemva kweminyaka eyishumi baba amaphayona akhethekile. UHenriette washona ngo-August 16, 1998.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 200-202]

Ingxoxo NoMichael Pottage

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1939

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1956

Umlando wakhe omfushane: UMichael nomkakhe, uBarbara, bakhonza eCongo iminyaka engu-29. Manje baseBethel yaseBrithani, uMichael ungumdala ebandleni lesiLingala eLondon.

Inselele enkulu kwakuwukufunda ulimi. Okokuqala, kwadingeka sisazi kahle isiFulentshi, ulimi olusemthethweni eCongo. Kwakusekuncane lokho. EKatanga safunda isiSwahili; eKananga kwadingeka sifunde isiTshiluba; kwathi lapho sabelwa eKinshasa safunda isiLingala.

Konke lokhu kwasisiza kakhulu. Okokuqala nje, abafowethu basheshe basijwayela njengoba sasizama ukuxoxa nabo. Babebheka ukuzikhandla kwethu ukukhuluma ulimi lwabo njengobufakazi bokuthi sibathanda ngobuqotho futhi sinesithakazelo kubo. Inzuzo yesibili yayiwukuthi inkonzo yethu yayibazuzisa kakhulu abantu esasibashumayeza. Umninikhaya wayevele amangale uma esizwa sikhuluma ulimi lwakhe abese eyajabula, asihloniphe futhi afune ukuzwa ukuthi simzela naziphi.

Ngesikhathi ngingumbonisi wesigodi, ukwazi kwethu izilimi zendawo kwasisindisa ezimweni ezazingase zibe yingozi. Kwakuvamile ukuba amasosha noma amaqembu ezombusazwe avimbe izimoto ngezikhathi zeziyaluyalu futhi aqole abantu. Abantu bokuhamba bona babebhekwa njengabanemali nokulula ukubaqola. Uma amasosha esimisa emgwaqweni, sasiwabingelela ngolimi lwawo. Ayevele athi dlengelele. Abese ebuza ukuthi singobani. Sasingagcini nje ngokuwabingelela ngolimi lwawo, sasiqhubeka siwachazela ukuthi senzani, futhi ayelalela, acele izincwadi abese ethi asihambe kahle, uNkulunkulu asibusise.

Sasiye sithinteke ngokujulile uma sibona uthando lokuzidela lweqiniso lwabafowethu abaNsundu. Kwaphela iminyaka eminingi iCongo iphethwe iqembu lezombusazwe elilodwa elalingafuni nokuzwa ngabantu abangathathi hlangothi, njengoFakazi BakaJehova, futhi ngezinye izikhathi libaphatha ngonya. Phakathi naleso sikhathi sasiye sihambe ngemoto yokuqwala izintaba siyokhonza abafowethu emihlanganweni ngoba ngangingumbonisi wesigodi.

Kunomhlangano engiwukhumbula kahle. Ebusuku ngosuku lokugcina, kwafika umholi weqembu lezombusazwe wakule ndawo, weza emuva kwesiteji. Wayedakiwe futhi ethuka inhlamba, ethi asimvumele aye esiteji atshele bonke abakhona ukuthi kumelwe bathenge ikhadi leqembu. Lapho senqaba, wavuka umbhejazane wamemeza esithuka, esho nokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bamelene nohulumeni futhi kufanele baboshwe. Abanye abafowethu bakwazi ukukhuluma naye bamcela ukuba ahambe. Wahamba, ememeza ethi uzoya kosiceba enkosini futhi abuye azoshisa imoto yethu nendlu yotshani esasihlala kuyo. Sasazi ukuthi wayengadlali.

