IMyanmar (IBurma)

IMYANMAR iphakathi kwamazwe amakhulu ase-Asia, iNdiya neChina, futhi inezinto ezihlukahlukene ezimangalisayo.a IYangon (eyayaziwa ngokuthi iRangoon), idolobha lakhona elikhulu kunawo wonke, inamabhilidi, izitolo eziphithizelayo nesiminyaminya sezimoto. Kodwa ngale kwayo kunezindawo zasemaphandleni lapho uthola khona izinyathi, lapho abantu bemangala khona uma bebona izivakashi futhi ukuphila kwakhona kulula.

IMyanmar yanamuhla isikhumbuza i-Asia yakudala. Amabhasi alapha ayimikhehlekhehle ahamba engena ezikhisini aphambane nezinqola ezithwele imifino zilibangise emakethe nabelusi bezimbuzi abaklabise imihlambi yabo. Iningi lamadoda alapha asavunula ngeziketi ezibizwa ngokuthi i-lungi. Ebusweni omame bagcoba isitaputapu okuthiwa i-thanaka esenziwe ngamagxolo omuthi. Abantu bayithanda kakhulu inkolo. Abazinikele kuBuddha bahlonipha izindela ngaphezu kosaziwayo, futhi zonke izinsuku baninda okuthile emifanekisweni ecwebezelayo kaBuddha.

Abantu baseMyanmar banesizotha, bayacabangelana futhi banelukuluku lokwazi. Kunezizwe ezinkulu ezingu-8 nezincane ezingaba ngu-127. Isizwe ngasinye sinolimi oluhlukile, indlela yaso yokugqoka, ukudla namasiko. Iningi labantu lihlala endaweni enkulu emaphakathi nezwe ethola amanzi eMfuleni i-Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), ongamakhilomitha angu-2 170, osuka ezintabeni zaseHimalaya ezilele iqhwa uye e-Andaman Sea efudumele. Ezinye izigidi zihlala ngasogwini lolwandle nangasezinkangala ezisemngceleni weBangladesh, iChina, iLaos, iNdiya neThailand.

Sekuphele iminyaka ecishe ibe ikhulu oFakazi BakaJehova eMyanmar bezakhela umlando wokholo oluqinile nokukhuthazela. Phakathi nodlame neziyaluyalu zezombusazwe, abazange bathathe hlangothi. (Joh. 17:14) Naphezu kobunzima, ukuphikiswa ngokwenkolo nokungakwazi ukuxhumana kahle nabazalwane bakwamanye amazwe, abantu bakaJehova baye bashumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ngokuzikhandla. Nansi indaba yabo ethinta inhliziyo.

Ukuqala Umsebenzi

Ngonyaka oyingqophamlando ka-1914, amadoda amabili angamaNgisi ehla emkhunjini ehlela ethekwini laseYangon elishisa bhe. UHendry Carmichael nomzalwane ayephayona naye babesuke eNdiya beyokwenza isabelo esinzima sokuqala umsebenzi wokushumayela eBurma. Insimu yabo yayihlanganisa lonke izwe.

UHendry nomngane wakhe baqala ukushumayela eYangon, ngokushesha batholana namadoda amabili angamaNgisi aseNdiya abonisa isithakazelo ezindabeni zoMbuso.b UBertram Marcelline noVernon French bazihlukanisa ngokushesha neLobukholwa, baqala ukushumayeza abangane babo ngokwethukela. Akuphelanga sikhathi abantu abacela ku-20 base behlangana njalo emzini kaBertram batadishe iBhayibheli ngosizo lwe-Nqabayokulinda.c

Ngo-1928, elinye iphayona eliyiNgisi elivela eNdiya, uGeorge Wright, lavakashela eBurma lahlala khona izinyanga ezinhlanu, lasakaza izincwadi zeBhayibheli eziningi. Leyo mbewu yeqiniso yayihlanganisa nencwajana yango-1920 ethi Millions Now Living Will Never Die!—incwadi yethu yokuqala eyahunyushelwa olimini lwesiBurma.

Ngemva kweminyaka emibili, uClaude Goodman noRonald Tippin abangamaphayona, bafika eYangon bathola iqembu elincane labazalwane liqhuba imihlangano ngokwethembeka kodwa lingashumayeli. UClaude uthi: “Sabakhuthaza ukuba bashumayele njalo ngamaSonto. Omunye umzalwane wabuza ukuthi angamthuma yini umuntu ozomshumayelela, yena amkhokhele. URon wathi: ‘Oh, yebo, uma nawe ufuna ukuthuma umuntu akungenele ezweni elisha.’” Leso sikhuthazo esingagudl’ iguma sasiyilokho leli qembu elalikudinga. UClaude noRonald bazithola sebenabantu abaningi abashumayela nabo.

“Rachel, Sengilitholile Iqiniso!”

Ngawo lowo nyaka, uRon noClaude batholana noSydney Coote, umphathi wesiteshi sesitimela saseYangon. USydney wamukela izincwadi zethu eziyishumi ezinemibala egqamile. Ngemva kokufunda izingxenye ezithile zenye yalezi zincwadi, uSydney wathi kumkakhe, “Rachel, sengilitholile iqiniso!” Ngokushesha wonke umkhaya wakwaCoote wawusukhonza uJehova.

USydney wayethanda ukufunda iBhayibheli. Indodakazi yakhe uNorma Barber, isithunywa sevangeli manje esikhonza egatsheni laseBrithani, iyachaza: “Ubaba wazenzela esakhe isikhombo semiBhalo. Kwakuthi lapho ethola umBhalo ochaza imfundiso yeBhayibheli, awubhale encwadini yakhe ngaphansi kwesihloko esikhuluma ngawo. Le ncwadi wayibiza ngokuthi Ungakutholaphi?”

USydney wayengafuni ukugcina ngokufunda iBhayibheli kodwa futhi wayefuna nokudlulisela umyalezo walo kwabanye. Wabhalela igatsha laseNdiya wabuza ukuthi bakhona yini oFakazi eBurma. Wathunyelelwa ikesi elikhulu elinezincwadi nohlu lwamagama abantu. UNorma uthi: “Ubaba wabhalela bonk’ abantu ababekulolu hlu, ebamema ukuba basivakashele. Kwafika abazalwane abahlanu noma abayisithupha ekhaya basitshengisa indlela yokushumayela ngokwethukela. Abazali bami abachithanga sikhathi, bahambisela abangane nomakhelwane izincwadi. Babhalela nezihlobo zethu izincwadi futhi bazithumelela nezincwadi zobuKristu.”

Lapho uDaisy D’Souza, udadewabo kaSydney owayehlala eMandalay, ethola incwadi kaSydney nencwajana ethi UMbuso, Ithemba Lomhlaba, waphendula ngokushesha wacela ezinye izincwadi kanye neBhayibheli. “Umama wajabula kakhulu njengoba ayefunda izincwadi kuze kube sekuseni,” kusho indodakazi yakhe uPhyllis Tsatos. “Wabe esesibiza thina zingane eziyisithupha ezositshela lesi saziso: ‘Ngiyalishiya iSonto LamaKatolika, sengilitholile iqiniso!’” Kamuva, umyeni kaDaisy nezingane balamukela iqiniso. Namuhla, izizukulwane ezine zakwaD’Souza zikhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu ngokwethembeka.

Amaphayona Anesibindi

Ngasekuqaleni kwawo-1930, amaphayona ashisekayo ayesakaza izindaba ezinhle malungana nojantshi ongasenyakatho osuka eYangon uya eMyitkyina, idolobha eliseduze komngcele waseChina. Ashumayela naseMawlamyine (iMoulmein) naseSittwe (i-Akyab), amadolobha angasogwini empumalanga nasentshonalanga yeYangon. Ngenxa yalokho, kwaqhibuka amabandla amancane eMawlamyine naseMandalay.

Ngo-1938 umsebenzi eBurma wawusuqondiswa igatsha lase-Australia hhayi igatsha laseNdiya, futhi amaphayona ase-Australia naseNew Zealand aqala ukufika eBurma. Lezo zingqalabutho zazihlanganisa uFred Paton, uHector Oates, uFrank Dewar, uMick Engel noStuart Keltie. Bonke laba bazalwane babengamaphayona uqobo lwawo.

UFred Paton uthi: “Eminyakeni emine ngiseBurma ngashumayela cishe kulo lonke izwe. Ngahlaselwa umalaleveva, uhudo nezinye izinkinga zempilo. Ngemva kosuku olude ensimini, izikhathi eziningi ngangingazi ukuthi ngizolalaphi. Noma kunjalo, uJehova wayehlale ezinakekela izidingo zami futhi ngamandla omoya wakhe, ngaqhubeka ngishumayela.” UFrank Dewar, umzalwane waseNew Zealand, wathi: “Ngangihlangana nezigelekeqe, izidlamlilo nezikhulu ezesabekayo. Kodwa ngathola ukuthi ngisho nezingqinamba ezinkulu ziyashabalala uma ngibonisa inhlonipho, umusa, ukuthobeka nokubonelela. Iningi labantu lazibonela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova abayona ingozi.”

La maphayona ayehluke ngokuphelele kwezinye izivakashi zalapha, ezazibukela phansi izakhamuzi zendawo. Ayephatha abantu ngenhlonipho nangothando. Umusa wawo wawubakhanga abantu baseBurma abathobekile, abathanda ubumnene nenhlonipho kunokwehliwa ngaphezulu. Ngamazwi nezenzo zawo, abonisa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bangamaKristu eqiniso.—Joh. 13:35.

Umhlangano Oyingqophamlando

Ngemva kwezinyangana kufike amaphayona, igatsha lase-Australia lahlela ukuba kube nomhlangano eYangon. Wawuzoba seHholo LeDolobha LaseYangon, isakhiwo esinjengesasebukhosini, esisho ngezitebhisi zemabula nobhazabhaza bezicabha zethusi. Izihambeli zomhlangano zazivela eThailand, eMalaysia naseSingapore, elinye iqembu labazalwane baseSydney lafika no-Alex MacGillivray, inceku yegatsha lase-Australia.

Njengoba kwase kuseduze ukuba ibambane impi, inkulumo yeningi eyayimenyezelwe kabanzi enesihloko esithi “Impi Yendawo Yonke Iseduze” yadonsa isithakazelo somphakathi. UFred Paton uthi: “Angikaze ngibone ihholo ligcwala ngokushesha kangaka. Lapho ngivula iminyango yangaphambili, isixuku esikhulu sabantu sangena ngokubhuduzela ehholo. Ingakapheli imizuzu eyishumi, abantu abangaphezu kwenkulungwane base beminyene ehholo elithatha abantu abangu-850.” UFrank Dewar uthi: “Kwadingeka sisivalele lesi sixuku esasidudulana, abanye abayinkulungwane bahlala ngaphandle. Ngisho nalapho, ezinye izinsizwa zangena ngeminyango emincane eseceleni.”

Abazalwane abajatshuliswanga nje kuphela ukubona isithakazelo sabantu kodwa nokuhlukahluka kwezilaleli, ezazihlanganisa izizwe eziningi zendawo. Kuze kube yilesi sikhathi, bancane kakhulu abantu bendawo ababebonise isithakazelo eqinisweni, njengoba iningi labo lalingamaBuddha ashisekayo. Labo bantu bendawo ababethi bangamaKristu—iningi lingamaKayin, (amaKaren), amaKachin namaChin—babehlala ezindaweni ezikude lapho izindaba ezinhle zazingakashunyayelwa khona. Kwakubonakala ukuthi le nsimu yabantu bendabuko yayikulungele ukuvunwa. Masinyane “isixuku esikhulu” sezizwe eziningi esabikezelwa eBhayibhelini sasizohlanganisa izizwe eziningi zaseBurma.—IsAm. 7:9.

Abafundi Bokuqala AbangamaKayin

Ngo-1940 iphayona okuthiwa uRuby Goff lalishumayela e-Insein, idolobha elincane elisemaphethelweni eYangon. Akabatholanga abantu abanesithakazelo, wayesethandaza, “Jehova, ngicela ungisize ngithole ‘imvu’ eyodwa nje ngaphambi kokuba ngigoduke.” Endlini elandelayo wathola uHmwe Kyaing, umBaptist ongumKayin, owasilalela isigijimi soMbuso. Ngokushesha, uHmwe Kyaing namadodakazi akhe uChu May (Daisy) noHnin May (Lily) base befundelwa futhi bethuthuka ngokomoya. Nakuba uHmwe Kyaing ashona ngemva nje kwalokho, kamuva uLily, indodakazi yokugcina, waba umKayin wokuqala owaba uFakazi KaJehova obhapathiziwe. UDaisy naye wabhapathizwa.

ULily noDaisy baba amaphayona ashisekayo futhi bashiya umlando ongeke ulitshalwe. Namuhla, amakhulu ezizukulwane zabo nabantu ababafundela bakhonza uJehova eMyanmar nakwamanye amazwe.

