IRussia

“KUSUKELA ekuphumeni kwelanga kuze kube sekushoneni kwalo igama lami liyoba likhulu phakathi kwezizwe.” (Mal. 1:11) ERussia namuhla, sibona ubuqiniso balesi siprofetho esimangalisayo esashiwo uJehova eminyakeni engaba ngu-2 450 edlule. Njengoba ilanga lishona kwabaqotho bakaJehova edolobheni laseKaliningrad elisentshonalanga, lisuke seliphakama empumalanga phezu kwabamemezeli abaseNhlonhlweni YaseChukchi, ehlukaniswe ne-Alaska yiBering Strait. Yebo, ilanga alishoni emsebenzini wokushumayela ngoMbuso nowokwenza abafundi eRussia. Ukusebenza ngokungakhathali kwabazalwane nodade abanesibindi phakathi nenkathi yamaSoviet kuye kwabusiswa ngokucebile. Njengoba sizobona, bakhuthazelela ukushushiswa okunonya, futhi ngokwenza kanjalo, bacabela abamemezeli abangaphezu kuka-150 000 abakhonza eRussia namuhla indlela.

IRussia, ebizwa ngokomthetho ngokuthi “iRussian Federation,” ayilona izwe lesizwe esisodwa noma uhlanga. Kunalokho, iyinhlangano yezizwe, ingxube yezizwana, izilimi nezinhlanga, ngasinye esinesikompilo laso. Ukulandisa kwethu kuqala ngale ngxube enkulu yezinhlanga, yolimi neyenkolo, ewuMbuso WaseRussia obuswa inkosi owawukhona eminyakeni eyikhulu edlule, akuqali ngeRussia yanamuhla ebuswa ngentando yeningi.

UKUSHUMAYELA NGESIBINDI KUBEFUNDISI EMOSCOW

Kwakuphakathi nenkathi yokuvuselelwa kothando lwabantu ngenkolo lapho uSemyon Kozlitsky, indoda ekholwe kakhulu neyaphothula esikoleni sokufundela ubufundisi sobu-Orthodox baseRussia, ahlangana khona noCharles Taze Russell, owayehola emsebenzini wabaFundi BeBhayibheli, njengoba oFakazi BakaJehova babaziwa kanjalo. UNina Luppo, umzukulu kaSemyon, wachaza: “Umkhulu waya e-United States ngo-1891 futhi wahlangana noMfoweth’ uRussell. Wayenesithombe sabo bendawonye futhi wayevame ukukhuluma ngoMfoweth’ uRussell wakhe.” Ngasekupheleni kwawo-1800, uMfoweth’ uRussell nalabo ayenabo babeqondisa umsebenzi wokubuyisela ukukhulekela okumsulwa ngokufundisa amaqiniso anamandla aseBhayibhelini. Ingxenye yalo msebenzi yayihilela ukudalula izimfundiso ezingamanga zamasonto eLobukholwa nesigaba sawo sabefundisi. Iqiniso leBhayibheli kanye nokushisekela ukukhulekela kweqiniso kukaMfoweth’ uRussell nayekanye nabo, kwashukumisela uSemyon ukuba ashumayele ngesibindi kubefundisi eMoscow. Kwaba namiphi imiphumela?

UNina wabhala: “Ngaphandle kokuthethwa kwecala, wafakwa ozankosi wadingiselwa eSiberia ngoba kuthiwa udelele umbhishobhi omkhulu waseMoscow, lafika kanjalo-ke izwi likaNkulunkulu eSiberia ngo-1891.” Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, uSemyon Kozlitsky wayiswa engxenyeni yeSiberia manje eseKazakhstan. Elapho, waqhubeka elikhuluma ngentshiseko izwi likaNkulunkulu kwaze kwaba sekufeni kwakhe ngo-1935.

‘ASIBONANGA UKUTHI ABANTU BAZIMISELE NGEQINISO ERUSSIA’

Ngonyaka uSemyon Kozlitsky adingiswa ngawo, uMfoweth’ uRussell wavakashela eRussia okokuqala ngqá. Nxa kukhulunywa ngalolo hambo, kuvame ukucashunwa amazwi akhe athi “asibonanga ithuba lokuthi iqiniso liyongena noma ukuthi abantu bayoke bazimisele ngalo eRussia.” Ingabe wayesho ukuthi abantu balapho babengafuni ukulalela iqiniso? Cha. Umbuso wobushiqela wawubavimbela ukuba bezwe iqiniso.

Echaza kabanzi ngalesi simo, uMfoweth’ uRussell wabhala kuyi-Zion’s Watch Tower ka-March 1, 1892: “ERussia uhulumeni ubaphethe ngesandla sensimbi bonke abantu, futhi noma isiphi isihambi esifikayo sihlale sisoleka. Kuwo wonke amahhotela neziteshi zesitimela kumelwe siveze amaphepha aso okungena kuleli zwe ngaphambi kokuba singene noma siphume edolobheni elincane noma elikhulu. Umnikazi wehhotela yena uyawathatha lawo maphepha awanikeze iSikhulu Samaphoyisa, esiwagcina kuze kube yilapho uhamba, ukuze kube lula ukulandela umkhondo wanoma isiphi isihambi, ukuthi sifike nini noma sahamba nini kuleli zwe. Izisebenzi zikahulumeni neziphathimandla azinamusa, zenza lokho okufanele zikwenze nje kwaphela, zibonisa ukuthi azikujabuleli ukuba khona kwakho lapha, futhi noma yiziphi izincwadi noma amaphepha owaphethe ayacutshungulisiswa ukuze kuqinisekiswe ukuthi awaqukethe lutho oluhloselwe ukuphikisa izimfundiso zabo.”

Kungase kubonakale sengathi ngaphansi kwezimo ezinje ukushunyayelwa kwezindaba ezinhle kwakungeke kuqhubeke. Noma kunjalo, ukuhluma kwembewu yeqiniso kwakungenakuvinjelwa eRussia.

“USUKU LWEZINTO EZINCANE” LUYAQALA

Ngisho nango-1887, i-Zion’s Watch Tower yabika ukuthi omagazini abathile base beposelwe ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene, “ngisho naseRussia.” Ngo-1904 iqembu elincane labaFundi BeBhayibheli eRussia labhala labika ukuthi lizitholile izincwadi zeBhayibheli, nakuba kwakungelula. Incwadi yachaza: “Izincwadi zazisobala futhi” izisebenzi zikahulumeni “zacishe zangazivumela ukuba zingene.” Indlela leli qembu elalibonga ngayo ngokuthi lithole izincwadi laze lathi, “Zifana negolide lapha—kunzima kabi ukuzithola.” Libonisa ukuthi liyayiqonda injongo yalezi zincwadi, labhala: “Kwangathi manje iNkosi ingasinikeza isibusiso sayo kanye nethuba lokusakaza lezi zincwadi.”

Yebo, ukushunyayelwa kwezindaba ezinhle eRussia kwase kuqalile isibili, futhi ukukhulekela kweqiniso kwase kunesisekelo, ngisho noma kwakungezinga elincane. Lesi kwakuyisiqalo esincane. Nokho, njengoba umprofethi uZakariya abhala, “ubani odelele usuku lwezinto ezincane?”—Zak. 4:10.

Eminyakeni eyalandela, abafowethu abashisekayo eJalimane bathumela izincwadi eRussia. Iningi lalezo zincwadi lalibhalwe ngesiJalimane futhi abantu abaningi abasikhulumayo balamukela iqiniso. Ngo-1907, amalungu esonto lamaBaptist LaseJalimane elaliseRussia athola amakhophi encwadi ewuchungechunge ethi Millennial Dawn, ayethunyelelwe wona ngeposi. Lapho abantu abangu-15 kuwo bemelela ukukhulekela kweqiniso, isonto labaxosha. Kamuva, umfundisi owayebaphikisa naye wagcina ewakholwa amaqiniso ayeshiwo kuyi-Millennial Dawn.

Ngo-1911 umsebenzi wathola usizo ngendlela engalindelekile—luvela kubantu ababeseholideni langemva komshado. Ngemva kokushada, abakwaHerkendell, umbhangqwana osemusha waseJalimane, bathatha uhambo lokushumayela eRussia ukuze basize abantu abakhuluma isiJalimane. Kwabathokozisa kakhulu abakwaHerkendell ukuthola amaqembu angawodwa abamemezeli boMbuso futhi bawasiza ngokomoya.

Ngaphambili, umfundi wezincwadi zethu eRussia wayebhalile: “Izincwadi ezivela eJalimane ziyigugu kimi njengemana elalivela ezulwini kubantwana baka-Israyeli. . . . Yeka ukuthi sidabuka kanjani ngokuthi lezi zincwadi azitholakali ngesiRashiya! Noma iliphi ithuba engilitholayo ngilisebenzisela ukuhumusha izinto ezithile zibe ngesiRashiya.” Kwaqala kanjalo-ke ukuhumusha; impela intaka yayisibekelwe amazolo.

“MININGI IMIPHEFUMULO ELANGAZELELA UNKULUNKULU”

Ngo-1911, uR.H. Oleszynski, umzalwane waseWarsaw, ePoland, ingxenye ethile yayo eyayingaphansi koMbuso WaseRussia ngaleso sikhathi, wahlela ukuba kunyatheliswe ipheshana elithi Where Are the Dead? ngesiRashiya. Encwadini ayibhalela uMfoweth’ uRussell, wathi: “Ngaphakathi ngifake ikhophi yepheshana . . . Ukuze sinyathelise angu-10 000 basibize ama-ruble angu-73 . . . Ziningi izithiyo, noma kunjalo miningi imiphefumulo elangazelela uNkulunkulu.” La mapheshana kanye nezinye izincwadi kwanikezwa abantu abakhuluma isiRashiya, abagoduka nawo baya eRussia. Ngakho kwase kufezeke okukhulu kule nsimu esafufusa yalolu limi. Ngokushesha kwaqala ukukhiqizwa ezinye izincwadi—amapheshana nezincwajana. Njengoba isikhathi siqhubeka, umsebenzi wokuhumusha wawuzoqhubeka wanda.

Ngo-1912, uMfoweth’ uRussell wavakashela eFinland, eyayiyingxenye yoMbuso WaseRussia ngaleso sikhathi. UKaarlo Harteva wanikezwa amaphepha asemthethweni amgunyaza ukuba amelele i-Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society eFinland. Ngo-September 25, 1913, iNxusa Lombuso WaseRussia eNew York, elimelela inkosi, lafaka isigxivizo sikahulumeni kula maphepha lase liwasayina.

UHAMBO LOKUSHUMAYELA LWEZINYANGA EZIMBILI LUYANWETSHWA

Ngaphambi nje kokugqashuka kweMpi Yezwe I, uJoseph F. Rutherford wasuka eBrooklyn wathatha uhambo oluya emazweni ahlukahlukene njengommeleli wenhlangano. Ekulolu hambo, watholana nomFundi WeBhayibheli okuthiwa uDojczman edolobheni lasePoland, iLodz. Ngemva nje kwalokho, uMfoweth’ uDojczman nomkhaya wakhe baqala uhambo lokushumayela kulo lonke elaseRussia olwalufanele luthathe izinyanga ezimbili. Nokho, ukugqashuka kwempi kwalunweba uhambo lwabo.

Ngemva kwezinselele eziningi, abakwaDojczman bazithola sebesedolobheni elincane osebeni loMfula iVolga. Ngo-1918 banquma ukubuyela ePoland, kodwa ukuqubuka kobhadane lwengxibongo kwabavimba. Ngemva kwalokho, imingcele yavalwa ngenxa yokugqashuka kwempi yombango. Phakathi naleyo minyaka bashonelwa izingane ezintathu—kuhlanganise nendodakazi eyabulawa ingxibongo nenye eyabulawa i-pneumonia.

Indlala nokwesaba kwakubhidlangile. Abantu babefela emigwaqweni bebulawa indlala. Kuleso sixakaxaka, abantu abaningi, ikakhulukazi abayizifiki, babesolwa ngokuchema “nesitha” futhi bebulawa kungazange kuthethwe cala. Ngelinye ilanga umlisa mumbe wagulukudela endlini yakwaDojczman ephelezelwa isosha elihlomile.

“Yisitha lesi, mbambe!” kumemeza lo mlisa.

“Ngimbambeleni?” kubuza isosha. “Wenzeni?”

Le ndoda yayenza iqhinga lokungamkhokheli uMfoweth’ uDojczman ngomsebenzi wokubaza ayeyenzele wona. Ngemva kokuzwa zombili izinhlangothi zendaba, leli sosha labona ukuthi lo mlisa unamanga, lase limkhiphela ngaphandle kwendlu. Isosha labe selitshela uMfoweth’ uDojczman ukuthi likhumbula ingxoxo emnandi ababebe nayo ngeBhayibheli. Cishe leyo ngxoxo yasiza yasindisa ukuphila kukaMfoweth’ uDojczman nomkhaya wakhe. Ngo-1921 uhulumeni wamaKhomanisi wakuqeda ukuvukela kwamasosha, yaphela impi yombango. AbakwaDojczman babe sebegoduka baya ePoland.

ABAFUNDI BEBHAYIBHELI NAMABOLSHEVIK

Njengoba iMpi Yezwe I yayishisa phansi, kwalokho kuxhumana okuncane okwakukhona phakathi kwabafowethu eRussia kanye nabakwezinye izindawo kwanqamuka. Njengabafowabo bakaKristu emhlabeni wonke, labo ababeseRussia cishe babengaqiniseki ngokubaluleka okugcwele kokubekwa kukaKristu njengenkosi. Babengazi ukuthi maduzane izwe labo lalizobhekana nezenzakalo eziphawuleka kakhulu zekhulu lama-20 leminyaka, iningi lazo elaliyobe ligcwalisa isiprofetho seBhayibheli.

Ngasekupheleni kuka-1917, uKuvukela KwaseRussia kwaqeda ukubusa kwamakhosi kweminyaka engu-370. Bengazi ngokuba khona kweNkosi uJesu Kristu, ababusi abasha beRussia, amaBolshevik, babenezinhlelo ezinkulu zokumisa uhlobo olusha lukahulumeni, olwaluhlukile kuzo zonke ezake zaba khona. Yasunguleka kanjalo-ke i-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, noma i-USSR, ngeminyaka embalwa nje. Yayiyohamba ihambe igcine isibusa ingxenye eyodwa kweziyisithupha zomhlaba.

Kuyaphawuleka ukuthi eminyakeni embalwa ngaphambi koKuvukela KwaseRussia, uVladimir Lenin, umholi wokuqala weSoviet Union, wayethe: “Wonke umuntu kufanele akhululeke ngokuphelele ukuba angagcini nje ngokuzikhethela noma iyiphi inkolo ayithandayo, kodwa nokuba ayisakaze inkolo yakhe noma ayishintshe. Akekho umuntu osegunyeni okufanele abe ngisho nanelungelo lokubuza omunye umuntu ngenkolo yakhe: leyo indaba kanembeza womuntu ngamunye futhi akekho umuntu onelungelo lukugxambukela.”

Kwezinye izingxenye zezwe, lezi zimiso ze-Social Democratic Party zanikeza abantu abaqotho ithuba lokuhlanganyela amaqiniso eBhayibheli nabanye. Nokho kwasekusungulweni kwawo, lo Mbuso omusha wawungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu futhi ungafuni nakuzwa ngenkolo, uthi ‘iwumlaliso wabantu.’ Phakathi kwezinto zokuqala ezenziwa amaBolshevik kwaba ukukhipha umthetho ohlukanisa iSonto noMbuso. Izinhlangano zenkolo zenqatshelwa ngokomthetho ukufundisa, futhi izakhiwo zesonto zadliwa uhulumeni.

Lo hulumeni omusha wawuzowabheka kanjani amaqembu abaFundi BeBhayibheli ayesakazekile, asekela uMbuso kaNkulunkulu kuphela? Ebhala eseSiberia ngemva kwesikhashana nje kube nokuvukela kwango-1917, umFundi WeBhayibheli wasichaza kanje lesi simo esingajabulisi neze: “Cishe niyazi ukuthi kwenzekani lapha eRussia. Kunohulumeni wamaSoviet osebenza ngezimiso zamaKhomanisi. Nakuba kuyiqiniso ukuthi siyawubona umzamo wokuba kube nobulungisa, noma yini ethinta uNkulunkulu ishayelwa amakhala.”

Ngo-1923 ukuphikiswa kwabaFundi BeBhayibheli kwase kuqina. Abafowethu babhala: “Le ncwadi ibhalwe ngenhloso yokuba sinazise ukuthi kwenzekani lapha eRussia. . . . Sinazo izinto eziyisisekelo, ukudla, okokugqoka, . . . kodwa esikuswele kakhulu ukudla okungokomoya. Izincwadi esathunyelelwa zona zathathwa uhulumeni. Ngakho siyaninxusa ukuba nisithumelele izingxenyana zezincwadi zeBhayibheli ngesiRashiya zihlelwe njengencwadi oyibhalela umuntu . . . Abantu abaningi balambele iZwi leQiniso. Kungekudala kangako, abantu abahlanu babonise ukuzinikezela kwabo ngokucwiliswa emanzini, futhi amaBaptist angu-15 asezihlanganisa nathi.”

INqabayokulinda ka-December 15, 1923, yathi: “INhlangano yenza imizamo yokungenisa izincwadi eRussia futhi ngomusa weNkosi izoqhubeka iyenza.” Ngo-1925, INqabayokulinda yayisitholakala ngesiRashiya. Igalelo eyaba nalo emsebenzini wokushumayela eRussia lezwakala ngokushesha. Ngokwesibonelo, elinye ilungu leqembu labaVangeli lalikuthola kunzima ukuhlanganisa imfundiso yesihogo noNkulunkulu wothando. Lapho libuza elikholwa nabo lo mbuzo, balithandazela ukuba uNkulunkulu alivikele emicabangweni enjalo. Kamuva, lona nomkalo banikezwa amakhophi e-Nqabayokulinda futhi ngaso leso sikhathi balibona iqiniso. Labhala licela izincwadi ezengeziwe, lithi, “Silindele imana elivela phesheya kolwandle.” Abanye abafowethu eRussia nabo babekuqinisekisa kaningi ukuthi balitholile leli “mana,” bebonga abafowethu e-United States ngothando lwabo lobuKristu abalubonisayo ngokukhiqiza izincwadi ezinjena eziqinisa ukholo.

“NINGITHUMELELE INGCOSANA YAKHO KONKE”

INqabayokulinda ka-September 1925 yayinencwadi ethinta inhliziyo evela eSiberia. Uthisha ophuma emkhayeni ompofu walandisa ukuthi yena nomkhaya wakhe babesuke eningizimu yeRussia baya eSiberia ngo-1909. Wabhala wathi wayezifunde ngenkulu injabulo izincwadi, futhi wanezela, “Isifiso senhliziyo yami siwukuba ngiholelwe ngokujulile emaqinisweni angcwele kaNkulunkulu ukuze ngikwazi ukulwa nobumnyama nginekhono namandla engeziwe.” Waphetha incwadi yakhe ngokucela izincwadi ezengeziwe, ebhala, “Ngicela ningithumelele ingcosana yakho konke.”