Abafowethu benza isimanga. Esikhundleni sokuba besabe babaleke, basizungeza basikhuthaza ukuba sithembele kuJehova futhi siyishiyele kuye le ndaba. Babe sebeshintshana ngokugada indlu yethu yotshani nemoto ebusuku. Kwakungeve kuthinta inhliziyo. Akukona nje kuphela ukuthi abafowethu babezimisele ukufa ukuze basivikele kodwa futhi babezimisele ukwamukela impatho enonya ababengase baphathwe ngayo sesihambile ngenxa yokwenqaba ukusekela iqembu lezombusazwe. Asikaze sikukhohlwe lokhu kuboniswa kothando lokuzidela lobuKristu kanye nezinye izenzo eziningi zothando ezithinta inhliziyo esazibona ngesikhathi siseCongo.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 211-213]

Ingxoxo NoTerence Latham

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1945

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1964

Umlando wakhe omfushane: Waba isithunywa sevangeli iminyaka engu-12. Wafunda isiFulentshi, isiLingala nesiSwahili. Manje ukhonza eSpain kanye nomkakhe nezingane zabo ezimbili.

Ngo-1969 mina noRaymond Knowles sahamba ngendiza saya eKisangani. Ngaleso sikhathi leli dolobha lalihlala abantu ababalelwa ku-230 000 futhi liyinhloko-dolobha yesifundazwe sasenyakatho-mpumalanga yeCongo.

Yeka indlela abasamukela kahle ngayo abamemezeli abambalwa nabantu abaningi abathakazelayo balapha! Basigidlabeza ngezipho—opopo, ophayinaphu, obhanana kanye nezinye izithelo zasezindaweni ezishisayo esasiqala ngqa ukuzibona. Abanye beza nezinkukhu eziphilayo nezimfudu. USamuel Tshikaka wasihlalisa kwakhe. Nokho, sasheshe sayithola indlu esasizoyiqasha. Kwabe sekufika uNicholas noMary Fone kanye noPaul noMarilyn Evans. Ngiyayazi nenjabulo esaba nayo! Sonke salungisa futhi sapenda ikhaya lokuqala lezithunywa zevangeli eKisangani. Kwakumile imivini yasehlathini nesikhotha, futhi ngesikhathi silihlanza sakhipha izinsimba ezimbili ekamelweni elisophahleni lwendlu. Kamuva kwafika uPeter no-Ann Barnes kanye no-Ann Harkness, owaba umkami.

Eminyakeni yokuqala emine sishumayela eKisangani safunda ukukhuluma isiLingala nesiSwahili futhi sasondelana nabantu balapha abanomoya wokungenisa izihambi nabanobungane. Sasinezifundo eziningi kangangokuba kwakudingeka siziqale ngovivi kuze kuhlwe. Ngesikhathi siseKisangani, iqembu elalinabamemezeli abangaphansi kweshumi lakhula laba amabandla ayisishiyagalombili.

Kwathi ngesinye isikhathi sihamba ngemoto emgwaqweni u-Ituri, sabona isigodi sabaThwa. Sasinesifiso esikhulu sokubashumayeza. Ezinye izazi zithi abaThwa bathi ihlathi linguyise noma lingunina ngoba bathola kulo ukudla, okokugqoka nendawo yokuhlala. Ngenxa yalokho, abaThwa bathi ihlathi lingcwele futhi bakholelwa ukuthi bangaxhumana nalo ngomkhosi obizwa ngokuthi i-molimo. Kulo mkhosi bayasina, bacule bezungeza umlilo. Ukusina kuhambisana necilongo le-molimo, umbhobho omude wokhuni ofuthwa amadoda ukhiphe umculo othile noma ulingise ukukhala kwezilwane.

Sathanda indawo yokuhlala engavamile yalaba bantu abangomanxiwa awamili mbuya, abajwayele ukuhlala inyanga eyodwa noma ngaphezudlwana kuphela endaweni. Ikamu labo lalinamaqhugwane okulala akhiwe ngezintingo namaqabunga. Ayenomnyango owodwa kuphela futhi kuthatha isikhathi esingamahora amabili noma ngaphansi ukuwakha. Ngalinye lalilikhulu ngokwanele ukuba abantu abambalwa balale kulo befinyele. Ezinye izingane zeza kithi zasithinta isikhumba nezinwele; zaziqala ngqa ukubona abeLungu. Yeka ilungelo okwakuyilo ukubona nokushumayeza laba bantu basehlathini abanobungane! Basitshela ukuthi kwakuke kwafika oFakazi abavela ezigodini ezakhelene namakamu abo.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 215, 216]

Ingxoxo NoDavid Nawej

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1955

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1974

Umlando wakhe omfushane: Uyena osekhonze iminyaka eminingi kunawo wonke amalungu omkhaya waseBethel adabuka eCongo. Uyilungu leKomiti Yegatsha.

