IRéunion
ABANTU bokuqala ababona isiqhingi saseRéunion—cishe abahwebi abangama-Arabhu—bazithela epharadesi elishisayo. IRéunion ungathi yitshe eliyigugu eliluhlaza okotshani phezu kwe-Indian Ocean eluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, yinhle futhi inezinto ezinhlobonhlobo njengawo wonke amazwekazi. Izilwandle ezinesihlabathi sezintabamlilo, inqwaba yezimpophoma, amahlathi emvula, izimbali eziningi, imihosha ejulile, izintaba ezimagebhugebhu, izigodi ezinkulukazi ezenile, kanye nentabamlilo eqhumayo—konke lokhu kumane kungamanye amagugu alesi siqhingi.
Nakuba behlala kulesi siqhingi esihle, abantu abaningi baseRéunion baye bazisa okuthile okuhle nakakhulu kunalokho abakubona ngamehlo nje kuphela. Baye bathanda amaqiniso ayigugu eZwi likaNkulunkulu. Isithunywa sevangeli uRobert Nisbet, owathunyelwa eMauritius engekude nakhona, waba ummemezeli woMbuso wokuqala owabeka unyawo eRéunion. Phakathi nezinsuku ezimbalwa azihlala khona ngo-September 1955, uRobert wavusa isithakazelo esikhulu impela ngeBhayibheli, ehambisa izincwadi eziningi, ethola nezikhokhelo eziningana ze-Phaphama! Wayexhumana nabathakazelayo ngokubabhalela.
Phakathi kuka-1955 no-1960, uRobert nomhambeli wamagatsha uHarry Arnott bake bathí qu izikhashana kulesi siqhingi. Ngo-1959 igatsha laseFrance lacela u-Adam Lisiak, iphayona elingumFulentshi elase lithathe umhlalaphansi emayini yamalahle, elalidabuka ePoland likhonza eMadagascar, ukuba ahambele iRéunion. U-Adam wahlala yonke inyanga ka-December kulesi siqhingi ngo-1959. Wabhala: “Abantu balapha abangamaphesenti angu-90 bangamaKatolika ashisekayo, kodwa baningi abathanda ukwazi okwengeziwe ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu nangomhlaba omusha. Abapristi bayazama ukuvimba ukusakazwa kweqiniso. Othile watshela umuntu onesikhokhelo se-Phaphama! ukuthi umpristi ufuna ukuboleka incwadi yethu ethi ‘UNkulunkulu Makabe Oneqiniso.’ ‘Uma ezizela yena, ngizomnika,’ kusho umnikazi wesikhokhelo. Lutho ukufika umpristi.”
KUFIKA USIZO LUVELA EFRANCE
Igatsha laseFrance, elalinakekela umsebenzi ngaleso sikhathi, lamema abamemezeli abafanelekayo ukuba bathuthele eRéunion. Umkhaya wakwaPégoud—u-André, uJeannine nendodana yabo eneminyaka eyisithupha, uChristian—kanye noNoémie Duray, oyisihlobo, basamukela isimemo. Banikela khona ngo-January 1961. UNoémie, owaziwa ngelikaMimi, wakhonza njengephayona elikhethekile iminyaka emibili ngaphambi kokubuyela eFrance.
Bathi befika nje bathola esikhulu isithakazelo baze baqhuba nemihlangano egunjini lehhotela ababehlala kulo enhloko-dolobha, iSaint-Denis. Ngokushesha ngemva kokuthuthela endlini yabo, imihlangano bayiqhubela khona. Esikhathini esingangonyaka kamuva, iqembu elifufusayo eSaint-Denis laqasha ihholo elalingahlalisa abantu abangaba ngu-30. Lalakhiwe ngamapulangwe, lifulelwe ngothayela, linamafasitela amabili nomnyango. Ngemva kokuthola imvume, abafowethu badiliza izindonga zangaphakathi, bakha isiteji esincane, bafaka namabhentshi.
Ngelinye ilanga kuyiSonto ekuseni likhiph’ umkhovu etsheni, uthayela wawushisa sengathi imbawula, futhi ngokushesha bonke ababekhona—ikakhulukazi ababemi esiteji becishe bathinte uphahla—baba manzi te umjuluko. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngenxa yokuthi ihholo lalivame ukugcwala phama, abaningi babema ngaphandle balalele emafasiteleni nasemnyango, bavimbe umoya owawuvele umncane.
‘AKULULA!’
Naphezu kwalesi simo sokushisa nokumpintshana, bonke babezizwa bamukelekile emihlanganweni, futhi kwathi kuphela unyaka wokuqala, kwase kunabangaba ngu-50 ababeba khona njalo. Inani labamemezeli boMbuso lakhuphukela ku-7, kunezifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-47! Abanye babefundelwa kabili ngesonto. “Siyajabula, siyathokoza, kodwa akulula,” kubhala abafowethu.
Omunye umfundi weBhayibheli omusha kwakunguMyriam Andrien, owayeqale ukufundelwa eMadagascar ngo-1961. Ukhumbula ukuthi leli hholo esisanda kukhuluma ngalo lalibuye libe iHholo LoMhlangano. Abafowethu babemane baxhume umpheme wamagatsha esundu. Babefinyelela ku-110 ababeba khona kuleyo mihlangano yokuqala emikhulu.
Phakathi kwababhapathizwa emhlanganweni owawuseMauritius ngo-October 1961 kwakunoDavid Souris, uMarianne Lan-Ngoo noLucien Véchot, bonke ababa neqhaza elikhulu emsebenzini wokushumayela. Ngonyaka owalandela, inani labamemezeli landa laba ngu-32 futhi amaphayona ayeqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingaba ngu-30 lilinye! Inani lababeba khona ezifundweni ngeSonto lakhuphukela kubantu abayikhulu, bevela ezizweni ezihlukahlukene.
AmaNdiya amaningi aseRéunion anomkhuba wokuxuba izinkolo ezimbili—ubuKatolika nobuHindu. Kwamanye, ukushiya imikhuba yawo yakudala kwakuba inzukazikeyi. Kodwa isineke sabafowethu, umusa, nokumelela kwabo okulungile kwakuvame ukuba nemiphumela emihle. Ngokwesibonelo, owesifazane owayefundelwa iphayona iminyaka emibili, wayeqhubeka nenkolo yamanga, ebhula futhi ekipitile. Iphayona lanquma ukumshintshela komunye udade ukuze amsize. “Ngemva kwezinyanga ezimbalwa,” kusho lo dade, “lona wesifazane waqala ukuqonda ngokwengeziwe futhi ngajabula kakhulu lapho eyiyeka imikhuba yemimoya. Kodwa akawubhalisanga umshado wakhe. Wathi isoka lakhe alifuni ukuzibopha. Ekugcineni, wanquma ukuqhubeka ehlala nalo, ngakho ayikho into engangingayenza, ngasinqamula isifundo.
“Langa limbe ngahlangana naye emgwaqweni, wangicela ukuba ngimfundele futhi. Ngavuma, uma nje ebonisa ukuzimisela ngokusebenzisa izinto ayesezifundile kakade. Ngameluleka ukuba akhuleke kuJehova ngale ndaba, nangempela wenza kanjalo. Waqunga isibindi wakhuluma nesoka lakhe. Wajabula kabi lapho livuma ukuba bashade. Ngaphezu kwalokho, nalo laqala ukuya ezifundweni nomkalo womshado.”
