Kupanga Utumiki wa Nthaŵi Zonse Kukhala Ntchito

MONGA MOMWE YASIMBIDWIRA NDI MAX LARSON

MU 1910 amayi wanga, amene makolo awo onse aŵiri anali atamwalira, anachoka ku Denmark ndi kukwera chombo kupita ku United States. Iwo anali kokha ndi zaka 18, ndipo sanali kulankhula Chingelezi, ndipo sanadziŵe munthu aliyense m’dzikolo.

Pamene anafika mu Mzinda wa New York, iwo anakwera sitima kupita ku South Dakota, ulendo wa makilomita oposa 2,400. Mu South Dakota, kumene kunali malo a anthu a ku Denmark, iwo anakumana ndi mwamuna amene akakhala atate anga. Iwo anakwatirana pa September 20, 1911.

Kuchiyambiyambi mu 1913 Atate ananyamuka okha ndi ngolo yokhala ndi denga kupita ku Montana kukapeza malo omangapo nyumba ndi kulima pa malo omwe analipo. Kumeneko anamangako nyumba ya mitengo ya chipinda chimodzi. Pamene iyi inatsirizidwa m’chirimwe, amayi wanga anabwera ndi sitima kudzagwirizana nawo, limodzi ndi mbale wanga, Norman, yemwe anali ndi miyezi yoŵerengeka yokha.

Zaka ziŵiri pambuyo pake mwana wachiŵiri anali m’njira. Monga momwe ndimanenera moseka, “ndinawathandiza” Amayi kufolera denga, popeza kuti chimenecho ndicho chimene anali kuchita ku chipinda chowonjezera cha nyumbayo tsiku limodzi ndisanabadwe. Tsiku lotsatira, April 29, 1915, pamene Atate anabwera kuchokera ku munda kaamba ka chakudya chamasana, Amayi ananena kuti: “Ndikuganiza kuti ndidzakhala ndi mwana.” Ndinabadwa masana amenewo. Komabe pofika madzulo, pamene Atate anabweranso kunyumba, Amayi anawuka ndi kukonzekera chakudya chamadzulo kaamba ka iwo!

Zaka zitatu pambuyo pake mlongo wanga Jean anabadwa pa malo amodzimodziwo. Chaka chotsatira banja lathu linasamukira kum’mawa kwa Montana, kumene Atate anabwereka famu. Mu 1921 mlongo wanga wachiŵiri, Laverna, anabadwa, ndipo ana anayife tinakula m’zigwa zopanda mitengo za Montana.

Kuwongolera Moyo Wanga

Makolo anga anali a Lutheran, ndipo Sande lirilonse asanu ndi mmodzife tinapita ku tchalitchi. Koma mwamsanga mnansi, International Bible Student, monga momwe Mboni za Yehova zinkatchedwera panthaŵiyo, anayamba kuchezera Amayi ndi kuphunzira Baibulo ndi iwo. Pambuyo pa zaka zingapo, Amayi analandira chowonadi cha Baibulo chimene anali kuphunzira, ndipo mu 1925 iwo anabatizidwa m’zomwera madzi za akavalo. Atate ndi anafe sitinalandire konse chikhulupiriro chawo chopezedwa chatsopano, koma tonsefe tinali achimwemwe kuleka kupita ku Tchalitchi cha Lutheran. Amayi nthaŵi zonse anatiwuza ife kuti: “Simufuna kutumikira Yehova, koma musaswe konse malamulo ake.” Langizo limeneli linatithandiza ife kusaloŵa m’vuto.

Banja lathu la anthu asanu ndi mmodzi linali kulima munda wa mahectare 320 ndi akavalo 14 ndi talakita imodzi. Tinalibe magetsi kapena mipopi, ndipo madzi athu onse anayenera kutungidwa kuchokera ku chitsime chomwe chinali pa mtunda wa makilomita anayi. Pokhala ndi chilala cha kuchiyambiyambi kwa ma 1930 ndi kuchepa kwa zokolola kwa zaka zinayi, tinagamulapo kusamukira ku Washington State. M’kukonzekera kusamukako, tinafunikira kusamutsa zinthu zina za pa famu ndi za m’nyumba kuchokera ku Montana kupita ku Washington. Chotero ntchito yanga inali kutsagana ndi sitima ndi kuwona kuti akavalo athu anadyetsedwa ndi kupatsidwa madzi pa ulendowo. Patapita masiku asanu ndi limodzi, pomalizira pake ndinafika ku gombe la kumadzulo kwa Washington.