Ubunzima Phakathi NeMpi Yezwe II

Ngo-1939, iMpi Yezwe II yayisiqalile eYurophu, okwethusa abantu abaningi emhlabeni. Njengoba izwe lase lidunguzeliswa umoya wempi, abefundisi beLobukholwa eBurma bahlohla uhulumeni ukuba uvale izincwadi zethu. Ngenxa yalokho, uMick Engel, owayenakekela idepho yezincwadi eYangon, wakhuluma nesikhulu sase-United States, samnika incwadi egunyaza ukuba athuthe amathani amabili ezincwadi ngamaloli amasosha ayeya eChina ezohamba ngomgwaqo obizwa ngokuthi iBurma Road.

UFred Paton noHector Oates bayisa izincwadi esiteshini sesitimela eLashio, idolobha eliseduze komngcele waseChina. Lapho bebonana nesikhulu esasiqondisa izimoto eziya eChina, sacishe sashayeka phansi! Sababaza: “Ini? Ngingawafaka kanjani la mapheshana enu angathi shu emalolini ami, ngibe ngiswele indawo yokufaka izimpahla eziphuthumayo zamasosha nale mithi ebolela la esigangeni?” UFred wathula kancane, wakhipha incwadi emgunyazayo esikhwameni, watshela lesi sikhulu ukuthi siyobe senza iphutha elikhulu uma singakulaleli lokho okubhalwe isikhulu saseYangon. Wathi angasho njalo, lo mqondisi wezimoto wamnika iveni, umshayeli nezimpahla ababezozidinga. Bahamba amakhilomitha acishe abe ngu-2 400 beya eChongqing (Chungking), idolobha eliseningizimu emaphakathi neChina, lapho basakaza khona izincwadi baphinde bashumayeza noChiang Kai-shek, umongameli kahulumeni waseChina wamaNeshinali.

Ekugcineni, ngo-May 1941, uhulumeni waseNdiya wathinta izikhulu zaseYangon, wathi azisephuce izincwadi zethu. Abafowethu ababili ababesebenza ehhovisi okwafikela kulo lowo myalezo, bawubona, base betshela uMick Engel ngokushesha. Yena wabiza uLily noDaisy, baphuthuma edepho, bafike balayisha amabhokisi angu-40 ezincwadi base bezifihla emizini ezazizovikeleka kuyo eYangon. Lapho iziphathimandla zifika, zase zingasekho izincwadi.

Ngo-December 11, 1941, ngemva kwezinsuku ezine iJapane ihlasele iPearl Harbor, yahlasela ngamabhomu eBurma. Ngaleyo mpelasonto iqembu elincane loFakazi lalihlangene endlini encane eyayiphezu kweCentral Railway Station yaseYangon. Kulapho-ke lapho uLily abhapathizwa khona kubhavu ngemva kwenkulumo yeBhayibheli.

Ngemva kwamasonto angu-12, ibutho laseJapane lafika eYangon lathola kukhala ibhungane. Abantu abangaphezu kwezinkulungwane eziyikhulu babebalekele eNdiya. Izinkulungwane zafela endleleni, zibulawa indlala, ukukhathala nezifo. USydney Coote, owabaleka nomkhaya wakhe, wabulawa umalaleveva wobuchopho eduze komngcele waseNdiya. Omunye umzalwane wadutshulwa amasosha aseJapane, omunye washonelwa umkakhe nezingane ngesikhathi umuzi wabo ujikijelwa ngamabhomu.

Kwasala idlanzana loFakazi eBurma. ULily noDaisy bathuthela ePyin Oo Lwin (eMaymyo), idolobha elithule elisemthambekeni wentaba ngaseMandalay, lapho bahlwanyela khona imbewu yeqiniso, kamuva bavuna izithelo. UFakazi wesithathu, uCyril Gay, wathuthela eThayarwaddy, indawo encane engamakhilomitha cishe ayikhulu enyakatho yeYangon, lapho azihlalela khona ngokuthula kwaze kwaphela impi.

Ukuhlangana Okujabulisayo

Lapho impi iphela, iningi labazalwane nodade ababebalekele eNdiya baqala ukubuyela eBurma. Ngo-April 1946 iBandla LaseYangon lase linabamemezeli abangu-8. Ekupheleni konyaka, lapho ibandla selinabamemezeli abangu-24, abazalwane bahlela ukuba kube nomhlangano.

Lo mhlangano wezinsuku ezimbili waba sesikoleni e-Insein. UTheo Syriopoulos, owathola iqiniso eYangon ngo-1932 uthi: “Uma ngifika ngivela eNdiya ngathola ukuthi kufanele ngibeke inkulumo yeningi eyihora ubude. Kuze kube yileso sikhathi, ngangisabeke izinkulumo ezimbili zemizuzu emihlanu eNdiya. Umhlangano waba impumelelo, kunabantu abangaphezu kwekhulu.”

Ngemva kwamasonto ambalwa, umholi womphakathi wamaKayin owayenesithakazelo eqinisweni, wapha ibandla indawo ethile e-Ahlone, idolobha elingasemfuleni eduze kwaseYangon. Yilapho abazalwane bakha khona iHholo LoMbuso loqalo elithatha abantu abangaba yikhulu. Ibandla lalichichima injabulo. Abazalwane nodade babesinde empini ukholo lwabo lusaqinile, bekulungele futhi bemagange ukuqhubeka nomsebenzi wokushumayela.

Kufika Izithunywa Zevangeli Zokuqala

Ekuqaleni kuka-1947, abazalwane abajabule bahlangana emathekwini aseYangon, ukuze bamukele uRobert Kirk, isithunywa sevangeli esasiqeqeshwe eGileyadi esasingesokuqala ukufika eBurma. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, kwafika ezinye izithunywa zevangeli ezintathu—uNorman Barber, uRobert Richards noHubert Smedstad—kanye noFrank Dewar, owayephayone eNdiya phakathi nempi.

Lezi zithunywa zevangeli zazifike edolobheni elalimapeketwane ngenxa yempi. Amabhilidi amaningi ayengasasetshenziswa. Izinkulungwane zabantu zazihlala emijondolo yoqalo eceleni kwemigwaqo. Abantu babepheka, bawashe futhi bahlale emigwaqweni. Lezi zithunywa zevangeli zazizofundisa iqiniso leBhayibheli, ngakho zazivumelanisa nezimo futhi zaba matasa enkonzweni.

Ngo-September 1, 1947, kwavulwa ihhovisi legatsha le-Watch Tower Society ekhaya lezithunywa zevangeli, maphakathi nedolobha, kuSignal Pagoda Road. URobert Kirk wamiswa njengombonisi wegatsha. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, iBandla LaseYangon lathutha ehholo elakhiwe ngoqalo elise-Ahlone lathuthela efulethini eliphezulu kuBogalay Zay Street. Kwakuseduze kakhulu noMnyango KaNobhala, isakhiwo esikhulu esiwubukhazikhazi okwakuhlala kuso izikhulu zikahulumeni waseBrithani—umbuso owawusuzokuwa!

Kuqubuka Impi Yombango!

Ngo-January 4, 1948, umbuso waseBrithani wanika uhulumeni waseBurma izintambo. Ngemva kweminyaka engu-60 iBurma ibuswa iBrithani, manje yayisizibusa. Kodwa kwakunempi yombango kuleli zwe.

Izizwe ezihlukahlukene zazilwa ukuze izwe libe nemibuso ezimele, ngakolunye uhlangothi, amabutho angekho ngaphansi kukahulumeni namaqembu ezigebengu ayefuna izindawo azozilawula. Ekuqaleni kuka-1949, amavukela-mbuso ayesephethe ingxenye enkulu yezwe, futhi kwagqashuka udlame emaphethelweni eYangon.

Njengoba izimpi zazidlanga zibuye ziphele, abazalwane babeshumayela ngokuqapha. Ihhovisi legatsha elalisekhaya lezithunywa zevangeli kuSignal Pagoda Road lathuthelwa efulethini elikhulu eliphezulu ku-39th Street, indawo ephephile ehlala amanxusa akwamanye amazwe futhi eseduze kweposi.

Amasosha enza kwaqapheleka ukuthi sekuphethe wona, axosha amavukela-mbuso awayisa ezintabeni. Maphakathi nawo-1950, uhulumeni iwona owawusuphinde wabusa ingxenye enkulu yezwe. Kepha impi yombango yayingakazuphela. Isaqhubeka kuze kube namhlanje.

Ukushumayela Nokufundisa NgesiBurma

Kuze kube maphakathi nawo-1950, abafowethu eBurma babeshumayela ngesiNgisi kuphela, ulimi olukhulunywa izifundiswa emadolobheni amancane namakhulu. Kodwa ezinye izigidi zazikhuluma kuphela isiBurma (isiMyanmar), isiKayin, isiKachin, isiChin, noma ezinye izilimi zendawo. Babezofinyelelwa kanjani ngezindaba ezinhle?

Ngo-1934, uSydney Coote wacela uthisha ongumKayin ukuba ahumushe izincwajana eziningana ngesiBurma nesiKayin. Kamuva, abanye abamemezeli bahumusha incwadi ethi “UNkulunkulu Makabe Oneqiniso” nezinye izincwajana eziningi ngesiBurma. Kwathi ngo-1950, uRobert Kirk wacela uBa Oo ukuba ahumushe izihloko ezifundwayo ze-Nqabayokulinda ngesiBurma. Okuhunyushiwe kwabhalwa ngesandla kwakube sekubhalwa ngomshini bese kunyatheliswa abanyathelisi abakhokhelwayo eYangon, bese kunikwa abeze emihlanganweni yebandla. Kamuva, ihhovisi legatsha lathenga umshini wokubhala owenziwe eBurma ukuze umsebenzi wokuhumusha usheshe.

Labo bahumushi babhekana nezinselele eziningi. UNaygar Po Han, owahumusha lapho uBa Oo engasakwazi ukuqhubeka uthi: “Ngangisebenza emini ukuze ngondle umkhaya wami bese ngihumusha kuze kube sebusuku kakhulu ngisebenzisa isibani esingakhanyi kahle. Ngangingasazi kahle isiNgisi, ngakho kumelwe ukuba engangikuhumusha kwakunganembile. Kodwa sasifuna abantu abaningi babathole omagazini bethu.” Lapho uRobert Kirk ecela uDoris Raj ukuba ahumushe INqabayokulinda ngesiBurma, wajabula waze wakhala. UDoris uyachaza: “Ngangingafundile kangako futhi ngingakaze ngihumushe. Yize kunjalo, uMfoweth’ uKirk wangikhuthaza ukuba ngizame. Ngakho ngathandaza kuJehova ngaqala ukusebenza.” Namuhla, cishe ngemva kweminyaka engu-50, uDoris usengumhumushi eBethel yaseYangon. UNaygar Po Han, oseneminyaka engu-93, naye useBethel futhi usakushisekela ukuqhubekisela phambili umsebenzi woMbuso.

Ngo-1956, uNathan Knorr wasendlunkulu wavakashela eBurma, wamemezela ukukhululwa kwe-Nqabayokulinda ngesiBurma. Wakhuthaza nezithunywa zevangeli ukuba zifunde lolu limi ukuze zishumayele ngokuphumelelayo. La mazwi azikhuthaza zase zibhukula zafunda isiBurma. Ngonyaka olandelayo, uFrederick Franz, esinye isivakashi esasivela endlunkulu, wayeyisikhulumi esiqavile emhlanganweni wezinsuku ezinhlanu owawuseRailway Institute Hall yaseYangon. Wakhuthaza abazalwane ukuba bawandise ngisho nakakhulu umsebenzi wokushumayela ngokuthumela amaphayona emadolobheni amancane namakhulu. Indawo yokuqala eyazuza ngokufika kwala maphayona amasha kwakuyiMandalay, eyayiyinhloko-dolobha nedolobha elingelesibili ngobukhulu eBurma.

Izithelo EMandalay

Ekuqaleni kuka-1957, kwafika amaphayona akhethekile ayisithupha eMandalay, afica uRobert Richards owayesanda kuganwa, nomkakhe ongumKayin, uBaby. La maphayona akuthola kuyinselele ukushumayela kuleli dolobha. Le ndawo iyisidleke sobuBuddha futhi cishe isigamu sezindela zaseBurma ezingamaBuddha uzithola la. Noma kunjalo, amaphayona aqaphela ukuthi njengaseKorinte yasendulo, uJehova ‘wayenabantu abaningi kulo muzi.’—IzE. 18:10.

Omunye wabo kwakunguRobin Zauja, insizwa engumKachin eneminyaka engu-21 eyayisafunda esikoleni, othi: “Ngelinye ilanga ekuseni kwafika uRobert noBaby Richards ekhaya, bathi bangoFakazi BakaJehova. Bathi bamemezela izindaba ezinhle endlini ngendlu, njengoba kwasho uJesu. (Math. 10:11-13) Bethula isigijimi sabo base benginika ikheli labo kanye nomagazini nezincwadi. Ngathatha enye yezincwadi ngayifunda ubusuku bonke ngayiqeda ngakusasa ekuseni. Ngalo lelo langa, ngaya emzini wabo, ngafike ngabajikijela ngemibuzo isikhathi eside. Yonke bayiphendula ngeBhayibheli.” URobin Zauja waba umKachin wokuqala owathola iqiniso. Kamuva, wakhonza iminyaka eminingi njengephayona elikhethekile entshonalanga yeBurma, wasiza abantu ababalelwa ekhulwini ukuba bazi iqiniso. Izingane zakhe ezimbili zikhonza eBethel eYangon.