Impendulo yomlobi yanyatheliswa kuwo lowo magazini. “Sekuyisikhashana sizama ukuthumela izincwadi eRussia, kodwa yonke imizamo yethu iye yabhutshiswa ukuphikiswa uhulumeni waseRussia. Le ncwadi, kanye nezinye ezifana nayo, injengesicelo sabaseMakedoniya: ‘Welani nisisize.’ (IzE. 16:9) Sizowela ngokushesha nje lapho ithuba selisivumela futhi uma kuyintando yeNkosi.”

Ngempela, yeka ithuluzi elinamandla INqabayokulinda kanye nezinye izincwadi eyayiyoba yilo ekushunyayelweni kwezindaba ezinhle “ngenjongo yobufakazi” ensimini yaseRussia! (Math. 24:14) Ngo-2006 inani lamakhophi ezincwadi ezinyatheliswa oFakazi BakaJehova ngesiRashiya lafinyelela ku-691 243 952, inani eliphakeme kunazo zonke ezinye izilimi ngaphandle kwesiNgisi, isiPutukezi neSpanishi. UJehova uye wayibusisa ngokucebile imizamo yoFakazi bakhe yokumemezela uMbuso.

UKUSHUMAYEZA AMARASHIYA AYEKWAMANYE AMAZWE

Njengoba kwase kuphethe amaBolshevik kwasungulwa noMbuso WamaKhomanisi, amaRashiya amaningi athuthela kwamanye amazwe. INqabayokulinda kanye nezinye izincwadi zesiRashiya zazinyatheliswa ngaphandle kweSoviet Union. Ngakho, uhulumeni wamaSoviet wawungakwazi ukuthikameza ukugeleza kokudla okungokomoya kwamanye amazwe. Ngasekupheleni kwawo-1920, izincwadi zesiRashiya zase zitholwa abantu emhlabeni wonke, futhi izincwadi zokwazisa zazivela kumaRashiya ayesemazweni anjenge-Australia, iFinland, iFrance, iLatvia, iParaguay, iPoland, i-United States ne-Uruguay.

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, abafowethu bahlela imihlangano yobuKristu nomsebenzi wokushumayela ngesiRashiya kwamanye ala mazwe. E-United States, izinkulumo zeBhayibheli zesiRashiya zazisakazwa njalo eziteshini zomsakazo. Kwasungulwa amabandla esiRashiya, njengelaseBrownsville, ePennsylvania, kwahlelwa nemihlangano yesigodi. Ngokwesibonelo, ngo-May 1925, abafowethu baba nomhlangano wesigodi wezinsuku ezintathu ngesiRashiya eCarnegie, ePennsylvania. Kwakunabantu abangu-250 kwabhapathizwa abangu-29.

ISIMO SIYASHINTSHA

Ngemva kokufa kukaLenin, uhulumeni wakuqinisa ukuhlasela kwawo zonke izinkolo. Ngo-1926 kwakhiwa INhlangano Yebutho ElingenaNkulunkulu (League of the Militant Godless)—igama elizichaza kahle izinhloso zayo. Inkulumo-ze yokungabi khona kukaNkulunkulu yayihloselwe ukuqeda ukholo kuNkulunkulu ezingqondweni nasezinhliziyweni zabantu. Ngesikhathi esifushane, umoya wokungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu wasakazeka kuyo yonke indawo ebanzi yaseSoviet Union. Encwadini ayibhalela indlunkulu yomhlaba wonke, omunye umFundi WeBhayibheli eRussia waphawula: “Intsha iyawuhogela lo moya, okuyinto ngokungangabazeki eyisithikamezo esikhulu ekufundeni iqiniso.”

INhlangano Yebutho ElingenaNkulunkulu yanyathelisa izincwadi ezikhuthaza ukungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu, kuhlanganise nomagazini okuthiwa i-Antireligioznik. Ngo-1928 lo magazini wathi: “ISifundazwe SaseVoronezh sigcwele amahlelo.” Phakathi kwawo, wabala “abaFundi BemiBhalo Engcwele” abangu-48 “ababaholi babo ngoZinchenko noMitrofan Bovin.” Kuyaphawuleka ukuthi INqabayokulinda ka-September 1926 yayinencwadi evela kuMikhail Zinchenko waseRussia. Wabhala: “Abantu balambele ukudla okungokomoya. . . . Sinezincwadi ezilinganiselwe kakhulu. UMfoweth’ uTrumpi kanye nabanye bahumusha futhi bakophisha izincwadi zesiRashiya, futhi yileyo ndlela esikwazi ukondlana nokusekelana ngayo ngokomoya. Sidlulisa imikhonzo evela kubo bonke abafowethu eRussia.”

Ngo-September 1926, uMfoweth’ uTrumpi wabhala wathi kunethemba lokuthi iziphathimandla zingase zibavumele abafowethu ukuba bathole izincwadi ngesiRashiya. Wacela abafowethu eBethel YaseBrooklyn ukuba bathumele amapheshana, izincwajana, izincwadi, nemiqulu ye-Nqabayokulinda, bazithumele ngegatsha eliseMagdeburg, eJalimane. Ephendula leso sicelo, uMfoweth’ uRutherford wathumela uGeorge Young eMoscow. Wafika khona ngo-August 28, 1928. Kwezinye zezincwadi zakhe, uYoung wabhala: “Ngiye ngabhekana nezehlakalo ezithakazelisayo kodwa angazi ukuthi ngizovunyelwa ukuba ngihlale isikhathi eside kangakanani.” Nakuba akwazi ukubonana nesikhulu esiphakeme eMoscow, wakwazi ukuthola i-visa eyayiphela ngo-October 4, 1928 kuphela.

Ngesikhathi esifanayo, yayingacacile kahle indlela lo Mbuso omusha wamaSoviet owawubheka ngayo inkolo. Amaphepha amaningana kahulumeni azwakalisa isifiso sokuba amaqembu ezinkolo abe ingxenye yezisebenzi zamaSoviet. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, lesi sifiso saba umthetho. Kubalulekile ukukhumbula ukuthi uhulumeni wamaSoviet wawungafuni ukubabulala abantu bakaJehova; wawufuna ukuthonya izingqondo nezinhliziyo zabo. Wawufuna ukwenza abantu bakaNkulunkulu bavumelane nawo, ubacindezela ukuba babe qotho kuphela eMbusweni wawo. Into yokugcina owawuyifuna ukuba kube nabantu abasohlangothini lukaJehova.

Ngemva kokuhamba kukaMfoweth’ uYoung, abafowethu baseRussia baqhubeka beshumayela ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu ngentshiseko. UDanyil Starukhin wamiswa ukuba aqondise umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso eRussia. Ukuze awuqhubezele phambili lo msebenzi futhi akhuthaze nabafowethu, uMfoweth’ uStarukhin wavakashela eMoscow, eKursk, eVoronezh kanye nakwamanye amadolobha aseRussia kuhlanganise nase-Ukraine. Enabanye abafowethu, washumayeza amaBaptist ezindlini zawo zokuthandaza, echaza iqiniso ngoJesu Kristu noMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Ngo-January 1929 abafowethu eRussia bahlela ukuqasha isakhiwo sesonto eKursk, bezokhokha ama-dollar angu-200 ngonyaka, ukuze bakwazi ukuba nemihlangano yasobala.

Kamuva ngalowo nyaka, abafowethu eBethel YaseBrooklyn bacela imvume eMnyango Wezohwebo Wase-USSR yokuba bathumele ngomkhumbi izincwadi zeBhayibheli eSoviet Union. Kwathunyelwa amakhophi angu-800 ezincwadi ezithi The Harp of God nethi Deliverance kanye nezincwajana ezingu-2 400. Zingakapheli izinyanga ezimbili, lezi zincwadi zabuya zinalesi sigxivizo: “Zibuyiswe UPhiko Lwezokunyathelisa Njengezenqatshelwe Ukungena.” Noma kunjalo, abafowethu abazange balilahle ithemba. Abanye bacabanga ukuthi lezi zincwadi zabuyiswa ngoba zazibhalwe ngendlela endala yokubhala isiRashiya. Kusukela lapho, abafowethu baqikelela ukuthi zonke izincwadi zesiRashiya zihunyushwa ngokunembile nokuthi zinyatheliswa ngokuvumelana nezindlela zamuva zokubhala ulimi.

ISIDINGO SOKUHUMUSHA OKUSEZINGENI ELIPHAKEME

Kusukela ngo-1929 omagazini abaningana be-Nqabayokulinda babenezaziso ngesidingo sokuthola abahumushi abafanelekayo abazi kokubili isiNgisi nesiRashiya. Ngokwesibonelo, INqabayokulinda yesiRashiya yango-March 1930, yayinalesi saziso: “Kudingeka umzalwane ofanelekayo, ozinikezele owazi isiNgisi noshelelayo olimini lwesiRashiya, ukuba ahumushe isiNgisi asiyise olimini lwesiRashiya.”

UJehova wasibona isidingo futhi abahumushi batholakala emazweni ahlukahlukene. Omunye wabo kwakungu-Aleksandr Forstman, ngo-1931 owayesethumela izihloko ezihunyushelwe olimini lwesiRashiya endlunkulu yomhlaba wonke, esebenzisa ihhovisi legatsha laseDenmark eliseCopenhagen. UMfoweth’ uForstman wayengumhumushi oshisekayo owayehlala eLatvia. Njengoba ayefunde wagogoda futhi esazi kahle isiNgisi nesiRashiya, wayekwazi ukuzihumusha ngokushesha izincwadi zeBhayibheli. Ekuqaleni wayehumusha amahora ambalwa nje kuphela isonto ngalinye, ngoba wayenomsebenzi wokuziphilisa ukuze asekele umkakhe ongakholwa nengane. Ngo-December 1932, uMfoweth’ uForstman waba umhumushi wesikhathi esigcwele. Phakathi nenkonzo yakhe wahumusha amapheshana, izincwajana nezincwadi. Washona ngo-1942.

Abafowethu babenesithakazelo esikhulu sokukhiqiza izincwadi zesiRashiya zezinga eliphakeme, bekholelwa ukuthi maduzane umsebenzi woMbuso uzoqashelwa ngokomthetho eRussia. UWilliam Dey, umbonisi eHhovisi LaseNyakatho Yurophu, wabhala lokhu encwadini eya kuMfoweth’ uRutherford: “Lapho umsebenzi uvuleka eRussia, okuyinto okumelwe nakanjani yenzeke maduze, kungaba kuhle sibe nezincwadi ezihunyushwe kahle esingazinika abantu abayizigidi ezingu-180.”

UMSAKAZO

Umsakazo wawungenye indlela yokusakaza izindaba ezinhle kulo lonke izwe elikhulu laseRussia. INqabayokulinda ka-February 1929 yayinalesi saziso: “Izinkulumo zesiRashiya zizosakazwa emsakazweni.” Izinhlelo zazisakazwa zisuka e-Estonia ziya eSoviet Union njalo ngeSonto lesibili nelesine enyangeni.

UMfoweth’ uWallace Baxter, umbonisi wegatsha lase-Estonia, wakhumbula kamuva: “Ngemva kwempikiswano ende, kwasayinwa isivumelwano sonyaka ngo-1929. Ngokushesha ngemva kokuba ukusakazwa ngesiRashiya kuqalile, sezwa ukuthi abantu eLeningrad babelalela. Indlela uhulumeni wamaSoviet owasabela ngayo yayifana naleyo abefundisi e-Estonia abasabela ngayo. Waxwayisa abantu ngesigijimi soMbuso.” Ngo-1931, izindaba ezinhle zazisakazwa ngesiRashiya ngesikhathi esilungele abalaleli, kwakuba ngo-5:30 ntambama kuze kube ngo-6:30 ntambama. Ngemva kokusakaza iminyaka emithathu nengxenye, ukusakazwa kwamiswa ngo-June 1934. Encwadini evela ehhovisi legatsha lase-Estonia, abafowethu bachaza ukuthi kwenzeka kanjani ukuba ukusakazwa kuvalwe: “Abefundisi batshela uhulumeni [wase-Estonia] ukuthi izinkulumo zethu zasemsakazweni aziwuzuzisi uMbuso ngoba zisekela inkulumo-ze yamaKhomanisi nenkolelo yokuzibusa kwabantu.”

KWENZEKA USHINTSHO

Ngo-1935 abazalwane eBethel YaseBrooklyn bathumela u-Anton Koerber eSoviet Union, ngethemba lokuthi uzokwazi ukuvula ihhovisi legatsha khona. Babefuna ukuthumela umshini wokunyathelisa e-USSR usuka eJalimane, lapho u-Adolf Hitler ayesanda kuthola khona amandla okubusa. Nakuba lokhu kungazange kwenzeke, uMfoweth’ uKoerber wakwazi ukuhlangana nabazalwane abambalwa eRussia.

Kwaba iminyakana umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso eRussia uthuthuka kahle. Izincwadi zeBhayibheli zazihunyushelwa olimini lwesiRashiya ngaphansi kokuqondisa kwehhovisi legatsha laseLatvia. Nokho, kwakunzima ukuzifaka kuleli zwe izincwadi ezazinyathelisiwe. Ngakho eziningi zazilokhu zigciniwe.

Kuze kube sekuqaleni kweMpi Yezwe II ngo-1939, oFakazi babembalwa. Ngenxa yalokho, uhulumeni wamaSoviet awuzange ubanake kangako uma kuwukuthi wabanaka. Konke lokho kwase kuzoshintsha. Ngokushesha ngemva kokuba iJalimane lobuNazi lihlasele iPoland ngo-1939, iSoviet Union yagwinya ama-republic ayo amane okugcina kwangu-15—i-Estonia, iLatvia, iLithuania neMoldova. Izinkulungwane zoFakazi manje zazithola zingaphakathi kwemingcele yeSoviet Union—izwe elase lizozithola lingene shí empini embi yokuzisindisa. Kwakuzoba isikhathi sokuhlupheka nobunzima ezigidini zabantu. KoFakazi BakaJehova, kwakuzoba isikhathi sokubonisa ubuqotho kuNkulunkulu ngaphansi kwejoka lokucindezelwa ngesihluku.

BAKULUNGELE UKUMA BAQINE

Ngo-June 1941, iJalimane yahlasela iSoviet Union, ukuhlasela okwamzuma umholi weSoviet uJoseph Stalin. Ekupheleni konyaka amasosha aseJalimane ayesesemaphethelweni eMoscow, futhi ukuwa kweSoviet Union kwase kubonakala kuseduze.

Esexhamazela, uStalin wazama ukulungiselela isizwe lokho abaseRussia abakubiza ngokuthi IMpi Enkulu Yokushisekela Izwe. UStalin wabona ukuthi kudingeka anikeze amasonto amalungelo athile ukuze abantu bamsekele kule mpi, kwazise izigidi zazilokhu ziyithanda inkolo. Ngo-September 1943 eKremlin, uStalin wamukela obala abameleli abathathu abaphakeme kakhulu beSonto Lobu-Orthodox BaseRussia. Lokhu kwavala igebe elalikhona phakathi kweSonto noMbuso futhi kwenza ukuba amasonto amaningi avulekele umphakathi.

NjengoFakazi BakaJehova eJalimane, abafowethu eRussia bakulondoloza ngokuphelele ukungathathi hlangothi kwabo phakathi nempi. Babekulungele ukubhekana nemiphumela yalokho, bezimisele ngokuphelele ukugcina umyalo weNkosi yabo. (Math. 22:37-39) Ngenxa yokungathathi kwabo uhlangothi, kusukela ngo-1940 kuya ku-1945, oFakazi abangaphezu kwenkulungwane abavela e-Ukraine, eMoldova, nasemazweni aseBaltic bayiswa emakamu okufukuzwa kuwo enkabeni yeRussia.

UVasily Savchuk uyakhumbula: “Ngabhapathizwa e-Ukraine ngo-1941 ngineminyaka engu-14. Phakathi nempi, cishe bonke abazalwane bayiswa emajele nasemakamu enkabeni yeRussia. Kodwa umsebenzi kaJehova awuzange ume. Odade abathembekile kanye nentsha enjengami bathwala imithwalo yemfanelo ebandleni nasenkonzweni. Endaweni yakithi, omunye umzalwane okhubazekile akazange aboshwe. Wathi kimi: ‘Vasily, sidinga usizo lwakho. Sinomsebenzi obaluleke kakhulu okufanele siwenze kanti asinawo amadoda anele.’ Ngahluleka ukubamba izinyembezi lapho ngibona indlela lo mzalwane ongaphilile kahle ayekhathazeke ngayo ngomsebenzi kaJehova. Ngavumela phezulu ukwenza noma yini okwakudingeka yenziwe. Sasinezindawo esasizakhele zona ngaphansi kwezindlu lapho sasenzela khona amakhophi okudla kwethu okungokomoya okuyigugu, sikudlulisele kubafowethu, ikakhulukazi labo ababeboshiwe.”

Naphezu kwalowo msebenzi wokuzidela nothando lwalab’ odade nentsha, ukudla okungokomoya okwakukhiqizwa kwakungenele. Esinye sezixazululo savela nabafowethu basePoland ababesuka eRussia, ababekwazi ukufika nemibiko ehhovisi legatsha ePoland. Abafowethu base-Ukraine nabaseRussia ababelibangise eRussia babephatha ukudla okungokomoya, izinto zokwenza amakhophi, uyinki, kanye namanye amathuluzi ayezosetshenziswa.

“MABAHAMBE YILOWO NALOWO AYE ENDAWENI YAKHE”

Ngo-1946 abanye abazalwane abahlala ePoland baphoqeleka ukuba bathuthele e-Ukraine ephethwe amaSoviet. U-Ivan Pashkovsky uyakhumbula: “Abafowethu babuza ehhovisi legatsha eLodz ukuthi kufanele benzeni kulesi simo. Impendulo abayithola yabhekisela embhalweni wabaHluleli 7:7, othi: ‘Mabahambe yilowo nalowo aye endaweni yakhe.’ Ngemva kweminyaka eminingi ngaqonda ukuthi uJehova ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe wawuqondisa kanjani umsebenzi wokushumayela kula masimu anzima. Kithi, ‘indawo’ yethu kwakuyinoma ikuphi lapho uJehova ayesiyisa khona. Saqonda ukuthi kubalulekile ukulandela iziqondiso zeziphathimandla. Ngakho, saqala ukuzilungiselela ukuthuthela ezweni elingakholelwa kuNkulunkulu.

“Okokuqala, sahlangana futhi sahlola abamemezeli abangu-18 ababezobhapathizwa, ababelethwe endlini yomzalwane othile. Saziqoqela nezincwadi zesiRashiya nesi-Ukraine, sazama ukuzipakisha ngendlela yokuba kube nzima ukuzibona lapho kuseshwa. Ngokushesha entathakusa, indawo yakithi yayisizungezwe amasosha asePoland, athi asilungele indlela. Savunyelwa ukuba siphathe ukudla okuzokwanela inyanga kanye nezimpahla zasendlini. Sayiswa esiteshini sesitimela. I-Ukraine ephethwe amaSoviet yaba kanjalo ‘indawo’ yethu.