Kumeneko ndinawathandiza Atate kukhazikitsa ndi kusamalira famu yopereka mkaka. Patapita chifupifupi chaka chimodzi, pa msinkhu wa zaka 20, ndinanyamuka ndekha, ndikumayendetsa magalimoto onyamula nkhuni m’mapiri ndiponso kuthera miyezi isanu ndi umodzi mu Alaska monga injiniya wa chombo. Mu 1938 mlongo wanga Jean ndi ine tinapeza ntchito mu Seattle ndipo tinali kukhala pa nyumba ya pamadzi mu Lake Union. Chirimwe chimenecho, Amayi, omwe anali kukhala pa mtunda wa chifupifupi makilomita 80, anapezeka pa msonkhano wa pa chaka wa Mboni za Yehova mu Seattle. Popeza kuti malo a msonkhanowo anali pafupi ndi nyumba yathu ya pamadzi, tinawaitana iwo kukhala nafe. Iwo anatero, ndipo tinavomereza kupezeka pa msonkhanowo.

Kugamulapo pa Ntchito Yanga

Loŵeruka madzulo, Joseph F. Rutherford, yemwe pa nthaŵiyo anali prezidenti wa Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, analankhula pa mutu wakuti “Okonda Chilungamo.” Nkhani yake inali yonena za utumiki wa nthaŵi zonse, kapena utumiki wa upainiya. Pambuyo pake Bill Griffith, yemwe anakhala pafupi nane, ananena kuti: “Max, ndi zimenezo. Tiye tipite kukachita upainiya!”

“Chabwino,” ndinayankha tero. “Tiye tichite tero.”

“Ukuseka, kodi sitero?” Bill anafunsa tero.

“Ayi,” ndinayankha tero. “Pambuyo pakumva nkhani imeneyo, ndiri wokhutiritsidwa kuti chiri chinthu cholondola kuchichita.”

“Koma sindiwe konse wofalitsa. Sunabatizidwe.”

“Zowona, koma angolengeza kumene kuti padzakhala ubatizo m’mawa. Ndidzabatizidwa pa nthaŵiyo.”

Chotero, motenthedwa maganizo, tinapita ku Dipatimenti ya Utumiki wa m’Munda kukatenga zofunsira upainiya zathu. Kumeneko tinakumana ndi Mbale Van Amburgh, mlembi ndi msungi chuma wa Sosaite. Pamene tinamuwuza iye chomwe tinali kuchita, iye anatitengera pambali ndi kulankhula kwa ife monga atate. “Tsopano musachite ichi ngati kuti kunali kuyesera kapena chinthu chosangalatsa,” iye anatero. “Mukuchita chinthu cholondola, koma chitani ichi ngati kuti inali ntchito yanu ya moyo wonse.” Ndipo chilangizo chimenecho chandithandiza ine nthaŵi zonse mokulira. Chotero tinapereka zofunsira zathu, ndipo tsiku lotsatira, June 5, 1938, ndinabatizidwa.

Gawo Loyamba la Upainiya

Tsiku lotsatira, Lolemba, ndinadziŵitsa wondilemba ntchito kuti ndinali kusiya ntchito yanga kuti ndikhale mtumiki. Ndinathera mlungu woyamba umenewo m’kuphunzira kosamalitsa kwa bukhu latsopano la Sosaite, lokhala ndi mutu wakuti Enemies, ndi kupezeka pa misonkhano yonse. Mlungu wachiŵiri, ndinaphunzira bukhu lotsatira latsopano koposa, Chuma. Ndipo mlungu wachitatu, ndinalandira gawo langa la upainiya, lomwe linali Raymond, Washington.

Kumeneko, Bill ndi ine tinapeza gulu la anthu 27 likuchita misonkhano m’nyumba ya mmodzi wa Mbonizo. Malangizo athu anali kuchititsa misonkhano yonse ndi kuthandiza ofalitsa ndi kuwaphunzitsa iwo kutsogoza maphunziro a Baibulo, yomwe inali ntchito yatsopano pa nthaŵiyo.

Pa Msonkhano Wautumiki woyamba, pa Lachinayi, ndinafunsa mtumiki wa gulu, monga momwe woyang’anira wotsogoza anali kudziŵikira pa nthaŵiyo, kupita nane madzulo otsatira kukayesa kuyamba phunziro la Baibulo. Iye anandiwuza kuti anali wotanganitsidwa. Chotero Bill ndi ine tinapita tokha. Pamene tinkabwerera, tinaimitsidwa podutsira misewu kulola perete wa American Legion kudutsa. Ku kudabwitsidwa kwathu, mtsogoleri wa pereteyo anali mtumiki wa gulu uja.