Omunye umfundi owayeshiseka kwakunguPramila Galliara, itshitshana elineminyaka engu-17 elalisanda kuthola iqiniso eYangon. “Ubaba, osenkolweni yamaJain, wayengayifuni nakuyizwa indaba yami yale nkolo entsha,” kusho uPramila. “Kwaze kwaba kabili eshisa iBhayibheli nezincwadi zeBhayibheli, futhi wangishaya kaningi phambi kwabantu. Wangivalela endlini ezama ukungivimba ngingayi ezifundweni, waze wasongela nokushisa umuzi kaMfoweth’ uRichards! Kepha lapho ebona ukuthi angishintshi, wayeka ukungiphikisa.” UPramila wayeka eyunivesithi waba iphayona elishisekayo, kamuva washada nombonisi wesifunda uDunstan O’Neill. Kusukela lapho usesize abantu abangu-45 ukuba bazi iqiniso.

Njengoba umsebenzi wawuqhubeka eMandalay, ihhovisi legatsha lathumela nezithunywa zevangeli noma amaphayona kwezinye izindawo, njengesePathein (eBassein), eKalaymyo, eBhamaw, eMyitkyina, eMawlamyine naseMyeik (eMergui). UJehova wawubusisa umsebenzi ngoba kwaba namabandla aqinile kulawo madolobha.

Izithunywa Zevangeli Ziyaxoshwa!

Njengoba umsebenzi wokushumayela wawuqhubeka wanda, lwakhula nothuthuva kwezombusazwe nezingxabano zezizwe. Ekugcineni, ngo-March 1962 amasosha awuketula uhulumeni. Izinkulungwane zamaNdiya namakhaladi zaxoshwa zayiswa eNdiya naseBangladesh (eyayiyiMpumalanga yePakistan ngaleso sikhathi), futhi izivakashi zazinikwa ama-visa amahora angu-24 kuphela. IBurma yayingasafuni nakubabona abantu bangaphandle.

Abafowethu baba nexhala lapho bebona lezi zinguquko. Lo hulumeni ophethwe amasosha waqinisekisa ukuthi izoba khona inkululeko yokukhulekela, kuphela nje uma amasonto ezohlukana nezombusazwe. Njengokulindelekile, izithunywa zevangeli zeLobukholwa zaqhubeka zizifaka kwezombusazwe. Ekugcineni, ngo-May 1966, uhulumeni wacikeka—wathi zonke izithunywa zevangeli zakwamanye amazwe aziphume ziphele kuleli zwe! Izithunywa zevangeli ezingoFakazi zazingazange zingene nhlobo kwezombusazwe; kodwa nazo zaxoshwa.

Abafowethu bendawo bashaqeka kodwa bangaphela amandla. Babazi ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu unabo. (Dut. 31:6) Noma kunjalo, abanye abafowethu bazibuza ukuthi uzoqhubeka kanjani umsebenzi woMbuso.

Isiqondiso sikaJehova sasheshe sabonakala. UMaurice Raj, owayekade engumbonisi wesifunda futhi eqeqeshwe egatsheni, wamiswa ngokushesha ukuba anakekele ihhovisi legatsha. Njengoba eyiNdiya lalapha, uMaurice wayengazange axoshwe yena namanye amaNdiya. Uthi: “Eminyakeni ethile ngaphambili ngangifake isicelo sokuba isakhamuzi saseBurma. Kodwa ngangingenayo imali engama-kyat angu-450d okuthola leyo mvume, ngakho ngayeka. Langa limbe lapho ngidlula ehhovisi lenkampane engangiyisebenzela, ubasi wangibona. Wamemeza: ‘Hey, Raj, woza uzothatha imali yakho. Wakhohlwa ukuthatha imali yakho yempesheni ngesikhathi uhamba.’ Leyo mali kwakungama-kyat angu-450.

“Njengoba ngiphuma ehhovisi, ngacabanga ngazo zonke izinto engingazenza ngale mali. Kodwa njengoba yayilingene imali engangiyidinga ukuze ngithole imvume yokuba isakhamuzi salapha, ngaba nomuzwa wokuthi uJehova ufuna ngiyisebenzisele le njongo. Leso sinqumo saba usizo kakhulu. Lapho amanye amaNdiya exoshwa eBurma, ngasala mina, ngizihambela ngokuthanda, ngilanda izincwadi, ngenza neminye imisebenzi ebalulekile ephathelene nomsebenzi wokushumayela, ngenxa nje yokuthi ngangiyisakhamuzi saseBurma.”

UMaurice noDunstan O’Neill bahamba lonke izwe bekhuthaza ibandla ngalinye namaqembu angawodwa. “Sathi kubafowethu: ‘Ningakhathazeki, uJehova unathi. Uma sithembekile kuye, uzosisiza,’” kusho uMaurice. “Futhi uJehova wasisiza ngempela! Ngokushesha kwamiswa amaphayona akhethekile amaningi, umsebenzi wokushumayela wanda ngokukhulu ukushesha.”

Namuhla, ngemva kweminyaka ecela ku-46, uMaurice, oyilungu leKomiti Yegatsha usahamba lonke izwe eyoqinisa amabandla. Kuhle kukaKalebi owayesekhulile kwa-Israyeli wasendulo, intshiseko yakhe ngomsebenzi kaNkulunkulu ayidambile.—Josh. 14:11.

Ukufinyelela ESifundazweni SaseChin

Enye yezindawo zokuqala ezathola amaphayona akhethekile kwakuyiSifundazwe SaseChin, isifunda esinezintaba esiwumngcele weBangladesh neNdiya. Kunabantu abaningi abathi bangamaKristu kule ndawo, ngoba kwakunezithunywa zevangeli zamaBaptist ngesikhathi kusabusa uhulumeni waseBrithani. Ngakho iningi lamaChin liyalihlonipha kakhulu iBhayibheli nabantu abalifundisayo.

Ngasekupheleni kuka-1966, uLal Chhana, owayeyisosha kodwa manje oseyiphayona elikhethekile, wafika eFalam eyayiyidolobha elikhulu ngaleso sikhathi kulesi Sifundazwe. Walandelwa uDunstan noPramila O’Neill noThan Tum, naye owayeyisosha futhi esanda kubhapathizwa. Lezi zisebenzi ezishisekayo zathola imikhaya eminingana enesithakazelo futhi kungakabiphi, zamisa ibandla elincane elikhuthele.

Ngonyaka olandelayo, uThan Tum wathuthela eHakha, idolobha eliseningizimu yeFalam, lapho aqala khona ukuphayona, wamisa neqembu elincane. Kamuva washumayela kuso sonke iSifundazwe SaseChin wasiza nasekumiseni amabandla eVanhna, eSurkhua, eGangaw nakwezinye izindawo. Namuhla, ngemva kweminyaka engu-45, uThan Tum useyiphayona elikhethekile elishisekayo endaweni yakubo eVanhna.

Lapho uThan Tum ehamba eHakha, kwafika uDonald Dewar, iphayona elikhethekile elalineminyaka engu-20. Ngenxa yokuthi abazali bakaDonald, uFrank noLily (owayengowakwaMay) Dewar, babesanda kuxoshwa lapha, kwafika umfowabo kaDonald oneminyaka engu-18, uSamuel. UDonald uthi: “Sasihlala emjondolwaneni kathayela owawushisa bhe ehlobo, ubande qa ebusika. Kepha ngathola ukuthi isizungu yisona esasiyinkinga enkulu. Ngangivame ukusebenza ngedwa ensimini futhi ngingakwazi ukukhuluma kahle ulimi lwendawo isiHakha Chin. Yimina noSamuel nommemezeli oyedwa noma ababili esasiba khona ezifundweni. Kwahamba kwahamba ngacindezeleka ngaze ngacabanga nokusishiya isabelo sami.

“Cishe ngaso leso sikhathi ngafunda indaba ekhuthazayo e-Ncwadini Yonyaka ngabafowethu baseMalawi abahlala bethembekile ngaphansi kokushushiswa okunonya.e Ngazibuza, ‘Uma ngihlulwa ukubekezelela isizungu, ngiyokwenzenjani uma ngishushiswa?’ Ngatshela uJehova ngalokhu ngomthandazo, kwase kuba ngcono. Ngathola amandla nasekufundeni nokuzindla ngeBhayibheli nezihloko ze-Nqabayokulinda. Lapho kufika uMaurice Raj noDunstan O’Neill ngingabalindele, kwaba sengathi ngibona izingelosi ezimbili! Kancane kancane ngaphinde ngajabula.”

Lapho uDonald esengumbonisi wesifunda, wayesebenzisa okuhlangenwe nakho kwakhe lapho ekhuthaza oFakazi abasezindaweni ezingazodwa. Imizamo yakhe eHakha yaba nezithelo. Kumanje nje eHakha kunebandla elikhulayo futhi kuvame ukuba kube nemihlangano emikhulu nemincane kule ndawo. Ababili kubamemezeli ababehlanganyela eHakha, uJohnson Lal Vung noDaniel Sang Kha, baba amaphayona akhethekile ashisekayo asiza ekusakazeni izindaba ezinhle kuso sonke iSifundazwe SaseChin.

‘Ukuqwala Izintaba’

ISifundazwe SaseChin siphakeme ngamamitha angu-900 kuya kwangu-1 800 olwandle, ezinye izintaba ziphakeme ngamamitha angu-3 000. Izintaba eziningi zimbozwe amahlathi acinene anezihlahla zomkhangala ezinde, izihlahla ezingabuni, izihlahla eziqhakazayo nezimbali ezinhle okuthiwa ama-orchid. Indawo ayifani neyasedolobheni futhi akuhambeki kalula. Amadolobha alapha anemigwaqo ewubhuqu emazombezombe okungahambeki kuyo uma linile nevame ukubhodloka lapho line kakhulu. Uhamba ngezinyawo uma uya ezindaweni eziningi ezisemaphandleni. Kepha lezi zingqinamba azizivimbanga izinceku zikaJehova, ezizimisele ukufika kubantu abaningi ngangokunokwenzeka ngezindaba ezinhle.

U-Aye Aye Thit, owayejikeleza nomyeni wakhe eSifundazweni SaseChin, uyalandisa: “Ngakhulela endaweni engenazo izintaba e-Ayeyarwady Delta futhi ubuhle bamaGquma AseChin bangishiya ngibambe ongezansi. Mhla ngiqala ukuqwala intaba ngayikhuphuka ngomkhulu umdlandla, ngathi ngifika phezulu ngangingasakwazi ukuphefumula. Ngemva kokukhuphuka amagquma amaningana, ngase ngiphelile ukukhathala. Ngagcina ngifundile ukuthi kuhanjwa kanjani entabeni—awujahi, ngaleyo ndlela wonge amandla. Ngokushesha ngase ngikhuphuka amakhilomitha angu-32 ngosuku lapho sisohambweni lwezinsuku eziyisithupha noma ngaphezulu.”

Kule minyaka edlule abafowethu kulesi Sifundazwe baye basebenzisa izinhlobonhlobo zezinto zokuhamba, njengembongolo, ihhashi, ibhayisikili futhi muva nje bahamba ngesithuthuthu, iloli nezimoto eziphakeme. Kodwa izikhathi eziningi bahamba ngezinyawo. Ngokwesibonelo, ukuze afike emaphandleni aseduze kwedolobha iMatupi, amaphayona akhethekile oKyaw Win noDavid Zama babehamba bezihudula amabanga amade behla benyuka ezintabeni. Ukuze liye emihlanganweni yesigodi eHakha, eqhele ngamakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-270, iBandla LaseMatupi lalihamba izinsuku eziyisithupha kuya kwezingu-8 liya kuleyo mihlangano, nezinye eziyisithupha kuya kwezingu-8 libuya. Endleleni, babehlabelela izingoma zoMbuso kwenanele amagquma.

Lolo hambo olunzima lwalungabeki nje abafowethu esimweni sezulu esibi ezintabeni kodwa nakomiyane nazo zonke izinhlobo zezinambuzane ezincinzayo, ikakhulu lapho lina. UMyint Lwin, umbonisi wesifunda uyalandisa: “Ngesikhathi ngihamba ehlathini, ngabona izibungu ezinamathelanayo zikhuphuka ngemilenze. Lapho ngizisusa, nazi ezinye ezimbili zikhuphuka. Ngagxumela ogodweni olwalulele phansi, ngabona inqwaba yazo ikhuphuka ngalolu godo. Ngethuka ngagijima nganqamula ehlathini. Lapho ngifika emgwaqweni, zase zigcwele umzimba.”

Abantu abahamba kulesi Sifundazwe SaseChin babekezelela nokunye, abagcini ngezibungu. EMyanmar kukhona nezingulube zasendle, amabhere, izingwe nezingulule futhi ngokusho kwezinye izincwadi, kunezinyoka eziningi ezinobuthi lapha kunakwamanye amazwe emhlabeni. Lapho umbonisi wesigodi, uGumja Naw nomkakhe uNan Lu, behambela amabandla kulesi Sifundazwe, babebasa umlilo ebusuku ukuze baxoshe izilwane zasendle!