Ngo-1976 ngamangala lapho ngithola incwadi engimemela eBethel. Kwakudwetshelwe igama elithi “kuyaphuthuma” nelithi “ngokushesha.” Ngangihlala eKolwezi, indawo eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-2 450 eKinshasa. Kwakungelula ukuhamba ekhaya kodwa ngangifuna ukusabela njengo-Isaya owathi: “Nangu mina! Thuma mina.”—Isaya 6:8.

Lapho ngifika eBethel, abafowethu bangibonisa umshini wokubhala, bangibuza ukuthi ngiyakwazi yini ukubhala ngawo. Ngathi mina ngingumthungi, umshini engikwazi ukuwusebenzisa owokuthunga hhayi owokubhala. Noma kunjalo, ngavele ngashona khona ngafunda ukubhala ngomshini. Ngaleso sikhathi ngangisebenza emnyango wabaHumushi noweNkonzo.

Kamuva ngabelwa ukuba ngisebenze emnyango wePosi. Umsebenzi wami wawuhlanganisa nokuphendula izigqebhezana abantu ababezisika komagazini bazithumele egatsheni. Ngokuvamile babesuke befuna ezinye izincwadi. Ngangiye ngizibuze ukuthi kazi benze njani uma sebezitholile. Bakhona engaziyo ukuthi benze njani. Izinsizwa ezimbili zathuthuka ngokushesha. Kamuva zaba amaphayona, zabe seziba amaphayona akhethekile. Lapho zimenyelwa eBethel, enye ngahlala nayo.

Ngezinye izikhathi abantu babebhalela eBethel bacele imali. Kwakukhona incwadi eyayibhalwe kahle eyayichaza ukuthi umsebenzi wethu usekelwa iminikelo yokuzithandela futhi ibakhuthaza ukuba batadishe iBhayibheli. Ngesinye isikhathi omunye umfowethu wangitshela ukuthi wayethole iqiniso ngenxa yaleyo ncwadi. Wangibonisa yona. Eminyakeni ethile ngaphambili, wayekade ebhalele eBethel ecela imali. Wabe esesilalela isikhuthazo asithola futhi manje wayesehlanganyela.

Kamuva ngasebenza ngezomthetho. Ngake ngasiza abafowethu abathile bakule ndawo ababebekwe icala lokungalifaki ibheji leqembu lezombusazwe. Ngaqunga isibindi ngatshela iziphathimandla: “Lisho ukuthini ibheji? Khona manje kade kunempi yombango, futhi bonke enanilwa nabo babewafakile amabheji. Ibheji alisho lutho; alikuvezi lokho umuntu akucabangayo ngempela. Okubalulekile yilokho umuntu ayikho ngaphakathi. OFakazi BakaJehova bayizakhamuzi ezingasoze zayisusa impi yombango. Ukulalela umthetho kanjena yikona okubaluleke kakhulu ukwedlula ibheji.” Abafowethu badedelwa. UJehova wayehlale esisiza ezimweni ezinjalo.

Sengineminyaka engaphezu kwengu-27 ngikhonza eBethel. Yize ngingaphilile kahle emzimbeni futhi ngingafundile okutheni, ngiyaqhubeka ngizikhandla ukuze uJehova angisebenzise. Namanje zisekhona izidingo eziphuthumayo nezisheshayo eBethel!

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 219, 220]

Ingxoxo NoGodfrey Bint

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1945

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1956

Umlando wakhe omfushane: Wathweswa iziqu ekilasini lika-47 eGileyadi. Wakhonza iminyaka engu-17 eCongo. Manje uyilungu leKomiti Yegatsha eRwanda. Ukhuluma isiNgisi, isiFulentshi, isiLingala, isiSwahili nesiTshiluba.