Sande loyamba limenelo, ndinayamba phunziro langa loyamba la Baibulo la panyumba ndi mwamuna wina. Pambuyo pake, ndinatsogoza Phunziro langa loyamba la Nsanja ya Olonda la pampingo. Monga kalambula bwalo, linali kope la June 1, 1938, lomwe linayambitsa utsogoleri wa teokratiki mkati mwa mipingo. Pa 27 omwe anali kusonkhanawo, kokha 3 analandira kakonzedwe katsopano ka teokratiki.

Banja la Apainiya

Mwamsanga nditayamba upainiya, alongo anga ndi mbale wanga, Norman, nawonso anatenga utumiki wa nthaŵi zonse. Norman ndi mkazi wake anagulitsa famu yawo, kugula ngolo ya mamita 3.7, ndipo ndi mwana wawo wamkazi wa zaka zitatu zakubadwa, Joan, anapita kukalalikira. Mwamwaŵi, pamene iwo anagwira ntchito mu Raymond mu 1941, Norman anandilembera kuti 24 omwe anatsutsa kakonzedwe ka teokratiki anachoka ndi kugwirizana ndi gulu lampatuko.

Ngakhale kuli tero, phunziro langa loyamba la Baibulo limene lija pa nthaŵiyo anali atakhala mtumiki wa gulu!

Joan mwana wamkazi wa Norman ndi mwamuna wake, Maurice O’Callaghan, tsopano ali m’chaka chawo cha 24 cha kuchezera mipingo mu ntchito ya dera. Mlongo wanga wam’ng’ono, Laverna, anapezeka pa kalasi la 12 la sukulu ya umishonale ya Gileadi mu 1949 ndipo anagawiridwa ku Italy. Chipambano choyambirira cha ntchito ya umishonale kumeneko chinatulukapo m’kuthamangitsidwa kwake m’dziko kupita ku Switzerland, kumene iye akukhalabe ndi mwamuna wake.

Chikhumbo cha Utumiki Wofutukuka

Pambuyo pa kutumikira monga mpainiya wokhazikika kwa miyezi iŵiri, ndinagawiridwa ntchito ya upainiya wapadera. Amene anagwirizana ndi Bill ndi ine panthaŵiyo anali Warren Henschel, mbale wamkulu wa Milton Henschel. Milton tsopano ndi chiŵalo cha Bungwe Lolamulira la Mboni za Yehova.

Munali m’mwezi woyamba wa upainiya wapadera pamene ndinaima madzulo ena kuchezera Albert Hoffman. Iye anali woyang’anira wa gawo, kapena woyendayenda, ndipo anali kukhala m’ngolo ndi mkazi wake, Zola, kutsidya lina la khwalala kuchokera ku Nyumba Yaufumu. Mkati mwa zaka za Kupsyinjika zimenezo, kaŵirikaŵiri tinasinthanitsa mabukhu kaamba ka zinthu zakudya. Tsiku limenelo ndinasinthanitsa ndi mtanga waukulu wa mapeyala, chotero ndinafikira Mbale Hoffman ndi kumfunsa iye ngati angakonde kutengako ena. Iye anali wokondweretsedwa kwambiri ndipo anandilola kuloŵa mkati.

Linali chifupifupi ola lachisanu ndi chinayi usiku pamene iye anapitiriza kundiwuza ine ponena za Bible House (tsopano yotchedwa Beteli), malikulu a dziko lonse a Mboni za Yehova mu Brooklyn, New York. Pomalizira pake, mkazi wake ananena kuti: “Kodi mukudziŵa kuti ndi nthaŵi yanji? Iri 4:30.” Tinali titalankhula usiku wonse! Ndisanapite kukagona ku denga la Nyumba Yaufumu, ndinalemba kalata kufunsira kaamba ka chofunsira cha Beteli, ndipo ndinapita mwamsanga ndi kutumiza pempho langa.

Tsiku lirilonse ndinaika nkhaniyo kwa Yehova m’pemphero, ndipo miyezi itatu pambuyo pake ndinasangalala kulandira kalata yanga ya chiitano kupita ku Beteli ya ku Brooklyn. M’kukonzekera kaamba ka ulendowo, ndinapereka galimoto yanga kwa mlongo wanga Jean, yemwe pa nthaŵiyi analinso mpainiya wapadera. Kwa masiku asanu ndi limodzi ndi usiku usanu ndi umodzi, ndinakwera basi kudutsa mu mphepo ziŵiri za chipale chofeŵa mu Montana ndi Dakotas ndipo pomalizira pake kufika mu Mzinda wa New York, January 14, 1939.