“Ngokushesha lapho sifika lapho sasiya khona, sazungezwa abantu neziphathimandla zendawo. Njengoba sasifisa ukunikeza ubufakazi ngokushesha, sabatshela ngesibindi ukuthi singoFakazi BakaJehova. Ngakusasa savakashelwa unobhala wekomiti yendawo yezolimo singalindele. Wathi uyise wayethuthele eMelika futhi emthumelela izincwadi ezinyatheliswa oFakazi BakaJehova. Yeka ukuthi sajabula kanjani ukuzwa lokho! Kwakukuhle nakakhulu nokuthi wayesinikeza izincwadi. Lapho yena nomkhaya wakhe sebeqala ukuza emihlanganweni yethu, saqonda ukuthi kuleli zwe ziningi ‘izinto ezifiselekayo’ zikaJehova. (Hag. 2:7) Ngokushesha wonke lo mkhaya waba oFakazi BakaJehova futhi wakhonza ngokwethembeka iminyaka eminingi.”

UMSEBENZI OMNINGI OSASELE

Phakathi nangemva kweMpi Yezwe II, umsebenzi eRussia wawuqhubeka ngaphansi kwezimo ezinzima kakhulu. Encwadini yango-April 10, 1947 eyayivela ehhovisi legatsha lasePoland iya endlunkulu, kwabikwa: “Abefundisi besabisa abantu ngokuthi uma bamukela INqabayokulinda noma ipheshana loFakazi BakaJehova balindelwe iminyaka eyishumi befukuza noma besekudingisweni. Ngenxa yalokho, izakhamuzi zigajwe ukwesaba nokuthuthumela, kodwa zilangazelela ukukhanya.”

INcwadi Yonyaka Ka-1947 yaphawula: “Ofakazi abanazo izincwadi noma INqabayokulinda eyisimo sayo esivamile esihle. . . . Ezindaweni eziningi isalokhu ikopishwa ngesandla futhi idluliselwe injalo kwabanye . . . Ngezinye izikhathi izithunywa zethu ziyabanjwa ziphonswe emajele uma zitholwe zine-Nqabayokulinda.”

URegina Krivokulskaya uthi: “Mina ngangibona sengathi izwe lonke libiyelwe ngocingo oluhlabayo, futhi sasiyiziboshwa nakuba sasingekho emajele. Abayeni bethu, ababemkhonza ngentshiseko uNkulunkulu, babechitha isikhathi esiningi sokuphila kwabo besemajele nasemakamu. Thina sifazane kwakudingeka sikhuthazelele lukhulu: Ukuqwasha ebusuku, ukuhlala ugadiwe nokucindezelwa ngokwengqondo yiKomiti Yokuphepha Yezwe LaseSoviet (KGB), ukuphelelwa umsebenzi, kanye nezinye izilingo. Iziphathimandla zazama izindlela eziningi zokusichezukisa endleleni yeqiniso. (Isaya 30:21) Sasingangabazi ukuthi uSathane uzama ukusebenzisa lesi simo ukuze amise umsebenzi wokushumayela ngoMbuso. Kodwa uJehova akazange abalahle abantu bakhe—usizo lwakhe lwalusobala.

“Izincwadi zeBhayibheli, ezazishushumbiswa zifakwe kuleli zwe ngobukhulu ubunzima, zasinika ‘amandla angaphezu kwavamile’ nokuhlakanipha kokuba sibhekane nesimo. (2 Kor. 4:7) UJehova wabahola abantu bakhe, futhi ngisho nalapho siphikiswa kakhulu uMbuso, abasha baqhubeka bezihlanganisa nenhlangano yakhe. Kwakumangaza ukuthi zisuka nje babekulungele ukukhuthazelela ubunzima kanye nabantu bakaJehova. Ngumoya kaJehova kuphela owawungenza lokhu.”

IZINCWADI EZAZIPHONSWA NGALÉ KOCINGO

Ngo-1944, uPyotr, kamuva owashada uRegina, waboshelwa ekamu eSifundazweni SaseGorki ngenxa yokulondoloza ukungathathi hlangothi kobuKristu. Lokhu akuzange kuyidambise nakancane intshiseko yakhe yokushumayela. UPyotr wabhala izincwadi, ngayinye inencazelo emfushane yemfundiso yeBhayibheli. Wayebe esefaka incwadi emvilophini, ayibophele etsheni ngentambo, bese eyiphonsa ngalé kocingo oluhlabayo oluphakeme. Wayenethemba lokuthi othile uzoyifunda, futhi nebala ngelinye ilanga ukhona owayifunda—intombazane okuthiwa uLidia Bulatova. UPyotr wayibona wayeseyiqhweba. Wayibuza ukuthi ingathanda yini ukufunda okwengeziwe ngeBhayibheli. ULidia wakuthanda lokho futhi bahlela ukuphinde bahlangane. Ngemva kwalokho wayesefika njalo ezolanda ezinye zalezo zincwadi eziyigugu.

ULidia waba udade nommemezeli wezindaba ezinhle oshisekayo okwathi ngokushesha waqala ukufundela uMaria Smirnova no-Olga Sevryugina. Nabo baqala ukukhonza uJehova. Ukuze basekele lab’ odade ngokomoya, abafowethu baqala ukunikeza leli qembu elincane ukudla okungokomoya bekhona ekamu. Ukuze afeze lokhu, uPyotr wakha ipotimende elinesinqe esikabili ayeligcwalisa ngomagazini. Wahlela ukuba leli potimende lilethwe futhi likhishwe ekamu ngabantu abangebona oFakazi ababengaboshiwe. Babeliyisa lapho kuhlala khona omunye walab’ odade.

Ngokushesha lab’ odade bahlela umsebenzi wokushumayela endaweni yangakubo. Amaphoyisa akuqaphela lokhu ayesethuma inhloli ukuba ibabheke, okwakuyinto evamile ngalezo zikhathi. Le nhloli, eyayinguthisha, yazishaya onesithakazelo eqinisweni futhi odade baqala ukuyethemba. Njengoba babengajwayelene nalesi simo, bawahlanganyela ngenjabulo amaqiniso eBhayibheli nalo “dade” omusha futhi ngokuhamba kwesikhathi bamtshela ukuthi bazithola kanjani izincwadi. Ngesikhathi esilandelayo lapho ipotimende liphuma ekamu, uPyotr wabanjwa wagwetshwa eminye iminyaka engu-25 edonsa ejele. Nalab’ odade abathathu bagwetshwa iminyaka engu-25 emunye.

‘ZIDINGA UKUKHANYISELWA’

Phakathi nangemva kweminyaka yempi uhulumeni wamaSoviet waqhubeka uwuphikisa ngendluzula umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova. Ngo-March 1947 abafowethu basePoland babika ukuthi esinye isikhulu esiphakeme ezingxenyeni ezisentshonalanga zeSoviet Union sasithe ngasekupheleni kwaleyo ntwasahlobo kwakuyobe kungasekho ngisho noyedwa uFakazi kaJehova lapho. Incwadi yabo yayifundeka kanje: “Njengoba sibhala le ncwadi, sithole izindaba zokuthi kunabafowethu nodadewethu abayikhulu ababoshwe ngosuku olulodwa.” Enye incwadi yasho lokhu ngabafowethu ababesemakamu: “Babugcina ngendlela enhle kakhulu ubuqotho babo kuJehova. Kakade abaningi sebefile kodwa abafowethu balindele insindiso kaJehova njengoba nje kwenza labo abasemakamu okuhlushwa.”

OFakazi babeboshwa nangenxa yokushumayela nokwenqaba ukuvota. Abazalwane abanokwethenjelwa babhala ngo-1947: “Sinomuzwa wokuthi iziphathimandla eziphakeme eRussia azazi ngokugcwele ukuthi kwenzekani kubafowethu nokuthi abafuni ukubaqothula. Into edingekayo ukuba [iziphathimandla] zichazelwe kahle futhi zikhanyiselwe.”

IMIZAMO YOKUBHALISA

Ngokushesha ihhovisi legatsha lasePoland lasikisela ukuba abazalwane ababili baseRussia kanye nommeli ongumakad’ ebona balungise amaphepha adingekayo ukuze kubhaliswe umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union. Enye incwadi esuka ePoland iya kubafowethu eRussia yathi: “Ukushunyayelwa kwezindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kumelwe kuzwiwe yonke indawo, kuhlanganise naseRussia. (Marku 13:10)” Le ncwadi yaphetha ngala mazwi: “Bekezelani. UJehova uyophendula izinyembezi zenu zibe ukukhamuluka kwenjabulo.—IHubo 126:2-6.”

Ngo-August 1949, uMykola Pyatokha, uMykhailo Chumak no-Ilya Babijchuk bafaka isicelo sokubhaliswa. Uhulumeni wavuma ukuqaphela oFakazi BakaJehova kodwa ngaphansi kwemibandela ethile. Phakathi kokunye, abafowethu kwathiwa abalethe wonke amagama oFakazi BakaJehova abahlala eSoviet Union. Lokho kwakuyinto abafowethu ababengeke bavumelane nayo. Nakuba umsebenzi wawuqhubeka nenani labamemezeli landa, abafowethu abaningi babelokhu besaboshiwe.

‘UJEHOVA WAKHO NGEKE AKUKHULULE LAPHA’

UPyotr Krivokulsky, ekhumbula ihlobo lango-1945, uthi: “Lapho abazalwane sebegwetshiwe babeyiswa emakamu ahlukahlukene. Ekamu engangikulo, iziboshwa eziningi zabonisa isithakazelo esiqotho eqinisweni. Esinye salezo ziboshwa, umfundisi, sashesha saqonda ukuthi lokho esasikuzwa kwakuyiqiniso, futhi saba ngasohlangothini lukaJehova.

“Noma kunjalo, izimo zazinzima. Ngake ngavalelwa esitokisini esincane kangangokuba kwakunzima ukuba ngime ngiqonde. Sasibizwa ngokuthi indlu yezilokazane ngoba sasigcwele izimbungulu—indlela ezaziziningi ngayo wawungafunga ukuthi zingalimunca lonke igazi emzimbeni womuntu. Limi emnyango wesitokisi, iphoyisa lathi kimi: ‘UJehova wakho ngeke akukhulule lapha.’ Ukudla kwami kwansuku zonke kwakungamagremu angu-300 esinkwa nenkomishi yamanzi. Wawungekho umoya, ngakho ngangincika emnyango omncane bese ngizama ukuphefumula ngidonse umoya emfantwini omncane. Ngangizizwa izimbungulu zingimunca igazi. Kulezo zinsuku eziyishumi ngisendlini yezilokazane, ngangimcela ngokuphindelela uJehova ukuba anginikeze amandla okuba ngikhuthazele. (Jer. 15:15) Lapho iminyango ivuleka, ngaquleka ngaphaphama sengikwesinye isitokisi.

“Ngemva kwalokho, inkantolo yasekamu okufukuzwa kulo yangigweba iminyaka eyishumi ngivalelwe futhi ngiqashwe ngeso lokhozi ekamu lokujezisa ngenxa ‘yokususa uthuthuva nokusazaka inkulumo-ze emelene negunya lamaSoviet.’ Yayingekho indlela yokuthumela noma yokuthola iposi kulelo kamu. Imvama yeziboshwa kwakuyilezo ezaziboshelwe amacala obudlova, njengokubulala. Ngatshelwa ukuthi uma ngingaluphiki ukholo lwami, laba bantu babezokwenza noma yini abatshelwa ukuba bayenze kimi. Isisindo sami sasingamakhilogremu angu-36 futhi kwakunzima ngisho nokuhamba. Kodwa ngisho nalapho, ngakwazi ukuthola abaqotho, abazinhliziyo zabo zithambekele eqinisweni.

“Ngelinye ilanga ngilele esikhotheni ngithandaza, indoda esikhulile yeza kimi. Yangibuza, ‘Wénzani wena uze uzithole ukule nyakanyaka?’ Lapho izwa ukuthi ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova, yahlala phansi, yanganga. Yabe isithi: “Mfana wami, kunini ngifuna ukufunda ngeBhayibheli! Ngicela ungifundise.’ Angive ngajabula! Ngangithungele izingxenyana ezindala zamaVangeli ezingutsheni zami, ngakho ngazikhipha. Amehlo ayo agcwala izinyembezi. Sakhuluma isikhathi eside ngalobo busuku. Yangitshela ukuthi isebenza ehholo lokudlela kuleli kamu nokuthi izonginika ukudla. Saba kanjalo abangane. Yakhula ngokomoya, mina ngaqina emzimbeni. Ngangiqiniseka ukuthi nguJehova owayehlele izinto ngale ndlela. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezimbili, yakhululwa, mina ngayiswa kwelinye ikamu eSifundazweni SaseGorki.

“Lapho, izimo zazingcono. Kodwa ngaphezu kwakho konke, ngangijabula ngoba ngangiqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli neziboshwa ezine. Ngo-1952 induna yekamu yasithola sinezincwadi. Ngenkathi siphonswa imibuzo, ngangivalelwa ebhokisini elingenamoya, bese kuthi lapho sengiphelelwa umoya, balivule isikhashana ngithi ukuwudonsa bese belivala futhi. Babefuna ngiphike ukholo lwami. Sonke salahlwa icala. Lapho sitshelwa izigwebo zethu, akekho noyedwa engangifunda naye iBhayibheli owethuka. Kwangijabulisa kakhulu lokho! Bobane bagwetshwa iminyaka engu-25 ekamu. Mina nganikezwa isigwebo esithé ukuba qatha, kodwa sabuye sashintshwa saba eminye iminyaka engu-25 ekamu neminyaka eyishumi ekudingisweni. Lapho siphuma kulelo gumbi, sama sabonga uJehova ngokusisekela. Onogada bamangala, bezibuza ukuthi sijatshuliswe yini. Sahlukaniswa sayiswa emakamu ahlukene. Ngayiswa ekamu eliqashwe kakhulu eVorkuta.”

BASINDISWA UKUNGATHATHI HLANGOTHI KOBUKRISTU

Ukuphila kwasemakamu kwakunzima. Iziboshwa eziningi ezingebona oFakazi zazibulala. U-Ivan Krylov uyakhumbula: “Ngemva kokudedelwa ekamu elinesimiso sokulondeka esiphakeme, ngahambela izimayini zamalahle ezihlukahlukene lapho abafowethu nodadewethu babefukuziswa khona. Sakwazi ukuxhumana futhi noma ubani owayekwazile ukukopisha abanye bomagazini bethu wayebadlulisela kwabanye. OFakazi babeshumayela kuwo wonke amakamu futhi abantu abaningi baba nesithakazelo. Sebededeliwe, abanye babo babhapathizwa eMfuleni iVorkuta.

“Ukholo lwethu kuJehova naseMbusweni wakhe lwaluvivinywa njalo. Kwake kwathi ngo-1948 iziboshwa ezithile kwelinye ikamu laseVorkuta zabhikisha. La mavukela ayetshele ezinye iziboshwa ukuthi lokhu kubhikisha kwakuzophumelela uma zizihlela ngamaqembu, njengamaqembu obuzwe noma enkolo. Ngaleso sikhathi kwakunoFakazi abangu-15 ekamu. Sawatshela la mavukela ukuthi thina boFakazi BakaJehova singamaKristu nokuthi ngeke sibhikishe. Sachaza ukuthi amaKristu okuqala awazange awabhikishele amaRoma. Njengokulindelekile, kwabamangaza abaningi lokhu, kodwa thina asiwushintshanga umqondo.”

Lo mbhikisho waba nesiphetho esibi. Amasosha awuhlakaza, ayesethatha amavukela awayisa kwamanye amabhalekisi. Abhunyela la mabhalekisi ngophethiloli awathungela ngomlilo. Cishe bonke ababephakathi bafa. Amasosha awabathintanga abazalwane.

“Ngo-December 1948 ngathola abazalwane abangu-8 kwelinye ikamu begwetshwe iminyaka engu-25,” kuqhuba u-Ivan. “Amakhaza ayeshubis’ umnkantsha ebusika nomsebenzi ezimayini unzima. Kepha ngabona isibindi nethemba eliqinile emehlweni alabo bafowethu. Isimo sabo esihle saqinisa ngisho neziboshwa ezazingebona oFakazi BakaJehova.”

BADINGISELWA ESIBERIA

Naphezu kokuphikiswa ngesihluku yiziphathimandla, oFakazi baqhubeka ngentshiseko beshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaJehova. Kwawucasula uhulumeni omkhulu eMoscow. Kwayicasula ngisho nakakhulu i-KGB. Umbiko wayo wango-February 19, 1951 owawuya kuStalin wawuthi: “Ukuze iqede noma imiphi imizamo yokumelana namaSoviet eyenziwa abalandeli bakaJehova abasebenza umshoshaphansi, i-MGB [Ministry of State Security (uMnyango Wezokuphepha Kwezwe), owaba i-KGB kamuva] yase-USSR ibona kudingeka ukuba ibadingise labo abaziwayo ukuthi bangabalandeli bakaJehova nemikhaya yabo, ibadingisele esifundazweni sase-Irkutsk nesaseTomsk.” I-KGB yayibazi abantu ababengoFakazi, futhi yacela kuStalin imvume yokudingisa abantu abangu-8 576 basemazweni ayisithupha aseSoviet Union ibayise eSiberia. Yayithola imvume.

UMagdalina Beloshitskaya uyakhumbula: “Ekuseni ngeSonto ngehora lesibili, ngo-April 8, 1951, savuswa ukungqongqoza okuvala izindlebe emnyango. Umama wagxuma waya emnyango. Phambi kwethu kwakumi iphoyisa. Lathi: ‘Nidingiselwa eSiberia ngoba nikholelwa kuNkulunkulu. Ninamahora amabili okupakisha izimpahla zenu. Ningathatha noma yini esendlini. Kepha nishiye ukolweni, ufulawa nokusanhlamvu. Ifenisha, izinto zokhuni nemishini yokuthunga nako nikushiye. Ningathathi lutho egcekeni. Thathani izingubo zokulala, ezokugqoka nezikhwama bese niyaphuma.’

“Ngaphambi kwalokhu sasifunde ezincwadini zethu ukuthi kwakunomsebenzi omningi empumalanga. Manje sabona ukuthi sase sifikile isikhathi sokuwenza.

“Akekho owakhala. Iphoyisa lamangala, lathi, ‘Hhawu, akuphumi nonyembezi nje emehlweni enu.’ Salitshela ukuthi besilokhu sikulindele lokhu kusukela ngo-1948. Sacela ukuthatha okungenani inkukhu eyodwa ephilayo ibe umphako, kodwa senqatshelwa. Amaphoyisa ahlukaniselana imfuyo yethu. Abelana izinkukhu zethu sibhekile—elinye lathatha ezinhlanu, elinye eziyisithupha, elinye lathola ezintathu noma ezine. Kwathi sekusele ezimbili kuphela ehhokweni, iphoyisa lathi asihlatshelwe zona.

“Indodakazi yami enezinyanga ezingu-8 yayilele embhedeni wamapulangwe. Sabuza ukuthi singahamba yini nawo, kodwa iphoyisa lathi awuqaqwe. Labe selisinika ingxenyana encane yombhede.

