Ukunqoba Nakuba Bebhekene Nokufa

“Nokho ngokumangalisayo, kumaNazi, [oFakazi] futhi babengenakuqothulwa. Lapho becindezelwa kakhulu yilapho babeqina khona ngokwengeziwe, beqina njengedayimane ekwenqabeni kwabo. UHitler wabafaka empini ewujuqu, futhi babugcina ubuqotho. . . . Okuhlangenwe nakho kwabo kuwukwaziswa okuyigugu kubo bonke abafunda ngezindlela zokusinda ngaphansi kokucindezela okukhulu. Ngoba ukusinda khona basinda.”—Amazwi kaDkt. Christine King, isazi-mlando, ephephabhukwini i-Together.

OFAKAZI BAKAJEHOVA kufanele babhekwe njengeqembu lenkolo elikhulunyelwa kabi nelishushiswa kakhulu kunawo wonke kuyo yonke indawo emhlabeni emlandweni wekhulu lama-20. Baye baqondwa kabi futhi ngokuvamile baphathwa kabi ngenxa nje yokuma kwabo kokungathathi-hlangothi kobuKristu nokwenqaba ukufunda impi noma ukulwa. Ukuzehlukanisa kwabo nazo zonke izibopho zezombangazwe kuye kwabalethela intukuthelo yababusi abangomashiqela emazweni amaningi. Nokho, okunye kokunikela kwabo emlandweni wosuku lwanamuhla kuye kwaba umlando wabo wokungathathi-hlangothi okuqinile nobuqotho obungenakunyakaziswa.a

Ngo-1966 isazi-mlando saseBrithani u-Arnold Toynbee sabhala: “Esikhathini sethu eJalimane kuye kwaba nabafel’ ukholo abangamaKristu abanikela ngokuphila kwabo kunokuba bahloniphe uBuzwe obudlangile obabumelelwa lapho unkulunkulu ongumuntu u-Adolf Hitler.” Amaqiniso abonisa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babevelele phakathi kwalabo bafel’ ukholo. Okunye okuhlangenwe nakho kufanele kubonise indlela ababhekana ngayo noshushiso ngisho nokufa ngenxa yobuqotho babo—futhi lokhu kungenzeki nje kuphela phakathi nesikhathi sobuNazi. Ezingxenyeni eziningi zomhlaba, umlando wabo wokunqoba nakuba bebhekene nokufa awuguquki futhi awunakuqhathaniswa.

Indaba Ka-Ananii Grogul Wase-Ukraine

“Abazali bami baba oFakazi BakaJehova phakathi neMpi Yezwe II, ngo-1942, lapho ngineminyaka engu-13. Ngokushesha ngemva kwalokho, ubaba waboshwa, wavalelwa ejele, futhi kamuva wathuthelwa emakamu aseSoviet eZintabeni zase-Ural. Lapho ngineminyaka engu-15, ngo-1944, iziphathimandla zempi zangibizela enkonzweni yokuzilungiselela impi emabuthweni ahlomile. Njengoba kakade ngase nginokholo oluqinile kuJehova, ngakwenqaba ukufunda impi. Ngenxa yalesizathu, ngimncane nginjalo, ngagwetshwa iminyaka emihlanu ejele.

“Khona-ke kwafika unyaka onzima kakhulu ka-1950. Ngaphinde ngaboshwa futhi ngagwetshwa iminyaka engu-25 ejele ngenxa yemisebenzi yami njengoFakazi. Ngangineminyaka engu-21. Ngabhekana neminyaka eyisikhombisa nezinyanga ezine emakamu okufukuza. Ngabona abantu abaningi befa, becotshwa yindlala futhi bewohlozwa ukusebenza kanzima.

“Ngemva kokufa kukaStalin ngo-1953, izimo zaqala ukushintsha, futhi ngo-1957 iziphathimandla zangikhulula ejele. Ngathola ‘inkululeko’ futhi. Kodwa kulokhu bangidingisela eSiberia iminyaka eyishumi.”

Ukuhlukunyezwa Kukadadewethu Ngonya

“ESiberia, ngaphinde ngahlangana nodadewethu, owayesexhwalile kakade. Wayeboshwe emasontweni amabili agcwele ngemva nje kokuboshwa kwami ngo-1950. Ukuphenya ecaleni lakhe kwasingathwa ngendlela engekho ngokuphelele emthethweni. Bamvalela yedwa base bevulela amagundane endaweni ayevalelwe kuyo. Amluma izinyawo futhi acaca emzimbeni wakhe. Ekugcineni, abashushisi bakhe bammisa emanzini abandayo afinyelela esifubeni sakhe kuyilapho bebukele usizi lwakhe. Wagwetshwa iminyaka engu-25 ejele ngenxa yomsebenzi wakhe wokushumayela. Izinyawo zakhe zombili zakhubazeka, kodwa wayekwazi ukusebenzisa izandla nezingalo zakhe. Bamgcina esibhedlela sasekamu iminyaka emihlanu futhi ekugcineni bangamnaka njengokungathi wayefile. Khona-ke bamshintshela kubazali bethu, ababedingiselwe eSiberia ukuphila konke ngo-1951.”