Utumiki wa pa Beteli

Ndinalembetsedwa ndi mtumiki wa Beteli, Grant Suiter, ndipo kenaka kutumizidwa ku fakitale kukawonekera kwa Nathan Knorr, mtumiki wa fakitale. Ntchito yanga yoyamba inali kumanga makatoni a mabukhu mu Dipatimenti Yotumiza Mabukhu. Mlungu wachiŵiri, ndinagawiridwa ku chipinda cha makina yosindikiza ya rotary. Mbale Knorr ananena kuti: “Ngati ungaphunzire kuyendetsa makina osindikizira amenewa m’miyezi isanu ndi umodzi, ungakhale woyendetsa wake, popeza kuti woyendetsa amene alipoyo adzaikidwa pa makina atsopano.” Ndinaphunziradi ndipo ndinasangalala kotheratu kuyendetsa makina osindikizirawo.

Patapita chaka chimodzi ndi theka m’chipinda chosindikizira, Mbale Knorr anabwera pa makina osindikizirawo tsiku lina ndi kunena kuti: “Max, kodi ungakonde kugwira ntchito mu ofesi?”

“Oo, Mbale Knorr, imeneyo ndiyo ntchito yomalizira yomwe ndingasankhe. Koma ngati iyo iri gawo la ntchito yanga, ndidzaipatsa iyo chikondwerero changa choyamba.”

“Udzabwere kwa ine mu ofesi Lolemba m’mawa,” iye anayankha choncho.

Ndakhala kumeneko chiyambire pa nthaŵiyo. Choyamba, ndinagwira ntchito monga wothandiza wa Mbale Knorr, ndipo kenaka pamene Mbale Rutherford anamwalira pa January 8, 1942, Mbale Knorr anakhala prezidenti, ndipo ndinaikidwa woyang’anira fakitale. Ndinali ndi zaka 26 zakubadwa ndipo ndinali nditakhala pa Beteli kwa zaka zitatu zokha. Chotero ndinakumva kulemera kwa thayo.

Ngakhale kuli tero, oyang’anira odzozedwa a madipatimenti osiyanasiyana a fakitale anali othandiza mwachikondi kwa ine. Mkhalidwe wawo wodzichepetsa, wothandiza kwakukulukulu unazamitsa chikondi changa ndi chiyamikiro kaamba ka oterowo. Magwero anga enieni a chithandizo ndi kuphunzira anali Mbale Knorr. Kwa zaka zoposa 35, kufikira imfa yake mu 1977, ndinakhala ndi mwaŵi wa kugwira ntchito limodzi naye m’kusamalira ntchito zofalitsa ndi zomanga za Sosaite. Iye anali ndi kuthekera kozizwitsa kwa kulinganiza, ndipo anandithandiza ine mokulira kukwaniritsa ntchito yanga.

Pamaso pa Nduna za Boma

Mkati mwa Nkhondo ya Dziko ya II, panali kupereŵera kokulira kwa zinthu zofunikira zomwe tinazifunikira kuti tichite ntchito yathu yofalitsa. Chotero, ndinapanga maulendo angapo pa chaka ku Washington, D.C., kukakumana ndi War Production Boards ndi makomiti a Senate. Ndinachonderera kwa iwo kaamba ka mapepala ndi zofunikira zina, ndipo Yehova anadalitsa mokulira zoyesayesa zimenezi.

Pa chochitika china ndinapereka pempho langa mwa kusonyeza masamba osiyanasiyana kuchokera ku manyuzipepala otchuka omwe anasatsa zinthu zosafunikira. Ndikumaloza ku tsamba lathunthu la kusatsa malonda kwa koti la ubweya mu nyuzipepala yotchuka ya mu New York, ndinanena kuti: “Unyinji wa mapepala ogwiritsidwa ntchito kaamba ka kusatsa malonda kumeneku m’kope limodzi la pa Sande kuli kolingana ndi unyinji wonse wa matani owonjezereka amene tikupempha kaamba ka chaka chonse.”