Labo bavangeli abangakhathali bayibeka induku ebandla! “Bakhonza uJehova ngamandla abo onke,” kusho uMaurice Raj. “Ngisho sebehambile lapha, babesathanda ukubuya. Imizamo yabo yamkhazimulisa ngempela uJehova!” Namuhla, nakuba lesi Sifundazwe singesinye sezindawo ezinabantu abambalwa kuleli zwe, kunamabandla angu-7 namaqembu amaningi angawodwa.

“Azikho ‘Izimvu’ EMyitkyina”

Ngo-1966 kwafika amaphayona akhethekile amaningana eMyitkyina, idolobha elincane elihle elingaseMfuleni i-Ayeyarwady eSifundazweni SaseKachin, eduze kwaseChina. Eminyakeni eyisithupha ngaphambili, uRobert noBaby Richards babeshumayelile la isikhashana. Babika: “Azikho ‘izimvu’ eMyitkyina.” Kepha la maphayona amasha afica abantu belambele iqiniso.

Omunye wabo kwakunguMya Maung, umBaptist owayeneminyaka engu-19 owayethandaza kuNkulunkulu ecela usizo lokuqonda iBhayibheli. Uthi: “Lapho kufika iphayona lize kimi ngisemsebenzini futhi licela ukungiqhubela isifundo, ngajabula kakhulu. Ngacabanga ukuthi yimpendulo yemithandazo yami. Mina nomfowethu omncane uSan Aye sasifundelwa kabili ngesonto futhi sathuthuka ngokushesha.

“Sasicathuliswa umfundisi onekhono elihle—uWilson Thein. Kunokuba asitshele okumelwe sikwenze, wayesitshengisa okumelwe sikwenze! Lapho siprakthiza senza nemiboniso, safunda ukulisebenzisa kahle iBhayibheli, ukushumayela ngesibindi, ukunqoba ukuphikiswa nokulungiselela nokunikeza izinkulumo ebandleni. Wayesilalela lapho siprakthiza inkulumo abese esikisela indlela esingayithuthukisa ngayo. Ukusiqeqesha kwakhe ngomusa kwasenza sazibekela imigomo engokomoya.

“Ngo-1968, mina noSan Aye saqala ukuphayona, okwenza amaphayona aseMyitkyina aba ngu-8. Abantu bokuqala esabafundela kwaba umama nezingane zakithi ezingu-7, bonke balamukela iqiniso. Sashumayela nasemadolobheni nasemaphandleni amalungana nojantshi waseMyitkyina naseMandalay, sihamba izinsuku ezazingaze zibe ntathu. Imbewu esayitshala yathela kamuva. Namuhla, amadolobha angakujatshi iNamti, iHopin, iMohnyin neKatha wonke anamabandla akhuthele.”

Lapho esebenza insimu yamabhizinisi eMyitkyina, uSan Aye wathola uPhum Ram, umBaptist ongumKachin owayesebenza ehhovisi likahulumeni. UPhum Ram walamukela ngentshiseko iqiniso, wathuthela ePutao, idolobha elincane elisezansi kwezintaba zaseHimalaya. Wafike washumayeza izihlobo zakhe eziningi, ngokushesha abantu abangu-25 base beya ezifundweni. Lapho esephayona, uPhum Ram wasiza umkakhe nezingane ezingu-7 nezihlobo eziningi ukuba bangene eqinisweni. Sikhuluma nje ungumdala oyiphayona eMyitkyina.

Izinqola Zesitimela Ezidukile

Ukwanda okusheshayo eSifundazweni SaseKachin kwenza ukuba ihhovisi legatsha lihlele ukuba ngo-1969 kube noMhlangano Wezizwe othi “Ukuthula Emhlabeni” eMyitkyina, esikhundleni sokuba ube seYangon, lapho wawujwayele ukuba khona. Ukuze izihambeli zomhlangano zikwazi ukusuka eYangon ziye eMyitkyina, ibanga elingamakhilomitha angu-1 100 uma uya enyakatho, igatsha lacela ukuqasha izinqola eziyisithupha zesitimela kwabakwaloliwe eBurma. Sasingavamile neze lesi sicelo. ISifundazwe SaseKachin sasigcwele amavukela-mbuso futhi kungahanjwa noma kanjani. Kepha abafowethu bamangala lapho abakwaloliwe besivuma isicelo sabo.

Ngosuku okwakuhlelwe ukuba isitimela sifike ngaso eMyitkyina, uMaurice Raj nabanye abazalwane baya esiteshini sesitimela beyokwamukela izihambeli. UMaurice uyalandisa: “Njengoba sisalindile, umphathi wesiteshi weza kithi eshesha wasitshela ukuthi kusanda kufika ucingo oluthi iziphathimandla zibhoncule izinqola eziyisithupha ezinezihambeli zomhlangano, zazishiya zodwa phakathi kweMandalay neMyitkyina. Sengathi isitimela sasisindwa, singakwazi ukudonsa lezi zinqola emqanseni.

“Sasizokwenzenjani? Okokuqala sacabanga ukuwuhlehlisa umhlangano. Kodwa lokho kwakuzosho ukuphinde sicele imvume, okwakuzothatha amasonto amaningi. Njengoba sisathandaza kuJehova, qhamu isitimela esiteshini! Asikholwanga! Zafika zonke izinqola eziyisithupha zigcwele abazalwane! Babehleka bevayizisa izandla. Lapho sibabuza ukuthi kwakwenzekeni, omunye wabo wachaza: ‘Yebo bazibhonculile izinqola zesitimela eziyisithupha, kodwa hhayi ebesigibele kuzo thina!’”

Lo mhlangano waba impumelelo enkulu. Phakathi nesimiso, kwakhululwa izincwadi ezintsha ezintathu ngesiBurma, ezinhlanu ngesiNgisi. Eminyakeni emithathu ngaphambili, lapho kuxoshwa izithunywa zevangeli, ukudla okungokomoya okwakungena eBurma kwakuye kwancipha. Manje kwase kuyinala!

Ukufundisa AmaNaga

Ngemva kwezinyanga ezine kube nomhlangano eMyitkyina, ihhovisi legatsha lathola incwadi ivela kumabhalane waseposini eKhamti, idolobha elingasemfuleni phansi kwamagquma angasenyakatho-ntshonalanga yomngcele weBurma neNdiya. Lapha kuhlala amaNaga, izizwe eziningi ezazingabazingeli abesabekayo. Kule ncwadi, lo mabhalane, uBa Yee, owayengumSabatha, wayecela usizo olungokomoya. Ngokushesha ihhovisi legatsha lathumela amaphayona akhethekile amabili, u-Aung Naing noWin Pe.

UWin Pe uyalandisa: “Lapho sifika esikhumulweni sezindiza ezincane eKhamti, saxakeka lapho sibona ibutho lamaNaga limile libhince kwesingezansi kuphela. UBa Yee weza ezosibingelela, wayesesithatha wasiyisa kubantu abathakazelayo. Ngokushesha sase sifundela abantu abahlanu.

“Iziphathimandla zendawo zasididanisa nabefundisi bamaBaptist ababesebenzelana namavukela-mbuso. Nakuba saziqinisekisa ngokuthi asingeni kwezombusazwe, zasixosha singakayiqedi nenyanga sifikile.”

Ngemva kweminyaka emithathu, sekukhona izikhulu ezintsha, uBiak Mawia, iphayona elalineminyaka engu-18, waqhubeka lapho kwakugcine khona amaphayona angaphambili. Ngokushesha uBa Yee wesula eposini waqala ukuphayona. Kwabe sekufika amanye amaphayona amaningi. Leli qembu elishisekayo labe selimisa ibandla eKhamti namaqembu amaningana ezindaweni eziseduze. UBiak Mawia uyakhumbula: “Abazalwane nodade abangamaNaga babengafundile futhi bengakwazi ukufunda. Kodwa babelithanda iZwi likaNkulunkulu, bengabashumayeli abashisekayo abanekhono lokusebenzisa izithombe ezisezincwadini zethu. Babamba ngekhanda imiBhalo eminingi nezingoma zoMbuso.”

Namuhla, imihlangano yesigodi iba khona njalo eKhamti, kufika nabantu abavela le ezansi eHomalin, idolobha eliqhele ngamahora angu-15 uma uhamba ngesikebhe.

Ukuphikiswa “EGolden Triangle”

Kwenye ingxenye yezwe umsebenzi nakhona wawusakazekela ezinkangala ezisemngceleni weChina, iLaos neThailand. Le ndawo ebizwa ngokuthi iGolden Triangle yinhle, isho ngamagquma nezigodi ezivundile, kepha ihlushwa ukukhiqizwa komlaliso obizwa ngokuthi i-opium, ukuvukelwa kombuso nezinye izinto ezingekho emthethweni. Amaphayona ayelethe iqiniso kule ndawo ayeqaphile futhi enokuqonda. (Math. 10:16) Kepha kuneqembu elilodwa elalilokhu limelene njalo nomsebenzi wabo wokushumayela—abefundisi beLobukholwa!

Ngesikhathi amaphayona uRobin Zauja noDavid Abraham befika eLashio, idolobha eliphithizelayo eSifundazweni SaseShan, abefundisi bendawo bathi angamavukela-mbuso. URobin uthi: “Saboshwa sayiswa ejele, safike satshengisa amaphoyisa amaphepha ethu abonisa ukuthi singabashumayeli. Dukuduku, kwangena ujenene wamaphoyisa. Wathi: ‘Sawubona Mnumzane Zauja. Ngiyabona ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova sebefikile nala eLashio!’ Lo jenene ngangifunda naye esikoleni, wasidedela ngaso leso sikhathi.”

La maphayona amabili aqala ukushumayela futhi ngokushesha amisa ibandla. Ngemva kwalokho, akha iHholo LoMbuso. Ngemva kweminyaka emibili, abizelwa emahhovisi kahulumeni wesifundazwe lapho kwakuqoqene khona izikhulu zempi ezingaphezu kuka-70, abaholi bendabuko nabefundisi. “Abefundisi basisola ngokuthi siphoqa abantu ukuba balahle amasiko abo,” kukhumbula uRobin. “Lapho usihlalo wale mbizo ethi asiphendule, ngabuza ukuthi ngingalisebenzisa yini iBhayibheli uma ngiphendula. Wavuma. Ngathandaza buthule masinyane ngabe sengichaza lokho iBhayibheli elikushoyo ngamasiko enkolo yamanga, ukuya empini nemikhosi yobuzwe. Lapho ngiqeda, usihlalo wasukuma, wamemezela ukuthi umthetho waseBurma uvumela zonke izinkolo ukuba zikhulekele ngokukhululeka. Sadedelwa, kwathiwa asiqhubeke sishumayela, zehla izihlathi kubefundisi.”

Kamuva, eMongpaw, indawo encane eseduze komngcele waseChina, iviyo lamaBaptist elaliwotha ubomvu lashisa iHholo LoMbuso. Ngenxa yokuthi lesi senzo asibethusanga oFakazi, leli viyo lashisa umuzi wephayona elikhethekile laqala nokuhlupha abazalwane nodade emizini yabo. Abazalwane bakhalaza enkosini, kodwa yavuna amaBaptist. Ekugcineni, kwangenela uhulumeni, wanikeza abazalwane imvume yokwakha iHholo LoMbuso elisha—hhayi esizeni salo sangaphambili esasindaweni embi, kodwa wathi abakhe endaweni emaphakathi nesigodi sabo!

Kude le eningizimu, eLeiktho, indawo ecezile esezintabeni eSifundazweni SaseKayin esincikene neGolden Triangle, uGregory Sarilo waphikiswa kabi kabi yiSonto LamaKatolika. Uyalandisa: “Umfundisi wendawo wathi abantu besonto lakhe abashabalalise isivande sami. Base bengipha ukudla, kodwa umngane wami wangiluma indlebe wathi lokhu kudla kufakwe ushevu. Ngelinye ilanga, isikhonzi somfundisi sangibuza ukuthi ngizohamba ngakuphi ngakusasa. Ngakusasa ngahamba ngenye indlela, ngabhuntshisa icebo labo lokungilalela unyendle bangibulale. Lapho ngibika lezi zinto emaphoyiseni, amkhuza umfundisi nabalandeli bakhe bathi abahlukane nami. UJehova wangivikela kulabo ‘ababezingela umphefumulo wami.’”—IHu. 35:4.

Ukulondoloza Ubuqotho Ngokuphelele

Sekuyiminyaka ubuqotho babafowethu nodade baseBurma buvivinywa ngenye indlela ephawulekayo. Izimpi zobuhlanga neziyaluyalu zezombusazwe ziye zavivinya ukungathathi hlangothi kwabo kobuKristu.—Joh. 18:36.

Edolobheni laseThanbyuzayat eliseningizimu, elaziwa kakhulu ngojantshi owakhiwa phakathi neMpi Yezwe II onqamula phakathi kweBurma neThailand, iphayona elikhethekile uHla Aung lazithola liphakathi kwempi yamavukela-mbuso namasosha kahulumeni. Uyachaza, “Amasosha kahulumeni asesha imizi ebusuku efuna abesilisa ababezoqhutshwa bekhonjwe ngezibhamu bayiswe empini ukuze bathwale izimpahla zamasosha. Abaningi abazange baphinde babonwe. Ngobunye ubusuku, amasosha aqala ukusesha ngisaxoxa noDonald Dewar kwami. Umkami wamemeza ngokushesha esixwayisa, okwasenza sakwazi ukubalekela ehlathini. Ngemva kokusinda kanjalo emlonyeni wengwenya, ngakha indawo yokucasha kwami, lapho ngangizobalekela khona uma kuphinde kuseshwa.”