“Omakhelwane bezwa ngokushesha ukuthi siyadingiswa. Omunye wafika nephakeshana lesinkwa esithosiwe, kwathi lapho sesihamba waliphonsa enqoleni yethu. Isosha elalisigadile lakubona lokhu, lathatha leli phakeshana lalijiba le ngaphandle. Sasiyisithupha—kuyimina, umama, abafowethu ababili, umyeni wami nendodakazi yethu enezinyanga ezingu-8. Sesiphumile edolobhaneni lakithi, sahlohlwa emotweni sayiswa ehhovisi esafike sagcwalisa kulo amafomu. Yithi labaya sithathwa ngeloli siyiswa esiteshini sesitimela.

“KwakuyiSonto izulu licwathile. Kwakugcwele abantu esiteshini—ababedingiswa nababezobukela. Iloli lethu lafike lama eduze kwenqola yesitimela okwase kukhona kuyo abafowethu. Lapho sesigcwele isitimela, amasosha asibheka sonke ngezibongo zethu. Enqoleni yethu sasingu-52. Singakahambi, abantu ababezovalelisa bakhala, abanye baze baba nesilokozane. Kwakumangaza ngoba sasingabazi kwakubazi abanye babo. Kodwa bona babazi ukuthi singoFakazi BakaJehova nokuthi sidingiselwa eSiberia. Isitimela sakhala kakhulu. Abafowethu baqala ukuhuba izingoma ngesi-Ukraine: ‘Uthando lukaKristu malube nani. Khazimulisani uJesu Kristu, siyophinde sibonane eMbusweni wakhe.’ Iningi lethu laligcwele ithemba nokholo lokuthi uJehova ngeke asilahle. Sahuba amavesi amaningana. Kwakuthinta inhliziyo kangangokuthi amanye amasosha akhala. Sashushuluza njalo isitimela.”

“YAYIPHAMBENE NOKWAKULINDELEKILE”

Encwadini yakhe, uDkt. N. S. Gordienko, uprofesa waseHerzen University eSt. Petersburg, wachaza lokho okwafezwa abashushisi. Wabhala: “Imiphumela yayiphambene kunokwakulindelekile; babefuna ukuhlakaza inhlangano yoFakazi BakaJehova e-USSR, kodwa empeleni bayiqinisa. Ezindaweni ezintsha eyayingaziwa kuzo inkolo yabo, oFakazi BakaJehova ‘bathelela’ abantu bendawo ngokholo lwabo nangobuqotho babo kulo.”

OFakazi abaningi basheshe bazijwayela izimo ezintsha. Kwamiswa amabandla amancane kwabiwa nensimu. UNikolai Kalibaba uthi: “Sikhona isikhathi esakwazi ngaso ukushumayela endlini ngendlu eSiberia, noma uma sikubeka ngokunembile, sasishumayela kule ndlu bese seqa ezimbili noma ezintathu singene kwenye. Kodwa kwakuyingozi lokhu. Sasikwenza kanjani pho? Ngemva kokuhambela kokuqala, sasizama ukwenza impindelo cishe ngemva kwenyanga. Sasiqala ngokubuza abantu, ‘Zikhona izinkukhu, izimbuzi noma izinkomo enizidayisayo?’ Bese sishintsha kancane kancane sixoxe ngoMbuso. Ngemva kwesikhashana i-KGB yakuzwa lokhu, ngokushesha nje kwase kushicilelwa isihloko ephephandabeni sixwayisa abantu bendawo ukuba bangaxoxi noFakazi BakaJehova. Lesi sihloko sasithi oFakazi bahamba indlu ngendlu bacela izimbuzi, izinkomo nezinkukhu zabantu—kodwa empeleni thina sasizifunela izimvu nje kuphela!”

UGavriil Livy uyalandisa: “Abafowethu bazama ukushumayela nakuba i-KGB yayibagade ngeso elibukhali. Kwakuye kuthi uma abantu baseSoviet besola ukuthi umuntu uzama ukubaxoxisa ngenkolo, bavele bahlabe umkhosi babize amaphoyisa. Naphezu kwalokho, saqhubeka sishumayela nakuba singabonanga miphumela ekuqaleni. Kepha ngemva kwesikhathi, iqiniso laqala ukuguqula abanye babantu bendawo. Omunye wabo kwakungumRashiya owayebuhlaba utshwala. Eselifundile iqiniso, waphila ngezimiso zeBhayibheli wayeseba uFakazi okhuthele. Kamuva iphoyisa le-KGB lambiza lathi: ‘Isikhathi sakho usichitha nobani wena? Lab’ oFakazi bonke abase-Ukraine.’

“Lo mzalwane waphendula: ‘Ngesikhathi ngisadakwa ngize ngibhuquze phansi, aninginakanga. Manje njengoba sengingasaphuzi futhi sengiyindoda ekahle, nithi anikuthandi lokhu. Abantu abaningi base-Ukraine bayahamba la eSiberia, kodwa bazoshiya abantu bendawo abafundiswa uNkulunkulu indlela yokuphila.’”

Ngemva kweminyakana, isikhulu sase-Irkutsk sabhalela eMoscow: “Izisebenzi eziningana zalapha zithe bonke [lab’ oFakazi BakaJehova] kufanele bathunyelwe endaweni eyodwa esenyakatho ukuze bangaxhumani nabanye abantu futhi bashintshwe indlela yabo yokucabanga.” Iziphathimandla zaseSiberia naseMoscow zazingazi ukuthi zingenzani ukuze zithulise oFakazi BakaJehova.

“BESIZONIDUBULA NONKE”

Ekuqaleni kuka-1957 iziphathimandla zawuqala phansi umkhankaso wokulwa noFakazi BakaJehova. Abazalwane babelandelwa nemizi iseshwa. UViktor Gutshmidt uyakhumbula: “Ngake ngafika ekhaya ngivela ensimini ngafica kumapeketwane. I-KGB yayibheka izincwadi. Yangibopha yangipheka ngemibuzo izinyanga ezimbili. UYulia, indodakazi yethu encane, wayenezinyanga ezingu-11, endala ineminyaka emibili.

“Ngesikhathi ngiphenywa, umseshi wathi, ‘Awuyena umJalimane wena?’ Kubantu abaningi ngaleso sikhathi igama elithi ‘mJalimane’ lalihlobene ‘nobuFascist.’ AmaJalimane ayezondwa.

“Ngathi: ‘Umthetho wami anginandaba nobuzwe, kodwa uma ukhuluma ngamaJalimane ayeboshwe amaNazi emakamu okuhlushwa, ngizishaya isifuba ngawo! Ayebizwa ngokuthi ama-Bibelforscher, manje abizwa ngokuthi oFakazi BakaJehova. Ngiyaziqhenya ngokuthi akukho Fakazi owake wadubula abanye abantu. Ngiyaziqhenya ngalawo maJalimane!’

“Inkukhu yanqunywa umlomo kumseshi, ngase ngiqhubeka: ‘Ngiyaqiniseka ukuthi akekho noyedwa uFakazi kaJehova oye wavukela noma wabhikisha. Ngisho nalapho imisebenzi yoFakazi BakaJehova ivinjelwe, bayaphikelela bekhulekela uNkulunkulu. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, bayaziqaphela futhi bazilalele iziphathimandla uma imithetho yazo ingangqubuzani nemithetho ephakeme yoMdali wethu.’

“Umseshi wangingena emlonyeni: ‘Alikho iqembu esiye salifakela izibuko njengoFakazi nemisebenzi yabo. Ukube besike sezwa umbiko omubi ngani, ngisho nokuthi nichithe iconsi legazi leli, besizonidubula nonke.’

“Ngacabanga: ‘Abafowethu banesibindi sokukhonza uJehova emhlabeni wonke futhi isibonelo sabo sisindise ukuphila kwethu lapha eSoviet Union. Hleze nokukhonza kwethu uNkulunkulu lapha kungasiza abafowethu kwezinye izindawo.’ Lo mcabango wanginika amandla engeziwe okunamathela ezindleleni zikaJehova.”

OFAKAZI EMAKAMU ANGAPHEZU KUKA-50

Ukungathathi hlangothi nenkonzo yentshiseko yoFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union kwaqhubeka kuwucasula uhulumeni. (Marku 13:10; Joh. 17:16) Ukuma kwabafowethu kulezi zici kwakuvame ukubatholisa izigwebo ezinde ezazingabafanele.

Emihlanganweni yesigodi engu-199 eyayingo-June 1956 kuya ku-February 1957 emhlabeni jikelele, abantu abangaba ngu-462 936 ababekhona bavumelana ngazwi linye nesikhalazo esasibhaliwe, okwathi amakhophi aso athunyelwa eMkhandlwini Wongqongqoshe BaseSoviet Union eMoscow. Phakathi kokunye, lesi sikhalazo sasithi: “KunoFakazi BakaJehova abavalelwe emakamu angaphezu kuka-50 engxenyeni yeRussia eseYurophu kuye eSiberia, uye phezulu e-Arctic Ocean, ngisho nasesiqhingini saseNovaya Zemlya esise-Arctic . . . EMelika nakwamanye amazwe asentshonalanga, oFakazi BakaJehova baye babizwa ngokuthi amaKhomanisi, emazweni amaKhomanisi kwathiwa basekela umbuso waseMelika . . . Ohulumeni bamaKhomanisi baye babamangalela futhi babaqulisa amacala ngoba bethi ‘bayizinhloli zaseMelika’ futhi babagweba iminyaka efika kwengu-20 bebhadla ejele. Kodwa abakaze bavukele mbuso.” Ngokudabukisayo, lesi sikhalazo asisenzanga ngcono isimo soFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union.

Kwakunzima ngokukhethekile ngemikhaya engoFakazi BakaJehova eRussia ukukhulisa izingane. UVladimir Sosnin waseMoscow, owakhulisa abafana abathathu ngaleso sikhathi, uthi: “Kwakuphoqelekile ukuba kufundwe esikoleni samaSoviet. Othisha nabanye abafundi babecindezela abantabethu ukuba bajoyine izinhlangano zezingane ezazifundisa ubuKhomanisi. Sasifuna izingane zethu zithole imfundo ezaziyidinga, ngakho sazisiza ezifundweni zazo. Kwakungelula ngathi bazali ukuhlakulela uthando ngoJehova ezinhliziyweni zabantabethu. Ezikoleni kwakushunyayelwa ivangeli lokwakha isimiso sokusebenzela uhulumeni nobuKhomanisi. Yithina bazali okwakudingeka sibonise isineke nokukhuthazela okukhulu.”

BAMANGALELWA NGOKUTHI BASIKE INDLEBE YENDODAKAZI YABO

USemyon noDaria Kostylyev bakhulisa izingane zabo ezintathu eSiberia. USemyon uyalandisa: “Ngaleso sikhathi oFakazi BakaJehova babebhekwa njengezinhlanya. Ngo-1961 u-Alla, indodakazi yethu yesibili, waqala esikoleni. Ngelinye ilanga edlala nezinye izingane, enye yazo yamlimaza indlebe ngephutha. Ngakusasa lapho uthisha embuza ukuthi kwakwenzekeni, u-Alla wazithulela ngoba engafuni ukuceba ingane afunda nayo. Lo thisha wayazi ukuthi abazali baka-Alla bangoFakazi, wayesephetha ngokuthi sasimshaye ngoba sifuna ukumphilisa ngezimiso zeBhayibheli ngenkani. Isikole sabika lolu daba ehhovisi lomshushisi. Inkampani engangiyisebenzela yahileleka nayo. Uphenyo lwathatha unyaka, ekugcineni sathola amasamanisi asibizela enkantolo ngo-October 1962.

“Emasontweni amabili ngaphambi kokuba kuqulwe icala, esakhiweni esibizwa ngokuthi iPalace of Culture kwakulenga umbhalo othi, ‘Sekuzoqala icala lehlelo eliyingozi labalandeli bakaJehova.’ Sinomkami sabekwa icala lokukhulisa izingane zethu ngeBhayibheli. Samangalelwa nangokuthi sinonya. Inkantolo yathi sasiphoqe indodakazi yethu ukuba ithandaze nokuthi sasiyisike indlebe ngebhakede! Okuwukuphela kukafakazi kwakungu-Alla, kodwa wayeyiswe ezintandaneni eKirensk, idolobha eliqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-700 enyakatho ye-Irkutsk, lapho sasihlala khona.

“Ihholo laligcwele izishoshovu zenhlangano yentsha. Lapho inkantolo isayohlanganisa amakhanda, isixuku savuk’ umbhejazane. Sadudulwa sathukwa, futhi othile wathi asikhumule izingubo zethu ‘zamaSoviet.’ Kwamemeza bonk’ abantu bethi asibulawe, omunye washo ukusiqeda khona lapho. Sase sala ukhasha isixuku, kodwa lutho ukuphuma amajaji. Kwaphela ihora ebhunga. Lapho isixuku sisondela kithi, omunye udade nomyeni wakhe ongakholwa bama phakathi kwethu nesixuku, basincenga ukuba singasenzi lutho. Bazama ukuchaza ukuthi konke esasimangalelwe ngakho kwakungamanga futhi basophula esixukwini.

“Ekugcineni, laphuma ijaji nabasizi balo basifundela isigwebo sethu: ukwephucwa ilungelo lobuzali. Ngaboshwa ngathunyelwa ekamu lokuqondisa izigwegwe iminyaka emibili. Nendodakazi yethu endala yayiswa ezintandaneni ngemva kokutshelwa ukuthi abazali bayo basonta ehlelweni eliyingozi futhi bayingozi kuyo.

“Indodana yethu yasala noDaria ngoba yayineminyaka emithathu kuphela. Ngemva kokudonsa isigwebo, ngagoduka. Njengangaphambili, sasishumayela ngokwethukela kuphela.”

“SASIZIGQAJA NGEZINGANE ZETHU”

“U-Alla washiya ikhaya lezintandane lapho eseneminyaka engu-13, weza ekhaya sahlala naye. Yeka intokozo esaba nayo lapho ezinikezela kuJehova futhi ebhapathizwa ngo-1969! Cishe ngaso lesi sikhathi kwakufundiswa ngezenkolo ePalace of Culture edolobheni lakithi. Sanquma ukuya siyokuzwa ukuthi kuthiwani. Njengenhlalayenza, oFakazi BakaJehova yibona ababesematheni. Esinye isikhulumi saphakamisa INqabayokulinda sathi, ‘Mubi lo magazini futhi uyingozi ngoba uchitha ubunye boMbuso wethu.’ Sabe sesinikeza isibonelo: ‘Abantu baleli hlelo baphoqa izingane zabo ukuba zifunde lab’ omagazini futhi zithandaze. Komunye umkhaya intombazanyana yakhona yayingafuni ukufunda umagazini, uyise wayeseyisika indlebe.’ U-Alla wamangala ngoba wayehlezi, elalele ngezindlebe zakhe zombili. Kodwa akazange athi vu ngoba wayesaba ukuthi uzophinde ahlukaniswe nabazali bakhe.

“Lapho indodana yethu uBoris ineminyaka engu-13, yazinikezela kuJehova futhi yabhapathizwa. Ngolunye usuku yayifakaza emgwaqweni nabanye ontanga abangoFakazi, yize sasisavinjelwe. Babengaphethe Bhayibheli nazincwadi zeBhayibheli. Dukuduku, kwaqhamuka imoto yabathatha bonke laba bafana yabayisa esikhungweni samasosha. Ngemva kokubaphonsa imibuzo nokubasesha, amasosha awatholanga lutho ngaphandle kwephepha elalibhalwe imiBhalo yeBhayibheli embalwa. Badedelwa. Lapho efika ekhaya, uBoris wasixoxela ngelikhulu iqholo indlela yena nabanye abazalwane ababeshushiswe ngayo ngenxa yegama likaJehova. Sasizigqaja ngezingane zethu kwazise uJehova wayezisekelile ngesikhathi sovivinyo. Ngemva kwalesi sehlakalo, mina noDaria sabizwa i-KGB kaningana. Elinye iphoyisa lathi: ‘Lezi zingane kufanele zithunyelwe ekamu lezingane lokuqondisa izigwegwe. Kuyishwa nje ukuthi azikakabi neminyaka engu-14.’ Sahlawuliswa ngenxa yokushumayela kwendodana yethu.

“Namuhla, ngihlala nendodana yami nabazukulu, nabo abahamba eqinisweni. Indodakazi yami endala ihlala e-Uzbekistan, futhi yize ingakamkhonzi uJehova, iyasihlonipha thina neBhayibheil futhi ivamile ukusivakashela. UDaria washona ngo-2001, esekhonze uJehova ngokwethembeka kwaze kwaba sekupheleni. Uma amandla evuma ngishumayela nebandla emasimini aqhelile, ngicinga abantu ‘abathambekele ngokufanele ekuphileni okuphakade.’ (IzE. 13:48) Ngiyakholwa ukuthi maduze nje uJehova uzokwanelisa isifiso somuntu ngamunye, njengoba kulotshwe ku-Isaya 65:23.”

ABAZALI BABEKA ISIBONELO ESIHLE

UVladislav Apanyuk ukhonza eBethel YaseRussia. Ukhumbula indlela abazali bakhe abalufaka ngayo uthando ngoNkulunkulu kuye nasezinganeni zakwabo kusukela besebancane: “Ngo-1951 abazali bethu badingiselwa eSiberia besuka e-Ukraine. Basifundisa ukuba sizenzele izinqumo sibe sizama ukujabulisa uJehova ngesikhathi esifanayo. Ngangikwazisa ngempela ukuthi abazali bethu babengenawo amahloni okukhuluma ngamaphutha abo njalo nje phambi kwethu thina bantwana. Lapho benza amaphutha, babengawafihli. Kwakusobala ukuthi bamthanda kangakanani uJehova. Abazali bami babehlale bejabule, ikakhulukazi lapho bexoxa nathi ngezinto ezingokomoya. Sasibona ukuthi bayakuthanda kakhulu ukuzindla nokuxoxa ngoJehova. Kwasenza nathi sazindla ngamaqiniso aphathelene noJehova. Sasibona ngeso lengqondo indlela abantu abazophila ngayo ezweni elisha lapho zonke izinto ziyobe zizinhle futhi ukugula noma izimpi zingeke ziphinde zibe khona.

“Lapho sengifunda ibanga lokuqala, lonke ikilasi lacelwa ukuba lijoyine inhlangano yentsha yamaSoviet ebizwa ngokuthi iPioneers. Iningi lezingane zaseSoviet Union zazikubheka njengento enkulu ukujoyina le nhlangano. Izingane engangifunda nazo zazikade zilubheke ngabomvu lolu suku. Ngamunye wethu kwakufanele abhale phansi isifungo esithi ukulungele ukujoyina le nhlangano ebizwa ngokuthi iSoviet Pioneers, abakhi bangomuso bobuKhomanisi. Ngenqaba. Uthisha wayesengijezisa ngokungivalela ekilasini. Wathi, ‘Ngeke uphume la kuze kube yilapho usubhale lesi sifungo.’ Ngemva kwamahora ambalwa, ezinye zezingane engangifundisa nazo zangqongqoza efasiteleni zangincenga zithi angiphume siyodlala. Ngahlala ekilasini, ngazitshela ukuthi ngeke ngibhale lutho. Kwathi sekuhwalala kwafika omunye uthisha. Wangibona ngisekilasini wayesengidedela. Kwakuwukunqoba kwami kokuqala lokhu. Ngangineqholo lokuthi ngenze into eyayizojabulisa inhliziyo kaJehova. (IzAga 27:11) Uma ngifika ekhaya, ngaxoxela abazali bami ngalokhu. Bajabula, ubaba wathi, ‘Wenze kahle ndodana!’”