Ukubuyela E-Ukraine Noshushiso Olwengeziwe

“ESiberia ngahlangana noNadia, owaba umkami futhi wasizalela abantwana. Ngisho naseSiberia saqhubeka nomsebenzi wethu wokushumayela. Nganikezwa umthwalo wokukhiqiza nokwenza amakhophi ezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Nsuku zonke ebusuku mina nomfowethu uJacob sasiba matasa emhubheni ongaphansi komhlaba, senza amakhophi e-Nqabayokulinda. Sasinemishini yokubhala emibili nomshini wokuzenzela wokwenza amakhophi. Amaphoyisa ayesesha ikhaya lethu njalo. Ngaso sonke isikhathi ayehamba elambatha.

“Ukudingiswa kwami kwaphela. Ngikanye nawo wonke umkhaya wami, ngathuthela e-Ukraine, kodwa ushushiso lwasilandela. Nganikezwa isabelo sokukhonza njengombonisi ojikelezayo. Kwadingeka ukuba ngithole umsebenzi ukuze ngondle umkhaya wami. Izikhathi eziningana nyanga zonke, amalungu Ezokulondeka Kwezwe ayeza endaweni lapho ngangisebenza khona futhi azame ukungishukumisela ukuba ngilahle ukholo lwami. Ngesinye isikhathi ngaluzwa usizo lukaJehova ngendlela ekhetheke kakhulu. Angibopha futhi angiyisa emahhovisi Ezokulondeka Kwezwe eKiev, lapho angigcina khona izinsuku eziyisithupha. Sonke lesosikhathi azama ukungidida ngenkulumo-ze yokungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu. Akhuluma nge-Nqabayokulinda nezinye izincwadi ze-Watch Tower Society ngendlela yawo yokwedelela uNkulunkulu. Lokucindezela kwakucishe kungabekezeleleki. Egumbini lokugeza, ngangiguqa ngamadolo futhi ngikhale, nginxusa uJehova. Cha, ngangingaceli inkululeko kodwa amandla okukhuthazela nokungakhapheli abafowethu.

“Khona-ke umphathi wamaphoyisa wafika ezongibona, futhi ehlala phambi kwami, wangibuza ukuthi ngangiqiniseka ngempela yini ngalokho engangikuvikela. Ngamnikeza ubufakazi obufushane futhi ngamtshela ngokuzimisela kwami ukufela iqiniso. Impendulo yakhe yathi: ‘Ungumuntu ojabulayo. Ukube nje bengiqiniseka ukuthi leli yiqiniso, bengingeke nje ngizimisele ukuhlala ejele iminyaka emithathu noma emihlanu kuphela kodwa ukuma ngomlenze owodwa ejele iminyaka engu-60.’ Wahlala phansi ecabanga buthule okwesikhashana wayeseqhubeka: ‘Kuyindaba yokuphila okuphakade. Ingabe uyacabanga ukuthi kusho ukuthini ngempela ukuphila okuphakade?’ Ngemva kokuthula isikhashana, wathi: ‘Hamba uye ekhaya!’ Lawomazwi anginikeza amandla angalindelekile. Ngangingasalambile nakancane. Ngangifuna ukuhamba kuphela. Ngazizwa ngiqiniseka ukuthi ngangiqiniswe uJehova.

“Eminyakeni yamuva nje izinto ziye zashintsha ezweni elaliyiSoviet Union. Manje sekunenala yezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Siyakwazi ukuya emihlanganweni yesifunda neyesigodi, futhi sihlanganyela kuzo zonke izinhlobo zomsebenzi wokushumayela, kuhlanganise nenkonzo yendlu ngendlu. Ngempela, uJehova uye wasinikeza ukunqoba nakuba sibhekene novivinyo oluningi!”

Ubuqotho Buyavivinywa E-Afrika

Ngasekupheleni kwawo-1960, iNigeria yayikhungethwe yimpi yombango ebhubhisayo. Ebhekene nokulahlekelwa okukhulu, amasosha endawo eyayifuna ukuzibusa, ngalesosikhathi ayethiwe kabusha ngokuthi iBiafra, ngendluzula afaka izinsizwa ebuthweni lawo. Njengoba oFakazi BakaJehova bengathathi-hlangothi kwezombangazwe futhi bekwenqaba ukuhileleka empini, oFakazi abaningi eBiafra baxoshwa, baphathwa ngesihluku, futhi babulawa. Omunye woFakazi BakaJehova wathi: “Sasinjengamagundane. Kwakufanele sicashe njalo lapho sizwa amasosha esondela.” Kaningi sasingekho isikhathi sokucasha.