Ngenkathi uRajan Pandit oyiphayona elikhethekile efika eDawei, idolobha eliseningizimu yeThanbyuzayat, masinyane waqala izifundo zeBhayibheli eziningana endaweni eseduze egcwele amavukela-mbuso. Uyalandisa, “Lapho sengigoduka, ngaboshwa futhi ngashaywa amasosha ayethi ngichema namavukela-mbuso. Uma ngiwatshela ukuthi ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova, athi angiwatshele ukuthi ngifike kanjani eDawei. Ngawatshengisa ithikithi lami lendiza—engangiligcine njengesikhumbuzo. Nangempela abona ukuthi ngifike ngendiza, into amavukela-mbuso ayengeke neze ayigibele. Ngasinda ngokulambisa, ekugcineni ngadedelwa. Nokho, la masosha aphenya esinye sezifundo zami ngemibuzo, naso sasho ukuthi sifunda iBhayibheli kuphela. Ngemva kwalokho, angiyeka futhi amanye aze ngisho aba umzila wami kamagazini.”

Ngezinye izikhathi abaphathi bedolobha babezama ukucindezela abafowethu ukuba bayekethise ekungathathini hlangothi ngokuba bavote noma bahlanganyele emikhosini yobuzwe. Lapho izikhulu zikahulumeni eZalun, idolobha elingasemfuleni eliqhele ngamakhilomitha angaba ngu-130 enyakatho yeYangon, zicindezela oFakazi ukuba bavote, abafowethu benqaba, becaphuna iBhayibheli njengeliyigunya labo. (Joh. 6:15) Lezi zikhulu zabaceba eziphathimandleni. Kodwa iziphathimandla zazazi kahle ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova abathathi hlangothi kwezombusazwe. Abafowethu bakhishwa kanjalo ezindabeni zokhetho.

Lapho izingane ezingoFakazi ezingu-23 eKhampat, idolobha elingasemngceleni weNdiya neBurma, zenqaba ukukhothamela ifulege lesizwe, uthishanhloko wazixosha esikoleni. Wabe esebizela abadala ababili eqenjini elalinezikhulu zikahulumeni, imantshi yedolobha nomphathi wamasosha. “Lapho sichaza izizathu ezisemiBhalweni zokungavoti, ezinye izikhulu zikahulumeni zabhodla umlilo,” kusho uPaul Khai Khan Thang, omunye wabadala. “Sazibonisa ikhophi yesiqondiso sikahulumeni esasithi oFakazi BakaJehova bavumelekile ‘ukuma ngenhlonipho bathule lapho kukhulekelwa ifulege.’ Zamangala. Ekugcineni, umphathi wamasosha watshela uthishanhloko ukuthi izingane ezixoshiwe aziphindele esikoleni. Uthishanhloko waze wanikeza umnyango ngamunye wesikole ikhophi yaleso siqondiso.”

Namuhla izikhulu zikahulumeni ezisezikhundleni eziphakeme kunazo zonke eMyanmar ziyazi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova abathathi hlangothi kwezombusazwe. Ngokuzimelela ngokuqinile izimiso zeBhayibheli, izikhonzi zikaJehova ziye zanikeza ubufakazi obuhle, njengoba nje uJesu Kristu abikezela.—Luka 21:13.

Amasosha Aba AmaKristu

Phakathi nawo wonke umlando wanamuhla wezinxushunxushu zaseMyanmar, izakhamuzi zakhona eziningi ziye zaba amasosha noma zalwa njengamavukela-mbuso. Njengesikhulu sebutho esingumRoma uKorneliyu, ezinye zazo zingabantu ‘abazinikele nabesaba uNkulunkulu.’ (IzE. 10:2) Lapho zithola iqiniso, ziyazikhandla ekuvumelaniseni ukuphila kwazo nezindinganiso zikaJehova zokulunga.

Omunye wazo uHlawn Mang, owayeyisikhulu samasosha esafunda iqiniso siyisosha eMawlamyine. Uyachaza: “Ngangifuna ukuqala ukushumayela ngaso leso sikhathi. Kodwa njengoba ngase ngizoshiya ebusosheni, ngathola ukuthi kwakuhlongozwa ukuba ngikhushulelwe esikhundleni esiphakeme nginikezwe nomfundaze esikoleni sobusosha ezweni elinothile! Yize kunjalo, ngangizimisele ukukhonza uNkulunkulu. Abaphathi bami bamangala lapho ngibanika incwadi yokwesula futhi ngiqala ukukhonza uJehova. Namuhla, ngemva kweminyaka engaba ngu-30, ngisaqiniseka ukuthi ngenza isinqumo esihlakaniphile. Ayikho into edlula ilungelo lokukhonza uNkulunkulu weqiniso!”

ULa Bang Gam, wayesesibhedlela samasosha lapho uRobin Zauja embonisa incwadi ethi Ukusuka EPharadesi Elilahlekile Ukuya EPharadesi Elizuziwe.f Wayijabulela kakhulu futhi wacela ukuba amuphe yona. Kodwa njengoba kwakuwukuphela kwekhophi uRobin ayenayo, wamboleka yona ubusuku obubodwa. Ngakusasa, lapho uRobin ebuya, uLa Bang Gam wamemeza: “Nansi incwadi yakho. Nami sengineyami!” Wayehlale ubusuku bonke ekopishela leyo ncwadi enamakhasi angu-250 ezincwadini eziningana zokubhalela amaphuzu! Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, uLa Bang Gam washiya ebusosheni, wasebenzisa leyo ncwadi ekusizeni abanye abaningi ukuba bathole iqiniso.

ESifundazweni SaseShan esinezintaba, uSa Than Htun Aung, ukaputeni webutho laseBurma no-Aik Lin, umkhuzi we-United Wa State Army, babesemaqenjini amabili ayelwa wodwa izimpi eziningana ezishubile zasemahlathini. Lapho ekugcineni la maqembu ethelelana amanzi, laba balisa bahlala ndawonye eSifundazweni SaseShan. Kamuva, bathola iqiniso, bashiya ebusosheni futhi babhapathizwa. La madoda ayekade eyizitha ahlangana emhlanganweni wesifunda, ajabulelana kakhulu njengabazalwane abangamaKristu! Ayekhululiwe emaketangeni enzondo, manje esehlanganiswe izibopho zothando, ngenxa yamandla akhululayo eZwi likaNkulunkulu.—Joh. 8:32; 13:35.

Ukubonisana Nazo “Zonke Izinhlobo Zabantu”

Phakathi kuka-1965 no-1976, inani labamemezeli eBurma landa ngamaphesenti angaphezu kuka-300. Iningi labamemezeli abasha elalisabele kahle emizamweni yoFakazi yokushumayela lalivele kweLobukholwa. Noma kunjalo, abafowethu babazi ukuthi intando kaNkulunkulu iwukuba “zonke izinhlobo zabantu zisindiswe futhi zifinyelele olwazini olunembile lweqiniso.” (1 Thim. 2:4) Ngenxa yalokho, kusukela maphakathi nawo-1970 kuqhubeke, bazikhandla nakakhulu ekushumayezeni abantu bezinye izinkolo eBurma, abahlanganisa amaBuddha, amaHindu nabantu abakholelwa emimoyeni.

Zaziningi izinselele. AmaBuddha awakholelwa kuNkulunkulu noma uMdali, amaHindu akhulekela izigidi zonkulunkulu, kanti abantu baseBurma abakholelwa emimoyeni bakhulekela izidalwa zomoya ezinamandla ezibizwa ngokuthi ama-nat. Izinkolelo-ze, ukubhula nokusebenzelana nemimoya kuhamba phambili kulezi zinkolo. Futhi nakuba iningi lamalungu azo libheka iBhayibheli njengencwadi engcwele, ngokuvamile alibazi abantu okukhulunywa ngabo eBhayibhelini, umlando, amasiko nezimfundiso zalo.

Nokho, abafowethu babazi ukuthi amaqiniso anamandla aseZwini likaNkulunkulu angathinta inhliziyo yanoma ubani. (Heb. 4:12) Kwakudingeka nje bathembele emoyeni kaNkulunkulu, basebenzise “nekhono lokufundisa”—okuwukuthi, ukubonisana nabantu ngobuciko ngendlela ethonya izinhliziyo zabo futhi ibashukumisele ukuba benze izinguquko ekuphileni kwabo.—2 Thim. 4:2.

Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngendlela uRosaline, onesikhathi eside ekhonza njengephayona elikhethekile, abonisana ngayo ngokuhlakanipha nabantu abangamaBuddha. Uyachaza: “Lapho amaBuddha efundiswa ukuthi kukhona uMdali, avame ukubuza, ‘Ubani owadala uMdali?’ AmaBuddha abheka izilwane njengabantu abafa babuye bazalwa sebeyizilwane, ngakho lapho ngibonisana nawo ngifanekisa ngezilwane azifuyile.

“Ngiqale ngibuze, ‘Ingabe isilwane esifuyiwe siyazi ukuthi sinomnikazi?’

“‘Yebo.’

“‘Kodwa siyazi ukuthi usebenzaphi, ushade nobani noma ukhuliswe kanjani?’

“‘Cha.’

“‘Ngendlela efanayo, njengoba abantu bengafani noNkulunkulu, yena onguMoya, ingabe kufanele silindele ukuba siqonde zonke izinto ngokuba khona kukaNkulunkulu nangemvelaphi yakhe?’

“‘Cha.’”

Ukubonisana nabantu ngale ndlela kwenze amaBuddha amaningi aqotho aba nesifiso sokuthola ubufakazi obengeziwe bokuthi uNkulunkulu ukhona. Uma ukubonisana nabantu ngobuciko kuhambisana nothando lwangempela lobuKristu, kungaba nethonya elinamandla ezinhliziyweni zabantu. U-Ohn Thwin owayengumBuddha uyalandisa: “Lapho ngiqhathanisa inkolelo yami yobuBuddha yeNirvana nesithembiso seBhayibheli somhlaba oyiPharadesi, ngabona iPharadesi kuyilona engililangazelela kakhulu. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi ngangikholelwa ukuthi ziningi izindlela eziholela eqinisweni, ngabona kungadingekile ukwenza izinto engangizifunda. Ngabe sengiqala ukuya emihlanganweni yoFakazi BakaJehova. Uthando abafowethu abangibonisa lona lwangenza ngazizwa ngiphakathi komhlane nembeleko. Lwangishukumisela ukuba ngizisebenzise izinto engangazi ukuthi ziyiqiniso.”

Kodwa-ke ukusiza abantu ukuba bashintshe izinkolelo zabo kudinga ubuciko nesineke. UKumar Chakarabani wayeneminyaka eyishumi lapho uyise, owayengumHindu futhi enesandla esiqinile, evuma ukuba uBethelite Jimmy Xavier afundise uKumar ukufunda. Uyakhumbula: “Ubaba wathi akangifundise ukufunda kuphela, hhayi ezenkolo.” UJimmy wathi INcwadi Yami Yezindaba ZeBhayibheli iwusizo kakhulu ekufundiseni izingane ukufunda. Ngaphezu kwalokho, lapho sesiqedile ukufunda, wayexoxa nobaba, ambonise isithakazelo esiqotho. Lapho ubaba eqala ukubuza imibuzo ngenkolo, ngobuciko uJimmy wayethi: ‘IBhayibheli linazo izimpendulo. Ngicela sizwe ukuthi lithini.’ Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, akubanga ubaba kuphela owamukela iqiniso kodwa namalungu angu-63 omkhaya wakithi aba oFakazi BakaJehova.”

Ukuqhuba Imihlangano Ngesikhathi Semibhikisho

Maphakathi nawo-1980, isimo sezombusazwe eBurma saba manzonzo nakakhulu. Ekugcineni, ngo-1988, amashumi ezinkulungwane zabantu abhikisha emigwaqweni ekhononda ngohulumeni. Kodwa lokho kubhikisha kwaqedwa ngokushesha, futhi izindawo eziningi zagadwa amasosha.

“Iziphathimandla zaphoqelela ukuba kugcinwe umthetho oqinile wewashi, futhi yayingavunyelwe imibuthano enabantu abangaphezu kwabahlanu,” kukhumbula uBethelite Kyaw Win. “Sasizibuza ukuthi senzenjani ngemihlangano yesigodi eyayisondela. Kodwa sithembele kuJehova, saya kumkhuzi wamasosha weYangon Division sacela imvume yokuqhuba umhlangano wabantu abayinkulungwane. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezimbili, isicelo sethu samukelwa! Lapho sitshengisa iziphathimandla zakwezinye izindawo imvume yethu, zabe sezisivumela ukuba sibe nemihlangano ezindaweni zazo. Ngosizo lukaJehova, yonke imihlangano yahamba kahle!”

Abazange Bayiyeke Imihlangano YobuKristu

Ngemva kokubhikisha kwango-1988, isimo somnotho eBurma sawohloka kancane kancane. Noma kunjalo, abafowethu nodade babonisa ukholo oluqinile kuNkulunkulu ngokuqhubeka bebeka izithakazelo zoMbuso kuqala ekuphileni kwabo.—Math. 6:33.

Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngoCin Khan Dal, owayehlala nabakubo endaweni yasemakhaya eSagaing. Uyachaza: “Sasifuna ukuya emhlanganweni wesigodi eTahan, okuwuhambo lwezinsuku ezimbili uma uhamba ngesikebhe nangeloli. Kodwa sasingenamuntu owayezosibhekela izinkukhu uma singekho. Yize kunjalo, sabeka ithemba lethu kuJehova, saya emhlanganweni. Lapho sibuya, sathola izinkukhu ezingu-19 zingasekho—okwasilahlekisela impela ngokwezimali. Ngemva konyaka, inani lezinkukhu esasinazo lase landile, sezingaphezu kuka-60. Futhi nakuba izinkukhu zabaningi zabulawa isifo sezinkukhu ngalowo nyaka, ekhaya akufanga ngisho neyodwa.”

Omunye umbhangqwana owahlala uphapheme ngokomoya kwakungu-Aung Tin Nyunt nomkakhe, uNyein Mya, ababehlala nezingane zabo ezingu-9 eKyonsha, indawo encane eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-64 enyakatho-ntshonalanga yeYangon. U-Aung Tin Nyunt uyalandisa: “Ngokuvamile, sasidla incumbe nemifino. Sasingenamali futhi kungekho esingakudayisa. Kepha akusikhathazanga lokho. Ngathi emkhayeni wami: ‘UJesu wayengenayo indawo yokubeka ikhanda. Ngakho ngisho noma kungadingeka ngihlale ngaphansi kwesihlahla noma ngibulawe indlala, ngizoqhubeka ngikhonza uNkulunkulu ngokwethembeka.’

“Ngelinye ilanga sasingenakudla. Umkami nezingane bangibuka bekhathazekile. Ngabaqinisekisa, ‘Ningakhathazeki. UNkulunkulu uzosisiza.’ Lapho sishayisa ensimini yasekuseni, saya kodoba nabafana bami. Kodwa sabamba izinhlanzi ezazizokwanela isidlo esisodwa kuphela. Sashiya obhasikidi bethu emfuleni, eduze kweminduze yasemanzini, ngase ngithi kubo, ‘Sizophinde sibuye ngemva kwesifundo.’ Ngalolo suku kwakunesivunguvungu. Lapho sibuya, sathola kunezinhlanzi eziningi ezazicashele isivunguvungu ngaphansi kweminduze. Sehlisa obhasikidi bethu sabamba izinhlanzi eziningi, sazidayisa, sathenga ukudla kwesonto lonke.”

Kuvamile ukuba izinceku zikaJehova eMyanmar zibone ukugcwaliseka kwalesi sithembiso esiqinisayo sikaNkulunkulu: “Angisoze ngakushiya noma ngikulahle nganoma iyiphi indlela.” Ngakho, ngesibindi zithi: “UJehova ungumsizi wami; ngeke ngesabe. Umuntu angangenzani?”—Heb. 13:5, 6.

Intuthuko Ekunyatheliseni

Kusukela ngo-1956, abantu baseMyanmar baye bazuza ekudleni okungokomoya okutholakala njalo nge-Nqabayokulinda yesiMyanmar (isiBurma). Naphezu kwezimpi zobuhlanga eziqhubekayo, imibango nokuwa kwezomnotho, awukho nowodwa umagazini ongazange unyatheliswe. Ubulokhu unyatheliswa kanjani umagazini?

Eminyakeni eminingi ihhovisi legatsha lalithumela amakhophi amaningana kamagazini ohunyushiwe wawusubhalwa ngomshini kumhloli wezincwadi kahulumeni. Lapho umhloli ekugunyaza okubhaliwe, igatsha lalicela imvume yokuthenga iphepha lokunyathelisa. Uma iphepha selikhona, umzalwane othile wayelithatha kanye nomagazini ohunyushiwe aye embonini enyathelisayo, eyayihlela ngesandla izinhlamvu zamagama esiMyanmar (isiBurma) zekhasi ngalinye. Umzalwane wayebe esefunda abone ukuthi kubhaleke kahle yini, bese umnyathelisi enyathelisa umagazini emshinini owawungasebenzi kahle. Amakhophi kamagazini ayethunyelwa kumhloli wezincwadi, abese ewugunyaza ngesitifiketi esinenombolo. Njengokulindelekile, le ndlela efukuzisayo yayithatha amasonto amaningi, futhi iphepha lalingelihle nezinga likamagazini onyathelisiwe liphansi.

Ngo-1989 igatsha lathola indlela entsha yokunyathelisa eyayihluke ngokuphelele kuleyo ababeyisebenzisa. Uhlelo olubizwa ngokuthi iMultilanguage Electronic Phototypesetting System (MEPS) oluklanywe endlunkulu yomhlaba wonke lusebenzisa ama-computer, izinhlelo zawo nendlela yokubhala ebizwa ngokuthi i-phototypesetting ukuze kukhiqizwe ukwaziswa okunyathelisiwe ngezilimi ezingu-186—ezihlanganisa nesiMyanmar!g

“OFakazi BakaJehova bangabantu bokuqala eMyanmar abahlela futhi banyathelisa izincwadi ngama-computer,” kusho uMya Maung, owayekhonza egatsheni. “I-MEPS, eyayisebenzisa izinhlamvu ezicacile zesiMyanmar ezisungulwe egatsheni lakithi, yabangela izinguquko ezimbonini ezinyathelisayo. Abantu babengaqondi ukuthi sizibhala kanjani izinhlamvu zamagama ngobunono obungaka!” I-MEPS yayisetshenziswa nasekunyatheliseni ngomshini wohlobo lwe-offset—okwalithuthukisa kakhulu izinga lokunyathelisa. Ngaphezu kwalokho, i-MEPS yayifaka nezithombe zezinga eliphakeme, futhi lokho kwenza INqabayokulinda yakhanga kakhulu.

Ngo-1991 uhulumeni waseMyanmar wagunyaza ukunyatheliswa kwe-Phaphama! futhi abazalwane bajabula kakhulu. Umphakathi nawo wawungawuvali umlomo! Isikhulu esiphakeme sikahulumeni soMnyango Wokwaziswa sasho lokho abafundi bayo abaningi ababekusho: “I-Phaphama! ihlukile kwabanye omagazini benkolo. Ikhuluma ngezihloko eziningi ezithandwayo futhi kulula ukuyiqonda. Ngiyithanda kakhulu.”

Phakathi neminyaka engu-20 edlule, inani lomagazini abanyatheliswa igatsha inyanga ngayinye liye landa lisuka kwabangu-15 000 laya kwabangaphezu kuka-141 000, ukwanda kwamaphesenti angaba ngu-900! Manje, omagazini INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! baziwa kakhulu eYangon futhi abantu kulo lonke izwe bayakujabulela ukubafunda.

Kudingeka Ihhovisi Legatsha Elisha

Ngemva kokubhikisha kwango-1988, izikhulu zasebusosheni zacela izinhlangano zomphakathi nezenkolo eMyanmar ukuba zibhalise kuhulumeni. Abazalwane basehhovisi legatsha nabo babhalisa. Ngemva kweminyaka emibili, ngomhla ka-5 January, 1990, uhulumeni wayibhalisa ngokomthetho inhlangano ebizwa ngokuthi i-“Jehovah’s Witnesses (Watch Tower) Society” eMyanmar.

Ngalesi sikhathi, abafowethu base belithuthile ihhovisi legatsha e-39th Street baliyisa endlini enezitezi ezimbili esendaweni engamahekthare angu-0,2 e-Inya Road, indawo yabantu abadla izambane likapondo esenyakatho yedolobha. Nokho, lesi sakhiwo esisha sase sisincane. UViv Mouritz, owavakashela eMyanmar ngaleso sikhathi njengombonisi wamagatsha, uyakhumbula: “Amalungu angu-25 omkhaya waseBethel ayephila kanzima. Ikhishi lalingenaso isitofu esikhulu—udade wayephekela esitofini esincanyana. Elondolo babengenawo umshini wokuwasha, udade wayewashela emgodini owawumbiwe phansi. Abafowethu babefuna ukuthenga isitofu nomshini wokuwasha, kodwa yayingekho indlela yokuba bazithunyelelwe lezo zinto.”

Kusobala ukuthi babedinga igatsha elikhudlwana. INdikimba Ebusayo yabanika imvume yokuba kubhidlizwe leso sakhiwo esiyizitezi ezimbili, kwakhiwe indawo yokuhlala enezitezi ezine nesakhiwo samahhovisi. Ngaphambi kokuba abafowethu baqale umsebenzi, kwadingeka banqobe izithiyo ezinkulu. Okokuqala, kwadingeka bathole imvume ezikhulwini eziyisithupha zikahulumeni. Okwesibili, izinkontileka ezakhayo zalapha zazingeke zikwazi ukwenza lo msebenzi ngoba zazingakwazi ukwakha ngohlaka lwensimbi. Okwesithathu, izisebenzi zokuzithandela zakwamanye amazwe ezingoFakazi zazingakwazi ukungena kuleli. Okokugcina, izinto zokwakha zazingatholakali, ingekho nendlela yokuba bazithunyelelwe. Ngokusobala, kwabonakala sengathi ngeke bakwazi ukwakha. Nakulokhu futhi, abafowethu bathembela kuJehova. Uma uJehova ayefuna lakhiwe ihhovisi legatsha elisha, nakanjani lalizokwakhiwa!—IHu. 127:1.

‘Hhayi Ngamandla, Kodwa Ngomoya Wami’

UKyaw Win woMnyango Wezomthetho wasegatsheni uyayiqhuba le ndaba: “Isicelo sethu sokwakha sahlolwa isikhathi eside eminyango kahulumeni emihlanu kweyisithupha, kuhlanganise noMnyango Wezenkolo. IYangon City Development Committee yathi isakhiwo esinezitezi ezine siphakeme kakhulu, yasenqaba isicelo sethu. Lapho sisithumela okwesibili, saphinde senqatshwa. IKomiti Yegatsha yangikhuthaza ukuba ngiphikelele. Ngakho ngathandaza ngokujulile kuJehova ngabe sengisithumela okwesithathu. Kulokhu semukelwa!

“Ngemva kwalokho saya eMnyango Wezifiki. Izisebenzi zalapho zasitshela ukuthi abantu bakwamanye amazwe bangangena kuleli zwe ngama-visa okuvakasha izinsuku ezingu-7 kuphela. Kodwa lapho sichaza ukuthi lezi zisebenzi zokuzithandela ezinamakhono zizoqeqesha abantu balapha ekwakheni ngezindlela zesimanje, kwathiwa zizonikezwa ama-visa ezinyanga eziyisithupha!

“Sadlulela eMnyango Wezohwebo, sathola ukuthi akekho umuntu owayevunyelwe ukuthunyelelwa izinto. Nokho, lapho sichazela izisebenzi zakhona ukuthi yini le esiyakhayo, zasinikeza ilayisense yokuba sithunyelelwe izinto zokwakha zemali engaphezu kwezigidi ezingu-8 zamaRandi. Sasizomisa kanjani endabeni yentela? Saya eMnyango Wezezimali, sathola imvume yokuthunyelelwa izinto zokwakha ngaphandle kwentela! Ngalezi zindlela nangezinye eziningi, sabona ukuba iqiniso kwamazwi kaNkulunkulu: ‘“Ngeke kube ngebutho lempi, noma ngamandla, kodwa kuyoba ngomoya wami,” kusho uJehova wamabutho.’”—Zak. 4:6.

Ngo-1997 kwafika izisebenzi zokuzithandela esakhiweni. Eziningi zezinto zokwakha zanikelwa ngabafowethu base-Australia, ezinye zivela eMalaysia, eSingapore naseThailand. UBruce Pickering, owayeqondisa umsebenzi, uyalandisa: “Abafowethu abaningana base-Australia balwakha lonke uhlaka lwensimbi base beza nalo eMyanmar baluhlanganisela khona. Isimanga ukuthi zonke izingxenye zalo zangena khaxa!” Ezinye izisebenzi zokuzithandela zazivela eBrithani, eFiji, eGreece, eJalimane, eNew Zealand nase-United States.

Kwakungokokuqala ngqa ngemva kweminyaka engu-30 ukuba abamemezeli balapha bahlangane nabakwamanye amazwe ngokukhululekile. “Sasigcwele intokozo; kwakungathi siyaphupha,” kukhumbula uDonald Dewar. “Ingokomoya, uthando nomoya wokuzidela wabafowethu ababevakashile kwasifaka ugqozi.” Omunye umzalwane uthi: “Safunda namakhono okwakha awusizo. Abamemezeli ababesebenzisa amakhandlela bafunda ukuxhuma izintambo zezibani zikagesi. Abanye ababesebenzisa iziphephetha-moya eziphathwa ngesandla bafunda ukuxhuma isimiso sikagesi sokungenisa umoya. Safunda ngisho nokusebenzisa amathuluzi asebenza ngogesi!”