“Wamveketsa bwino nsonga yako,” inayankha tero nduna imodzi. Monga chotulukapo cha dalitso la Yehova pa maulendo amenewa, sitinaimitse konse makina athu osindikizira mkati mwa nkhondoyo chifukwa chosoŵa mapepala kapena zoperekedwa zina. Koma, mwachidziŵikire, sitinafune zopereka zochuluka koposa zapepala zomwe tikuzifunikira lerolino.

Malo Ofutukulidwa a Fakitale

Zaka khumi ndi ziŵiri ndisanabwere ku Beteli, Sosaite inamanga fakitale yake yoyamba ya zipinda zosanjikizana zisanu ndi zitatu pa 117 Adams Street, kukuta theka limodzi la mdadada wa mu mzinda. Koma pofika 1949 chinakhala chofunikira kumanga fakitale ya zipinda zosanjikizana zisanu ndi zinayi ndi nyumba ya ofesi pa theka lotsalira la mdadada wa mu mzinda umenewo. Chimenechi chinadzaza mdadadawo ndi fakitale imodzi yaikulu ya ukulu wa mamita 15,000 mbali zonse zinayi.

Panali pa nthaŵi imeneyo pamene ndinagawiridwa kuyang’anira ntchito yomanga ya Sosaite pano pa malikulu. Kenaka mu Brooklyn tinali kokha ndi nyumba imodzi kaamba ka ponse paŵiri kusamalira ntchito ya ofesi ndi fakitale ndi nyumba imodzi yokhalamo anthu. Koma tsopano, zaka 40 pambuyo pake, tiri ndi nyumba zoposa 10 kaamba ka kusamalira ntchito za fakitale ndi ofesi ndi nyumba zina 20 zokhalamo anthu muno mu Brooklyn mokha!

Kuchiyambiyambi kwa ma 1950, tinayesera kupeza malo ku tsidya lina lakhwalala kumpoto kwa nyumba yathu ya 117 Adams Street, koma mwiniwakeyo anakana pempho lathu. M’chenicheni, iye sanali womasuka ku kukambitsirana kulikonse, popeza anaganiza kuti Sosaite ikapereka mtengo wake wapamwamba. Chotero tinatembenuzira chisamaliro chathu ku mdadada womwe unali kum’mawa kwa fakitale yathu ya Adams Street, kokha ku tsidya lina la Pearl Street. Iri linali dera lokhala ndi malo osiyanasiyana asanu ndi atatu a dziko. Mwiniwake aliyense anayenera kukambitsiridwa naye mwapadera, koma Yehova anatsegula njira yopezera malo onse asanu ndi atatu m’nthaŵi ya chaka chimodzi pa mtengo wa avereji ya $97 pa mita imodzi mbali zonse zinayi!

Pamalo amenewa Sosaite inamanga fakitale yake ya nyumba zosanjikizana 13 pa 77 Sands Street mu 1955 ndi 1956. Imeneyi inali fakitale yathu yachiŵiri, ndipo inaŵirikizitsa kuposa kaŵiri malo athu ku mamita ena 33,000 mbali zonse zinayi. Ngakhale kuli tero, popeza kuti gulu linali kukula mofulumira, chinazindikiridwa kuti mwamsanga tikafunikira malo ochulukira. Chotero mu 1958 tinagula fakitale yomwe inaliko pa ngodya ya Prospect ndi Pearl ndi kuyamba kuigwiritsira ntchito iyo kusungiramo zinthu.

Tsopano malo okha omwe anatsala kumene tikanalumikiza ndi nyumba zathu zina mwa maulalo odutsa pamwamba pa makwalalawo anali amodzi a kumpoto omwe tinayesera kugula kalelo. Tinazindikira kuti mwiniwakeyo akayeserabe kupeza mtengo wake wapamwamba koposa ngati Watchtower Society inayesera kugula iwo. Chotero tinafunsa winawake mu real-estate business kugula iyo kaamba ka ife. Iye analinganiza mtengo wogulira womwe unali wotsikirako kuposa umene tinapereka. Mosadabwitsa, mwiniwakeyo anakwiya kwambiri pamene anamva kuti pambuyo pake umwini wa malowo unasamutsidwira ku Watchtower Society.