IBHAYIBHELI LIBHEKWA NJENGELIMELENE NAMASOVIET

Ngezinye izikhathi abafowethu babequliswa amacala ngoba nje beneBhayibheli. UNadezhda Vishnyak uthi: “Sinomyeni wami sasingakabi oFakazi BakaJehova, kodwa iqiniso lase lizithinte ngokujulile izinhliziyo zethu. Kwake kwafika iphoyisa emsebenzini langibopha ngigqoke izingubo zokusebenza. Umyeni wami uPyotr naye waboshwa esemsebenzini. Kungakenzeki lokhu, umuzi wethu waseshwa, amaphoyisa athola iBhayibheli nencwajana ethi Ngemuva Kwe-Armagedoni—Izwe Elisha LikaNkulunkulu. UPyotr wayengacabangi ukuthi azongibopha ngoba nganginezinyanga ezingu-7 ngikhulelwe.

“Sabekwa icala lokuphikisana neziphathimandla zamaSoviet. Sawatshela ukuthi sikholelwa eBhayibhelini, eliyigunya eliphakeme kakhulu kunombuso wamaSoviet.

“Ngathi: ‘IBhayibheli liyiZwi likaNkulunkulu, yingakho sifuna ukuphila ngezimiso zalo.’

“Lapho kufika isikhathi sokuqulwa kwecala lethu, kwase kusele amasonto amabili kuphela ngibelethe. Njengoba icala liqulwa, kwakuba khona ikhefu, ijaji lingidedele ngishaywe umoya ngaphandle ngiphelezelwa isosha elihlomile. Ngesinye isikhathi njengoba sishaywa umoya, langibuza ukuthi ngangenzeni. Ngaba nethuba elihle lokulishumayeza.

“Ijaji lathi iBhayibheli nezincwadi esasizephuciwe ‘zazimelene namaSoviet.’ Ngajabula ngokuthi akumina nomyeni wami kuphela esasimangalelwe ngokuthi simelene namaSoviet, kodwa nezincwadi zethu ngisho neBhayibheli imbala! Sabuzwa ukuthi sasitholanephi noFakazi BakaJehova. Lapho sithi satholana ekamu eVorkuta, ijaji labhavumula, ‘Niyayibona into eyenzeka emakamu ethu!’ Icala lasilahla, sobabili sagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi emakamu okuqondisa izigwegwe.

“UPyotr wathunyelwa ekamu laseMordvinia, eRussia emaphakathi. Ngavalelwa ngedwa. Ngo-March 1958, ngabeletha indodana yethu. Kulezi zikhathi ezinzima, uJehova wayengumngane wami nomsizi wami omkhulu. Umama wathatha ingane yethu wayinakekela. Ngayiswa eKemerovo, eSiberia, ngafike ngavalelwa ekamu okufukuzwa kulo.

“Ngemva kweminyaka engu-8 ngadedelwa ngingakasiqedi isigwebo. Ngiyakhumbula ukuthi emabhalekisini, induna yesifazane yamemezela ukuthi ngangingakaze ngisho noluncu ‘olumene namaSoviet’ nokuthi izincwadi zethu zikhuluma ngenkolo kuphela. Ngabhapathizwa ngo-1966 lapho sengidedeliwe.”

AmaBhayibheli nezincwadi kwakuyigugu ngokukhethekile emajele nasemakamu. Ngo-1958 ekamu laseMordvinia, abazalwane babeqhuba imihlangano njalo. Ukuze izinduna zamakamu zingababhadami, kwakucelwa abazalwane abaningana ukuba bagade, bangaqhelelani kakhulu ukuze bezwe uma beqasheliswa, ngesikhathi iqembu elithile litadisha INqabayokulinda. Uma kuqhamuka induna, umzalwane wayetshela oseduze kwakhe ukuthi “kukhona ozayo,” bese naye etshela omunye kuze kuyofika eqenjini elihlangene ndawonye. Babehlakazeka bonke, umagazini ufihlwe. Kodwa kwakuvame ukuba izinduna zithushuke esikhaleni nje.

Kwake kwathi ngesinye isikhathi izinduna zibhademe abafowethu, uBoris Kryltsov wanquma ukuthikameza izinduna ukuze bangephucwa umagazini. Wathatha incwadi ethile wabaleka. Izinduna zamjaha zimjahile, kodwa lapho zimfica zathola ukuthi incwadi ayeyiphethe kwakuwumqulu okhuluma ngoLenin. Nakuba avalelwa yedwa izinsuku ezingu-7, wayejabula ngoba umagazini wawungathathwanga.

IMBEWU YEQINISO IHLWANYELWA EMOSCOW

Yiqembu elincane elaqala ukushumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso eMoscow. UBoris Kryltsov wayengomunye wabambalwa bokuqala ukushumayela ngentshiseko enhloko-dolobha yaleli zwe. Uyalandisa: “Ngangisebenza enkampanini yokwakha. Sikanye neqembu labafowethu nodade, ngazama ukushumayela ngokwethukela. Lapho i-KGB izwa ngalokho, yasesha umuzi wami ngo-April 1957 yathola izincwadi zeBhayibheli, kwaba ukuboshwa kwami njalo. Njengoba ngiphenywa ngemibuzo, iphoyisa langitshela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bangabantu abayingozi kabi eMbusweni. Lathi: ‘Uma siniyeka, izakhamuzi eziningi ezingamaSoviet zizonijoyina. Yingakho sinibheka njengosongo olukhulu eMbusweni wethu.’

“Ngathi, ‘IBhayibheli lisifundisa ukuba sibe izakhamuzi ezigcina umthetho. Libuye lithi kumelwe siqhubeke sifuna uMbuso kuqala nokulunga kukaNkulunkulu. AmaKristu eqiniso awakaze azame ukugumbuqela umbuso kunoma iliphi izwe.’

“‘Uzithathephi izincwadi esizithole kwakho?’ kubuza umseshi.

“Ngabuza, ‘Zoneni lezo zincwadi? Zikhuluma ngeziprofetho zeBhayibheli, azisho lutho ngezombusazwe.’

“‘Kunjalo, kodwa zinyatheliswe kwelinye izwe,’ ephendula.

“Ngavalelwa ejele elinesimiso esiphakeme sokulondeka edolobheni laseVladimir. Ngaseshwa emzimbeni wonke, kodwa ngamangala ngoba ngakwazi ukungena ekamu nomagazini be-Nqabayokulinda abane, bebhalwe ngesandla ephepheni elincanyana. Kwakusobala ukuthi uJehova wayengisizile. Sengisesitokisini sami, ngaphinde ngabakopisha bonke lab’ omagazini abane. Ngangazi ukuthi babekhona nabanye oFakazi lapha, futhi kwase kuphele iminyaka engu-7 bengenakho ukudla okungokomoya. Lab’ omagazini ngabadlulisela kwabanye oFakazi ngodade owayekolobha izitebhisi.

“Kamuva kwahlaluka ukuthi kwakukhona umsheshelengwana kubafowethu, owatshela onogada ukuthi kunomuntu onikeza abanye izincwadi zeBhayibheli. Khona manjalo kwaseshwa wonk’ umuntu, zathathwa zonke izincwadi. Dukuduku base besesha mina futhi bazithola izincwadi kumatilasi wami. Ngavalelwa ngedwa izinsuku ezingu-85. Noma kunjalo, uJehova waqhubeka esinakekela njengasekuqaleni.”

IZINKULUMO ZASIZA ABANYE BATHOLA IQINISO

Izinkulumo zazisetshenziselwa ukushintsha ukucabanga koFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union. UViktor Gutshmidt uthi: “Ikamu lethu lalijwayele ukuvakashelwa izikhulumi ezazethula izinkulumo ezikhuthaza ukungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu. Abafowethu babebuza imibuzo njalo. Ngezinye izikhathi lezi zikhulumi zazehluleka ukuphendula ngisho nemibuzo elula. Ihholo lalivame ukugcwala, wonk’ umuntu ecijise izindlebe. Abantu babezizela ngoba befuna ukwazi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bazothini ekuphetheni kwenkulumo.

“Ngelinye ilanga kwavakasha umlisa owayekade engumpristi weSonto Lobu-Orthodox BaseRussia. Sonke sasazi ukuthi wayeluphikile ukholo ngesikhathi esekamu wangabe esakholelwa kuNkulunkulu.

“‘Ngaphambi kokuba uboshwe, wawungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu noma uyeke ngesikhathi ususejele?’ kubuza umfowethu lapho kuphela inkulumo.

“‘Cabanga ngalokhu,’ kuphendula lo mlisa. ‘Umuntu uye emkhathini kodwa akambonanga uNkulunkulu.’

“‘Ngesikhathi usengumpristi, ingabe ngempela wawuzitshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu ubheke abantu esendaweni eyibanga elingaphezudlwana nje kwamikhilomitha angu-200 ngaphezu komhlaba?’ kubuza umfowethu. Lutho ukuphendula lo mlisa. Lezi zingxoxo zenza iziboshwa eziningi zacabanga kanzulu, futhi kamuva ezinye zaqala ukutadisha iBhayibheli nathi.

“Kwenye inkulumo, udade wacela ukusho okuthile. ‘Kulungile; kumelwe ukuba unguFakazi kaJehova,’ kusho indoda eyayinikeza inkulumo.

“‘Ungathini ngomuntu ohamba ayokuma esigangeni amemeze athi, “Ngizokubulala!” ebe eyedwa lapho?’ kubuza udade.

“‘Awu, ngingathi uyahlanya phela,’ kuphendula le ndoda.

“‘Uma uNkulunkulu engekho, nilwelani pho naye? Uma engekho, nilwa nobani-ke?’ Izilaleli zahleka.”

UMSHUMAYELI UYOLOKHU EBUYA

Izinkulumo ezifundisa imibono yamaSoviet zazingethulwa emakamu kuphela. Zazethulelwa ikakhulukazi imiphakathi yasemadolobheni amakhulu. Abantu ababethula izinkulumo babehambela amadolobha amancane namakhulu, ikakhulukazi lapho oFakazi babebaningi khona, njengaseVorkuta, e-Inta, e-Ukhta naseSyktyvkar. UMfoweth’ uGutshmidt uthi: “Kwake kwathi ngo-1957 kwafika umlisa othile ePalace of Culture ezokwethula inkulumo ezisebenzini zasemayini yase-Inta, kukhona abantu abangu-300. Wachaza izinkolelo zoFakazi BakaJehova nendlela abashumayela ngayo. Eseyichaze kahle indlela esishumayela ngayo, eyayihlanganisa nemiboniso yendlela esenza ngayo izimpindelo ezingu-15, wathi: ‘Uma ungacacisi ukuthi awufuni ukufundelwa, umshumayeli uyolokhu ebuya. Uma, ngemva kokubuya okwesibili, ungakenqabi, uzobuya okwesithathu.’

“Ngamahora amabili wachaza indlela esenza ngayo izimpindelo ezinjalo eziyisithupha, wayesefunda yonke imiBhalo ayeyibhale phansi. Umkami uPolina wangibhalela ngalokhu ngesikhathi ngidonsa isigwebo ekamu, wachaza nokuthi abafowethu ababekhona kule nkulumo abawuvalanga umlomo. Ngemva kwale nkulumo, iphephandaba lashicilela izinto ezimbi ngoFakazi, kodwa kwakukhona nencazelo ephelele yoMbuso. Ngaphezu kwalokho, yonke le nkulumo yasakazwa emsakazweni. Ngenxa yalokho, izakhamuzi eziningi zakuleli dolobha zezwa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bashumayela kanjani nokuthi bashumayela ngani.

“Ngo-1962 kwafika enye indoda ivela eMoscow izokhuluma ngoFakazi BakaJehova. Ngemva kokuchaza umlando wabo wanamuhla, yathi: ‘Njalo ngenyanga kufika izindodla zemali eBrooklyn ziyiminikelo yokuzithandela yokuthuthukisa imisebenzi yoFakazi kwamanye amazwe. Kodwa akekho noyedwa kulaba baholi onekhabethe lezingubo. Bonke badlela ehholo, kokubili ohlanza izindlu kanye nomongameli, futhi akukho mehluko phakathi kwabo. Bonke babizana ngokuthi mfowethu nangokuthi dadewethu, njengoba thina sibizana ngokuthi comrade.’

“Kwake kwathula kwathi cwaka ehholo. Yayisithi, ‘Kodwa ngeke siyamukele indlela yabo, nakuba ingase ibonakale iyinhle injalo, ngoba sifuna ukuzakhela konke lokhu ngezethu izandla nemiqondo, ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu.’

“Kwasikhuthaza kakhulu konke lokhu ngoba sasiqala ukuzwa iziphathimandla zikhuluma iqiniso ngoFakazi BakaJehova. Izinkulumo ezinjalo zanikeza nabantu abaningi amathuba okuzizwela kuzo iziphathimandla iqiniso ngoFakazi BakaJehova. Kodwa-ke kwakudingeka ukuba abantu bazibonele bona indlela izimfundiso zeBhayibheli ezingakuthuthukisa ngayo ukuphila kwabo.”

UKUGADWA KWAKUNGAPHUMELELI NJALO

Kwaphela iminyaka eminingi kuyinto evamile ukuba i-KGB icuphe izingcingo, ivule izincwadi izifunde, futhi isebenzise nezinye izindlela zokugada. Ngezinye izikhathi yayithukusa imibhobho emincanyana emizini yabafowethu abaholayo ebandleni. UGrigory Sivulsky, owayengumbonisi wesigodi iminyaka engu-25 ngesikhathi umsebenzi usavinjelwe, ukhumbula indlela awuthola ngayo umbhobho onjalo ekamelweni eliphezulu ngo-1958: “Sasihlala eTulun, eSiberia, esitezi sesibili sesakhiwo esasisemaphethelweni edolobha. Ngelinye ilanga lapho ngifika ekhaya ngezwa umsindo womuntu obholayo ekamelweni eliphezulu. Ngafikelwa ukuthi i-KGB yayicupha ekamelweni ukuze izwe esikuxoxayo—umkhuba eyayidume ngawo. Iningi lezincwadi lalikulelo kamelo kanye nasophahleni.

“Lapho sihlangana ndawonye njengomkhaya kusihlwa, ngabatshela ngengangikusola futhi savumelana ngokuthi okwesikhashana sizoke singaxoxi ngezindaba zebandla ekhaya. Savulela umsakazo kakhulu, sawuyeka wadlala isonto lonke. Ekupheleni kwesonto, mina nomunye umfowethu sagaqa ngamadolo sangena ekamelweni eliphezulu sathola intambo eyayixhunywe embhobhweni omncanyana. Le ntambo yayichusha phakathi kwamapulangwe, iphumele ophahleni, iqonde le edolobheni ngasemahhovisi e-KGB. Asingabazanga ukuthi babeqopha konke abakuzwayo, ukuthi nje ngaleso sikhathi babezwa izinhlelo zomsakazo kuphela.”

I-KGB INGENA ISINYENYELA ENHLANGANWENI

I-KGB yabona ukuthi ushushiso aluyidambisi intshiseko yoFakazi. Ngakho yasebenzisa ubuqili nokukhohlisa, yaqala ukuhlwanyela imbewu yokungabethembi abafowethu abaqondisayo nenhlangano iyonke. Elinye lamaqhinga e-KGB kwakuwukutshala izinhloli ezihlakaniphile emabandleni.

Izinhloli eziningana zakwazi ukuthola izikhundla zokuqondisa enhlanganweni. Laba bazalwane abayizimbulu benza konke ababengakwenza ukuze bakhinyabeze umsebenzi wokushumayela ngokufaka umoya wokwesaba nokungaqiniseki owawuzokwenza abanye badlinzele abafowethu abaholayo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, bagodlela abazalwane izincwadi zeBhayibheli bazinikeza i-KGB. Omunye umbiko uthi izinhloli ezimbili nje kuphela ezazisebenza kusukela ngo-1957 kuya ku-1959 zanikeza i-KGB amakhophi e-Nqabayokulinda angaphezu kuka-500 kanye nezinye izincwadi.

Maphakathi nawo-1950, abanye abafowethu baqala ukungayethembi iKomiti Yezwe. Kwakugcwele amahlebezi okuthi amanye amalungu eKomiti Yezwe empeleni ayesebenza ne-KGB futhi ekhaphela abafowethu abathembekile, kuhlanganise nalabo ababenza amakhophi ezincwadi. U-Ivan Pashkovsky uyakhumbula: “Ngo-April 1959 kwamiswa iKomiti Yezwe entsha engangiyilungu layo. Sasizimisele ngenhliziyo yonke ukulwela iqiniso naphezu kwemizamo kaDeveli yokuxova abafowethu. Kwase kuqale inkathi eyayinzima kunazo zonke emlandweni woFakazi BakaJehova e-USSR.”

Njengoba izinsolo zazanda, abanye abafowethu bayeka ukuthumela imibiko yamabandla eKomitini Yezwe. Abamemezeli emabandleni baqhubeka bekhuthele ensimini futhi befaka imibiko yabo njalo, kodwa iningi labo lalingazi ukuthi imibiko yayingasathunyelwa eKomitini Yezwe. Ngo-1958, amaqembu abafowethu ayesehlukanise izinkulungwane zabamemezeli neKomiti Yezwe. E-Irkutsk naseTomsk, kamuva nasemadolobheni athile aseRussia, ayeqhubeka anda amaqembu abafowethu ayezehlukanisa nenhlangano. Ngo-March 1958 laba ababezihlukanisile baziqokela eyabo “ikomiti yezwe” benethema lokuthi wonke amabandla azoyamukela.

INdikimba Ebusayo yenza konke eyayingakwenza ukuze isize abafowethu eSoviet Union baphinde bakhulekele uJehova ngobunye. U-Alfred Rütimann, owayehlala eSwitzerland, wayeqondisa iHhovisi LaseNyakatho Yurophu, elalengamele umsebenzi eSoviet Union ngaleso sikhathi. Ngo-1959 wathumela incwadi kubafowethu eRussia echaza ukuthi uJehova wayezobusisa kuphela labo ababelwela ubunye futhi beshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso. Abanye babafowethu ababezihlukanisile bakwamukela lokhu, baqala ukwenza imizamo yokuphinde bethembe iKomiti Yezwe. Kepha kwathatha iminyaka andukuba baphinde bayethembe ngokugcwele. Kuso sonke lesi sikhathi, iKomiti Yezwe yayidlulisela izincwadi zeBhayibheli kwabanye ngezithunywa. Nakuba laba ababezihlukanisile babezifunda izincwadi, imibiko yasensimini yona babelokhu besayigodlile.

I-KGB yaqhubeka ihlwanyela imbewu yokungathembani phakathi kwabafowethu. Abanye babeyekwa ngamabomu bangaboshwa, abanye baboshwe. Iningi labafowethu lalicabanga ukuthi oFakazi abangaboshiwe babecheme ne-KGB. Abaningi babenezinsolo futhi bebagxeka ngokweqile abafowethu abaholayo.