Izisebenzi zokuzithandela nazo zathinteka lapho ziphawula ukholo nothando lwabafowethu nodade baseMyanmar. “Abafowethu babempofu, kodwa bebakhathalela ngempela abanye,” kusho uBruce Pickering. “Abaningi babo basimema ukuba sizokudla nabo emizini yabo futhi besipha ukudla okwakungabaqhuba izinsuku eziningana nemikhaya yabo. Isibonelo sabo sasikhumbuza ukuthi yini ngempela ebalulekile ekuphileni—umkhaya, ukholo, ubuzalwane bethu nesibusiso sikaNkulunkulu.”

Ngo-January 22, 2000, izakhiwo ezintsha zegatsha zanikezelwa emhlanganweni okhethekile owawuseNational Theatre. Abazalwane balapha bakuthokozela ukuba noJohn E. Barr weNdikimba Ebusayo owanikeza inkulumo yokunikezela igatsha.

Ukwakha AmaHholo OMbuso Amasha

Njengoba umsebenzi wokwakha igatsha elisha wawusuzophela, abafowethu baqala ukunakekela esinye isidingo esiphuthumayo—amaHholo OMbuso. Ngo-1999, kwafika uNobuhiko no-Aya Koyama baseJapane. UNobuhiko wasiza ekumiseni uMnyango Wokwakhiwa KwamaHholo OMbuso egatsheni. Uyakhumbula: “Saqala sahlola izindawo amabandla ayehlanganela kuzo ezweni lonke, okwakuhilela ukuhamba ngebhasi, indiza, isithuthuthu, ibhayisikili, isikebhe nangezinyawo. Ngokuvamile kwakudingeka sithole imvume kahulumeni ukuze sihambe ngoba ziningi izindawo izivakashi ezazingavunyelwe ukuya kuzo. Lapho sithola izindawo okudingeka kwakhiwe kuzo amahholo amasha, ngomusa iNdikimba Ebusayo yayisinika imali yokwakha evela esikhwameni sokusiza amazwe antulayo.

“Lapho sekutholakele izisebenzi zokuzithandela, zaya eShwepyitha, idolobha laseYangon, zayokwakha khona ihholo lokuqala elisha. Abafowethu bakwamanye amazwe nabalapha basebenza ndawonye kwaze kwamangala amaphoyisa, awumisa kaningana umsebenzi ukuze ahlole nabaqondisi bawo ukuthi kuvumelekile yini lokho. Abanye ababebukele babebancoma abafowethu. Umlisa othile wababaza, ‘Ngibone umlungu ehlanza indlu yangasese! Angikaze ngikubone lokho. Nihluke ngempela!’

“Phakathi naleso sikhathi, elinye iqembu laqala ukwakha ihholo elisha eTachileik, idolobha elingasemngceleni weMyanmar neThailand. OFakazi abaningi baseThailand babewela umngcele nsuku zonke bazosebenza nabafowabo baseMyanmar. La maqembu amabili asebenza ngobunye nakuba ayekhuluma izilimi ezingafani. Ngokuphambene nalokho, lapho ihholo selakhiwe, amaqembu ayizitha ayengasemngceleni aqala ukulwa. Kwakuqhuma amabhomu nezibhamu ngasehholo, kodwa akubanga namonakalo kulo. Lapho impi iphela, kwahlangana abangu-72 ehholo lapho linikezelwa kuJehova, uNkulunkulu wokuthula.”

Kusukela ngo-1999, amaqembu akha amaHholo OMbuso akhe amaHholo OMbuso amasha angaphezu kuka-65 ezweni lonke. Bazizwa kanjani abamemezeli balapha? Abaningi bazizwa njengodade othile onokwazisa, owasho ehlengezela izinyembezi zenjabulo: “Angikaze ngicabange ukuthi siyoba nehholo elisha elihle kangaka! Manje sengizozikhandla nakakhulu ekumemeleni abantu abathakazelayo esifundweni. Ngiyambonga uJehova nenhlangano yakhe ngomusa abasibonise wona!”

Kufika Izithunywa Zevangeli

Phakathi nawo-1990, ngemva kwamashumi eminyaka abantu bakwamanye amazwe bengavunyelwe ukungena eMyanmar, izinto zaqala ukushintsha kancane kancane. Ngenxa yalokho, ihhovisi legatsha lacela imvume kuhulumeni yokubuyisa izithunywa zevangeli. Ekugcineni, ngo-January 2003, kwafika uHiroshi noJunko Aoki baseJapane abathweswa iziqu zaseGileyadi, baba izithunywa zevangeli zokuqala ezafika eMyanmar ngemva kweminyaka engu-37.

“Njengoba abantu bakwamanye amazwe babembalwa kuleli, kwadingeka sihlakaniphe ukuze iziphathimandla zingabi nazinsolo ngomsebenzi wethu wokushumayela,” kusho uHiroshi. “Ngakho saqala ngokuhamba nabazalwane balapha lapho beya ezimpindelweni nasezifundweni zabo. Ngokushesha sathola ukuthi abantu baseMyanmar bayakuthanda ukuxoxa ngeBhayibheli. Ngosuku esaqala ngalo ukuya ensimini, saqala izifundo zeBhayibheli ezinhlanu!”

“Ngokuvamile sasisibona isandla sikaJehova sisiqondisa,” kwenezela uJunko. “Ngesinye isikhathi sihamba ngesithuthuthu sivela ukuyoqhuba isifundo ngaseMandalay, saphantshelwa isondo. Sasidudula isithuthuthu sasiyisa embonini eseduze, sacela ukuba basisize sishintshe isondo. Unogada wangenisa uHiroshi nesithuthuthu, mina ngalinda ehhovisi lakhe. Wayenemibuzo eminingi.

“Wathi, ‘Nizokwenzani lapha?’

“Ngaphendula, ‘Sizovakashela abangane bethu.’

“Wabuza futhi, ‘Nibavakashela ngoba kwenzenjani? Nize enkonzweni?’

“Ngangingazi ukuthi ungibuzelani, ngakho ngamziba.

“‘Ngitshele iqiniso!’ ephikelela. ‘Nisontaphi?’

“Ngakhipha INqabayokulinda esikhwameni sami ngambonisa.

“Wamemeza ngenjabulo, ‘Ngivele ngabona!’ Wabe esethi kwasebenza nabo: ‘Anibheke! Ingelosi iphantshise isondo ukuze isilethele oFakazi BakaJehova!’

“Lo mlisa wavula isikhwama sakhe wakhipha iBhayibheli nelinye lamapheshana ethu. Wayeke wafundelwa oFakazi kwenye indawo kodwa bangabe besakwazi ukuxhumana naye lapho ethuthela eMandalay. Saqala isifundo naye ngaso leso sikhathi. Kamuva, nabanye asebenza nabo bafundelwa.”

Ngo-2005, kwafika ezinye izithunywa zevangeli ezine eMyanmar zivela eSikoleni Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo (manje esesibizwa ngokuthi iSikole SeBhayibheli Sabazalwane Abangashadile) ePhilippines. Omunye walabo bazalwane, uNelson Junio, wabhekana nenselele izithunywa zevangeli eziningi ezibhekana nayo—ukukhumbula ekhaya. Uthi, “Ngangivame ukukhala futhi ngithandaze ngaphambi kokuba ngilale. Umzalwane othile onozwela wangibonisa eyamaHebheru 11:15, 16. Ikhuluma ngo-Abrahama noSara abangazange balokhu befisa ukubuyela ekhaya e-Uri kodwa abaqhubeka behambisana nenjongo kaNkulunkulu. Ngemva kokufunda lowo mBhalo, angiphindange ngakhala. Ngaqala ukubheka isabelo sami njengekhaya.”

Izibonelo Ezinhle Zizuzisa Abaningi

Ekhulwini lokuqala, umphostoli uPawulu weluleka uThimothewu: ‘Izinto owazizwa ngami ziphathise amadoda athembekile, ayokufanelekela ngokwanele ukuba nawo afundise abanye.’ (2 Thim. 2:2) Zisebenzisa lesi simiso, izithunywa zevangeli zasiza amabandla aseMyanmar ukuba ahambisane nezinqubo zenhlangano ezisetshenziswa abantu bakaJehova emhlabeni wonke.

Ngokwesibonelo, izithunywa zevangeli zathola ukuthi lapho abamemezeli abaningi beqhuba izifundo, bafundisa umuntu izimpendulo ngokuqondile encwadini—okuyindlela esetshenziswa ezikoleni eziningi zaseMyanmar. “Sabakhuthaza ngesineke abamemezeli ukuba basebenzise imibuzo ukuze bathole indlela umfundi acabanga ngayo nazizwa ngayo,” kusho uJoemar Ubiña. “Bakusebenzisa lokho kusikisela futhi baba abafundisi abaphumelelayo.”

Lezi zithunywa zevangeli zaphawula nokuthi amabandla amaningi ayenomdala oyedwa noma inceku ekhonzayo eyodwa. Abanye balabo bazalwane abamisiwe, nakuba babethembekile futhi bekhuthele, babewuphatha ngesandla esiqine ngokweqile umhlambi. Yiqiniso, kumelwe ukuba kwakunenkinga efanayo ekhulwini lokuqala lapho umphostoli uPetru enxusa abadala: “Yalusani umhlambi kaNkulunkulu eniwuphathisiwe, . . . kungabi ngokuzenza izingqongqo phezu kwalabo abayifa likaNkulunkulu, kodwa ngokuba yizibonelo emhlambini.” (1 Pet. 5:2, 3) Izithunywa zevangeli zazingabasiza kanjani abafowabo? “Sazama ukubeka isibonelo esihle ngokuba nomusa ngokwengeziwe, ukuba nesineke nokungeneka,” kusho uBenjamin Reyes. Kancane kancane abafowethu bafunda esibonelweni sazo. Abadala abaningi bashintsha indlela yabo yokwenza izinto baqala ukunakekela umhlambi ngobubele.

Izindlela Ezithuthukisiwe Zokuhumusha Ziyazuzisa

Kwaphela iminyaka eminingi abafowethu eMyanmar besebenzisa iBhayibheli langekhulu le-19 leminyaka elalihunyushwe esinye sezithunywa zevangeli zeLobukholwa esizwa izindela ezingamaBuddha. Le nguqulo inamagama amaningi esiPali ayisidala futhi kunzima kakhulu ukuyiqonda. Ngakho lapho kukhululwa INguqulo Yezwe Elisha YemiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki yesiMyanmar ngo-2008, abafowethu bajabula kakhulu. “Ababekhona bashaya ihlombe isikhathi eside, kwabanye kwaze kwehla nezinyembezi zenjabulo lapho bethola amakhophi abo,” kukhumbula uMaurice Raj. “Le nguqulo entsha icacile, ilula futhi inembile. Ngisho namaBuddha ayiqonda kalula!” Ngokushesha ngemva kokukhululwa kwale nguqulo, inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli kuleli zwe landa ngamaphesenti angaphezu kuka-40.

Njengezinye izilimi eziningi, ulimi lwaseMyanmar luhlukene kabili—kukhona oluhloniphekile olususelwa kolwesiPali nesiSanskrit noluvamile olusetshenziswa ezingxoxweni zansuku zonke. Zombili lezi zindlela ziyasetshenziswa ekubhaleni nasengxoxweni. Eziningi zezincwadi zethu zakudala zazibhalwe ngendlela ehloniphekile, leyo okunzima ngabantu abaningi manje ukuba bayiqonde. Ngenxa yalokhu, muva nje igatsha liye laqala ukuhumusha izincwadi ngesiMyanmar esivamile, okuyisona iningi labantu elisiqonda kalula.

Lezi zincwadi ezintsha zilethe ushintsho olusheshe lwaphawuleka. Umqondisi woMnyango Wabahumushi, uThan Htwe Oo, uyachaza: “Abantu babethi, ‘Izincwadi zenu ezezinga eliphakeme, kodwa asiziqondi.’ Manje sebeyajabula lapho bezithola, baqala ukuzifunda ngokushesha. Abaningi bathi: ‘Kulula ukuziqonda lezi zincwadi!’” Ngisho nezimpendulo emihlanganweni yebandla ziyathuthuka, ngoba izilaleli sezikuqonda ngokucacile okubhalwe ezincwadini zethu.

Njengamanje, uMnyango Wabahumushi unabahumushi besikhathi esigcwele abangu-26 abasebenza emaqenjini ezilimi ezintathu—isiMyanmar, isiHakha Chin nesiSgaw Kayin. Izincwadi zihunyushwa nangezinye izilimi ezingu-11 zakuleli zwe.

ISiphepho UNargis

Ngo-May 2, 2008, iSiphepho uNargis, umoya onamandla ovunguza ngesivinini esingamakhilomitha angu-240 ngehora sahlasela iMyanmar, sabulala abaningi futhi sacekela phansi indawo kusukela e-Ayeyarwady Delta kuya emngceleni waseThailand. Lesi siphepho sathinta abantu abangaphezu kwezigidi ezimbili futhi abangaba ngu-140 000 bafa noma bangatholakala.

Izinkulungwane zoFakazi BakaJehova zathinteka ngenxa yalesi siphepho, kodwa okumangazayo ukuthi akekho noyedwa owalimala. Abaningi basinda ngokubalekela emaHholo OMbuso abo amasha. EBothingone, indawo engasogwini e-Ayeyarwady Delta, oFakazi abangu-20 nezinye izakhamuzi ezingu-80 bahlala phezu kophahla lweHholo LoMbuso amahora angu-9 njengoba amanzi esikhukhula ayekhuphuka aze acishe afika ophahleni, abe esebohla.