Mu 1966 ndi 1967, tinamanga pamalo amenewa fakitale ya zipinda khumi zosanjikizana yokhala ndi malo a ukulu wa mamita 21,000 mbali zonse zinayi. Tsopano tinali ndi midadada inayi ya nyumba za fakitale​—yonse yogwirizanitsidwa ndi maulalo odutsa pamwamba pa khwalala. Pambuyo pake, mu 1983 ndi 1986, tinagula nyumba za fakitale ziŵiri ku tsidya lina la makwalala cha kum’mwera, pa amene tinali okhoza kumanga ulalo wa utali wa mamita 49 womwe umagwirizanitsa nyumba zimenezi ndi mafakitale athu ena anayi. Mafakitale ogwirizanitsidwa asanu ndi imodzi amenewa ali ndi malo a mamita 95,000 mbali zonse zinayi, kapena mahectare 9. Mu 1983 tinagulanso nyumba yaikulu ya mamita 93,000 mbali zonse zinayi pa Furman Street, ku gombe midadada yoŵerengeka kutali, kumene malo athu otumizira katundu ali tsopano.

Kupeza Nyumba Yocholoŵana ya Ofesi

Chokumana nacho china chosangalatsa m’kuchita kwanga ndi kugula real-estate kunali nyumba yocholoŵana ya Squibb Pharmaceuticals ya nyumba khumi zolumikizidwa. Kutsatira kugula kwathu, zinayi za zimenezi zinagwetsedwa, ndipo nyumba yatsopano inagwirizanitsidwa ndi yomwe inalipo kupanga 25 Columbia Heights, malikulu a pa nthaŵi ino a Watch Tower Society. Kugulidwa kwa malo amenewa kunali kotere.

Pofika 1969 tinali kufuna kuwonjezera malo athu ofalitsira mabukhu. Koma chuma cha bizinesi chinali chabwino, chotero, pamene ndinafikira mwini malo aliyense m’gawolo, panalibe aliyense amene anali wosangalatsidwa m’kugulitsa.

Mkati mwa nthaŵi imeneyi, ndinapanga ulendo kupita ku North Carolina, kumene malo opanga mapepala amene amatipatsa mapepala athu a Baibulo ali. Kumeneko ndinatchula kwa mmodzi wa wopanga mapepalawo chifuno chathu cha malo mu Brooklyn. Mwamwaŵi mbale wake wa mwamuna ameneyu anali ndi bwenzi laumwini la mmodzi wa eni ake a nyumba zocholoŵana za Squibb. Iye anapanga makonzedwe oyenerera ndipo kenaka kundidziŵitsa ine kuti pobwerera ku Brooklyn, ndikaitane mwamuna ameneyu.

Pamene ndinatero, mwamuna ameneyu anandidziŵitsa kuti Squibb inali kulingalira, m’kupita kwa nthaŵi, kugulitsa malo ake mu Brooklyn ndi kusamuka mu mzindawo. Iye ananena kuti pamene anali okonzekera, akatiitana ife, ndipo tikakambitsirana mtengo. Pambuyo pa miyezi ingapo chiitanocho chinabwera, ndipo ndinawuzidwa kuti anali okonzekera kugulitsa ndipo kuti tinayenera kupita ku ofesi yawo tsiku lotsatira.

Mbale Knorr ndi ine tinakhala pamodzi ndi kugamula mtengo womwe tinalingalira kuti tingapereke. Pa msonkhano wa tsiku lotsatira, tinawuzidwa kuti mtengowo siunali wokhoza kusintha. “Tikufuna madola mamiliyoni atatu m’ndalama,” iwo anatero. Tinayesera kusawoneka odabwitsidwa, popeza kuti chimenecho chinali chotsikirako kuposa mmene ife tinaliri okonzekera kupereka. Mosadabwitsa, kugulako kunapangidwa pa nthaŵi yomweyo. Pa nthaŵiyo, tinali titangomaliza kumene kumanga fakitale yathu yatsopano ya madola mamiliyoni anayi, ndipo pamene anthu a Ambuye anamva za zosoŵa zathu zowonjezereka za chuma, ndalamazo zinabwera mofulumira.

Nyumba Zokhalamo Zowonjezereka

Mkati mwa ma 1950, tinapeza malo ku tsidya lina la khwalala kuchokera ku 124 Columbia Heights ndipo mu 1959 ndi 1960 tinamanga nyumba yaikulu yokhalamo anthu yatsopano. Koma chiyambire 1965 chakhala chovuta kwambiri kumanga malo okhala anthu atsopano. Chaka chimenecho boma linadziŵikitsa gawo kumene Beteli iri kukhala malo osungidwa a mbiri yakale. Ichi chatulukamo m’ziletso zokulira pa kumanga ndi kukonzanso. Ngakhale kuli tero, ndi thandizo la Yehova nthaŵi zonse takhala okhoza kupereka kaamba ka zosoŵa zathu.