ICALA ELABA UNDABUZEKWAYO

Umbiko owathunyelwa eMoscow yisikhulu sikahulumeni sase-Irkutsk wathi: “[OFakazi BakaJehova eSifundazweni Sase-Irkutsk] base benze umsebenzi omningi ngomshoshaphansi. Ekupheleni kuka-1959 i-KGB yavundulula izindawo ezinhlanu zokunyathelisa ngomshoshaphansi.” Zazisemadolobheni aseSiberia iZima neTulun, kanye naseKitoy, e-Oktyabr’skiy naseZalari. Ngemva kokutholakala kwalezi zindawo, baboshwa labo ababenyathelisa.

Abafowethu abane ababoshwa kuqala babhala izitatimende ngomsebenzi wokunyathelisa. Abaseshi babaphoqa ngobuqili abafowethu ukuba benze lokhu. I-KGB yakushintsha lokho okwakubhalwe abafowethu, yayisikunyathelisa emaphephandabeni endawo. Laba bafowethu abane bakhululwa, kwaboshwa abanye abangu-8. Icala labo lalizothethelwa eTulun ngo-April 1960. I-KGB yahlela ukwenza leli cala undabuzekwayo futhi ibukise ngalo kubantu. Yahlela ukusebenzisa abazalwane abane ababekhululiwe njengofakazi ecaleni. Abantu abaningi emabandleni bacabanga ukuthi laba bafowethu base besebenzela i-KGB.

I-KGB yaceba nokusebenzisa leli cala ukuze iqede ukholo lwanoma imuphi uFakazi owayezoba khona, nokwenza umphakathi ubajikele. Inalokho engqondweni, i-KGB yahlela ukuba ngaphambi kokuqala kwecala, umphakathi uvakashele enye yezindawo abafowethu ababenyathelisela kuzo izincwadi iminyakana ethile. Kungakabiphi, lonke idolobha lase likhuluma ngesasasa ngomsebenzi womshoshaphansi “wehlelo” elithile. Mhla wosuku lwecala, ihholo laligcwele abantu abangaphezu kuka-300, kuhlanganise nezintatheli zamaphephandaba neze-TV, ezinye zivela ngisho naseMoscow. Kwakukhona noFakazi BakaJehova abaningi.

KWABA NESIXAKAXAKA ESIKHULU ENKANTOLO

Nokho, kungalindelekile, amacebo e-KGB aqala ukungahambi kahle. Abafowethu ababebhale izitatimende babelibonile iphutha labo. Ngosuku lwangaphambi kwecala, bonke benza isinqumo esiwujuqu sokwenza konke okusemandleni abo ukunikeza uJehova inkazimulo. Phakathi necala, bathi babekhohlisiwe futhi izitatimende zabo zaziphendukezelwe. Base bememezela: “Sizimisele ukuhlala ebhentshini labamangalelwa kanye nabafowethu.” Kwasuka isixakaxaka esikhulu enkantolo.

Ngaphezu kwalokho, lapho abazalwane abamangalelwe bephonswa imibuzo, bakwazi ukunikeza izimpendulo ezingazange zikhaphele abanye abafowethu. Ngokwesibonelo, lapho umahluleli ebuza uGrigory Timchuk ukuthi ubani owayakhe indlu yokunyathelisa kwakhe, waphendula, “Yakhiwa yimi.” Lapho ebuzwa ukuthi ubani owayenyathelisa izincwadi, waphendula, “Zazinyatheliswa yimi.” Lapho ebuzwa ukuthi ubani owayezisakaza, waphendula, “Yimi engangizisakaza.” Lapho ebuzwa ukuthi ubani owayethenga futhi alande iphepha, wathi, “Nalokho kwakwenziwa yimi futhi.” Umshushisi wayesebuza: “Kanti uyini wena? Ufike ube yimenenja, ube umthengisi, ubuye ube isisebenzi?”

“LE NCWADI YASITHINTA IZINHLIZIYO!”

Lapho kubonakala ukuthi abasekho ofakazi, umshushisi wasola abafowethu ngokuchema nabantu bakwamanye amazwe. Njengobufakazi, wakhipha incwadi evela kuNathan H. Knorr waseBethel YaseBrooklyn. UMikhail Savitsky, omunye owayekhona kulelo cala, uthi: “Umshushisi wayifunda ngokuzwakalayo incwadi eyayithathwe yi-KGB, ivela kuMfoweth’ uKnorr iya kubafowethu eSoviet Union. Kithi sonke oFakazi ababekhona kulelo hholo, yaba isipho esimangalisayo esivela kuJehova. Le ncwadi yasithinta izinhliziyo! Sathola iseluleko esihlakaniphile esivela eBhayibhelini nesikhuthazo sokukhonza amakholwa esikanye nawo ngothando nokuba sihlale sithembekile ngaphansi kokulingwa. Ngaphezu kwalokho, oFakazi BakaJehova banxuswa ukuba bethembe uNkulunkulu kuzo zonke izinto, ukuba bacele ukuhlakanipha nesiqondiso sakhe, nokuba basebenzelane eduze nabafowethu ababekiwe. Umshushisi wayifunda yonke incwadi. Salalelisisa. Kwakungathi sisemhlanganweni wesigodi!” Nakuba inkantolo yagweba abafowethu ukuba badonse iminyaka ehlukahlukene ejele, labo ababekhona bahlala beqinile ekuzimiseleni kwabo ukukhonza uJehova.

UKUBUYE SIHLANGANE NGENJABULO EKUKHULEKELENI NGOBUNYE

I-KGB yabona sengathi yayiphumelele ekumiseni umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union, ngakho manje yayisilungela ukugadla okokugcina. Ngo-1960, abafowethu abangaphezu kuka-450 bazithola sebeboshwe ndawonye ekamu eMordvinia. Phakathi kwabo kwakukhona abazalwane abaholayo kuwo womabili amaqembu—lelo elalizihlukanisile nenhlangano nalelo elalingazange. I-KGB yayicabanga ukuthi lokhu kuzodala uqhekeko lokugcina enhlanganweni. Kwanyatheliswa isihloko esinamazwi ayiziswana ephephandabeni lasekamu, sichaza ukuthi kucatshangwa ukuthi ubani ozolwa nobani. Kodwa abafowethu bathola indlela yokwakha ubumbano, besebenzisa leli thuba bendawonye.

U-Iov Andronic uyakhumbula: “Abafowethu abanemithwalo yemfanelo banxusa uFakazi ngamunye, kuhlanganise nalabo ababezihlukanisile, ukuba balwele ubunye. Babhekisela ngokukhethekile esihlokweni se-Nqabayokulinda yesiRashiya yango-September 1, 1961, esasithi ‘Ubunye Babo Bonke Abantu Benhliziyo Enhle Buthenjisiwe.’ Lesi sihloko sasinezimiso nezibonelo ezibonisa indlela uJehova áqondisa ngayo abantu bakhe endulo. Sabuye saxoxa ngesidingo sokuba wonke umuntu alwele ukuba kube nokuthula nobunye ebandleni lobuKristu. Ngokusihlolisisa leso sihloko, abaningi bakubona ukubaluleka kobunye obungokwasezulwini futhi basabela kahle.”

UKUDLA OKUNGOKOMOYA OKWELAPHAYO

Leso sihloko se-Nqabayokulinda sasiza noFakazi ababengaboshiwe ukuba babe nobunye nabo. Abazalwane ababehola bathandaza futhi basifunda ndawonye. Lesi sihloko sabika ukuthi ngenxa yokugula, uMfoweth’ uRutherford wayenikeze inkulumo yakhe yokugcina emhlanganweni wesigodi ngo-August 1941. Ekhuthaza abafowethu ukuba babambelele ngokuqinile enhlanganweni kaJehova futhi bangalandeli umholi ongumuntu, wayethé: ‘Isikhathi ngasinye lapho kuvela okuthile futhi kuqala ukukhula, abantu bathi kunomuntu othile, umholi, onabalandeli abaningi. Uma nina enikhona lapha nikholelwa ukuthi mina ngimane ngingenye yezinceku zeNkosi nokuthi sisebenza ngobunye silinganisene ihlombe nehlombe, sikhonza uNkulunkulu noKristu, thanini Yebo.’ Impendulo ehlokomayo neqondile yayingu-“Yebo!”

UMikhail Savitsky uyakhumbula: “Lobu bunye babudingeka ngokukhethekile ngaleso sikhathi koFakazi eSoviet Union. Sasimbonga singaqedi uJehova ngokuthi ngothando nangesineke wayesisekelile ngokomoya. Ngaso leso sikhathi umzalwane owayezihlukanisile nenhlangano wawuboleka lowo magazini, ethi, ‘Nginikeze wona ukuze siwufundele abafowethu eBratsk nakwezinye izindawo.’ Ngamtshela ukuthi sasinekhophi eyodwa kuphela yalo magazini. Kodwa wangiqinisekisa ukuthi uzowubuyisa ngemva kwesonto. Wawubuyisa, kuhlanganise nombiko wenkonzo omdala wamabandla amaningi. Abazalwane nodade abaningi babuyela emkhayeni onobunye wabakhulekeli bakaJehova.”

U-Ivan Pashkovsky, ilungu leKomiti Yezwe iminyaka engaphezu kuka-30 uyakhumbula: “Sisebenzisa umzalwane othile ophuma phesheya, sacela uMfoweth’ uKnorr ukuba acele bonke abafowethu ezweni lakithi ukuba babe nobunye futhi bazithobe esiqondisweni esingokwasezulwini. UMfoweth’ uKnorr wavuma, kwathi ngo-1962 sathola amakhophi angu-25 encwadi yakhe ngezilimi ezimbili, isiNgisi nesiRashiya. Le ncwadi yabaphaphamisa ngempela abaningi.”

IZIMVU ZIZWA IZWI LIKAMALUSI WAZO

IKomiti Yezwe yasebenza kanzima ukuze abafowethu babe nobunye. Ngaphansi kwezimo ezazikhona, kwakungewona umsebenzi olula lona. Ngehlobo lango-1962, isigodi sonke sase sihlanganisiwe futhi nenhlangano. Abazalwane abavuthiwe ngokomoya bahlelwa baba ikomiti ekhethekile. UJehova wayibusisa imizamo yalaba bazalwane, ebanikeza “ukuhlakanipha kwaphezulu.” (Jak. 3:17) U-Aleksey Gaburyak, umbonisi wesifunda kusukela ngo-1986 kuya ku-1995, uyakhumbula: “Sahlangana neKomiti YeZwe e-Usol’ye-Sibirskoye ngo-1965. Le komiti yasicela ukuba sifune bonke abazalwane nodade ababehlakazekile ngenxa yokudingiswa, ukuboshwa, ukwahlukana futhi sibahlanganise namabandla. Sanikezwa amakheli abanye esasizoqala ngabo. Mina ngangizobacinga esifundazweni saseTomsk nesaseKemerovo nasedolobheni laseNovokuznetsk nelaseNovosibirsk. Abanye abafowethu babelwa ezinye izindawo. Kwakufanele sihlele amabandla namaqembu, simise futhi siqeqeshe abazalwane abanokwethenjelwa emabandleni. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kwakudingeka sivule imizila yokudiliva izincwadi futhi sihlele ukuba kube nemihlangano kuyilapho sivinjelwe. Ngesikhashana nje savakashela abazalwane nodade abangu-84 ababengasaxhumani nenhlangano. Yeka ukuthi sasijabula kanjani ngokuthi ‘izimvu’ zikaJehova zase zilizwile futhi izwi likaMalusi Omuhle futhi zimkhonza kanye nabantu bakhe!”—Joh. 10:16.

Ngokushesha, labo ababezihlukanisile basiqaphela isiqondiso seKomiti Yezwe futhi baqala ukuthumela imibiko yabo yenkonzo yasensimini. Ngo-1971 abamemezeli abangaphezu kuka-4 500 base bebuyele enhlanganweni kaJehova. Ngawo-1980, naphezu kokuthi sasisavinjelwe, umsebenzi wokushumayela wawuqhubeka futhi abasha bengena emabandleni.

AMAFILIMU AMANCANYANA AYIGUGU

Ukwenza amakhophi okudla okungokomoya ngaso sonke isikhathi kwakuhilela umsebenzi omkhulu ngabafowethu abaqaphile nabanesibindi abahlala eSoviet Union. Nokho, lokhu kudla okungokomoya kwakufika kanjani kubona kwasekuqaleni?

Enye yezindlela ezivamile kwakuwukusebenzisa amafilimu amancanyana. Besezweni elingumakhelwane, abafowethu babethwebula omagazini, izincwadi, nezincwajana ezinyatheliswe ngokuyinhloko ngesiRashiya nesi-Ukraine, nakuba zazitholakala nangezinye izilimi. Kwakuthwetshulwa ngokucophelela ikhasi nekhasi kusetshenziswa ikhamera ekwazi ukugcina ifilimu encane engaba amamitha angu-30 ubude. Incwadi ngayinye enyatheliswayo yayithwetshulwa kaningi ukuze kwenziwe amakhophi amaningi azosakazwa. Phakathi neminyaka, kwakhiqizwa ukudla okungokomoya okungagcwala ifilimu engamakhilomitha amaningi. Ifilimu yayibe isinqunywa iba amasentimitha angu-20 ukuze iphatheke kalula, bese ilungela ukuyiswa eSoviet Union yizithunywa.

IZINDAWO ZOKUNYATHELISA NGOMSHOSHAPHANSI ESIBERIA

Ukukopishwa kwezincwadi zeBhayibheli kwakungelula, kodwa uJehova wawubusisa lo msebenzi. Phakathi kuka-1949 no-1950 kuphela, abafowethu bakopisha futhi bathumela emabandleni izincwadi ezihlukahlukene ezingu-47 165. Ngaphandle kwalokho, iKomiti Yezwe yabika ukuthi naphezu kokuphikiswa okushubile phakathi naso lesi sikhathi, kwaba nemihlangano engu-31 488 kuleli zwe.

Isidingo sezincwadi sasilokhu sanda, okwadala isidingo sezindawo zokunyathelisa ezintsha. UStakh Savitsky uthi: “Ngo-1955 kwakhiwa indawo yokunyathelisa ngomshoshaphansi ekhaya. Njengoba ubaba ayengeyena uFakazi kaJehova, kwadingeka sithole imvume yakhe. Sasebenza cishe izinyanga ezimbili sigubha ikhosomba elingamamitha amabili ububanzi namane ubude ngaphansi kukavulandi. Phakathi nalesi sikhathi, sagubha cishe ama-cubic meter angu-30 enhlabathi. Kwadingeka siyithuthe le nhlabathi futhi siyifihle ngendlela engeke idonse amehlo. Lapho sesigubhe sashona phansi cishe ngemitha elilodwa nengxenye, sathola inhlabathi eqiniswe iqhwa. Ngakho lapho sisemisebenzini yokuziphilisa, umama wayewuncibilikisa ngokubasa umlilo omncane ngezinkuni ezomile, ezama ukwenza lokhu ngendlela engeke isolise omakhelwane. Kamuva, sathatha amapulangwe sawabeka phansi senza nophahla lwangaphakathi ngawo. Ngokushesha lapho le ndawo isilungile, kwangena umbhangqwana othile. Wawuzosebenza futhi uhlale kule ndawo engaphansi kwendlu. Umama wayewuphekela, awuhlanzele izingubo futhi awunakekele. Le ndawo yokunyathelisa yasebenza kwaze kwaba u-1959.

“Ngo-1957 umzalwane owengamele ukunyatheliswa kwezincwadi wangibuza: ‘Ungasebenza lapho kunyatheliswa khona? Kudingeka sikhiqize okungenani omagazini abangu-200 ngenyanga.’ Ekuqaleni ngangenza abangu-200, ngabe sengenza abangu-500. Nokho, isidingo sezincwadi sasilokhu sikhula. Umsebenzi kwakudingeka wenziwe ebusuku ngoba thina esasidingisiwe sasisebenza emsebenzini okukhiqizwa kuwo izinto ezithile sigadwe induna emini, futhi sithola usuku olulodwa nje lokuphumula ngesonto.

“Lapho ngibuya emsebenzini, ngangehlela endaweni yokunyathelisa engaphansi. Ngangicishe ngingalali ngoba lapho umsebenzi wokunyathelisa usuqaliwe, kudingeka uqedwe. Uyinki uyoma, ngakho wawungenakuwumisa kancane umsebenzi uthi uzobuye uwenze. Ngezinye izikhathi kwakudingeka nginyathelise amakhasi angu-500 bese ngibuye ngiwahlole ngenze ukulungisa okuncane ngenaliti ukuze okubhaliwe kubonakale kahle. Kwakungena umoya omncane, ngakho kwakunzima ukomisa amakhasi lapho esenyathelisiwe.

“Omagazini abanyathelisiwe ngangibayisa ebusuku edolobheni laseTulun, eliqhele ekhaya ngamakhilomitha angu-20. Ngangingazi kahle ukuthi babeyaphi uma besuka lapho, kodwa ngangazi ukuthi lezi zincwadi zazisetshenziswa oFakazi eKrasnoyarsk, eBratsk, e-Usol’ye-Sibirskoye nakwamanye amadolobha amakhulu namancane.

“Ngo-1959 abazalwane abaqondisayo bangicela ukuba ngisize ekwakheni indawo yokunyathelisa entsha eTulun, eduze kwesiteshi sesitimela. Nalapha ngabuye ngenza umsebenzi engangiwenze endaweni yokuqala, njengokugubha umhlabathi nokufaka ugesi. UJehova wasinikeza ukuhlakanipha. Kule ndawo kwangena umkhaya othile wasebenza khona isikhathi esingangonyaka. Ekugcineni, i-KGB yayithola le ndawo. Ephephandabeni lendawo kwabikwa ukuthi ‘indlela ugesi owawuxhunywe ngayo wawudida ngisho nochwepheshe bakagesi.’

“Ngaphandle komkhaya wakithi, bambalwa abafowethu ababazi ngomsebenzi wami wokunyathelisa. Njengoba abazalwane nodade babengangiboni kusihlwa ebandleni, bakhathazeka ngengokomoya lami. Babeza ekhaya bezongivakashela futhi bangikhuthaze, kodwa ngangihlale ngingekho. Ngempela, ngale nkathi esasiqashwe ngayo ngeso elibukhali, izindawo zokunyathelisa kwakumelwe zaziwe abantu abancane ngangokunokwenzeka.”

UKUKOPISHA IZINCWADI EMOSCOW

Iziphathimandla zazazi kahle ukuthi oFakazi bawadinga ngokuphuthumayo amaBhayibheli nezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Izicelo eziningi zeNdikimba Ebusayo zemvume yokunyathelisa noma yokuthumela izincwadi zeBhayibheli zazichithwa noma zinganakwa. Njengoba izincwadi zaziyindlala kangaka, abafowethu babelokhu befuna izindlela zokukopisha izincwadi ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene zezwe, kuhlanganise naseMoscow, ukuze bakwazi ukunikeza amabandla namaqembu ukudla okungokomoya.