Masinyane ihhovisi legatsha lathumela iqembu elalizosiza endaweni eyayikhahlamezeke kunazo zonke esizalweni somfula. Leli qembu lahamba endaweni eyayicekeleke phansi igcwele nezidumbu laze lafika eBothingone liphethe ukudla, amanzi nemithi. Kwakuyilona qembu lokuqala elaletha usizo kule ndawo. Ngemva kokunikeza abafowethu nodade izinto ababezidinga, leli qembu labakhuthaza ngezinkulumo zeBhayibheli, labanika namaBhayibheli nezincwadi zeBhayibheli, ngoba zonke izinto zabo zazihambe nesiphepho.

Ukuze kuhlelwe umsebenzi omkhulu wokusiza, ihhovisi legatsha lamisa amaKomiti Asiza Ezinhlekeleleni eYangon nasePathein. La makomiti ahlela ukuba izisebenzi zokuzithandela eziningi zithumelele ababehlaselwe isiphepho amanzi, ilayisi nezinye izinto ababezidinga. Ahlela nokuba amaqembu akhayo akhele oFakazi abazindlu zabo zazibhidlikile.

Omunye wezisebenzi zokuzithandela, uTobias Lund, uyalandisa: “Mina nomkami, uSofia, safica uMay Sin Oo oneminyaka engu-16, okunguyena kuphela ohlanganyelayo kubo, omisa iBhayibheli lakhe elangeni elitatulule emfucumfucwini yakubo. Lapho esibona wamoyizela, kodwa kwakwehla izinyembezi esihlathini sakhe. Kungakapheli sikhathi, elinye lamaqembu akhayo lafika nomakalabha, amathuluzi kagesi nezinto zokwakha, laqala ukwakhela lo mkhaya indlu entsha sha. Omakhelwane babamba ongezansi! Kwaphela izinsuku eziningi abantu behlala phansi babukele lesi sakhiwo, esaba yiyona nto edonsa amehlo kule ndawo. Ababebukele babethi: ‘Asikaze sikubone okunje! Abantu benu banobunye nothando. Nathi sifuna ukuba oFakazi BakaJehova.’ Manje, abazali bakaMay Sin Oo nezingane zakubo baba khona esifundweni, futhi umkhaya wonke uyathuthuka ngokomoya.”

Umsebenzi wokusiza waqhubeka izinyanga eziningi. Abafowethu bathumela izinto eziningi zokusiza futhi balungisa noma bakha kabusha izindlu ezingu-160 namaHholo OMbuso angu-8. ISiphepho uNargis saletha usizi nobunzima eMyanmar, kodwa lolo sizi lwembula okuthile okuyigugu—izibopho zothando ezihlanganisa abantu bakaNkulunkulu futhi zikhazimulise igama likaJehova.

Isenzakalo Esingasoze Salibaleka

Ngasekuqaleni kuka-2007, ihhovisi legatsha laseMyanmar lathola incwadi evusa amadlingozi. “INdikimba Ebusayo yasicela ukuba sihlele umhlangano wezizwe eYangon,” kusho uJon Sharp, owayefike egatsheni nomkakhe, uJanet, ngonyaka owawandulele. “Emhlanganweni wango-2009 kwakuzoba khona izihambeli eziningi zasemazweni ayishumi—into eyayingakaze yenzeke egatsheni lethu!”

UJon uyaqhubeka: “Yayiminingi imibuzo esasizibuza yona: ‘Uzoqhutshelwaphi lo mhlangano? Ingabe abamemezeli abavela kude bazokwazi ukufika kuyo? Bazohlalaphi? Bazohamba ngani? Bazokwazi yini ukutholela imikhaya yabo ukudla? Iziphathimandla zaseMyanmar zona? Zizosinika yini imvume yokuba sibe nomhlangano onjalo?’ Kwabonakala sengathi ziningi izingqinamba. Noma kunjalo, sakhumbula amazwi kaJesu: ‘Izinto ezingenakwenzeka kubantu zingenzeka kuNkulunkulu.’ (Luka 18:27) Ngakho, sathembela kuNkulunkulu, saqala ukwenza amalungiselelo.

“Sasheshe sayithola indawo ekahle—iNational Indoor Stadium yaseMyanmar, ethatha abantu abangu-11 000, enesimiso sokungenisa umoya, ecishe ibe maphakathi nedolobha. Ngokushesha sacela eziphathimandleni imvume yokusebenzisa le nkundla. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezithile, sekusele amasonto ambalwa kube umhlangano, isicelo sethu sasingakaphendulwa. Sabe sesithola izindaba ezidabukisayo: Abaphathi benkundla babehlele umqhudelwano we-kickboxing kule nkundla ngazo kanye izinsuku zomhlangano wethu! Ngenxa yokuthi sasingasekho isikhathi sokufuna enye indawo, saxoxa nomhleli walo mqhudelwano nezinye izikhulu eziningi ukuze sixazulule le nkinga. Ekugcineni, wavuma ukuwuhlehlisa umqhudelwano uma nje abadlali abangu-16 bevuma ukuba kwenziwe ushintsho. Lapho laba badlali bezwa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bafuna ukuyisebenzisela umhlangano okhethekile le nkundla, ngamunye wabo wavuma ukuba ushintsho lwenziwe.”

“Nokho,” kusho uKyaw Win, oyilungu leKomiti Yegatsha, “kwakusadingeka sithole imvume kahulumeni ukuze siyisebenzise le nkundla, futhi isicelo sethu sase sike senqatshwa izikhathi ezine! Ngemva kokuthandaza kuJehova, sahlangana nomphathi wazo zonke izinkundla zaseMyanmar. Kwase kusele amasonto amabili kufike umhlangano futhi sasiqala ngqa ukuvunyelwa ukuba sikhulume nalesi sikhulu esiphakeme sikahulumeni. Ngokujabulisayo, sasamukela isicelo sethu!”

Zingazi lutho ngalezi zigameko, izinkulungwane zezihambeli zakuyo yonke iMyanmar nakwamanye amazwe zazisendleleni ziza eYangon ngezindiza, izitimela, izikebhe, amabhasi, amaloli—nangezinyawo. Kwase kuyizinyanga imikhaya eminingi yaseMyanmar izibekela imali yokuya kulo mhlangano. Abafowethu abaningi babelima, abanye befuya izingulube, abanye bethunga, abanye behlwaya igolide emifuleni. Abaningi babengakaze baye edolobheni elikhulu noma babone umuntu wakwelinye izwe.

Kwafika izihambeli ezingaphezu kuka-1 300 eMandalay Railway Station zivela enyakatho yeMyanmar zizogibela isitimela esasiqashwe ngokukhethekile ukuba siziyise eYangon. Elinye iqembu laseNaga Hills lalihambe izinsuku eziyisithupha, libelethe abamemezeli ababili abaphukelwa izihlalo zabo zabakhubazekile lapho uhambo luqala. Babebaningi ababesesiteshini sesitimela, bexoxa, behleka becula nezingoma zoMbuso. “Bonke abantu babejabule ngempela,” kusho uPum Cin Khai, owayesiza ngezinto zokuhamba. “Sabanika ukudla, amanzi nomata ababezolala kubona. Lapho isitimela sifika, abadala basiza iqembu ngalinye ukuba lingene enqoleni yalo. Ekugcineni, kwezwakala izwi embhobhweni lithi: ‘Isitimela soFakazi BakaJehova sesiyahamba!’ Ngaqale ngabheka ukuthi singene sonke yini, ngabe sengingena!”

Phakathi naleso sikhathi, eYangon, izihambeli zakwamanye amazwe ezingaba ngu-700 zazingena emahhotela. Kodwa babezohlalaphi abafowethu baseMyanmar abangaphezu kuka-3 000? “UJehova wavula izinhliziyo zoFakazi baseYangon ukuze banakekele abafowabo nodadewabo,” kusho uMyint Lwin, owayesebenza eMnyango Wezindawo Zokulala. “Eminye imikhaya yayithatha abantu abangu-15. Yayikhokha eziphathimandleni ukuze ihlalise izivakashi, iziphe ukudla, izitholele nezinto zokuya nokubuya enkundleni yomhlangano usuku ngalunye. Izihambeli eziningi zahlala emaHholo OMbuso; ezinye zalala kwenye imboni enkulu. Naphezu kwalo mzamo omkhulu kangaka, kwakusenezihambeli ezingaba ngu-500 ezazingakayitholi indawo. Sabachazela abaphathi benkundla le nkinga, bavuma ukuba labo bazalwane balale enkundleni—into eyayingakaze yenzeke ngaphambili!”

Njengoba inkundla yayisesimweni esingesihle, izisebenzi zokuzithandela ezingaphezu kuka-350 zasebenza izinsuku eziyishumi ziyilungiselela umhlangano. “Salungisa amapayipi amanzi, isimiso sikagesi nesokungenisa umoya, sapenda futhi sahlanza yonke inkundla,” kusho uHtay Win, umbonisi womhlangano. “Lo msebenzi omkhulukazi wanikeza ubufakazi obuhle. Isikhulu sebutho lezempi esasiphethe le nkundla sababaza: ‘Ha! Asive sibonga! Ngithandazela ukuba niyisebenzise njalo le nkundla!’”

Kwaba khona abantu abangaphezu kuka-5 000 emhlanganweni owawungo-December 3-6, 2009. Ngosuku lokugcina, izihambeli zomhlangano eziningi zazivunule, kubonakala imibalabala emihle emhlanganweni. “Babangana futhi kwehla izinyembezi—ngisho nangaphambi kokuba kuqale isimiso!” kusho omunye udade. Ngemva komthandazo kaGerrit Lösch weNdikimba Ebusayo, izilaleli zashaya izandla futhi zavayizisa izandla isikhathi eside. Omunye udade oneminyaka engu-86 washo lokho abaningi ababekusho: “Kube sengathi ngisezweni elisha!”

Izisebenzi eziningi zikahulumeni nazo zazihlabeke umxhwele. Esinye sathi: “Ngiyaqala ukubona umbuthano onje. Akekho othuka inhlamba, obhemayo noma ohlafuna i-betel nut. Kuhlangene abantu bezinhlanga ezihlukahlukene. Ayikaze yenzeke le nto!” UMaurice Raj uthi: “Ngisho nomlawuli webutho lezempi ophakeme waseYangon wasitshela ukuthi yena nozakwabo babengakaze bawubone umhlangano omuhle kanje.”

Izihambeli eziningi zomhlangano zavuma ukuthi lo mhlangano uyingqophamlando. Omunye umzalwane wathi: “Ngaphambi komhlangano, sasiye sezwa nje kukhulunywa ngobuzalwane bethu bomhlaba wonke. Manje sizibonele! Asisoze salukhohlwa uthando abafowethu abasibonise lona.”

“Asemhlophe Alungele Ukuvunwa”

Eminyakeni engaphezu kuka-2 000 edlule, uJesu watshela abafundi bakhe: “Phakamisani amehlo enu nibuke amasimu ukuthi asemhlophe alungele ukuvunwa.” (Joh. 4:35) Kungashiwo okufanayo ngeMyanmar namuhla. Kumanje kunabamemezeli abangu-3 790 kuleli zwe, ummemezeli oyedwa kufanele ashumayeze abantu abangu-15 931—insimu enkulu elungele ukuvunwa! Futhi njengoba kwakunabangu-8 005 eSikhumbuzweni ngo-2012, kulindeleke ukuba kube nokwanda okukhulu!

Ngaphezu kwalokho, cabanga ngeSifundazwe SaseRakhine, isifundazwe esingasogwini ngasemngceleni weBangladesh, esinezakhamuzi ezingaba izigidi ezine kodwa esingenaye noyedwa uFakazi KaJehova. “Inyanga ngayinye sithola izincwadi eziningi ezivela kubantu bakulesi sifundazwe becela izincwadi nokufundelwa iBhayibheli,” kusho uMaurice Raj. “Okunye futhi, kunenani elikhulayo lamaBuddha eMyanmar, ikakhulukazi intsha, elinesifiso sokuthola iqiniso. Yingakho siqhubeka sicela iNkosi ukuba ithumele izisebenzi ezengeziwe ekuvuneni.”—Math. 9:37, 38.

Eminyakeni engaba ikhulu edlule, amaphayona amabili anesibindi aletha izindaba ezinhle kuleli zwe elinabantu abaningi abangamaBuddha. Kusukela lapho, izinkulungwane zabantu bezinhlanga ezihlukahlukene ziye zamukela iqiniso. Naphezu kwezimpi ezinodlame, iziyaluyalu zezombusazwe, ukwanda kobumpofu, ushushiso olungokwenkolo, ukungavunyelwa kwabantu bakwamanye amazwe ukuba bangene kuleli zwe kanye nezinhlekelele zemvelo, oFakazi BakaJehova eMyanmar baye babonisa ukuzinikela okungantengi kuJehova uNkulunkulu neNdodana yakhe, uJesu Kristu. Basazimisele ukushumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso ‘nokukhuthazela ngokugcwele nokubekezela ngenjabulo.’—Kol. 1:11.