Mu 1967, mwachitsanzo, tinafunsira kaamba ka nyumba yokhalamo anthu ya zipinda zosanjikizana zisanu ndi chimodzi pa 119 Columbia Heights. Chifukwa cha lamulo la malo otetezeredwa, tinali titachepetsa kale chifuno chathu choyambirira cha zipinda 12 kufika ku 6. Ngakhale kuli tero, olamulira a kumaloko, tsopano anali kuyesera kutipanga ife kuchotsako chipinda chosanjikana china.

Mu June, ndinafikira prezidenti wa magulu a zolinga zapadera wa mu Brooklyn, yemwe ananena kuti ngati tingaike maziko msonkhano wa September wa Board of Estimate usanafike, bungwe lapamwamba la boma la mzinda, iye akayesera kusungirira nyumba yathu pa zipinda zosanjikizana zisanu ndi chimodzi. Gulu lathu lomanga linagwira ntchito zolimba, ndipo tinali okhoza kuika maziko pofika September.

Prezidenti wa magulu a zolinga zapadera anandiitana ine tsiku limodzi nkhani yathu isanakambidwe mwapoyera. Iye anatifunsa ife kukhala pa City Hall maora aŵiri Board of Estimate isanatsegule msonkhano wake wapoyera ndi kukumana naye kumbuyo. Mbale Knorr ndi Mbale Suiter, mlembi ndi msungi chuma wathu, ndi ine tinawonekera pa City Hall m’maŵa kwambiri tsiku lotsatira. Pamene tinali kukambitsirana njira yabwino koposa yoperekera nkhani yathu pamaso pa Board of Estimate, mkhalidwe unawonekera womwe unakhudzapo City Planning Commission. Chiitano chinapangidwa cha kumveketsa nkhaniyo. Mwamsanga, woimira chigawo cha boma chokonzekera mzinda ananena kuti akabwera kudzasamalira mkhalidwewo yekha. “Popeza kuti padzakhala chitsutso chaunyinji chokulira ku nkhani yanu,” iye anatero, “ndidzadzipereka kuimira Watchtower Society pamaso pa Bungwelo.”

Mwachibadwa tinali osangalatsidwa ndi chopereka chake. Tsopano, dongosolo la Board of Estimate liri lakuti achotse nkhani zonse za tsikulo pa kalenda yawo, ndipo ngati pali zitsutso zinazake zofunika kumvedwa, kenaka nkhaniyo imasungidwa kufikira masana. Ngati palibe zitsutso, amagamulapo pa nkhaniyo pa nthaŵi yomweyo. Nkhani yathu inaitanidwa m’mawa, ndipo woimira chigawo cha boma chokonzekera mzindayo anaimirira ndi kuwuza mkulu wa mzinda kuti: “Ndingakonde kulankhula m’malo mwa Watchtower Society.”

“Mukudziŵa kuti siiri njira yathu yochitira zinthu kulola kukambitsirana pamene nkhaniyo yaitanidwa [kukambitsirana wamba kumasungidwa kufikira masana],” mkulu wa mzindayo anayankha tero. “Ngakhale kuli tero, ndikudziŵa kuti muli otanganitsidwa kwambiri, Commissioner, ndidzapanga kupatulako ndi kupereka pempho lanu.” Woimira chigawo cha bomayo anapitiriza kupereka nkhani yathu, ndipo Board of Estimate inavomereza mokulira pempho lathu. Pamene tinali kuchoka m’chipinda cha milanducho, loya wotsutsayo anabwera akuthamanga m’holoyo akumafuula kuti: “Ndiri ndi mkangano wa ola limodzi molimbana ndi nkhaniyo.” Koma iye anachedwa kwambiri! Tinangodutsa, tikuyamikira Yehova kaamba ka chilakikocho.

Ndiyenera kunena kuti wakhala mwaŵi wopatsa mphoto mkati mwa zakazi kuimira Sosaite m’nkhani za bizinesi zimenezi. Ndipo chakhala chimwemwe chachikulu kuchitira umboni chiwonjezeko chachikulu m’ntchito yolalikira ya dziko lonse yomwe inapangitsa kugulidwa kwa nyumba zimenezi kukhala koyenerera. Thandizo lalikulu m’kusamalira ntchito zimenezi linali kupangidwa kwanga kukhala wachiŵiri kwa prezidenti wa Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., pa January 1, 1977.