Ngonyaka wenkonzo ka-1963 kwaba namanani aphakeme abamemezeli boMbuso angu-11, elokugcina lingu-93. IRéunion manje yayisinamabandla amabili neqembu elilodwa. Obhapathizweni lokuqala olwalusolwandle eSt.-Gilles-les Bains ngo-December 1962, kwacwiliswa abangu-20. Kolwesibili ngo-June 1963, kwabhapathizwa abangu-38. Ngo-1961, ummemezeli oyedwa eRéunion kwakumelwe ashumayeze abantu abangu-41 667. Eminyakeni emithathu kamuva kwase kunesilinganiso sommemezeli oyedwa kubantu abangu-2 286. Yebo, uJehova ‘wayelikhulisa’ izwi kulesi siqhingi esivundile ngokomoya.—1 Kor. 3:6.
UKUYISA ISIGIJIMI SOMBUSO EZINDAWENI EZIKUDE
Ngo-1965—ngemva kweminyaka emine nje kufike umkhaya wokuqala ongoFakazi—ibandla laseSaint-Denis lase likhule laba abamemezeli abangaphezu kuka-110, futhi insimu yabo babeyihlanganisa njalo ngamasonto amathathu! Nokho, ezinye izindawo zazingakaze zithintwe. Kwakuzokwenziwa njani? Abafowethu baqasha amabhasi baya koshumayela kwamanye amadolobha asogwini, ahlanganisa iSaint-Leu, iSaint-Philippe neSaint-Pierre.
Kwakuthatha amahora amaningi ukufika kwamanye amasimu, ngakho abazalwane babephuma kusempondo zankomo bahambe emigwaqweni emincane, ekhuphukelayo nemagwingcigwingci. Uhambo olusuka eSaint-Denis luya ePort ngemoto, namuhla oluthatha imizuzu engu-15, lwaludonsa amahora amabili. “Kwakudinga ukholo ukuhamba kulowo mgwaqo,” kusho omunye umzalwane. Ngisho nomgwaqo omusha unezawo izingozi ngenxa yamatshe adilikayo. Kwezinye izindawo, imigwaqo idabula izintaba ezinamawa amabi, futhi uma liyidliva, ngezinye izikhathi amadwala asezintabeni ayadilika, amanye awo ayizinguzunga impela. Phakathi neminyaka edlule, baningana abantu abaye bafa kule ndawo.
“Lapho ngineminyaka engaba ngu-8,” kusho uChristian Pégoud, “iqembu lethu lalihambisa omagazini i-Phaphama! abangaba ngu-400 kuya ku-600 emasimini acezile. INqabayokulinda yayivinjelwe. Ngenxa yokuthi amanye amadoda angakholwa kodwa anobungane ayethanda ukuvakasha, ayehamba nomkawo kodwa angayi koshumayela. Ngemva kwensimu, sasiba nepikiniki, okwakuba mnandi kabi kithina zingane. Ngempela, lezo zikhathi ezikhethekile zaba nethonya elikhulu ekuphileni kwami.”
IZINGUQUKO EKUHLELWENI KWENHLANGANO ZITHUTHUKISA UMSEBENZI
Ngo-May 1963, uMilton G. Henschel waba ummeleli wokuqala wasendlunkulu yomhlaba wonke owafika eRéunion. Wabekela izilaleli ezingu-155 inkulumo ekhethekile. Ngemva kokuhambela kwakhe, kwamiswa amaphayona akhethekile amane ukuba asize ekunakekeleni amabandla nokuba asebenze ezindaweni ezazingakashunyayelwa kuzo izindaba ezinhle. UDavid Souris wabelwa ePort, uLucien Véchot waya edolobheni laseSaint-André, kwathi uMarianne Lan-Ngoo noNoémie Duray (manje ongowakwaTisserand) baya eSaint-Pierre.
Ngo-May 1, 1964, umsebenzi awubange usaqondiswa eFrance, waqondiswa eMauritius. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kwavulwa idepho yezincwadi eRéunion. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, kwamenywa abamemezeli ukuba basebenze amasimu angabelwe engeziwe, futhi abazalwane bakhuthazwa ukuba bazame ukufinyelela imithwalo yemfanelo emabandleni ukuze abasha abathuthelekela eqinisweni banakekelwe kahle. Ngempela, phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo ka-1964, kwabhapathizwa abangu-57—abangu-21 emhlanganweni owodwa!
Onyakeni ongaphambili iqembu laseSaint-André lalifake isicelo sokuba yibandla. Isicelo sasithi: “Ekupheleni kuka-June 1963, kuzobe kunabamemezeli abangu-12 ababhapathiziwe, futhi singase sibe nabamemezeli abasha abahlanu noma abayisithupha ezinyangeni ezimbili ezizayo. Abafowethu baqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-30.” Isicelo savunywa futhi abazalwane ababili banakekela lelo bandla—uJean Nasseau waba inceku yebandla, noma umbonisi owengamele, uLucien Véchot waba umsizi wakhe. Bobabili babeneminyaka engaphansi kwemibili beseqinisweni.
UJean, owayeneminyaka engu-38, enenhliziyo enhle futhi enomzimba, wayenguthisha esikoleni samakhono futhi eyingcweti yomakhi. Wabhapathizwa ngo-1962 futhi wayenekhono lokufeza izinto ukuze kuthuthuke umsebenzi woMbuso. Empeleni, iHholo LoMbuso lesibili eRéunion walakha ngemali yakhe endaweni yakhe eSaint-André. Laliqinile, liyisakhiwo esihle samapulangwe, lihlalisa abantu abangaphezu kuka-50. Manje sekunamabandla angu-8 ensimini eyayinakekelwa iqembu laseSaint-André. UJean washona ethembekile kuJehova ngo-1997.
Iqembu lesithathu elavela ngasekuqaleni kwawo-1960 lalisePort, idolobha eliyitheku, futhi lalihlanganisa nabantu abathakazelayo baseSaint-Paul, eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-8 ukuya eningizimu. IPort inemizi yamapulangwe ebiyelwe nge-milkbush, isihlahla esifana nomdolofiya esingenameva. Kunendlu uDavid Souris ayeyiqashile futhi imihlangano iqhutshelwa kuyo. Ngo-December 1963, leli qembu lafaka isicelo sokuba yibandla. Lalinabamemezeli boMbuso abangu-16, abangu-8 babo bebhapathiziwe, benza isilinganiso samahora angu-22,5 ensimini inyanga ngayinye. UDavid nomsizi wakhe bebodwa nje babeqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-38! Lapho umbonisi wesifunda ebahambela ngayo leyo nyanga, wabeka inkulumo ezilalelini ezingu-53.
Abanye abathunyelwa ePort kwakungamaphayona akhethekile uChristian noJosette Bonnecaze. UChristian wayebhapathizwe eFrench Guiana, kwathi ngasekuqaleni kwawo-1960 weza eRéunion. Ngaleso sikhathi wayengakashadi futhi kunguye yedwa kubo oseqinisweni. Ngomusa uMfoweth’ uSouris wathuthela kwenye indlu ukuze avulele uChristian noJosette indawo endlini okwakuqhutshelwa kuyo imihlangano. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi ibandla lakhula kangangokuthi nabo kwadingeka baphume kule ndlu!
Ngaso leso sikhathi, abefundisi kule ndawo egcwele amaKatolika baqala ukuqhatha oFakazi nabantu. Emini izingane zazijikijela abamemezeli ngamatshe, ebusuku zijikijele imizi yabo.
Umfundi omusha weBhayibheli, uRaphaëlla Hoarau, wayezazi ezinye zalezo zingane. Ngelinye ilanga ngemva kokujikijela amatshe, wazilandela lapho sezigoduka. Wathi: “Uma niqhubeka nijikijela umfowethu ngamatshe, nizongifunda ningiqonde.”
“Siyaxolisa Mam’ uHoarau,” ziphendula. “Besingazi ukuthi ungumfowenu.”
URaphaëlla wangena eqinisweni kanye namadodakazi akhe amathathu, enye yayo, uYolaine, yashada noLucien Véchot.