Ngolunye uLwesihlanu ekuseni ngo-1968, uPhilip, isikhonzi sesikhathi esigcwele esineminyaka engu-32, wayesemzini wase-Umuimo eshumayela endodeni esikhulile lapho amasosha aseBiafra etheleka kuleyondawo ebiyelwe emkhankasweni wokuqoqa amabutho ngendluzula.

“Wenzani?” kwabuza umholi waleliqembu. UPhilip wathi wayekhuluma ngoMbuso kaJehova ozayo.

“Akusona isikhathi sokushumayela!” kwamemeza elinye isosha. “Lesi isikhathi sempi, futhi asifuni ukubona amadoda aphile kahle ezula engenzi lutho.” Khona-ke lamasosha akhumula uPhilip waba nqunu, abopha izandla zakhe zombili, ayesemqhuba. U-Israel, umdala ongumKristu oneminyaka engu-43, naye wayengenaso isikhathi sokucasha. Wabanjwa esalungiselela abantwana bakhe ukudla. Ngehora lesibili ntambama lamasosha ayesebuthe amadoda angaphezu kwekhulu. Aphoqelela ayebathumbile ukuba bagijime ibanga lamakhilomitha angu-25 ukuya ekamu lezempi e-Umuacha Mgbedeala. Bonke ababesalela emuva babeshaywa.

U-Israel watshelwa ukuthi wayezothwala isibhamu esikhulu esiwuntuluntulu; uPhilip wayezoqeqeshelwa ukusebenzisa isibhamu esincane esiwuntuluntulu. Lapho bechaza ukuthi babengenakuyingenela impi ngoba uJehova uyakwenqabela lokho, umphathi wamasosha wayaleza ukuba bavalelwe. Ngehora lesine ntambama, bonke labathunjwa, kuhlanganise nalabo ababevalelwe, batshelwa ukuba bame umugqa. Khona-ke lamasosha acela indoda ngayinye ukuba isayine iphepha elibonisa ukuthi yayivumile ukujoyina lelibutho. Lapho sekuyithuba lakhe lokuba asayine, uPhilip wabhekisela emazwini asencwadini yesi-2 Thimothewu 2:3, 4 futhi wathi kulomphathi wamasosha: “Kakade ‘ngiyisosha elihle likaKristu.’ Angikwazi ukulwela uKristu futhi ngilwele nomunye umuntu. Uma ngenza kanjalo, uKristu uyongibheka njengomkhapheli.” Lomphathi wamasosha wamshaya ekhanda, ethi: “Ukumiswa kwakho njengesosha likaKristu sekuphelile! Manje uyisosha leBiafra.”

UPhilip waphendula: “UJesu ubengakangazisi ukuthi ukumiswa kwami njengesosha lakhe sekuphelile, futhi ngiyolokhu ngimisiwe kuze kube yilapho ngithola ukwaziswa okunjalo.” Ngenxa yalokho, amasosha aphonsa uPhilip no-Israel emoyeni futhi bawela phansi. Benesiyezi futhi bopha ngamehlo, amakhala nangomlomo, laba ababili bahudulwa basuswa lapho.

Phambi Kwebutho Elihlome Ngezibhamu

Kamuva ngalolosuku, uIsrael noPhilip bazithola bebhekene nebutho elihlome ngezibhamu. Kodwa lamasosha awazange abadubule. Kunalokho, abashaya ngezinqindi nangezidunu zezibhamu. Khona-ke umphathi wekamu wanquma ukubashaya baze bafe. Wayaleza amasosha angu-24 ukuba enze lokhu. Ayisithupha ayezoshaya uPhilip, futhi amanye ayisithupha ayezoshaya u-Israel. Amanye angu-12 ayezoletha ezinye izinduku futhi alinde lapho amanye ekhathala.

UPhilip no-Israel baboshwa izandla nezinyawo. U-Israel uyalandisa: “Angikhumbuli ukuthi mingaki imivimbo esayithola ngalobobusuku. Lapho elinye isosha likhathala, elinye laliliphumuza. Asishaya ngisho nangemva kokuba siqulekile.” UPhilip uthi: “Phakathi nalokhu kuhlukunyezwa, ngakhumbula uMathewu 24:13, okhuluma ngokukhuthazela kuze kube sekupheleni, futhi lokho kwangiqinisa. Ubuhlungu bokushaywa ngabuzwa imizuzwana embalwa nje kuphela. Kwabonakala sengathi uJehova wathumela enye yezingelosi zakhe ukuba isisize, njengoba enza ngesikhathi sikaDaniyeli. Ngaphandle kwalokho sasingeke sibhekane nalobobusuku obesabekayo.”

Lapho lamasosha eseqedile, u-Israel noPhilip bashiywa kucatshangwa ukuthi bafile. Izulu lalina. LamaKristu amabili ayequlekile kwaze kwaba sekuseni ngosuku olulandelayo. Lapho amasosha ebona ukuthi babesaphila, abahudula ababuyisela ejele.