Ngo-1957, uStepan Levitsky wagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi ejele ngenxa yokutholwa ene-Nqabayokulinda eyodwa, eyayingaphansi kwendwangu yetafula endlini yokudlela. UStepan uyalandisa: “Ngemva kweminyaka emithathu nengxenye, iNkantolo Ephakeme yasesula isigwebo sami. Ngaphambi kokuba ngikhululwe, abafowethu basikisela ukuba ngiye endaweni eseduze kweMoscow ngiyoshumayela khona futhi ngihlanganyele kweminye imisebenzi engokomoya. Ngathola indawo yokuhlala eqhele ngamahora amabili eMoscow futhi ngaqala ukushumayela ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zenhloko-dolobha. UJehova wayibusisa le mizamo futhi ngemva kweminyaka embalwa, kwamiswa iqembu labazalwane nodade eMoscow. Ngo-1970, ngabelwa esifundeni esasihlanganisa iMoscow, iLeningrad (manje iSt. Petersburg), iGorki (manje iNizhniy Novgorod), i-Orel neTula. Ngaphathiswa umsebenzi wokunikeza amabandla izincwadi.

“Ngangiqiniseka ukuthi kwakuyintando kaJehova ukuba iMoscow kanye nezinye izingxenye zeRussia zithole amanani anele ezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Ngatshela uJehova ngomthandazo ngesifiso sami sokwenza okwengeziwe kulokhu. Ngokushesha ngajwayelana nomnyathelisi ochwepheshile owayazana nabantu abaningana abasebenza ezinkampanini zokunyathelisa eMoscow. Ngambuza ngokukhululekile ukuthi inganyatheliswa yini incwadi encane kwenye yezinkampani zokunyathelisa eMoscow.

“‘Ncwadini leyo?’ ebuza.

“Ukusuka EPharadesi Elilahlekile Ukuya EPharadesi Elizuziwe,” ngiphendula nginovalo.

“Omunye wabangane bakhe abaseduze wayesebenza enkampanini yokunyathelisa. Lo mngane wakhe wayeyiKhomanisi futhi engumholi weqembu lezombusazwe. Wavuma ukunyathelisa amanani amancane encwadi, inqobo nje uma ezokhokhelwa. Yeka ukuthi kwakukuhle kanjani ukuba abafowethu bathole le nsiza-kutadisha iBhayibheli!

“Ukunyathelisa izincwadi zethu ngale ndlela kwakuyingozi kakhulu, kokubili kimi nakumnyathelisi. Isikhathi ngasinye lapho izincwadi sezinyathelisiwe, okwakuvame ukuba sebusuku, kwakudingeka zikhishwe masinyane esakhiweni sokunyathelisa kungaboni muntu. UJehova walibusisa leli lungiselelo futhi kwanyatheliswa inqwaba yezincwadi zeBhayibheli kule ndawo, kuhlanganise nezincwadi ezithi “Iqiniso Liyakunikhulula,” Iqiniso Eliholela Ekuphileni Okuphakade, ngisho neculo! Kwaba ukudla okufike ngesikhathi esifanele ngempela. (Math. 24:45) Sakwazi ukusebenzisa le ndawo yokunyathelisa iminyaka engu-9.

“Kodwa ngelinye ilanga kungazelelwe kwafika induna yale ndawo yokunyathelisa ngenkathi kusanyatheliswa ezinye zezincwadi zethu. Owayeqondisa umshini wawushintsha ngokushesha ukuze uqale ukunyathelisa umagazini wezempilo. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayesexhamazela, ngephutha wahlanganisa namakhasi ayisithupha encwadi yethu kulo magazini, kanti induna izothatha enye ikhophi yalo magazini iye nawo ehhovisi layo. Lapho ifunda lo magazini, yamangala kakhulu lapho ithola la makhasi, ngokusobala ayengewona awalo magazini. Yabiza umqondisi womshini, yambuza ukuthi kwenzeke kanjani ukuthi la makhasi abe kulo magazini. Ngemva kwalokho kwabizwa i-KGB. Umqondisi womshini, esongelwa ngokubhadla ejele, washo konke ayekwazi. Ngakho, i-KGB yashesha yangithola ngoba yona yayazi ukuthi yimi kuphela uFakazi kaJehova eMoscow. Ngagwetshwa iminyaka emihlanu nengxenye ejele.” Umqondisi womshini wagwetshwa iminyaka emithathu.

“MAYIFIKE I-ARMAGEDONI!”

Abafowethu nodadewethu abaningi bahlala imindundu emajele. UGrigory Gatilov wachitha iminyaka engu-15 ejele. Uyakhumbula: “Ijele lokugcina engangikulo lalinegama elihle: Lalibizwa ngokuthi iDada Elimhlophe. Lalisendaweni enhle eCaucasus esiqongweni senye yezintaba ezinhlanu okwakunedolobha lokungcebeleka lasePyatigorsk phakathi kwazo. Kuleli jele ngaba nethuba lokuxoxa ngeqiniso nabantu abahlukahlukene unyaka wonke. Isitokisi sami ‘sasiyinsimu’ enhle kakhulu yokushumayela futhi kwakungadingeki ngiye ndawo. Onogada basejele babeletha abantu abasha esitokisini futhi ngemva kwezinsuku ezimbalwa babakhiphe, kodwa mina ngangingashintshwa. Kwakuqabukela bengiyise kwesinye isitokisi. Ngangizama ukunikeza wonke umuntu ubufakazi obuhle ngoMbuso kaJehova. Abantu abaningi babenemibuzo nge-Armagedoni. Ezinye iziboshwa zazimangala ukuthi umuntu angachitha isikhathi eside kangaka ejele ngenxa yokholo lwakhe. Ngezinye izikhathi iziboshwa, ngisho nonogada babebuza: ‘Kungani ungaphiki ukholo lwakho ugoduke?’ Ngangijabula isikhathi ngasinye lapho omunye wabo ebonisa isithakazelo esiqotho eqinisweni. Ngelinye ilanga ngaphawula ukuthi omunye wabo wayebhale ezindongeni zesitokisi ukuthi ‘Mayifike i-Armagedoni!’ Nakuba ukuphila ejele ngokwakho kwakungemnandi, ngangijabula ngokuthi ngangikwazi ukuxoxa nabantu ngeqiniso.”

“AKHONA YINI AMAJONADABA LAPHA?”

Odade abaningi abangamaKristu ashisekayo enkonzweni kaJehova nabo bachitha isikhathi emakamu. (IHu. 68:11) UZinaida Kozyreva ukhumbula indlela odade ababebonisana ngayo uthando bona kuhlanganise nabangebona oFakazi: “Ngo-1959, ungakapheli nonyaka ngibhapathiziwe, mina noVera Mikhailova, noLyudmila Yevstafyeva sayiswa ekamu eKemerovo, eSiberia. Leli kamu lalineziboshwa ezingu-550. Lapho sifika kwakunabesifazane abayidlanzana ababemi emnyango.

“‘Akhona yini amaJonadaba lapha?’ bebuza.

“Sabona ukuthi laba kwakungodadewethu abathandekayo. Ngokushesha basinikeza ukudla baqala nokusibuza imibuzo. Babechichima imfudumalo nothando olusuka enhliziyweni engangingakaze ngilubone ngisho nakowami umndeni. Njengoba babazi ukuthi sibasha kuleli kamu, basisekela. (Math. 28:20) Kwashesha kwasicacela ukuthi isimiso sokondliwa ngokomoya lapha sihleleke kahle kakhulu.

“Saba umkhaya wangempela. Kwakuba mnandi ngokukhethekile ehlobo lapho sibutha utshani obomisiwe. Abaphathi bekamu babengesabi ukuthi singase sibaleke noma sephule imithetho yasekamu. Isosha elilodwa laliqapha odade abangaphezu kuka-20 noma abangu-25, nakuba empeleni kwakuyithi esasiqaphe lona! Kwakuthi lapho kuqhamuka othile, silivuse ukuze lingajeziselwa ukulala emsebenzini. Ngenkathi lilele, sasixoxa ngezindaba ezingokomoya ngesikhathi sekhefu. Le ndlela yayisisebenzela sonke, thina nalo.

“Ngasekupheleni kuka-1959 mina kanye nabanye odade sayiswa ekamu elinesimiso esiphakeme sokulondeka. Safakwa esitokisini esibandayo esingenalo ifasitela. Sasilala emapulangweni ebusuku, sisebenze emini. Iziphathimandla zasinikeza umsebenzi wokuhlukanisa imifino, futhi zibheka nendlela esiziphatha ngayo. Ngokushesha lapho seziqiniseka ukuthi asintshontshi njengezinye iziboshwa, zasinikeza utshani obomisiwe ukuze silale kubo zafaka nefasitela. Sahlala unyaka lapho, okwathi ngemva kwawo bonke odade bathunyelwa kwelinye ikamu elingconywana e-Irkutsk.

“Leli kamu lalinodade abangaba ngu-120. Sachitha unyaka owodwa nezinyanga ezintathu lapho. Ubusika bokuqala babubanda qa futhi likhithika kakhulu. Sasenza umsebenzi onzima odinga amandla embonini yezingodo. Induna yayisisesha njalo, ibheka izincwadi. Kwakungathi yindlela yakhona yokuqeda isizungu lena. Sase sichwepheshile ekufihleni izincwadi, ngezinye izikhathi sasisampula ekuzifihleni. SinoVera sake safihla izicucu zamaphepha anetekisi losuku kangangokuthi asidukela kwathina sangawathola emajazini ethu okusebenza. Kodwa induna yawathola, futhi mina noVera savalelwa sodwa esitokisini izinsuku eziyisihlanu. Izinga lokubanda ngaphandle lalingu-40° C ngaphansi kwezingaqhwa, futhi kwakulala ungqoqwane ezindongeni zesitokisi.

“Kwakunamashalofu kasimende amancane kulesi sitokisi futhi wawukwazi ukuhlala kuwona nje kuphela. Uma kubanda kakhulu, sasisondela odongeni, sincikane ngemihlane bese sizumeka sihleli kanjalo. Lapho siphaphama, sasigxuma ngenxa yovalo lokuthi sizobulawa amakhaza silele. Sasinikezwa ingilazi yamanzi ashisayo namagremu angu-300 esinkwa esinsundu ngosuku. Naphezu kwalokho, sasijabula ngoba uJehova wayesinikeza ‘amandla angaphezu kwavamile.’ (2 Kor. 4:7) Odadewethu basibonisa umusa ngokukhethekile lapho sekuyisikhathi sokuba sibuyele kubo. Balungiselela ukudla okushisayo bashisisa namanzi ukuze sigeze.”

“UYAKWAZI UKUPHILISANA NABANYE”

UZinaida uyaqhubeka: “Kwakunzima ukushumayela kuleli kamu ngoba zazimbalwa iziboshwa futhi zonke zazibazi oFakazi. Isimiso esikweyoku-1 Petru 3:1 sasisebenza kulesi simo. Sashumayela ngaphandle kwezwi. Sagcina amabhalekisi ethu ehlanzekile, emahle, futhi sinobungane sinakekelana. (Joh. 13:34, 35) Ngaphezu kwalokho, sasizwana nababengebona oFakazi. Sazama ukuziphatha ngendlela efundiswa iZwi likaNkulunkulu futhi sasizikhathalela izidingo zabanye. Ngezinye izikhathi sasimsiza ngandlela-thize ongeyena uFakazi. Ngokwesibonelo, omunye udade wayesiza ezinye iziboshwa okwakudingeka zenze izibalo ezithile. Abantu abaningi baqaphela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bahlukile kubantu bezinye izinkolo.

“Ngo-1962 sasuswa ekamu lase-Irkutsk sayiswa kwelinye eMordvinia. Nalapha futhi sazama ukuhlala sibukeka ngendlela ehloniphekile futhi sinemikhuba emihle yenhlanzeko. Imibhede yethu yayihlale ihlanzekile futhi yendluliwe. Cishe emabhalekisini ethu kwakuneziboshwa ezingu-50, iningi lazo lingodade. Kwakungodade kuphela ababehlanza amabhalekisi ngoba ezinye iziboshwa zazingathandi ukwenza umsebenzi onjalo. Phansi kwakuhlale kuhlanzekile futhi abaphathi bekamu babesinikeza izinto esizidingayo ukuze sifeze lokhu. Izindela ezaziboshwe nathi zenqaba ukuhlanza indawo kanti nezifundiswa zazingafuni, ngakho inhlanzeko yendawo esasihlala kuyo yayixhomeke ngokuyinhloko emizamweni yethu. Noma nini lapho omunye wodadewethu ekhululwa, kwakubhalwa embikweni wakhe ukuthi ‘uvumelana nezimo futhi uyakwazi ukuphilisana nabanye.’”

IZIMBALI EZINDE ZIBA INDAWO EKAHLE YOKUCASHA

UZinaida uthi: “Odade abambalwa bake babhalela emakhaya becela imbewu yezimbali ezinkulu. Satshela abaphathi ukuthi sifisa ukutshala izimbali ezinhle sacela nokuba kulethwe inhlabathi evundile ekamu. Samangala lapho bevumela phezulu. Senza ingadi yezimbali eduze kwamabhalekisi, senza izindlela zokuhamba eziphahlwe izimbali. Ngokushesha ikamu lase ligcwele ama-rose, ama-sweet William, kanye nezinye izimbali ezinhle, futhi okubaluleke nakakhulu, zazizinde. Ingadi ephakathi nendawo yayinama-dahlia amahle, namahlukuzo amade ama-daisy amibalabala. Sasiya kuyo, sifike sitadishe iBhayibheli ngemuva kwezimbali, bese sifihla izincwadi kuma-rose ayizihlekehleke.

“Imihlangano sasiyiqhuba sihamba. Sazihlela saba amaqembu abantu abahlanu. Udade ngamunye wayebamba ngekhanda kusengaphambili isigaba esisodwa kweziyisihlanu zencwadi esekelwe eBhayibhelini. Kwakuthi ngemva komthandazo wokuvula, sizisho ngokulandelana izigaba futhi sixoxe ngazo. Ngemva komthandazo wokuphetha, sasiqhubeka sihamba. INqabayokulinda yayitholakala iyincwajana encanyana [njengale esesithombeni ekhasini 161]. Nsuku zonke sasitadisha okuthile, ikakhulukazi itekisi losuku, bese sisho ngekhanda izigaba esizozixoxa emihlanganweni yethu, esasiba nayo kathathu ngesonto. Akukhona lokho kuphela, sazama ukwazi izahluko eziphelele zeBhayibheli ngenhliziyo futhi sizisho komunye nomunye ukuze siqinisane. Ngale ndlela, sasingakhathazeki ngokweqile uma kwenzeka iziphathimandla zithatha izincwadi zethu ngenkathi kuseshwa.

“Nakuba abaphathi bekamu bazama ukufokisa ukuthi umsebenzi wethu wawuhlelwe kanjani ekamu, iziboshwa eziningi zazisithanda. Omunye esasinaye emabhalekisini kwakungu-Olga Ivinskaya, umngane wembongi nomlobi odumile uBoris Pasternak, owathola uMklomelo KaNobel Emkhakheni Wezincwadi. U-Olga wayengumlobi futhi njengoba ayesithanda, kwakumjabulisa ukubona indlela ababehleleke ngayo oFakazi. UJehova wasinikeza ukuhlakanipha, ikakhulukazi ukuze sikwazi ukuzitholela ukudla okungokomoya.”—Jak. 3:17.

“SENGIKHATHELE UWENA!”

UZinaida uyaqhubeka: “Izincwadi sasizithola ngezindlela ezihlukahlukene. Kwakuvame ukubonakala ukuthi nguJehova ngokwakhe owayeqondisa lo msebenzi, njengoba ayethembisile: ‘Angisoze ngakushiya noma ngikulahle nganoma iyiphi indlela.’ (Heb. 13:5) Ngezinye izikhathi wayevele aphuphuthekise amehlo onogada. Ngelinye ilanga ebusika lapho singena siyiqembu emasangweni ekamu, onogada basisesha ngendlela evamile ngokusenza sikhumule zonke izingubo zethu. Ngangisekugcineni, ngiphethe izincwadi esasisanda kuzithola ngizifake ngaphansi kwamabhulukwe amabili.

“Ngenxa yokuthi kwakumakhaza, ngangigqishele izingubo! Okokuqala induna yowesifazane yasesha ijazi lami lasebusika, kwase kulandela ibhantshi elingenamkhono engangilifake ngaphansi. Nganquma ukwenza kancane ngethemba lokuthi izokhathala. Ngokunwabuluka ngakhumula isikibha engangisigqokile, ngabuye ngakhumula nesinye. Ngenkathi isazisesha ngokucophelela, ngenza kancane ngiqaqa izikhafu ezimbalwa engangizigqokile, ngabe sengikhumula isikibha sangaphansi, kwalandela ihembe, kwalandela nelinye. Kwase kusele amabhulukwe amabili namabhuzu oboya. Ngenza kancane ngakhumula ibhuzu elilodwa ngabuye ngakhumula nelinye, ngendlela efanayo ngaqala ukukhumula ibhulukwe elingaphezulu. Ngabe sengicabanga: ‘Kufanele ngenzeni manje? Uma ithi angikhumule ibhulukwe elingaphansi, kuzodingeka ngigijime ngiyonikeza odade izincwadi.’ Lapho sengithi ngikhumula ibhulukwe elingaphezulu, le nduna yowesifazane yamemeza icasukile, ‘Sengikhathele uwena manje! Suka la!’ Ngagqoka ngokushesha ngagijimela ekamu.

“Sasizitholaphi izincwadi? Abafowethu babezishiya endaweni esivumelane ngayo kusengaphambili, futhi sishintshisana ngokuzilanda sizilethe ekamu. Kwakuthi lapho sezingenile ekamu, sizifihle endaweni ecashile, esasiyishintshashintsha. Sasihlale sizikopisha ngesandla bese sifihla amakhophi. Sasizikopishela ngaphansi kwezingubo zokulala sikhanyiselwa isigxobo sikagesi esingaphandle esikukhanya kwaso kwakungena ngefasitela; bese ukukhanya kungena ngezimbobo ezincane engutsheni yokulala. Sasizigcina simatasa ukuze singalahlekelwa ngisho nawumzuzu owodwa. Ngisho nalapho siya ehholo lokudlela, ngamunye wethu wayephatha isicucu sephepha elinomBhalo.”

“ISIKHATHI SAKHO SESIFIKILE”

Kungalindelekile, ngo-1965 uhulumeni wamaSoviet wakhipha umthetho othi akukhululwe bonke oFakazi ababedingiselwe eSiberia phakathi kuka-1949 no-1951. Nokho, iningi labafowethu nodade alizange livunyelwe ukuba libuyele ezindaweni elalihlala kuzo ngaphambili. Labo ababengafuni ukuhlala eSiberia banquma ukuthuthela ezindaweni ezinesidingo esikhulu ensimini.