Naphezu kokuphikisa okwakushoshozelwa abefundisi, intshiseko yabafowethu nesibusiso sikaNkulunkulu kwaholela ekubeni kube nebandla elishisekayo ePort, futhi ngokushesha ihholo lase ligcwala liphuphuma. Empeleni ngokuvamile babeba baningi abalalela bengaphandle kunababengaphakathi. Izihlalo zazibekwa nomaphi lapho zingahlala khona, nasesiteji imbala, kanti izingane zona zazihlala onqenqemeni lwesiteji zibheke izilaleli. Ekugcineni abafowethu bakha iHholo LoMbuso elihle futhi namuhla kunamabandla ayisithupha kule ndawo.
AMAPHAYONA AYAHOLA
Elinye lamaphayona okuqala eRéunion ngu-Annick Lapierre. “Mina nomama safundelwa u-Annick,” kukhumbula uMyriam Thomas. “Wayengikhuthaza ukuba ngizikhandle enkonzweni futhi ngamtshela ukuthi ngifuna ukuba iphayona. Ngabhapathizwa ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha. Ngaleso sikhathi, sonke isiqhingi sasiyinsimu yethu futhi sasivame ukuhamba ngezinyawo ngoba kwakungekho mabhasi, izimoto zazimbalwa kakhulu. Nokho, uMfoweth’ uNasseau wayenemoto ayesiyisa ngayo ensimini uma kwenzeka. Sasikujabulela ukushumayela futhi sonke sasikukhuthalele.”
Umnumzane womuzi uHenri-Lucien Grondin uyakhumbula: “Sasizikhuthaza njalo izingane ukuba ziphayone. Ababonisi besifunda babekugcizelela ukubaluleka kokunika uJehova okungcono kakhulu. UHenri-Fred, izibulo lethu, uneminyaka engu-40 ubudala manje, futhi wenze inkonzo yesikhathi esigcwele yaba umsebenzi wokuphila kwakhe.”
“Ibandla lethu lalinentsha eningi eshisekayo,” kukhumbula uHenri-Fred. “Enye yayibhapathiziwe, enye, njengami nje, ingabhapathiziwe. Lapho kuvalwe izikole, sonke sasisebenza amahora angu-60 ensimini. Asiyilibalanga imigomo yethu engokomoya futhi namuhla ngikhonza emsebenzini wesifunda, nomkami u-Evelyne.”
UKUPHIKISWA AMADEMONI
Ukusebenzelana nemimoya kuvamile eRéunion. UJeannine Corino (uMaPégoud) uyakhumbula: “Esigodini saseMontagne ngahlangana nendoda eyathi izongiphonsa ngokuhlaba udoli ngezinaliti. Angiyiqondanga, ngakho ngacela isifundo sami ukuba singichazele. Sathi, ‘Lo muntu ungumthakathi futhi uzothumela imimoya ukuba ikulimaze.’ Ngasiqinisekisa ukuthi uJehova uyabavikela abathembela kuye ngokugcwele. Akudingeki nokusho ukuthi angehlelwanga yilutho olubi.”
Omunye umzalwane ukhumbula ukuthi ngesikhathi eseyingane, abakubo babeshweleza emsamo. Ngo-1969 wahlangana noFakazi BakaJehova futhi waqala ukufundelwa. Kodwa amademoni azama ukumdikibalisa ngokumvala izindlebe uma esemihlanganweni. Noma kunjalo, akagcinanga ngokuqhubeka eya kodwa futhi wayeqopha izinkulumo ukuze azilalele ekhaya. Akuphelanga sikhathi amademoni amyeka futhi ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho waqala ukuya ensimini.—Jak. 4:7.
Ngo-1996, uRoséda Caro, owayesonta KwaMoya waqala ukufunda iBhayibheli noFakazi. Wayebe impumputhe ngenxa yokulalela abangane bakhe ayesonta nabo ababemeluleke ngokuba ayeke imithi yesifo sakhe sikashukela. Umyeni wakhe, uCledo, owayeseqenjini lendawo lamaKhomanisi, wayesatshwa endaweni ngoba lwalungafakwa. Naye wayethakatha, ehlanganyela emikhosini yamaHindu, kamuva wasonta KwaMoya.
Lapho uRoséda eqala ukufundelwa, uCledo wamphikisa waze wasongela ngisho nabadala bebandla. Kodwa uRoséda akazange esabe. Ezinyangeni ezimbalwa kamuva, uCledo wayiswa esibhedlela, wafike waqulekela khona. Uma ephaphama, oFakazi ababili bamlethela isobho, acabanga ukuthi ngelomkakhe.
“Cha, Mnu. Caro, leli sobho elakho!” kusho odade.
“Kwangithinta ngokujulile lokho,” kukhumbula uCledo. “Akukho muntu weSonto LakwaMoya owayeke wazongibona, kodwa oFakazi BakaJehova ababili—bona kanye laba engangikade ngingabafuni nakubabona—bangilethela ukudla. ‘UJehova, uNkulunkulu womkami, ukhona ngempela,’ ngikhuluma ngedwa. Ngabe sengithandaza buthule, ngicela ukuba mina noRoséda sibe senkolweni eyodwa.”
UCledo akamananga nje wenza leso sicelo ngokuphamazela. Ngaphambi kokugula, wayesethé ukuthambathamba futhi wayemvumele umkakhe ukuba afundele kwamakhelwane. Ngelinye ilanga wathi kuRoséda nodade owayemfundela: “Akukuhle ukuba nifundele lapho. Wozani ekhaya.” Yilokho abakwenza. Kodwa bengazi, uCledo wabalalela ekwelinye ikamelo futhi wakuthanda ayekuzwa. Yize uCledo ayengakwazi ukufunda, lapho elulama, wafundelwa kabili ngesonto futhi wabhapathizwa ngo-1998. Naphezu kwezinkinga zempilo ngenxa yokukhula, uCledo noRoséda basaqhubeka bekhonza uNkulunkulu ngokwethembeka.
UKUFINYELELA IZINDAWO EZIPHAKATHI NEZWE
Idlanzana labantu baseRéunion bahlala kude nogu phansi lé ezigodini eziphahlwe izintaba eziphakeme ngamamitha angu-1 200 noma ngaphezulu. Abanye bahlala phezulu ezintabeni ezinemigodi emikhulukazi yezintabamlilo ezinkulu ezingasaqhumi. Abanye balaba bantu bayaqabukela bebona ulwandle, uma beke balubone. Ngokwesibonelo, emgodini okuthiwa iCirque de Mafate kufikeka ngezinyawo noma ngendiza engujekamanzi kuphela.
ULouis Nelaupe, ozalwa izigqila zase-Afrika, wakhulela eCirque de Mafate. Lapho eseyinsizwa wayeshayelela umpristi wamaKatolika inqola. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wathuthela eSaint-Denis, lapho athola khona iqiniso. Njengoba ungalindela, wafuna ukulihlanganyela nezihlobo zakhe. Ngakho ngelinye ilanga ngo-1968, yena nomkakhe u-Anne, nabanye odade ababili abaneminyaka engu-15 nengu-67 ubudala, bahamba ngezinyawo baya phakathi nezwe. Bathatha ujosaka, ipotimende nesikhwama esasigcwele izincwadi.
Baqale behlisa umfula, base bethatha indlela encane emagwingcigwingci edabula ezintabeni. Kwezinye izindawo kwakuba nedwala elime mpó ngapha, newa ngapha. Babehambe beshumayela kuzo zonke izindawo. “Ngalobo busuku,” kusho uLouis, “uJehova wasinakekela esebenzisa umninisitolo okwakuwukuphela kwakhe endaweni. Wasinika indlu enekamelo elinemibhede kanye nekhishi. Ekuseni, yithi labaya siyoqombola intaba ephakeme ngamamitha angu-1 400 siya esiqongweni siyongena emgodini omkhulu omise okwenkundla yemidlalo yeshashalazi.