Wachimwemwe mu Utumiki wa Beteli

Chiyambire pamene ndinafika choyamba pa Beteli mu 1939, banja la Beteli lakula kuchokera ku chifupifupi ziŵalo 185 kufika ku ziŵalo zokhazikika 2,800 mu Brooklyn ndi oposa 900 pa Watchtower Farms! Kaŵirikaŵiri ndafunsidwa kuti: “Kodi nchiyani chomwe chinakuthandiza kukhala pa Beteli kwa zaka 50 zimenezi?” Yankho langa nthaŵi zonse lakhala lakuti: “Sindinaganizepo za china chirichonse koma utumiki wa pa Beteli.”

Ndiponso, chofunsira cha utumiki wa pa Beteli chomwe ndinadzaza ndi kusaina chinafunsa kuti: “Kodi ukuvomereza kukhala pa Beteli kufikira Ambuye atakutenga?” Iye sananditenge, chotero ndidakali pano kusangalala ndi utumiki wanga kwa Yehova. Kuyambira pa tsiku la kudzipereka kwanga, ndinagamulapo kupanga utumiki wa nthaŵi zonse kukhala ntchito yanga ya moyo wonse.

Mkati mwa zaka zanga zoyambira pa Beteli, makonzedwe sanalole kaamba ka ukwati, chotero, mofanana ndi ena ambiri, ndinadzikhutiritsa inemwini ndi umbeta ndi utumiki wa pa Beteli. Ngakhale kuli tero, pamene lamulo la banja la Beteli linasintha, kulola ukwati, ndinakwatira Helen Lapshanski pa April 7, 1956. Iye anabwera ku Beteli mu 1951. Tayamikira koposa ubwenzi wothandiza womwe tapereka kwa wina ndi mnzake.

Kuchiyambiyambi mu ukwati wathu, Helen anatenga multiple sclerosis, ndipo m’zaka za posachedwapa matendawa akhala oipirako. Koma ndi thandizo la choyendera ndi ngolo yoyendetsedwa ndi batiri, iye ali wokhoza kuyenda bwino lomwe. Iye wapitiriza kusungirira mzimu wozizwitsa ndi wachimwemwe, ndipo amagawanamo m’ntchito ya pa Beteli tsiku lirilonse, kutumikira mu ofesi ya Bethel Home.

Mkati mwa zaka zathu zoyambirira, za kukula, mlongo wanga Jean ndi ine tinali ogwirizana koposa ndipo tinali kuchitira zinthu pamodzi. Chotero, iye anali wogamulapo nthaŵi zonse kunditsatira, ndipo mu 1943 anaitanidwa ku Beteli. Mu 1952 iye ndi Russell Mock anakwatirana, ndipo onse aŵiri akutumikira kuno limodzi ndi ife monga ziŵalo za banja la Beteli.

Ndimakhulupirira zolimba kuti Beteli iri malo abwino koposa pa dziko lapansi mbali ino ya Paradaiso wa pa dziko lapansi akudzayo. Sindinadandaulepo mpang’ono ponse chifukwa chopanga utumiki wa nthaŵi zonse kukhala ntchito yanga ya moyo wonse. Ndi chisangalalo chotani nanga chimene icho chakhala kuchitira umboni ndi kugawanamo m’kukula kwa gulu la pa dziko lapansi la Yehova! Chiri chigamulo changa, ndi thandizo la Yehova, kupitirizabe kupanga Beteli nyumba yanga ndi kudzigwiritsira ntchito ine mwini ndi moyo wonse kupititsa patsogolo zikondwerero za Ufumu.

[Mawu Otsindika patsamba 30]

“Ndimakhulupirira zolimba kuti Beteli iri malo abwino koposa pa dziko lapansi mbali ino ya Paradaiso wa pa dziko lapansi akudzayo”

[Zithunzi pamasamba 24, 25]

Pamwamba: Malo a pa 360 Furman Street, ogulidwa mu 1983

Pansi: Malo a pa Columbia Heights amene tinagula kuchokera ku Squibb Pharmaceuticals mu 1969

Kumanzere: Magwero anga enieni a chithandizo ndi kuphunzira anali Mbale Knorr

Pansi: Pofika 1986 tinali ndi nyumba za fakitale zisanu ndi chimodzi zogwirizanitsidwa ndi maulalo odutsa pamwamba pa khwalala

[Chithunzi patsamba 27]

Fakitale pambuyo pa kufutukulidwa mu 1949

[Chithunzi patsamba 30]

Tsiku lathu la ukwati