“Seninuka Njengezidumbu Kakade”

Lokhu kushaywa kwakushiye isikhumba sabo simabokoboko, benamanxeba kuwo wonke umzimba. U-Israel uyakhumbula: “Sasingavunyelwe ukuba sigeze amanxeba ethu. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezithile amanxeba ethu avulekile ayelokhu ezidonse njalo izimpukane. Ngenxa yalokhu kuhlukunyezwa, sasingakwazi ukudla. Esikhathini esingangesonto sasingenakudla lutho ngaphandle kokuphuza amanzi kuphela.”

Njalo ekuseni amasosha ayebatalabha ngesiswebhu—imivimbo engu-24 ngamunye. Lamasosha ngonya ayebiza lokho ngokuthi “ukudla kwasekuseni” noma “itiye lasekuseni elishisayo.” Njalo ngezikhathi zasemini, lamasosha ayebayisa enkundleni ukuze babhekane nelanga elishisayo kuze kube ngehora lokuqala ntambama. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezimbalwa zokuphathwa kanjalo, lomphathi wababiza futhi wababuza ukuthi babekulahlile yini ukuma kwabo. Bathi cha.

“Nizofela ejele,” kwasho lomphathi. “Eqinisweni, seninuka njengezidumbu kakade.”

UPhilip wasabela: “Ngisho noma singafa, siyazi ukuthi uKristu, esimlwelayo, uyosivusa.”

Babhekana kanjani nalesikhathi esesabekayo? U-Israel uthi: “Mina noPhilip sasikhuthazana phakathi nakho konke ukuvivinywa kwethu. Ekuqaleni, ngathi kuye, ‘Ungesabi. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi kwenzekani, uJehova uzosisiza. Kepha mina, akukho okuyongenza ngijoyine ibutho. Ngisho noma kufanele ngife, ngeke ngisiphathe isibhamu ngalezandla zami.’” UPhilip wathi wayenze isinqumo esifanayo. Bobabili bakhumbula futhi baxoxa ngemibhalo ehlukahlukene.

Umphathi omusha wamasosha wanquma ukuthuthela labathunjwa abangaba yikhulu e-Ibema, ikamu lokuqeqeshelwa ezempi endaweni yaseMbano leyo manje eyiSifundazwe sase-Imo. UIsrael ulandisa ngalokho okwenzeka ngalesosikhathi: “Iloli elikhulu lalilindile, futhi bonke abathunjwa babengaphakathi. Umkami, uJune, wagijimela kulamasosha futhi ngesibindi wawanxusa ukuba singahanjiswa. Lapho bengamlaleli, waguqa phansi eduze naleliloli, wathandaza, wayesephetha ngo-amen ozwakalayo. Iloli lase lihamba.”

Ukuhlangana Nesosha Eliqashiwe Elinozwela

Iloli lempi lafika ekamu lase-Ibema ngakusasa ntambama. Indoda eyayibonakala iphethe lapho kwakuyisosha eliqashiwe lase-Israel. Lapho libona indlela uPhilip no-Israel ababeshaywe futhi bebuthaka ngayo, lasondela futhi lababuza ukuthi kungani babesesimweni esisabeka ngaleyondlela. Bachaza ukuthi babengoFakazi BakaJehova futhi babenqabile ukuqeqeshelwa ezempi. Ngentukuthelo, laphendukela kwezinye izikhulu zempi lapho. Lathi: “Ngokuqinisekile iBiafra izohlulwa kulempi. Noma iliphi izwe elisempini elihlukumeza oFakazi BakaJehova liyahlulwa. Akufanele nibuthe oFakazi BakaJehova ngempoqo. Uma uFakazi evuma ukuya empini, kulungile. Kodwa uma enqaba, myekeni.”

Udokotela wasekamu wabuza ukuthi laboFakazi ababili babekutholile yini ukugonywa nezitifiketi zokwelapha ezibonisa ukuthi bakulungele ukulwa. Njengoba babengazange bakuthole lokho, lelisosha eliqashiwe labenqaba bonke ababebuthwe ngenkani futhi layaleza ukuba babuyiselwe emuva e-Umuacha.

“Hambani, Nikhonze UNkulunkulu Wenu”

Kamuva, inkosikazi ka-Israel nomama kaPhilip banquma ukuvakashela ikamu lase-Umuacha ngethemba lokuzwa ukuthi kwenzekeni. Njengoba babesondela, bezwa umsindo ekamu. Esangweni, umlindi wathi: “Fakazi kaJehova! Umthandazo wakho uphenduliwe. Iqembu elithathwe ezinsukwini ezintathu ezidlule liphindiselwe emuva.”