“Ekugcineni safika emzini womngane wethu wakudala, wasamukela. Ezinye izimpahla sazishiya kuye, ngakusasa saqhubeka nendlela, sihambe sidla uhlobo oluncane lukagwava wasendle, sishumayeza abantu abaphansi ababengakaze basizwe isigijimi soMbuso. Safika emzini wesihlobo sethu ngo-6:00 ntambama. Sijabulela ukusibona, sasiphekela inkukhu eyehla esiphundu, okwasikhumbuza u-Abrahama noSara abapha izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu ukudla. (Gen. 18:1-8) Yebo, sasisishumayeza njengoba sipheka. Ngesikade sadla, ngo-11:00 ebusuku.
“Ngakusasa ngoLwesine sathi ukuhambahamba kulo mgodi, sihambe sidla ugwava siya kuyo yonke imizi esasiyithola. Enye indoda ezilungele yasipha ikhofi, sakwazi nokuthi gozololo—siphumuza izinyawo, hhayi imilomo! Le ndoda yayijabulela ngempela ingxoxo yethu yeBhayibheli yaze yasikhapha yasiyisa kuyo yonke imizi eseduze nakwayo, ihambe ishaya imfiliji endleleni.
“Ekugcineni, sabuyela lapho sasishiye khona izimpahla zethu, safike salala. Lapho sifika emakhaya ebusuku ngoLwesihlanu, sobane—kuhlanganise nodade othandekayo oneminyaka engu-67—sasihambe amakhilomitha angaba ngu-150, imizi engu-60, sahambisa nezincwadi ezingaphezu kwekhulu. Oh yebo, sasikhathele enyameni kodwa siqabulekile ngokomoya. Kimina, lolo hambo lwaluwukubuyela lapho inkaba yami yayikhona.”
ABAMEMEZELI ABABILI BABA AMABANDLA AMAHLANU
Ngo-1974, uChristian Pégoud nonina bathuthela eningizimu yedolobha laseRivière, elalingenabandla ngaleso sikhathi. “Imihlangano sasiyiqhubela egaraji lethu futhi ngokushesha kwase kunabantu abangu-30 abase beqale ukuhlanganyela,” kusho uChristian, owayeseneminyaka engu-20. “Ngafundela omunye umama nendodakazi yakhe uCéline, eyayiyingoduso ka-Ulysse Grondin. Njengoba u-Ulysse ayeyiKhomanisi, akafunanga ukuba ingoduso yakhe ifunde nathi. Kodwa uCéline wamncenga u-Ulysse ukuba asilalele, futhi umama waya kombona yena nabazali bakhe. Sajabula lapho bemlalela umama futhi bekuthanda ababekuzwa. Wonke umkhaya waqala ukufundelwa, kwathi ngo-1975 u-Ulysse noCéline babhapathizwa futhi bashada. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi u-Ulysse waba umdala.”
UChristian uyaqhubeka: “Ngaphandle kweRivière, insimu yethu yayihlanganisa nemiphakathi yasemaphandleni aseCilaos, eLes Avirons, eLes Makes naseL’Étang-Salé. Sathola isithakazelo esikhulu eLes Makes. Ngenhla kwalesi sigodi kuneCap, ingxenye yonqenqema lwentabamlilo eseyacisha. Uma ulapho ekuseni licwathile, ubona ubhazabhaza wenkundla eyenile sengathi eyomdlalo weshashalazi lé phansi ebangeni elingamamitha angaphezu kuka-300.”
Umkhaya wakwaPoudroux wawuhlala endlini yokuqashwa encane ngaseCap. Izibulo lakhona uJean-Claude, liyakhumbula: “Mina nabafowethu abane nodadewethu abahlanu sasisiza ubaba ekutshaleni imifino eyayidayiswa emakethe. Wayetshala nezimbali, ama-geranium, azibilise ukuze akhiqize isithako samakha. Sasihamba amakhilomitha amahlanu siya esikoleni esigodini sakithi, ngokuvamile sithwele imifino. Lapho sibuya, ngezinye izikhathi sasibuya nokudla okungamakhilogremu ayishumi—konke sikuthwala emakhanda.
“Ubaba wayekhuthele futhi ngenxa yalokho sasimhlonipha. Kodwa njengabaningi, wayephuza kakhulu futhi uma esedakiwe abe isidlova. Mina nezingane zakithi sasivamile ukubona izinto ezingathandeki ekhaya futhi sasingazi ukuthi umkhaya wakithi uyophelelaphi.”
UJean-Claude uyaqhubeka: “Ngo-1974 iphayona limbe laxoxa nami. Nganginguthisha esikoleni saseRivière. Ngenxa yobuzenzisi nokungalungi engangikubona emasontweni, ngangingakholwa ngokugcwele ukuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona. Noma kunjalo, ngahlabeka umxhwele lapho lo mzalwane ephendula yonke imibuzo yami ngeBhayibheli. Mina nomkami uNicole saqala ukufundelwa. Savakashela nabakithi ukuze sibaxoxele iqiniso leBhayibheli, ngokuvamile sasixoxa nabafowethu nodadewethu kuze kube sebusuku kakhulu. Ngezinye izikhathi abazali bami nabo babelalela.
“Kungakabiphi, abafowethu uJean-Marie noJean-Michel nodadewethu uRoseline, baqala ukuza njalo kwami bezokwethamela isifundo sethu. Sonke sathuthuka ngokomoya, saba abamemezeli futhi sabhapathizwa kanye kanye ngo-1976. Ngeshwa ubaba wangisola ngokuthi ngifaka izingane zakithi umoya omubi futhi wayeka ukungikhulumisa. Wayesho ukungiqeda kangangokuthi kwakudingeka ngimgweme uma siphakathi kwabantu!
“Umama, nakuba ayengakwazi ukufunda, waqala ukufundelwa. Ngiyajabula ukusho ukuthi lwagcina lwehlile ulaka kubaba. Empeleni, waqala ukufunda iBhayibheli ngo-2002. Namuhla, amalungu angu-26 omkhaya wakithi abhapathiziwe. Ahlanganisa mina nabafowethu nodadewethu abangu-9, omkethu, nomama, osashiseka namanje yize esegugile. UJean-Michel noJean-Yves bake bakhonza isikhashana njengababonisi besifunda kodwa bayeka ngenxa yempilo. Bobabili bangabadala bebandla, kanti uJean-Yves uyiphayona kanye nomkakhe uRoséda. Mina nendodana yami endala singabadala.”
Ngenkathi uChristian Pégoud nonina befika ngo-1974, kwakungenabandla eRivière nasemadolobheni aseduze, kodwa manje mahlanu. Elinye lisedolobheni laseCilaos, phezulu eCirque de Cilaos edume ngeziphethu zayo ezishisayo. Laqala kanjani iBandla LaseCilaos? Njalo ngoLwezine kusukela ngo-1975 kuya ku-1976, abamemezeli baseRivière babehamba amakhilomitha angaba ngu-37, emgwaqweni omncane omagwingcigwingci—owaziwa ngamatshe adilikayo—beya eCilaos beyoshumayela kuze kube ngawo-5:00 ntambama. Imizamo yabo yathela izithelo ngoba manje kunabamemezeli abangaba ngu-30 kuleli dolobha futhi banelabo iHholo LoMbuso.
INTUTHUKO ENGOKOMOYA ENINGIZIMU
Ngezizathu ezinhle, abantu balapha babiza iningizimu yeRéunion ngokuthi “iningizimu eyihlane.” Amagagasi amakhulu akha igwebu elimhlophe lapho eshaya ugu oluyihlane, olunentabamlilo enkulu eqhumayo yaseRéunion, iPiton de la Fournaise (Isiqongo Sembawula). ISaint-Pierre iyidolobha elikhulu kule ndawo. Amaphayona akhethekile uDenise Mellot noLilliane Pieprzyk babelwa khona ngasekupheleni kwawo-1960. Kamuva, njengoba isithakazelo sikhula, lab’ odade ababili bajoyinwa elinye iphayona elikhethekile, uMichel Rivière nomkakhe uRenée.