Ngo-1973, ngangisenkonzweni yasensimini nomunye umfowethu waseKananga. Kwafika amaphoyisa sikomunye umuzi siqhuba isifundo seBhayibheli, asibopha. Sahlala amasonto amabili ejele. Phakathi nalesi sikhathi, uMike Gates, engangiyisithunywa sevangeli kanye naye, wasilethela ukudla ngoba kwakungekho kudla ejele. Ekugcineni sadedelwa. Kwadlula izinyanga ezintathu, kwathi mhlazane mina noMike sizogibela indiza siye emhlanganweni wezizwe eNgilandi, sezwa ukuthi bonke abafowethu basebandleni eliseduze baboshiwe. Sasifuna ukubabona sibanike nokudla. Okwasimangaza ukuthi kwathi lapho sicela ukubabona, imantshi yathi nathi asiboshwe. Ngenkathi silinde ibhasi lasejele sayizwa indiza esasikade sizohamba ngayo isuka. Ungacabanga ukuthi izinhliziyo zethu zaba buhlungu kanjani!

Lapho sifika ejele, ngabona ukuthi iziboshwa eziningi enganginazo ngesikhathi ngilapha ezinyangeni ezintathu ngaphambili zisekhona. Ngenxa yokuthi umngane wami owayengilethela ukudla naye wayeseboshiwe, iziboshwa zangibuza: “Ubani-ke osezonilethela ukudla manje?”

Sazitshela ukuthi abafowethu bazosilethela ukudla, kodwa zanikina amakhanda zingakholwa. Zazazi ukuthi babengekho abanye abeLungu abangoFakazi kule ndawo. Yeka ukuthi zamangala kanjani ngakusasa lapho abafowethu baseCongo befika nokudla okuningi kangangokuba saze sazipha nazo! Kwaba ubufakazi obuhle kakhulu bobuzalwane bethu bomhlaba wonke nothando olusihlanganisayo. Labo bafowethu esibathandayo abasilethela ukudla babezifaka engozini yokuboshwa ngokwenza kanjalo. Sadedelwa ngemva kwezinsuku ezinhlanu. Sabe sesithatha indiza saya eNgilandi, safika umhlangano ungakaqali.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 224-226]

Ingxoxo NoNzey Katasi Pandi

Unyaka azalwa ngawo: 1945

Abhapathizwa ngawo: 1971

Umlando wakhe omfushane: Wayengesabi ukushumayela emasimini alukhuni engakashadi, lapho eseshadile wajikeleza nomyeni wakhe kusukela ngo-1988 kuya ku-1996. Manje usenkonzweni ekhethekile yesikhathi esigcwele eKinshasa.

Ngo-1970, ngangizifundela iBhayibheli ekhaya eKinshasa lapho ngizwa kuthi ngqo ngqo ngqo emnyango. Kwakuyindoda ihamba nomfanyana wayo. Umfana wakhuluma ngeBhayibheli futhi wacela ukuba ngivule uMathewu 24:14 kwelami. Ngangizazi ukuthi ngiyikholwa ngempela, kodwa ngahluleka ukuthola lo mbhalo. Umfana wangivulela, sabe sesixoxa kamnandi.

Lo mfowethu wabona ukuthi nginesithakazelo, wabe esengimemela esifundweni ngeSonto elilandelayo. Sasiqhutshelwa ngemva kwendlu yomfowethu mumbe, kwazise umsebenzi wokushumayela wawuvinjelwe. Ngayijabulela inkulumo futhi ngahlala nalapho sekuyiSifundo Se-Nqabayokulinda. Ngabo lobo busuku laba bafowethu bafika ekhaya baqala ukungifundela.

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ngabhapathizwa futhi ngangenela inkonzo yesikhathi esigcwele. Kuyi-Nkonzo Yethu YoMbuso ngezwa kuthiwa kunesidingo esikhulu kwezinye izindawo kuleli zwe. Ngabuza ukuthi ngingaya yini eKenge, eSifundazweni SaseBandundu. Abafowethu bavuma kodwa bangixwayisa ngokuthi kukhona ababeboshiwe khona lapho. Ngacabanga, ‘Ngeke basibophe sonke.’ Ngakho nganquma ukuya khona.