Ngosuku olufanayo, uPhilip no-Israel bakhululwa ekamu. Umphathi wamabutho wathi kuJune: “Ingabe uyazi ukuthi umthandazo owenzile owenze ukuthi umzamo wethu ungaphumeleli?” Wayesethi ku-Israel noPhilip: “Hambani, nikhonze uNkulunkulu wenu, futhi niqhubeke nokulondoloza ubuqotho benu kuJehova wenu.”

U-Israel noPhilip, balulama futhi baqhubeka emsebenzini wobuKristu. Ngemva kwempi, u-Israel wathatha umsebenzi wokushumayela wesikhathi esigcwele iminyaka emibili futhi uye waqhubeka ekhonza njengomdala ongumKristu. UPhilip wakhonza njengombonisi ojikelezayo iminyaka eyishumi futhi namanje usewumshumayeli wesikhathi esigcwele. Naye futhi ungumdala ebandleni.

Ukwenqaba Ukunikela Ekwenziweni Kwezikhali

UZebulan Nxumalo noPolite Mogane bayizikhonzi ezimbili ezisezintsha zesikhathi esigcwele eNingizimu Afrika. UZebulan uyachaza: “Ngelinye iSonto ekuseni, iqembu elithile lamadoda leza endlini yethu futhi lafuna amaRandi angu-20 ukuze lithenge izikhali. Ngenhlonipho salicela ukuba libuye ngalolosuku kusihlwa, njengoba isimiso sethu sangeSonto sasimatasa kakhulu ukuba singaxoxa ngaleyondaba ngalesosikhathi. Ngokumangalisayo, lavuma. Ngalokho kuhlwa, kwafika amadoda angu-15. Ukubukeka kobuso bawo kwakwenza kwacaca ukuthi ayengadlali. Ngemva kokuzethula ngobumnene, sawabuza ukuthi singawasiza yini. Achaza ukuthi ayefuna imali yokuthenga izikhali ezinkulu nezingcono ayezozisebenzisa ekulweni neqembu lezombangazwe eliphikisayo.

“Ngawabuza: ‘Kungenzeka yini ukucisha umlilo ngophethiloli?’

“‘Cha, lokho akunakwenzeka,’ aphendula.

“Sachaza ukuthi ngendlela efanayo, ubudlova babuyokhuthaza ubudlova kuphela nezenzo zokuphindisela.

“Lamazwi abonakala ecasula amadoda amaningana ayekhona. Ayekufuna manje kwaba usongo olubekela inselele. ‘Lengxoxo iwukuchitha isikhathi,’ asho ngolaka. ‘Lomnikelo siwufuna ngenkani. Niyakhokha noma nizobona ukuthi sizokwenzani!’”

UZebulan uyakhumbula: “Ngalesosikhathi, lapho nje izinto zaziqala ukonakala, umholi wawo wangena. Wayefuna ukwazi ukuthi iyini inkinga. Sachaza ukuma kwethu, futhi walalela ngokucophelela. Sasebenzisa ukuzinikela kwawo ezinkolelweni zezombangazwe njengesibonelo. Sawabuza ukuthi ayeyolindela ukuba isosha eliqeqeshiwe lenhlangano yawo lisabele kanjani uma lithunjwa futhi liphoqelelwa ukuba lilahle ukuma kwalo. Athi umuntu onjalo kufanele azimisele ukufela izinkolelo zakhe. Amomotheka njengoba siwancoma ngempendulo yawo; awazange aqaphele ukuthi ayesinikeze ithuba elihle kakhulu lokuchaza isimo sethu. Sawachazela ukuthi sihlukile emasontweni eLobukholwa. Njengabasekeli boMbuso kaNkulunkulu, ‘izimiso eziyisisekelo’ zethu zisekelwe eBhayibhelini, elilahla zonke izinhlobo zokubulala. Ngenxa yalesizathu, asizimisele ukunikela ngisho nesenti elilodwa ekuthengeni izikhali.

“Ngalesikhathi, njengoba ingxoxo yayifinyelela umvuthwandaba, abantu abaningi base bengene endlini yethu, ngakho ekugcineni sasixoxa nezilaleli eziningi. Awazange aqaphele indlela esasithandazela ngentshiseko ngayo umphumela omuhle kulengxoxo.

“Ngemva kokubacacisela ngokuma kwethu, kwathula kwathi cwaka isikhathi eside. Ekugcineni, umholi wawo wakhuluma neqembu lakhe: ‘Madoda, ngiyakuqonda ukuma kwalamadoda. Ukube besifuna imali yokwakha ikhaya labagugile, noma ukube omunye womakhelwane bethu ubedinga imali yokuya esibhedlela, lamadoda abeyozimisela ukunikela. Kodwa awazimisele ukusinikeza imali yokubulala. Mina ngokwami, angimelene nezinkolelo zawo.’