Umuntu wokuqala owafundelwa kule ndawo kwakunguCléo Lapierre, umakhi owathola iqiniso ngo-1968. “Umhlangano wokuqala engaya kuwo wawungaphansi kwesihlahla esikhulu,” kusho uCléo. “‘IHholo LoMbuso’—elaliyishede elingamamitha amathathu ububanzi namathathu ubude—ladilizwa ukuze kwakhiwe esinye isakhiwo esikhudlwana, engaba nesandla ekusakheni.”
Ngawo lowo nyaka uCléo, owayesebuthweni lempi, wabizwa ukuba aye empini. Uyalandisa: “Ngolwazana olungatheni lweBhayibheli enganginalo, ngabhalela abaphathi, ngichaza ukuma kokungathathi hlangothi engase ngikuthathile. Abaphendulanga, ngakho ngaya ekamu lamasosha eSaint-Denis, kolunye uhlangothi lwesiqhingi, ngiyokuzwa ngale ndaba. Esinye isikhulu sathi angigoduke kodwa ngizilungiselele ukuya ejele. Ngakho ngathandaza njalo futhi ngatadisha ngenkuthalo. Akuphelanga sikhathi esingakanani, ngaphinde ngabizelwa ekamu. Lapho ngifika, ngacela umzalwane owayengikhaphile ukuba angilinde ihora. ‘Uma ngingabuyi lize liphele ihora,’ ngimtshela, ‘cishe ngizobe ngingeke ngisabuya. Uma ngingabuyi, ngicela udayise imoto yami imali uyinike umkami.’
“Lapho ngingena ngaphakathi, ngabona izikhulu ziphikisana ngokuthi zizokwenzani ngami. Ngemva kwemizuzu engaba ngu-45, usayitsheni weza kimi.
“Wathi: ‘Suka phambi kwamehlo ami! Goduka.’
“Ngisahambe amagxathu ambalwa nje, wangibiza. Ngezwi eselishintshile wathi: ‘Ngiyanihlonipha. Ngezwa ngoFakazi BakaJehova eFrance, kodwa ngiyaqala ukuhlangana naye.’
“Kwakuyimi kuphela umzalwane eSaint-Pierre ngaleso sikhathi, ngakho ngangiqhuba yonke imihlangano yebandla. Nokho, ngangiluthola usizo ngezikhathi ezithile, futhi ngo-1979 kwafika umbhangqwana oyizithunywa zevangeli, u-Antoine noGilberte Branca.”
UKWAKHIWA KWAMAHHOLO OMBUSO
Ekuqaleni, amabandla namaqembu ngokuvamile ayehlanganyela ezindlini ezilungisiwe nasemizini yabazalwane. Ngenxa yezishingishane ezifika njalo, kwakudingeka izakhiwo eziqine kakhudlwana. Kodwa izakhiwo zamatshe zimba eqolo futhi kuthatha isikhathi eside ukuzakha. Noma kunjalo, isandla sikaJehova asisifushane, ngokuhamba kwesikhathi amaHholo OMbuso anjalo aqala ukwakhiwa eRéunion.—Isaya 59:1.
Ngokwesibonelo, edolobheni laseSaint-Louis, umzalwane osemusha wayefundela ukwakha ngamatshe ngesikhathi ibandla lithola ipulani yeHholo LoMbuso lalo elisha. Lo mzalwane washumayeza uthisha wakhe, wamxoxela ngehholo, wamchazela nokuthi lizobe lakhiwa amavolontiya. Wasabela kanjani uthisha? Waletha abafundi esakhiweni ukuze bazofundela kuso! Basiza ekumbeni isisekelo futhi kamuva uthisha wanikela ngezinsimbi zesisekelo.
Abazalwane bahlela ukuba ngeholide kuthelwe ukhonkolo endaweni engamamitha-skwele angu-190, futhi ngalelo langa ekuseni kwatheleka amavolontiya ashisekayo angaphezu kwekhulu ezosebenza. Nokho, ngasizathu simbe, amanzi ayevaliwe! Omunye umzalwane owayazana nesikhulu sezicimamlilo esinomusa waqhamuka nesu, waya kosichazela ngale nkinga, sona sabe sesithumela ngokushesha iloli lesicimamlilo elalinamanzi enele okuqeda umsebenzi.
Lapho iHholo LoMbuso liqedwa, enye indoda ethakazelayo, ihlatshwe umxhwele abazalwane nomsebenzi wabo, yakhipha isheke yanikela ngemali ecishe yanele umshini omusha we-sound. Ngenkathi ehambele eMauritius ngo-December 1988, uCarey Barber weNdikimba Ebusayo waya eRéunion eyobeka inkulumo yokulinikezela. IHholo LoMbuso lokuqala elakhiwa ngokushesha lakhiwa ngo-1996 eSt.-Gilles-les Bains. Namuhla, lesi siqhingi sinamaHholo OMbuso angu-17 asetshenziswa amabandla angu-34.
YAYIZOQHUTSHELWAPHI IMIHLANGANO EMIKHULU?
Umsebenzi waqala kahle kakhulu eRéunion kangangokuthi kwakuyinselele ukuthola izindawo zemihlangano emikhulu ezinkulu ngokwanele. Ngo-1964, abafowethu bahlela ukuba kube nomhlangano wokuqala wesifunda. Ngemva kwezinyanga becinga, bathola indawo eyodwa vó—indawo yokudlela esesakhiweni esiyisitezi eSaint-Denis. Leso sakhiwo sase sisidala, kubiza ukusiqasha futhi sakhiwe ngamapulangwe. Abanikazi bathi singathatha isisindo sabantu abangaphezu kuka-200, okuyinani elalilindelwe.
Bengenayo enye indawo, abafowethu bayiqasha le ndawo yokudlela futhi enye indoda enomusa yanikela ngombhobho. Lapho usuku lufika futhi abazalwane begcwala, isakhiwo sasikaza ukubhodloka. Kwaba nabangu-230 ngeSonto, kwabhapathizwa abangu-21.
Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, uLouis Nelaupe, umzalwane owayekhulele eCirque de Mafate, ngomusa wanikela ngesiza endaweni yakhe eSaint-Denis ukuze kwakhiwe iHholo LoMhlangano lesikhashana. Lesi sakhiwo esingeyona inkimbinkimbi, esivulekile ezinhlangothini, sasinezinsika zezingodo, uphahla lukathayela, nezindonga zamaqabunga esundu aphiciwe.
Umhlangano wokuqala owaqhutshelwa khona kwakungowesigodi wezinsuku ezintathu. “Ekuseni ngosuku lokuqala,” kukhumbula uMyriam Andrien owayekhona, “saya ensimini, sabuya sadla ukudla okubabayo—ukudla kwesiCreole ngempela, ilayisi, ubhontshisi, nenkukhu efakwe upelepele obaba há. Abangawujwayele upelepele baphekelwa i-rougail marmaille, ushatini ongababi.”
Leli Hholo LoMhlangano lanwetshwa njengoba babanda ababeba khona, futhi lalibuye libe iHholo LoMbuso. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, imikhaya eyayiqashe imizi eyayikule ndawo yathutha, ngomusa uLouis wanikela ngayo yonke indawo ebandleni. Le ndawo manje ineHholo LoMbuso elihle lezitini, elisetshenziswa amabandla amabili eSaint-Denis.