Ngafika ebusuku futhi ngajabula lapho ngizwa ukuthi leli bandla lalihanjelwe umbonisi wesifunda, uFrançois Danda. Ngakusasa ekuseni ngaya emhlanganweni wenkonzo yasensimini, kodwa ngathola ukuthi uFrançois nabanye abafowethu abaningana baboshiwe. Umphathi wamaphoyisa wayefuna ukukhuluma nami. Wathi: “Siyazi ukuthi ungomunye woFakazi BakaJehova. Ungahlala lapha eKenge uma uthanda, kodwa sike sikubone nje uhamba nesikhwanyana sakho, sizokuvalela.”

Abantu bakuleli dolobha babemthukuthelele lo mphathi kanye namaphoyisa akhe. Babazi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova abalimazi muntu. Babethi amaphoyisa kufanele ayolwa nobugebengu—zaziningi izigebengu lapha—angalokhu elibele ngoFakazi BakaJehova. Ekugcineni, abafowethu badedelwa.

Ngamiswa ngaba iphayona elikhethekile ngo-1975 futhi ngahambela amadolobha namadolobhana amaningi, ngihlala amasonto amabili noma amathathu endaweni ngayinye. Kungakabiphi, kwamiswa amaqembu ayisithupha abantu abathakazelayo. Ngabhalela igatsha ngacela ukuba kuthunyelwe abafowethu abazokwalusa futhi banakekele la maqembu.

Ngahlangana noJean-Baptiste Pandi, naye owayeyiphayona elikhethekile. Esikhathini esingaphambili ngangike ngaxoxa nezithunywa zevangeli ngomshado nenkonzo yesikhathi esigcwele. Zangitshela ukuthi uma ngifuna ukuqhubeka isikhathi eside enkonzweni yesikhathi esigcwele, kuyoba lula uma ngingenazingane. UJean-Baptiste wavuma, sashada. Abantu bakholelwa ukuthi izingane ziyobanakekela uma sebekhulile. Nokho, izikhathi sezishintshile, futhi ngazi abazali abaningi abaye badumala. Mina noJean-Baptiste asizange sidumale nhlobo.

Phakathi neminyaka edlule, siye sasiza abantu abaningi bamukela iqiniso. Ngiyajabula ikakhulu ngabasekhaya. Angisizanga nje kuphela ubaba nomama ukuba bamukele iqiniso kodwa nabafowethu abane nodadewethu.

IHubo 68:11 lithi: “Abesifazane abalandisa izindaba ezinhle bayibutho elikhulu.” Lokhu kusho ukuthi thina bodade sinomthwalo wemfanelo omkhulu futhi kufanele senze konke okusemandleni ethu. Ngimbonga angiqedi uJehova ngokuthi uye wangivumela ukuba nami ngibe nengxenye.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 240]

Ukuhunyushwa Kokudla Okungokomoya

Nakuba isiFulentshi siwulimi olusemthethweni eCongo, isiLingala yisona esikhulunywa kakhulu eKinshasa nasezindaweni ezimalungana noMfula iCongo. Yize isiLingala singenawo amagama amaningi, sinawo akwazi ukuchaza kahle izinto. Ngokwesibonelo, inkulumo esho ukuthi “phenduka” ithi kobongola motema, ngokwezwi nezwi okusho ukuthi “guqula inhliziyo.” Enye inkulumo ekhuluma ngenhliziyo nemizwa ithi kokitisa motema, ngokwezwi nezwi okusho ukuthi “beka phansi inhliziyo” noma ngamanye amazwi, “yehlisa umoya.”

Sekungamashumi eminyaka INqabayokulinda ihunyushelwa olimini lwesiLingala. Kumanje nje izincwadi zihunyushelwa kulezi zilimi ezikhulunywa eCongo: IsiKiluba, isiKinande, isiKipende, isiKisonge, isiKituba, isiLingala, isiLingombe, isiLomongo, isiMashi, isiMonokutuba, isiNgbaka, isi-Otetela, isiSwahili (saseCongo), isiTshiluba nesi-Uruund.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 247]