“Ngakho, bonke basukuma. Saxhawulana futhi sababonga ngesineke sabo. Lokho okwakuqale njengesimo esisongelayo esasingase sisilahlekisele ukuphila kwethu kwakuphelele ekunqobeni okukhulu.”

Izixuku Eziholwa Abapristi

Njengoba ilandiswa uFakazi wasePoland uJerzy Kulesza:

“Uma kukhulunywa ngentshiseko nokubeka izithakazelo zoMbuso kuqala, ubaba, u-Aleksander Kulesza, wayeyisibonelo sokulandelwa. Kuye, inkonzo yasensimini, imihlangano yobuKristu, nesifundo somuntu siqu nesomkhaya kwakuyizinto ezingcwele ngempela. Ngisho nesiphepho seqhwa, nesithwathwa, nomoya onamandla, noma ukushisa kwakungesona isiphazamiso kuye. Ebusika wayegqoka izicathulo zakhe zeqhwa, athathe isikhwama sakhe esenziwe ngendwangu esinezincwadi zeBhayibheli, futhi aye emasimini athile angawodwa asePoland izinsuku ezimbalwa. Wayevame ukuhlangabezana nezingozi ezihlukahlukene, kuhlanganise namaqembu amaphekula anobudlova.

Ngezinye izikhathi abapristi babebangela ukuphikiswa ngokumelene noFakazi, beshoshozela amaqembu. Babevame ukubaklolodela, babajikijele ngamatshe, noma babashaye. Kodwa babebuyela emakhaya, bejabulile ngokuthi baye bakhuthazelela ukugconwa ngenxa kaKristu.

“Phakathi naleyominyaka yokuqala yangemva kweMpi Yezwe II, iziphathimandla zazingakwazi ukugcina umthetho nokuhleleka ezweni. Kwakukhona isiphithiphithi nembubhiso. Amaphoyisa namabutho okuvikela ayebusa emini, kuyilapho amaphekula namaqembu ahlukahlukene ayesebenza ebusuku. Ubugebengu nokuphanga kwadlanga, futhi kwakuvame ukuzibambela umthetho. OFakazi BakaJehova abangenasivikelo babeyizisulu ezitholakala kalula, ikakhulukazi njengoba amanye amaqembu ayeholwa abapristi ayegxilise ukunakekela koFakazi. Babethethelela ukuhlaselwa kwamakhaya ethu ngokuzenzisa kokuthi babevikela inkolo yawokhokho babo yobuKatolika. Ngezikhathi ezinjalo babephula amafasitela, bebe imfuyo, futhi babhubhise izimpahla, ukudla, nezincwadi. AmaBhayibheli babewaphonsa emthonjeni.”

Ukufel’ Ukholo Okungalindelekile

“Ngolunye usuku ngo-June 1946, ngaphambi kokuba sihlangane sihambe ngamabhayisekili ukuya ensimini ethile eqhelile, umzalwane osemusha, uKazimierz Kądziela, wasivakashela futhi waxoxa nobaba ngezwi eliphansi. Ubaba wasitshela ukuba sihambe, kodwa akazange ahambe nathi, okwasimangaza. Sasizosizwa kamuva isizathu. Lapho sibuyela ekhaya, sathola ukuthi ngobusuku bangayizolo umkhaya wakwaKądziela wawushaywe kakhulu, ngakho ubaba wayehambile ukuze ayonakekela abazalwane nodade abalimele kakhulu.

“Kamuva lapho ngingena ekamelweni ababelele kulo, engakubona kwangikhalisa. Izindonga nophahla kwakuchaphazelwe igazi. Abantu ababoshwe ngamabhandishi babelele emibhedeni, bebulwe bamivimbovimbo, bevuvukele, bephuke izimbambo imilenze nezingalo. Babengabonakali ukuthi bangobani. Udade Kądziela, umama womkhaya, wayeshaywe ngendlela esabeka kakhulu. Ubaba wayebasiza, futhi ngaphambi kokuba ahambe wakhuluma amazwi aphawulekayo: ‘Oh, Nkulunkulu wami, ngiyindoda ephilile nenamandla kakhulu [ngalesosikhathi wayeneminyaka engu-45 futhi engakaze agule], futhi angikabi nalo ilungelo lokukuhluphekela. Kungani kufanele kwenzeke kulodade osekhulile?’ Wayengazi ukuthi yini eyayimlindele.