Ngo-1997 kwakhiwa iHholo LoMhlangano edolobheni lasePossession endaweni eyayithengwe eminyakeni emihlanu ngaphambili. Livulekile ezinhlangothini futhi linendawo yokubhapathizela esesiteji. Lihlalisa abantu abangu-1 600 futhi lisetshenziselwa imihlangano yesifunda neyesigodi izikhathi okungenani ezingu-12 ngonyaka. Eduze kwalo kunekhaya lezithunywa zevangeli elihlalisa abantu abangu-9. Kunanedepho yezincwadi kanye nehhovisi elinakekela insimu yaseRéunion.
Abafowethu bengakabi nalo iHholo LoMhlangano, imihlangano yesigodi babeyiqhubela e-Olympic Stadium eSaint-Paul. Ngisho nakhona, kwakuvamile ukuba kudingeke baye kwenye indawo ngomzuzu wokugcina ngenxa yemidlalo noma imicimbi yamasiko eyayinikezwa indawo yokuqala. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, umasipala wacela abafowethu ukuba basebenzise inkundla yemibukiso eyayiseduzane. Njengoba le ndawo yayenzelwe imibukiso, ayinazihlalo, ayinaluphahla, ngakho abazalwane kwakumelwe bazizele nezihlalo nezambulela zabo. Ngenxa yalokho, ababesesiteji babezibonela izambulela ezimibalabala, bengabuboni ubuso bezilaleli.
“Umasipala wake wayiqashisela amaqembu amabili le nkundla,” kubhala ihhovisi laseRéunion. “Elinye kwakuyiqembu lomculo laseMartinique elalidlala i-zouk—inhlanganisela yesigqi sase-Afrika, i-reggae, ne-calypso. Izikhulu zakhetha ukuyinika iqembu le-zouk le nkundla, thina zasinika indawo yokuzilibazisa ebizwa ngokuthi iCave of the First Frenchmen, indawo okwafikela kuyo izifiki zokuqala zaseFrance. Yayisendaweni enhle, ngemuva kunamawa aphakeme nezihlahla eziningi ezinomthunzi, kodwa ingenazo izihlalo, izindlu zangasese zimbalwa kakhulu, nesiteji singekho.
“Nokho, kulokhu sakujabulela ukuba lapho ngoba ngoMgqibelo kusihlwa ngelanga lomhlangano layidliva imvula, umbani washaya izintambo zikagesi wenkundla [eyayinekhonsathi], yaphela kanjalo ikhonsathi ye-zouk. Thina esasiqhele ngamakhilomitha ayisihlanu, asithintekanga. Abantu baze bakhuluma ‘ngokwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu’ leyo khonsathi.”
INTUTHUKO EKUHLELEKENI KWENHLANGANO
Ngo-June 22, 1967 kwamiswa inhlangano engokomthetho i-Association Les Témoins de Jéhovah (INhlangano YoFakazi BakaJehova). Ngo-February 1969 lesi siqhingi saba nombonisi waso wesifunda wokuqala wendawo, uHenri Zamit, owazalelwa e-Algeria wakhulela eFrance. Isifunda sakhe sasihlanganisa amabandla ayisithupha aseRéunion namane aseMauritius kanye namaqembu amaningana angawodwa. Namuhla, iRéunion iyodwa inezifunda ezimbili.
Ngo-1975 ukuvalwa kwe-Nqabayokulinda okwase kudonse iminyaka engu-22 kwasuswa eFrance futhi ngokushesha abafowethu bawusebenzisa lo magazini ensimini yaseRéunion. Babekade besebenzisa i-Bulletin intérieur. Yayinyatheliswa eFrance, inokwaziswa okufanayo nokwakukuyi-Nqabayokulinda kodwa yayingahanjiselwa umphakathi. Ngo-January 1980 igatsha laseFrance laqala ukunyathelisa INkonzo Yethu YoMbuso yesiFulentshi eyayivumelana nezidingo zaseRéunion nezinye iziqhingi zangakhona. Ukuze kuzuze nabantu abakhuluma isiCreole saseRéunion, ezinye izincwadi—ezihlanganisa amapheshana, izincwajana nencwadi ethi Ulwazi Oluholela Ekuphileni Okumi Phakade nethi Khulekela Okuwukuphela KukaNkulunkulu Weqiniso—ziye zahunyushelwa kulolu limi. La malungiselelo amahle angokomoya aye asiza ekuthuthukiseni izindaba ezinhle kule ngxenye yomhlaba ecezile.
Yebo, e-Indian Ocean enkulukazi, iRéunion iyichashazana nje. Kodwa yeka udumo olukhulu olusuke khona lwaya kuNkulunkulu! Lokhu kusikhumbuza amazwi omprofethi u-Isaya: “Mabazise udumo [lukaJehova] naseziqhingini”! (Isaya 42:10, 12) Ekwaziseni kwabo lolo dumo, kwangathi oFakazi BakaJehova eRéunion bangaqhubeka begxilile futhi bethembekile njengamagagasi amakhulu aluhlaza alokhu egubhe njalo ogwini lwezintabamlilo zalesi siqhingi.
[Ibhokisi/Amabalazwe ekhasini 228, 229]
AKE SITHI QAPHU QAPHU NgeRéunion
Izwe
IRéunion ingamakhilomitha angu-65 ubude nangu-50 ububanzi, okuyenza ibe isiqhingi esikhulu kunazo zonke eziQhingini ZaseMascarene—iMauritius, iRéunion, neRodrigues. Maphakathi nesiqhingi kunemigodi emithathu ejulile, enezitshalo eziningi, ehlala abantu, ebizwa ngokuthi ama-cirque, eyabangelwa ukuwohloka kwentabamlilo enkulu yakudala.
Abantu
Iningi lezakhamuzi ezingu-785 200 liyingxube yabantu abadabuka e-Afrika, eChina, eFrance, eNdiya naseNingizimu-ntshonalanga Asia. Abangamaphesenti angaba ngu-90 bangamaKatolika.
Ulimi
IsiFulentshi ulimi olusemthethweni, kodwa isiCreole SaseRéunion siwulimi oluvame ukusetshenziswa.
Indlela yokuziphilisa
Ezomnotho zisekelwe ikakhulukazi ekutshalweni komoba nasemikhiqizweni yawo, njengotiligi notshwala kanye nezokuvakasha.
Ukudla
Ukudla okuyinhloko ilayisi, inyama, inhlanzi, ubhontshisi nodali. Ngaphandle komoba, kutshalwa nokhukhunathi, amalentshisi, upopo, upayinapu, iklabishi, ulethisi, utamatisi ne-vanilla.
Isimo sezulu
Njengoba iRéunion isenyakatho yeNjiko Yempunzi, iyashisa, inomswakama futhi izinga lemvula nokushisa liyehluka kuye ngendawo. Izishingishane zivamile.
[Amabalazwe]
(Ukuze ubone ukuthi indaba ihlelwe kanjani, bheka encwadini)
Madagascar
Rodrigues
Mauritius
Réunion
RÉUNION
SAINT-DENIS
La Montagne
La Possession
Le Port
Saint-Paul
St.-Gilles-les Bains
CIRQUE DE MAFATE
CIRQUE DE SALAZIE
Cilaos
CIRQUE DE CILAOS
Saint-Leu
Le Cap
Les Makes
Les Avirons
L’Étang-Salé
La Rivière
Saint-Louis
Saint-Pierre
Saint-Philippe
Piton de la Fournaise
Saint-Benoît
Saint-André
[Izithombe]
Isithombe esithathwe emkhathini
Udaka lwentabamlilo
ESaint-Denis
[Ibhokisi ekhasini 232, 233]
Umlando Omfushane WeRéunion
Amatilosi okuqala angama-Arabhu abiza lesi siqhingi ngokuthi iDina Morgabin (Isiqhingi Esisentshonalanga). Lapho abashayeli bemikhumbi abangamaPutukezi bethola lesi siqhingi esasingenamuntu ngasekuqaleni kwawo-1500, basibiza ngokuthi iSanta Apollonia. UmFulentshi uJacques Pronis, waqhwaga iSanta Apollonia yaba ngeyeFrance ngo-1642, ngesikhathi ethumela abavukeli abangu-12 khona besuka eMadagascar. Ngo-1649, saqanjwa kabusha ngokuthi i-Île Bourbon, igama alisusela ozalweni lwasebukhosini baseFrance. Lapho ubuKhosi BakwaBourbon buphela ngo-1793 ngenkathi yokuVukela KwaseFrance, isiqhingi sabizwa ngokuthi iRéunion, kukhunjulwa ukuhlangana kweButho Lempi Lesizwe LaseParis kanye namavukelambuso aseMarseille. Ngemva kwezinye izinguquko, elithi Réunion laphinde lamukelwa njengegama laso ngo-1848. Ngo-1946, lesi siqhingi saphathwa yiFrance.