Uyashiseka Yize Ekhubazekile

URichard oneminyaka engu-20 ukhubazekile futhi sekuyiminyaka engu-15 esembhedeni. Yikhanda lodwa akwazi ukulinyakazisa. Kodwa ngo-January 1997 waba ummemezeli ongabhapathiziwe. URichard akayeki ukushumayeza abantu abasuke bezombona ekamelweni lakhe. Uma ekhuluma, ukhuluma ngokuqiniseka. Ushumayela amahora alinganiselwa kwayishumi njalo ngenyanga. Ngo-April 12, 1998, wathwalwa ngohlaka lwakhe wayobhapathizwa emfuleni ongakubo. Manje useyakwazi ukuya njalo ezifundweni. Ufundisa nesinye sezihlobo zakhe iqiniso, futhi siba khona emihlanganweni yobuKristu kanti siyathuthuka impela. Nakuba lo mfowethu ekhubazekile, umoya kaNkulunkulu umenze waba namandla.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 248]

“Abasibo Abezwe”

Ngelinye ilanga u-Esther oneminyaka engu-12 wamangala ngenkathi uthisha wakhe ecela umfundi ngamunye ukuba asukume ame phambi kwekilasi acule iculo lesizwe. Lapho kufika ithuba lakhe, u-Esther wamchazela ngenhlonipho uthisha ukuthi ngeke alicule. U-Esther usilandisa okwenzeka ngemva kwalokho:

“Uthisha wacasuka. Ngabe sengicela ukucula elinye iculo. Wavuma. Ngacula iculo elithi ‘Abasibo Abezwe.’ Uthisha wabe esethi lonke ikilasi alingishayele ihlombe, nebala lenza kanjalo.

“Ngemva kwaleso sifundo, uthisha wangibizela eceleni wathi ulithande ngempela iculo engiliculile, ikakhulukazi izosha zalo. Wathi: ‘Ngiyabona ukuthi nina boFakazi BakaJehova nihluke ngempela ezweni. Ngibona nangendlela oziphatha ngayo ekilasini.’

“Umfundi enganginaye ekilasini naye wahlabeka umxhwele kakhulu. Waqala ukubuza imibuzo futhi ngayiphendula. Kwadingeka sihlukane ekupheleni konyaka, kodwa ngamkhuthaza ukuba afune oFakazi BakaJehova endaweni ayethuthela kuyo. Wabafuna nangempela, futhi ngikhuluma nje ungudadewethu.”

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 251]

Ukwethembeka Kudumisa UNkulunkulu

Umfowethu othile wayesebenza kwenye imboni. Ngelinye ilanga abantu asebenza nabo benza iphutha, kwase kuphuka umshini. Umqashi wanquma ukuzixosha zonke lezi zisebenzi. Waziholela, ngemva kwalokho wazixosha. Ekufikeni kwakhe ekhaya, lo mfowethu waphawula ukuthi imali yakhe yayeqe ngama-franc angu-500 (ngaphezudlwana nje kwe-dollar lase-United States), ngakho wayibuyisela emuva leyo mali. Wabamba ithuba lokunikeza ubufakazi, futhi ukwethembeka komfowethu kwamhlaba umxhwele kakhulu umqashi kangangokuba wamcela ukuba asale eseqhubeka emsebenzela.

[Ishadi/Igrafu ekhasini 176, 177]

ISHADI LEZENZAKALO EZIPHAWULEKAYO ECONGO (KINSHASA)

1932: Kwenziwa imizamo yokuthumela oFakazi BakaJehova eCongo.

1940

1949: Kwenziwa isinqumo esiqinisa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bavinjelwe ngokomthetho.

1960

1960: ICongo ithola uzimele geqe, bese kuqala inkathi yokubekezelelwa kwezinkolo.

1962: Kuvulwa ihhovisi legatsha eLéopoldville (manje esiyiKinshasa). Kufika izithunywa zevangeli zokuqala.

1966: OFakazi BakaJehova baqashelwa ngokomthetho.

1971: Kuyahoxiswa ukuqashelwa ngokomthetho.

1980

1980: Baphinde baqashelwa ngokomthetho.

1986: OFakazi BakaJehova bayavinjelwa.

1990: Bathola inkululeko yenkolo kodwa engaqashelwa ngokomthetho.

1993: INkantolo Ephakeme iyakuqeda ukuvinjelwa kwango-1986. Kuqala umsebenzi wokwakha igatsha elisha.

2000

2003: Bangu-122 857 abamemezeli ababika njalo eCongo (Kinshasa).