“Njengoba ilanga lishona, saphindela ekhaya eliqhele [ngamakhilomitha amathathu]. Iqembu lamadoda angu-50 ahlomile lalizungeze ikhaya lethu. Kwakulethwe nomkhaya wakwaWincenciuk, ngakho sasiyisishiyagalolunye esasilapho. Ngamunye wethu wabuzwa lombuzo: ‘Ingabe unguFakazi kaJehova?’ Lapho siphendula ngokuthi yebo, sasishaywa. Khona-ke, beshintshana, ababili balawomadoda anonya bashaya ubaba kuyilapho bembuza ukuthi wayezoyeka yini ukufunda nokushumayela ngeBhayibheli. Babefuna ukwazi ukuthi wayezoya yini esontweni futhi avume izono zakhe. Babemgcona, bethi: ‘Namuhla, siyokumisa njengombhishobhi.’ Ubaba akazange aphendule, akazange akhale. Wakukhuthazelela ukuhlukumeza kwabo, ethule njengemvu. Ekuseni, cishe emizuzwini engu-15 ngemva kokuba leziqhwaga ezingokwenkolo sezihambile, wafa, eshaywe kwaze kwaba seqophelweni lokufa. Kodwa ngaphambi kokuba bahambe, bangikhetha njengesisulu sabo esilandelayo. Ngalesosikhathi ngangineminyaka engu-17. Lapho ngishaywa, ngaquleka izikhathi eziningana. Umzimba wami wawumabokoboko kusukela okhalweni kuya kwesingenhla ngenxa yokushaywa. Saphathwa kabi amahora ayisithupha. Konke lokho ngenxa nje yokuba oFakazi BakaJehova!”

Ukusekela Kwenkosikazi Ethembekile

“Ngangiphakathi kweqembu loFakazi abangu-22 abavalelwa ekamelweni elimnyama elingaphansi [kwamamitha-skwele ayishumi] izinyanga ezimbili. Ekupheleni kwalesosikhathi, isabelo sethu sokudla sancishiswa. Nsuku zonke, sasinikezwa ucezwana lwesinkwa nenkomishi encane yekhofi elibabayo. Ukulala phansi endaweni ebandayo eyenziwe ngokhonkolo kwakwenzeka kuphela lapho othile ethathiwe ukuze ayobuzwa imibuzo phakathi nobusuku.

“Ngaboshelwa imisebenzi yobuKristu izikhathi ezinhlanu, sekukonke iminyaka eyisishiyagalombili. Ngangiphathwa njengesiboshwa esikhethekile. Kwakunencwadi erekhodini lami eyayithi: ‘Mcasuleni kakhulu uKulesza kuze kube yilapho elahlekelwa isifiso sakhe sokuphinde aqalise lomsebenzi.’ Nokho, isikhathi ngasinye lapho ngikhululwa, ngangizinikela enkonzweni yobuKristu. Iziphathimandla zenza ukuphila kwaba nzima futhi nangomkami u-Urszula, nangamadodakazi ami amancane. Ngokwesibonelo, iminyaka eyishumi isikhulu sezomthetho sasithatha amanye amaholo omkami ayewathole kanzima. Lokhu kwakuthiwa intela eyayibanjelwa ukulungiselela kwami izincwadi zeBhayibheli ngomshosha-phansi. Kwadliwa yonke impahla ngaphandle kwalezozinto ezazibhekwa njengezidingo zokuphila. Ngiyambonga uJehova ngomkami onesibindi, owakhuthazelela kanye nami ngesineke konke lokho kuhlukunyezwa futhi owayengisekela ngempela ngaso sonke isikhathi.

“Siye saba nokunqoba okungokomoya lapha ePoland; manje sinehhovisi legatsha elisemthethweni le-Watch Tower Society eNadarzyn, eduze naseWarsaw. Ngemva kwamashumi eminyaka oshushiso, manje kunoFakazi abangaphezu kuka-108 000, abahlanganyela emabandleni angu-1 348.”

Kungani Kunabafel’ Ukholo Abaningi Kangaka?

Umlando wobuqotho boFakazi BakaJehova kulelikhulu lama-20 ungagcwalisa imiqulu eminingi ngokoqobo—izinkulungwane ziye zafa njengabafel’ ukholo noma zabhekana nokuboshwa nokuhlukunyezwa, ukudlwengulwa, nokuphangwa, okungachazeki ezindaweni ezinjengeMalawi neMozambique, eSpain ngaphansi kobuFascist, eYurophu ngaphansi kobuNazi, eMpumalanga Yurophu ngaphansi kobuKhomanisi, nase-United States phakathi neMpi Yezwe II. Umbuzo uyaphakama, Kungani? Ngoba abaholi bezombangazwe nabenkolo abangontamo-lukhuni baye bangazimisela ukuhlonipha unembeza oqeqeshwe ngeBhayibheli wamaKristu aqotho akwenqabayo ukufunda ukubulala nangahlanganyeli kuyo yonke imisebenzi yezombangazwe. Kunjengoba nje uKristu athi kwakuyoba njalo, njengoba kulotshwe kuJohane 15:17-19: “Nginiyala ngalezozinto, ukuze nithandane. Uma izwe linizonda, niyazi ukuthi langizonda mina ngaphambi kwenu. Uma beningabezwe, izwe belizakuthanda okwalo, kepha lokhu ningesibo abezwe kodwa nganikhetha mina ezweni, kungalokho izwe linizonda.”