Ngasekuqaleni kwawo-1660, iFrance yamisa ikoloni kulesi siqhingi futhi yavula amasimu ekhofi nawomoba, izisebenzi kuyizigqila ezivela eMpumalanga Afrika. Ngemva kokuqedwa kobugqila ngo-1848, iFrance yaletha izisebenzi zesikhashana ezivela ikakhulukazi eNdiya naseNingizimu-mpumalanga Asia. Abantu abaxubile balesi siqhingi bavela ikakhulukazi kula maqembu abantu. Ngasekuqaleni kwawo-1800, ukutshalwa kwekhofi kwancipha okwenza umoba waba yisona sitshalo esithunyelwa kakhulu kwamanye amazwe.
[Ibhokisi/Izithombe ekhasini 236, 237]
Kusukela Ekubeni Usozinyama Kuya Ekubeni Iphayona Elikhethekile
ULUCIEN VÉCHOT
UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1937
ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1961
UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Owake waba usozinyama owaziwayo, wakhonza njengephayona elikhethekile kusukela ngo-1963 kuya ku-1968 futhi ubelokhu ekhonza njengomdala kusukela ngo-1975.
ANGISOZE ngalukhohlwa lolo suku ngo-1961, lapho “ngiyosindisa” umngane wami uJean koFakazi BakaJehova. UmkaJean wayengibizile ngoba esaba ukuthi abaprofethi bamanga, njengoba ayebabiza kanjalo oFakazi, bangase baphikisane nomyeni wakhe futhi bamshaye!
Ngazitshela, ‘Uma beke bamthinta nje, bazongithola kahle.’ Kodwa babelungile, benengqondo futhi bengabonisi zimpawu zokulwa. Ngazithola sengingene shí engxoxweni yesiphambano, oFakazi babonisa ngokucacile ngeBhayibheli ukuthi uJesu wafela ogodweni, noma esigxotsheni.
Kamuva, ngabuza ukuthi umprofethi uDaniyeli wayesho ukuthini lapho ekhuluma ngoMikayeli ingelosi enkulu ethi ‘ime’ ngenxa yabantu bakaNkulunkulu. (Dan. 12:1) OFakazi bachaza ngemiBhalo ukuthi uMikayeli, empeleni unguJesu Kristu nokuthi ‘ubemile,’ noma ebusa njengeNkosi yoMbuso kaNkulunkulu, kusukela ngonyaka ka-1914. (Math. 24:3-7; IsAm. 12:7-10) Lezi zimpendulo kanye nolwazi loFakazi ngeBhayibheli kwangimangaza. Kusukela ngaleso sikhathi, noma nini lapho oFakazi besendaweni yakithi, ngangithatha lelo thuba ngixoxe nabo ngeZwi likaNkulunkulu. Ngangize ngibalandele endlini ngendlu futhi ngihlanganyele ezingxoxweni zabo. Akuthathanga sikhathi, ngaqala ukuhlanganyela neqembu elingalodwa elalihlangana eSaint-André.
Emhlanganweni wami wokuqala, nakuba ngangingakwazi ukufunda kahle, ngafunda ezinye izigaba kuyi-Bulletin intérieur, esasiyisebenzisa esikhundleni se-Nqabayokulinda ngaleso sikhathi. Kwathi ngokushesha ngemva kokubhapathizwa, ngacelwa ukuba ngiqhube isifundo sencwadi ngoba babengekho abazalwane. ‘Kodwa ngisiqhuba kanjani isifundo sencwadi?’ ngizibuza. Ekubona ukukhathazeka nokungaqiniseki kwami, uJeannine Pégoud wasikisela ngomusa ukuba afunde izigaba bese mina ngibuza imibuzo yesifundo enyathelisiwe. Yilokho esakwenza futhi isifundo saqhubeka kahle.
Lapho uMilton Henschel evakashela eRéunion ngo-1963, wakhuthaza abafanelekayo ukuba bacabangele inkonzo yamaphayona akhethekile. Ngangifuna ukumnikeza konke enginakho uJehova, ngakho ngenza isicelo futhi ngamukelwa. Isabelo sami kwakuyidolobha laseSaint-André, lapho ngagcina sengiqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-9.
Ibandla elisafufusa lalihlangana emzini kaJean Nasseau. Lapho uJean ephuka inqulu engozini yemoto, nganakekela ibandla izinyanga eziyisithupha. Lokho kwakusho ukunikeza izinkulumo, ukuqhuba iSikole Senkonzo Esingokwasezulwini noMhlangano Wenkonzo, nokulungisa imibiko eya ehhovisi legatsha—konke lokhu okwanginikeza ulwazi olwengeziwe oluyigugu.
Ensimini kwakudingeka silwe nezinkolelo-ze ezazibangelwa ingxube exakile yobuKatolika nobuHindu. Yize kunjalo, abantu basabela ezindabeni ezinhle. Empeleni, amalungu okungenani angu-20 omkhaya owodwa angena eqinisweni. Namuhla, kunamabandla ayisihlanu endaweni yaseSaint-André.
[Ibhokisi/Izithombe ekhasini 238]
Ukholo Lwami Lwavivinywa Ukugconwa
UMYRIAM THOMAS
UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1937
ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1965
UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Ubephayona kusukela ngo-1966.
LAPHO mina nomzala uLouis Nelaupe siqala ukushumayela ngo-1962, sasamukelwa cishe kuyo yonke imizi. Abantu babesipha ikhofi, isiphuzo esibandayo, ngisho notshwala! Nokho kungakapheli sikhathi, abefundisi bathonya abaningi ukuba bashintshe isimo sabo. Abanye abaninikhaya babesenza inhlekisa, ngezinye izikhathi baliphimisele kabi ngamabomu igama likaNkulunkulu. Kwelinye idolobha, abantu basijikijela ngamatshe.
Ngenxa yalokhu, abanye bethu bayeka ukusebenzisa igama likaNkulunkulu ensimini. Umbonisi wesifunda wakuphawula lokhu futhi wabuza ngakho. Lapho simchazela izizathu, sazizwa sinamahlonyana. Waseluleka ngendlela enomusa futhi wasikhuthaza ukuba sibe nesibindi ngokwengeziwe. Sakwazisa kakhulu lokho futhi sabheka amazwi akhe njengeseluleko esivela kuJehova. (Heb. 12:6) Ngempela, ngaphandle kokubekezela kukaNkulunkulu, umusa wakhe, nomoya ongcwele, ngabe kade ngayeka ukuphayona. Kunalokho, ngiye ngakwazi ukunikela iminyaka eyigugu engaphezu kwengu-40 enkonzweni yamaphayona.
[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 246, 247]
UJehova Wangisekela Ngezikhathi Zovivinyo
USULLY ESPARON
UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1947
ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1964
UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Uphakathi kwabokuqala ababhapathizwa eRéunion, wachitha iminyaka emithathu ejele ngenxa yokwenqaba ukujoyina ibutho lempi.