[Igrafu]

(Bheka encwadini)

Ingqikithi Yabamemezeli

Ingqikithi Yamaphayona

120 000

80 000

40 000

1940 1960 1980 2000

[Amabalazwe ekhasini 169]

(Ukuze ubone ukuthi indaba ihlelwe kanjani, bheka encwadini)

SUDAN

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

REPUBLIC OF CONGO

BRAZZAVILLE

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Isiro

Bumba

Congo River

Kisangani

Goma

Bandundu

Bukavu

KINSHASA

KASAI

Kenge

Kikwit

Matadi

Kananga

Mbuji-Mayi

KATANGA

Kamina

Luena

Kolwezi

Likasi

Lubumbashi

ANGOLA

ZAMBIA

[Isithombe esigcwele ikhasi ekhasini 162]

[Isithombe ekhasini 185]

UHélène, u-Ernest noDanielle Heuse eKinshasa ngawo-1960

[Izithombe ekhasini 186]

Ubhapathizo emihlanganweni yezizwe olwaboniswa efilimini ethi “The Happiness of the New World Society” lwabahlaba umxhwele abantu abaningi baseCongo abayibuka

[Isithombe ekhasini 199]

UMadeleine noJulian Kissel

[Isithombe ekhasini 205]

Ezweni lonke kwákhiwa izindawo zokuhlanganyela ezingatheni

[Isithombe ekhasini 207]

Ihhovisi legatsha laseKinshasa ngo-1965

[Isithombe ekhasini 208]

Umhlangano eKolwezi ngo-1967

[Isithombe ekhasini 209]

Imigwaqo emibi yayenza kube nzima ukuhamba

[Isithombe ekhasini 221]

UMhlangano Wesigodi ‘Wothando Lwaphezulu’ eKinshasa ngo-1980, wawungumhlangano wesigodi wokuqala owaqhutshwa lapha ngemva kweminyaka engu-8

[Isithombe ekhasini 223]

Abaningi bahamba ngezinyawo izinsuku eziningi bethwele ukudla nezimpahla beya emihlanganweni yesifunda neyesigodi

[Isithombe ekhasini 228]

Ngo-December 1985, ezinyangeni ezintathu ngaphambi kokuvinjelwa okunemithetho eqinile, kuba khona uMhlangano Wesigodi ‘Wabagcini Bobuqotho’ eKinshasa

[Isithombe ekhasini 230]

Ngesikhathi umsebenzi uvinjelwe, abafowethu bakhuthazelela ukuboshwa nokushaywa ngesihluku

[Isithombe ekhasini 235]

UZekaria Belemo, ongumbonisi ojikelezayo, uvakashele iqembu labafowethu abangababaleki abavela eSudan

[Izithombe ekhasini 237]

Izimoto ezinamandla zihamba emigwaqweni yalapha emibi zithutha izincwadi

[Isithombe ekhasini 238]

Ikilasi lokuqala leSikole Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo eCongo (Kinshasa) ngo-1995

[Isithombe ekhasini 241]

UGisela noSébastien Johnson

[Isithombe ekhasini 243]

Zingu-12 izithunywa zevangeli ezihlala kuleli khaya eKinshasa

[Izithombe ekhasini 244, 245]

Izinto zosizo ezazivela eYurophu zanikezwa abantulayo ngo-1998

[Izithombe ekhasini 246]

Ababonisi abajikelezayo, njengo-Ilunga Kanama (ezansi kwesobunxele) noMazela Mitelezi (esiphakathi, kwesobunxele), babhekana nezinkinga eziningi ezindaweni ezikhungethwe impi

[Izithombe ekhasini 252, 253]

(1) Izakhiwo zeBethel eKinshasa

(2-4) AmaHholo OMbuso asanda kwakhiwa

(5) Umfowethu ufaka isandla ekwakhiweni kweHholo LoMbuso

[Isithombe ekhasini 254]

IKomiti Yegatsha, kusuka kwesobunxele kuya kwesokudla: UPeter Wilhjelm, uBenjamin Bandiwila, uChristian Belotti, uDavid Nawej, uDelphin Kavusa, uRobert Elongo, uSébastien Johnson no-Uno Nilsson