Naphezu kwalo lonke lolushushiso lomhlaba wonke, oFakazi BakaJehova baye banda—kusukela kwabangu-126 000 emazweni angu-54 ngo-1943 kuya cishe kwabangu-4 500 000 emazweni angu-229 ngo-1993. Baye banqoba ngisho nakuba bebhekene nokufa. Bazimisele ukuqhubeka nomsebenzi wabo wokufundisa oyingqayizivele wokumemezela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kuze kube yilapho uJehova ethi usuqediwe.—Isaya 6:11, 12; Mathewu 24:14; Marku 13:10.

[Umbhalo waphansi]

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 6]

Ukufel’ Ukholo EJalimane

U-AUGUST DICKMANN wayeneminyaka engu-23 lapho umholi wama-SS uHeinrich Himmler eyala ukuba adutshulwe phambi kwabo bonke abanye oFakazi ekamu lokuhlushwa eSachsenhausen. UGustav Auschner, ufakazi wokuzibonela, wabika: “Badubula uMzalwan’ uDickmann futhi basitshela ukuthi sonke sasizodutshulwa uma singasayini isinqumo esilahla ukholo lwethu. Sasizoyiswa emgodini wesihlabathi singu-30 noma singu-40 ngesikhathi, futhi babezosidubula sonke. Ngosuku olulandelayo, ama-SS alethela ngamunye wethu ipheshana ukuze alisayine noma adutshulwe. Wawungayibona indlela ababedumele ngayo lapho behamba kungekho noyedwa osayinile. Ayenethemba lokuthi sizothuka ngokubulala omunye obala. Kodwa sasesaba kakhulu ukudumaza uJehova kunezinhlamvu zawo zesibhamu. Awabange esadubula noyedwa wethu obala.”

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 9]

Ukudela Ukuphila

NGEZINYE izikhathi, ukunqoba nakuba ubhekene nokufa kungase kuhilele ukudela ukuphila. Incwadi eyamukelwa ivela eBandleni laseNseleni, engxenyeni esenyakatho yeSifundazwe saseNingizimu Afrika iNatali, ilandisa ngendaba elusizi: “Sinibhalela lencwadi ukuze sinazise ngokufa kukamfowethu othandekayo uMoses Nyamussua. Umsebenzi wakhe kwakuwukushisela nokulungisa izimoto. Ngesinye isikhathi wacelwa elinye iqembu lezombangazwe ukuba ashisele oqhwasha balo, akwenqaba ukukwenza. Khona-ke, ngo-February 16, 1992, baba nomhlangano wabo wezombangazwe, lapho balwa khona nabeqembu eliphikisayo. Kusihlwa ngosuku olufanayo lapho bebuya empini yabo, bathola lomzalwane eya esitolo. Lapho bambulala ngemikhonto yabo. Babembulalelani? ‘Wenqabile ukushisela izibhamu zethu, futhi manje abangane bethu bafile empini.’

“Lokhu kuye kwabashaqisa kakhulu abazalwane,” kusho uMzalwan’ uDumakude, unobhala webandla. “Kodwa,” uyanezela, “sisazoqhubeka nenkonzo yethu.”

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 11]

Ukufel’ Ukholo EPoland

NGO-1944, lapho amabutho aseJalimane ayehoxa ngokushesha futhi impi isondela edolobhaneni elithile engxenyeni esempumalanga yePoland, iziphathimandla zendawo zaphoqelela izakhamuzi ukuba zimbe imigodi yokuvimbela izinqola zempi. OFakazi BakaJehova benqaba ukuhlanganyela. UStefan Kieryło, uFakazi osemusha—owabhapathizwa ezinyangeni ezimbili nje kuphela ngaphambi kwalokho—wafakwa ngenkani eqenjini lezisebenzi kodwa ngesibindi wathatha ukuma okufanayo kokungathathi-hlangothi. Kwathathwa izinyathelo ezihlukahlukene ukuze kuphulwe ubuqotho bakhe.

Bambophela esihlahleni esisexhaphozini enqunu ukuze ahlaselwe izibawu nezinye izinambuzane. Wakukhuthazelela lokho nokunye ukuhlukunyezwa, ngakho bamkhulula. Nokho, lapho isikhulu esiphakeme sihlola leliqembu lezisebenzi, othile wasitshela ukuthi kwakunendoda ethile eyayingeke nakancane iwulalele umyalo waso. UStefan watshelwa izikhathi ezintathu ukuba ambe umgodi. Wenqaba ngisho nokubamba ihalavu ngesandla sakhe. Wadutshulwa wafa. Amakhulu ayebukele lesenzakalo ayemazi ngokuseduze. Ukufela kwakhe ukholo kwaba ubufakazi bamandla amakhulu uJehova angawanikeza.

[Isithombe ekhasini 7]

Ananii Grogul

[Isithombe ekhasini 10]

Jerzy Kulesza