LAPHO ngamukela iqiniso ngineminyaka engu-15, abazali bami bangixosha ekhaya. Kodwa lokho akuzange kukunciphise ukuzimisela kwami ukukhonza uJehova. Ngangenela inkonzo yamaphayona avamile ngo-1964, kwathi ngo-1965 ngaba elikhethekile. Ngaba nanelungelo lokuhlanganyela ekuqondiseni ibandla eSaint-André nelinye eSaint-Benoît. Mina noJean-Claude Furcy sasihamba ngamabhayisekili siya kula mabandla, ayenabamemezeli abangu-12 nabangu-6.
Ngo-1967 ngabizelwa ukuqeqeshelwa impi. Ngachaza ukuthi njengomKristu, ngeke ngilwe. Ngenxa yokuthi ngangingumuntu wokuqala eRéunion ukwenqaba, iziphathimandla azizange zikuqonde ukuma kwami noma zikwamukele. Empeleni, isikhulu samaphoyisa sangishaya phambi kwabantu abangu-400 ababebuthiwe, sabe sesingiyisa ehhovisi laso sengixhuga. Sabeka iyunifomu yamasosha phezu kwedeski sathi angiyigqoke, uma ngingafuni sizongishaya futhi. Njengoba sasingumdondoshiya ongamamitha athi awabe ngu-1,8 futhi siyisidlakela, sasiside ngempela kunami. Noma kunjalo, ngaqunga isibindi ngathi, “Uma uphinda ungishaya, ngizofaka icala ngoba iFrance inikeza inkululeko yenkolo.” Sithukuthele sigane unwabu, sasondela kimi kodwa sazibamba. Sabe sesingiyisa esikhulwini esiphethe, esathi ngizodonsa iminyaka emithathu ngifukuza ejele eFrance.
Ngayidonsa leyo minyaka emithathu, kodwa ngangiseRéunion. Kwakungewona umsebenzi onzima. Ngemva kokungigweba, umahluleli wangibizela ehhovisi lakhe. Emomotheka, wangixhawula futhi wazwelana nami, echaza ukuthi njengomahluleli, bekufanele enze lokho okushiwo umthetho. Iphini lomqondisi wejele nalo lalinobungane futhi lahlela ukuba ngisebenze enkantolo. Laze langiphelezela saya endaweni yezivakashi ukuze libone abazali bami kanye nelungu lebandla.
Ekuqaleni, sasingu-20 kuya ku-30 esitokisini esisodwa, kodwa ngabe sengifakwa esitokisini sabantu ababili, okwanginikeza inkululeko ethé xaxa. Ngacela isibani sikagesi futhi ngokumangalisayo ngasithola. Ngokuvamile izinto zikagesi zazenqatshelwe ngoba iziboshwa zazingazama ukuzibulala ngogesi. Ngenxa yesibani sami, ngangikwazi ukutadisha iBhayibheli futhi ngifundele ukugcina amabhuku ezimali. Lapho ngidedelwa ngo-1970, umahluleli onomusa wangitholela umsebenzi.
[Ibhokisi ekhasini 249]
Ukwesabisa Kwezishingishane
Ngo-February 1962, isiShingishane uJenny, sagadla eRéunion naseMauritius, senza i-Indian Ocean yaba nolaka, yakhukhula izindawo ezingasogwini, ikakhulukazi eRéunion. ESaint-Denis, kwalimala izakhiwo, izihlahla zaphundleka amahlamvu namagatsha asakazeka emigwaqweni. Izigxobo zikagesi zagoba nezintambo zikagesi zazilengela phansi. Ngokumangalisayo, iHholo LoMbuso elincane alizange lilimale. Isishingishane sathatha ukuphila kwabangu-37, salimaza abangu-250, futhi sashiya izinkulungwane zingenandawo yokufihla ikhanda. Ngaleso sikhathi, abafowethu babesemhlanganweni eMauritius, engazange ithinteke kangako. Nakuba bengazange bakwazi ukubuyela emakhaya izinsukwana, okungenani abazange balimale.
Ngo-2002, isiShingishane uDina sadiliza umhlabathi owavimba umgwaqo oya eCilaos amasonto amathathu. Ngokushesha ihhovisi laseRéunion lahlela ukuthumela imoto enkulu egcwele izinto ezazidingwa abazalwane abangu-30 bakhona. Le moto yahambisana nezinye ezingu-15, ziholwa amaphoyisa. Izingxenye ezithile zomgwaqo zazikhukhulekele emfuleni futhi kwadingeka ukuba izimoto zihambe osebeni lomfula bese zibuyela emgwaqweni ngaphandle kokukhalakathela eweni eliyingozi. Yeka ukuthi abazalwane eCilaos bajabula kanjani lapho imoto ifika!
[Ishadi/Igrafu ekhasini 252, 253]
ISHADI LEZENZAKALO EZIPHAWULEKAYO ERéunion
1955 Kuvakasha uRobert Nisbet ngo-September.
1960
1961 Kufika umkhaya woFakazi uvela eFrance futhi uthola isithakazelo esikhulu.
1963 UM. G. Henschel wasendlunkulu yomhlaba wonke ukhuluma nezilaleli ezingu-155.
1964 Ukuqondiswa komsebenzi kususwa eFrance kuya eMauritius; kuba nabangu-230 emhlanganweni wesifunda wokuqala.
1967 Kubhaliswa inhlangano engokomthetho i-Association Les Témoins de Jéhovah.
1970
1975 Ukuvalwa kwe-Nqabayo-kulinda kuya-qedwa eFrance.
1980
1985 Inani labamemezeli lidlula ku-1 000.
1990
1992 Inani labamemezeli lidlula ku-2 000. Igatsha lithenga indawo ePossession ukuze kwakhiwe ihhovisi laseRéunion, iHholo LoMhlangano nekhaya lezithunywa zevangeli.
1996 IHholo LoMbuso lokuqala elakhiwe ngokushesha liyaqedwa.
1998 Umhlangano omkhulu wokuqala uba seHholo LoMhlangano elisha lasePossession.
2000
2006 Kunabamemezeli ababikayo abangu-2 590 eRéunion.
[Igrafu]
(See Publication)
Ingqikithi Yabamemezeli
Ingqikithi Yamaphayona
3 000
2 000
1 000
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
[Isithombe esigcwele ikhasi ekhasini 223]
[Isithombe ekhasini 224]
U-Adam Lisiak washumayela inyanga eyodwa eRéunion ngo-1959
[Isithombe ekhasini 224]
UNoémie Duray, uJeannine Pégoud nendodana yakhe uChristian, besendleleni eya eRéunion, ngo-1961
[Isithombe ekhasini 227]
IHholo LoMbuso LasePort, ngo-1965
[Isithombe ekhasini 230]
Babeqasha amabhasi avulekile lapho beyoshumayela kude, ngo-1965
[Isithombe ekhasini 230]
UJosette Bonnecaze
[Isithombe ekhasini 235]
UJeannine Corino
[Isithombe ekhasini 235]
Bashumayela eSaint-Paul, ngo-1965
[Isithombe ekhasini 243]
UCléo Lapierre
[Izithombe ekhasini 244, 245]
ULouis no-Anne Nelaupe bashumayela ezigodini ezikude futhi babehambe bezitika ngogwava
ECirque de Mafate
[Isithombe ekhasini 248]
IHholo LoMbuso eseliphelile eSaint-Louis, ngo-1988
[Izithombe ekhasini 251]
IMihlangano Yesifunda Neyesigodi
Umhlangano wokuqala wesifunda wawusendaweni yokudlela ngo-1964
“E-Cave of the First Frenchman” kwaqhutshelwa khona umhlangano wesigodi
Indawo yesikhashana yemihlangano yebandla, eSaint-Denis, ngo-1965