UMagdalina Beloshitskaya uthi: “Sahlala ekudingisweni eSiberia iminyaka ecishe ibe ngu-15. Ebusika izinga lokubanda lalize lifinyelele ku-60° C ngaphansi kwezingaqhwa, kuthi ehlobo kube nezinkumbi zezibawu nomiyane ababesiluma ngisho nasemehlweni. Sabhekana nakho konke ngosizo lukaJehova. Kodwa yeka ukuthi kwakukuhle kanjani ukuthi sasikwazi ukuhlwanyela imbewu yeqiniso kulawo masimu abandayo aseSiberia! Njalo ngenyanga iminyaka engu-15, sasisayina isimemezelo ehhovisi lomqondisi esithi ngeke sizame ukubaleka kule ndawo esidingiselwe kuyo. Ngezinye izikhathi umqondisi wayesivakashela ekhaya ahlale ubusuku bonke. Ngalezi zikhathi wayeba nomusa ngokukhethekile kithi, esibuza imibuzo eminingi ngeBhayibheli nokuthi yini edingekayo ukuze siphile ngezimfundiso zalo. Wayesibuza ukuthi yini eyasishukumisela ukuba sikhethe le ndlela yokuphila sibe sazi ukuthi sizoshushiswa. Sake sambuza ukuthi likhona yini ithemba lokuthi siyoke sikhululwe kuleli kamu. Wavula intende yesandla sakhe wabuza, ‘Likhona yini ithemba lokuthi kuyoke kumile izinwele lapha?’

“‘Cha,’ ngiphendula.

“‘Lingako ithemba lokuthi niyophuma lapha,’ eqhubeka. Kodwa ngemva kokucabanga kancane, wanezela, ‘Ngaphandle kokuba uNkulunkulu wenu anenzele okuthile noma anenzele isimangaliso.’

“Ngolunye usuku ehlobo lango-1965, ngaya esiteshini sesitimela ngiyoposa incwadi. Engibona ngikude, umqondisi wangimemeza: ‘WeMagdalina, uyaphi ungacelanga?’

“‘Angiyi ndawo okwamanje,’ ngiphendula ‘Ngiyoposa incwadi.’ Wabe esesondela kimi wathi: ‘Uzokhululwa namuhla. Isikhathi sakho sesifikile.’ Wabe esengibheka sengathi uthi, ‘UNkulunkulu wakho ukukhululile!’ Ngangingakholwa!

“Savunyelwa ukuya nomaphi eSoviet Union ngaphandle kwalapho sasihlala khona kuqala. Kwakungathi sizwa izwi likaJehova lithi: ‘Hlakazekani nishumayele. Manje yisikhathi sako, sheshisani, hlakazekani.’ Ukube sasinikezwe imvume yokubuyela emakhaya, abaningi bethu babeyofuna ukubuyela lapho babeqhamuke khona. Kodwa njengoba singanikwanga leyo mvume, wonke umuntu waya endaweni entsha. Umkhaya wakithi wakhetha ukuhlala eCaucasus.”

Izinkulungwane zoFakazi zasakazeka kulo lonke elaseSoviet Union. Ngawo lowo nyaka kwenye ingqungquthela yombuso, isikhulu sabuza simangele: “Ukhona ongangitshela ukuthi leli hlelo labalandeli bakaJehova lifike kanjani kuleli dolobha lethu elisha, elisanda kwakhiwa amavolontiya? Yidolobha elisha sha, kodwa nali ihlelo labalandeli bakaJehova!” Iziphathimandla zazingazi ukuthi zenzeni ngoFakazi. Akekho ongema endleleni yesithembiso sikaNkulunkulu sokugcwalisa umhlaba ‘ngolwazi ngoJehova.’—Isaya 11:9.

“NINAMANZI ANGCWELE”

OFakazi bathunyelwa emakamu okuqondisa izigwegwe ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo wokushumayela. UNikolai Kalibaba, owachitha iminyaka eminingi emakamu anjalo, uyakhumbula: “Sibane sathunyelwa ekamu lokuqondisa izigwegwe eVikhorevka, eSifundazweni Sase-Irkutsk, lapho kwakuboshwe khona abafowethu abangaba ngu-70. Ayengekho amanzi okuphuza; okuwukuphela kwepayipi lamanzi elalikhona lalixhumene nesitamukoko, ngakho kwakuyingozi ukuphuza amanzi alo. Ukudla nako kwakungakufanelekeli ukudliwa, kodwa uJehova wasisiza. Kuleli kamu, ngoFakazi kuphela ababefuna ukusebenza. Sasiyizisebenzi ezinhle. Ngokushesha abaphathi bakuqaphela lokhu futhi sathunyelwa ukuyosebenza kwezinye izingxenye zekamu. Sasibuya namanzi okuphuza ngamabhakede. Iziboshwa eziningi zaziza kithi zithi: ‘Sizwile ukuthi “ninamanzi angcwele.” Anisiphuziseni kancane nathi.’ Njengokulindelekile, sasiziphuzisa.

“Phakathi kweziboshwa kwakunabantu abanenhliziyo enhle. Abanye babo babengamasela nezinye izigilamkhuba. Bafunda iqiniso futhi baba oFakazi BakaJehova. Abanye babebonakala bemelene neqiniso futhi besiphikisa obala. Kodwa kwake kwafika isikhulumi ekamu sizonikeza inkulumo egxeka oFakazi BakaJehova, kwaba yibo kanye labo bantu abasikhulumela bethi le nkulumo inyundela oFakazi.”

“SIZOFIKA KINI SINGAMAQEMBU”

Becela ukuhlakanipha kuJehova, abafowethu babehlala becabanga ngezindlela zokusebenzisa izimo abakuzo ukuze bathuthukise izithakazelo zoMbuso. UNikolai uyaqhubeka: “Sezwa ukuthi sasizothuthelwa kwelinye ikamu elingekude kangako neMoscow, eMordvinia. Ngaphambi kokuba sihambe, kwenzeka okuthile okuthakazelisayo. Samangala lapho amaphoyisa nezinduna ezithile ezase zigade oFakazi BakaJehova iminyaka eminingana ziza kithi zithi: ‘Sicela nicule izingoma zenu futhi nisitshele okwengeziwe ngezinkolelo zenu. Sizofika kini singamaqembu abantu abangaba ngu-10 kuya ku-20, mhlawumbe nangaphezulu.’

“Besaba okungase kwenzeke kithi nakubo, bathi bazohlela ukuba kube nabathile abazophonsa iso lapho sizohlangana khona. Sathi, ngenxa yokuthi sinokuhlangenwe nakho kwezimo ezinje, nathi sizoba nabethu onogada. Onogada babo babesebenza njengabethu: Amasosha ayeshintshana ngokuma phakathi kwendlu yokuqapha nendawo esasihlangene kuyo. Ungasibona ngeso lengqondo lesi simo? Iqembu loFakazi liculela amaphoyisa nezinduna izingoma, kuthi ngemva kwalokho umzalwane anikeze inkulumo emfushane ngesihloko seBhayibheli. Kwakungathi siseHholo LoMbuso LoFakazi BakaJehova! Sayiqhuba kanjalo imihlangano nala maqembu abantu abathakazelayo. Sabona indlela uJehova ayesinakekela ngayo, hhayi thina nje kuphela kodwa nalabo bantu abaqotho.

UNikolai uthi: “Sahamba nomagazini abaningi sisuka kuleli kamu siya kweliseMordvinia. KwakunoFakazi abaningi lapho. Abafowethu banginikeza ipotimende elinesinqe esikabili elalingafaka izincwadi. Yonke into yayenziwa ngendlela yokuthi lapho kuseshwa, ipotimende lingadonsi amehlo ezinduna. Ekamu laseMordvinia saseshwa ngokucophelela. Enye induna yaqukula ipotimende lami yababaza: ‘Laze lasinda bo! Kumelwe ukuba kunengcebo ngaphakathi!’ Ngingalindele, yalibeka eceleni ipotimende lami kanye nezinye izinto yaqala ukusesha izinto zabanye. Ngemva kokuseshwa, enye induna yathi, ‘Thatha imithwadlana yakho uhambe!’ Ipotimende lami alizange liseshwe, ngakho ngafika ezitokisini nokudla okusha okungokomoya, okwakudingeka kakhulu.

“Akuphelelanga lapho, ngaphezu kwesikhathi esisodwa ngangena namapheshana abhalwe ngesandla esemabhuzwini ami. Njengoba nginezinyawo ezinkulu, kwakuhlale kunesikhala sokufaka amaphepha amaningi emabhuzwini ami. Ngangiwafaka emabhuzwini bese ngiwabhixa ngogilisi. Lo gilisi wawushelela futhi unuka kabi, ngakho izinduna zazingasondasondeli.”

“IZINDUNA ZAZISIBHEKILE, NAMI NGIZIBHEKILE”

UNikolai uyaqhubeka: “Ekamu laseMordvinia, abafowethu bangibeka ukuba ngiqondise ukukopishwa kwezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Omunye wemisebenzi yami kwakuwukubheka izinduna ukuze labo abakopisha izincwadi ngesandla babe nesikhathi sokufihla yonke into. Izinduna zazisibhekile, nami ngizibhekile. Ezinye izinduna, zizimisele ukusibamba oqotsheni, zazingena ngokuzumisa njalo emabhalekisini. Kwakunzima kakhulu ukugada izinduna ezinjalo. Ezinye zazifika kanye ngosuku. Lezi zazingenankinga futhi zingasihluphi kakhulu.

“Ngalezo zinsuku, sasikopisha sisusa ezincwadini esasizifihla ezindaweni eziphephile. Ezinye zazifihlwa esitofwini, ngisho nasesitofwini esasisehhovisi lomphathi wekamu. Abafowethu ababehlanza kwakhe babakhe indawana ekhethekile esitofwini, futhi sasibagcina lapho omagazini be-Nqabayokulinda abaningi abayigugu. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi izinduna zisisesha kangakanani, izincwadi zaziphephile ehhovisi lomphathi.”

Abafowethu baba ochwepheshe ekufihleni izincwadi. Indawo ababethanda ukufihla kuyo kwakuyifasitela. Abafowethu baze bafunda nokufihla izincwadi emashubhwini omuthi wokuxubha. Ngabazalwane ababili noma abathathu kuphela ababazi ukuthi izincwadi zigcinwaphi. Lapho kuphakama isidingo, omunye wabo wayeyilanda incwadi bese kuthi lapho isikopishiwe ngesandla ayibuyisele endaweni yayo. Ngale ndlela, lezi zincwadi zazihlale zisendaweni ephephile. Abafowethu abaningi babekubheka njengelungelo ukukopisha, naphezu kwengozi yokuvalelwa wedwa esitokisini izinsuku ezingu-15. UViktor Gutshmidt uyakhumbula: “Eminyakeni eyishumi ngisemakamu, cishe emithathu ngayichitha ngivalelwe ngedwa esitokisini.”

INQABAYOKULINDA YOLWEMBU

Kubafowethu kwakubonakala sengathi abaphathi bamakamu base bethole indlela ekhethekile yokusesha nokuthola izincwadi zeBhayibheli koFakazi. Amanye amaphoyisa ayechwepheshile ekwenzeni lokhu. U-Ivan Klimko uyalandisa: “Ngelinye ilanga eKamu LaseMordvinia Le-19, amasosha ahamba nezinja ayisa abazalwane endaweni ebuqamama nekamu ayesebasesha kahle. UFakazi ngamunye wakhunyulwa konke ayekugqokile, ngisho nezimbadada ayezigqoke ezinyaweni. Kodwa abafowethu babenamathelise amakhasi ambalwa abhalwe ngesandla ematheni ezinyawo zabo, angazange atholwe. Babenze nezincwajana ezincanyana ezazingangena phakathi kweminwe. Lapho onogada bethi wonke umuntu akaphakamise izandla, izincwajana zahlala phakathi kweminwe, zasinda kanjalo.”

Kwakunezinye izindlela zokuvikela ukudla okungokomoya. U-Aleksey Nepochatov uthi: “Abanye abafowethu babekwazi ukubhala ngendlela ebizwa ngokuthi ukubhala umbhalo olingana nolwembu. Ipeni lalilolwa licije kakhulu, futhi encwadini yokubhalela enemigqa wawukwazi ukubhala imisho emithathu noma emihlanu phakathi kwemigqa emibili. Ibhokisi likamentshisi lalingaba namakhophi amahlanu noma ayisithupha e-Nqabayokulinda ebhalwe ngale ndlela encane. Ukuze umuntu abhale ngesandla esincane kangaka kwakudingeka akwazi ukubona kahle futhi azikhandle. Phela ugesi wawusuke usucinyiwe futhi bonke abanye sebelele, bese laba bazalwane bebhala bezemboze ngengubo yokulala. Okuwukuphela kokukhanya kwakuvela kugesi ocikizayo ngasekuqaleni kwebhalekisi. Lapho lo msebenzi wenziwa izinyanga eziningana, wawukulimaza amehlo. Ngezinye izikhathi unogada wayesibona, futhi uma esithandile, wayethi, ‘Oh, awubheke omabhalane basabhala—kaze niyolala nini?’”

UMfoweth’ uKlimko uyakhumbula: “Ngelinye ilanga salahlekelwa izincwadi eziningi kakhulu kuhlanganise neBhayibheli. Zonke zazifihlwe onyaweni lokufakelwa lomzalwane. Ngemva kokuphoqelela umzalwane ukuba alukhiphe unyawo lwakhe, onogada baliphihliza. Bathwebula izithombe zamakhasi ayesakazekile futhi bawashicilela ephephandabeni lasekamu. Noma kunjalo, lokhu kwasiza ekuboniseni abaningi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova benza umsebenzi wenkolo kuphela. Ngemva kwalokho, umphathi wekamu oqhoshayo wathi kubafowethu, ‘Yiyo-ke le i-Armagedoni!’ Kodwa ngakusasa othile wambikela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova babehlangene ndawonye, becula izingoma futhi befunda njengenjwayelo.”

INGXOXO NOMSHUSHISI OMKHULU

Ngasekupheleni kuka-1961 umshushisi omkhulu we-Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic weza wazohlola ikamu laseMordvinia. Njengoba ehamba ekamu, wangena ezitokisini ezazihlala oFakazi. Umshushisi omkhulu wabavumela abafowethu ukuba babuze imibuzo embalwa. UViktor Gutshmidt uyakhumbula, “Ngambuza, ‘Ucabanga ukuthi inkolo yoFakazi BakaJehova iyingozi emphakathini waseSoviet?’

“‘Cha, angicabangi kanjalo,’ kuphendula umshushisi omkhulu. Kodwa lapho kuxoxwa kamuva, waphahluka wathi, ‘Ngo-1959 uwodwa, iSifundazwe Sase-Irkutsk sanikezwa ama-ruble ayizigidi ezinhlanu ukuze siqondise oFakazi.’

“Ngokusho lokhu wayesho ukuthi iziphathimandla zazazi kahle ukuthi singobani, njengoba kwaze kwachithwa imali engama-ruble ayizigidi ezinhlanu yoMbuso ukuze kuqondwe ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bangobani. Kwakuyimali enkulu lena. Ngaleso sikhathi, ama-ruble ayizigidi ezinhlanu ayengathenga imoto enhle noma indlu ekahle. Kumelwe ukuba iziphathimandla eMoscow zazazi ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova abayona ingozi.

“Umshushisi omkhulu waqhubeka, ‘Uma sitshela abantu baseSoviet ukuthi abenze noma yini abayifunayo ngoFakazi, bayoniqothula nonke.’ Wayesho ukuthi umphakathi waseSoviet wawungabathandi oFakazi. Kwakusobala kula mazwi ukuthi izigidi zabantu zazithonywe inkulumo-ze nemfundiso yokungakholelwa kuNkulunkulu.

“Sabe sesiphendula, ‘Uyobona ukuthi sinjani ngempela isimo lapho oFakazi beba nemihlangano kusukela eMoscow kuze kube seVladivostok.’

Wathi: “‘Mhlawumbe abantu abayingxenye yesigidi bangaba sohlangothini lwenu, kodwa bonke abanye bayobe bengakolwethu.’

“Ingxoxo yethu nomshushisi omkhulu yaphela kanjalo. Wacishe wayishaya esikhonkosini. Namuhla, abantu abangaphezu kuka-700 000 baba khona emihlanganweni yoFakazi BakaJehova kuzo zonke izindawo zamazwe ayengaphansi kweSoviet Union. Kuleyo mihlangano, abantu balalela amazwi amsulwa eqiniso leBhayibheli, kunokulalela inkulumo-ze.”

“NENZELE OFAKAZI INDAWO YOKUNGCEBELEKA”

UViktor uyaqhubeka: “Umphathi wekamu wabonisa umshushisi omkhulu zonke izimbali nezihlahla ezazitshalwe oFakazi kanye nezinto ababezithunyelelwe, ezazigcinwe emabhalekisini abo kungekho muntu ozintshontshayo. Wakubuka konke lokhu emangele. Kamuva sathola ukuthi le ndoda yayala umphathi wekamu ukuba azisuse zonke izimbali nezihlahla. Yayithe kumphathi wekamu, ‘Kunokuba kube ikamu okufukuzwa kulo, nenzele oFakazi indawo yokungcebeleka.’ Wabuye wenqabela oFakazi ukuba bathole izinto ezivela ngaphandle, wavala nethilomu ababevunyelwe ukuthenga kulo ukudla okwengeziwe.

“Nokho, kwabajabulisa abafowethu ukuthi umphathi akazange akwenze konke ayekutsheliwe. Ngokwesibonelo, odade abayekiswanga ukutshala izimbali. Ekwindla, babezinquma bazenze amaqoqo bese bezinikeza izisebenzi zasekamu nezingane zazo. Kwakujabulisa ngokukhethekile ukubona izingane zihlangana nabazali bazo emasangweni, zithathe izimbali zazo, bese zigijima ziya esikoleni zijabule. Zazibathanda oFakazi.”

UViktor uyakhumbula: “Ngelinye ilanga ekuqaleni kuka-1964, induna eyayinomfowabo osebenzela i-KGB yasitshela ukuthi uMbuso wawuhlela umkhankaso omkhulu wokulwa noFakazi BakaJehova. Kodwa ngasekupheleni kwalowo nyaka, uNikita Khrushchev waphucwa isikhundla sakhe njengenhloko yoMbuso, futhi igagasi lokushushiswa ladamba.”

IZINGOMA ZOMBUSO EKAMU ELIQASHWE KAKHULU

Ngawo-1960, elinye ikamu eMordvinia lalivumela iziboshwa ukuba zithole okuthile okuvela ngaphandle kanye ngonyaka, futhi kwayilokho kwakuvunyelwa ngoba kuthiwa ‘umvuzo okhethekile.’ Kwakuseshwa njalo. Uma noma ubani etholwa enombhalo weBhayibheli ephepheni, wayevalelwa yedwa esitokisini izinsuku eziyishumi. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kuleli kamu iziboshwa zazithola ukudla okuncane kunakwezinye izinhlobo zamakamu. Umsebenzi wawunzima nakakhulu kulezi zinhlobo zamakamu; oFakazi kwakudingeka bagubhe iziphunzi zezihlahla ezinkulukazi. U-Aleksey Nepochatov uthi: “Ngokuvamile sasiye sizithole sikhathele siyingcuba. Kodwa sahlala siqaphile futhi sangalilahla ithemba. Enye indlela abafowethu ababezigcina bejabule ngayo kwakungokucula izingoma zoMbuso. Sakha ikwaya yabesilisa enezindlela ezihlukahlukene, okwakuthi noma engekho amazwi esifazane, ikhiphe unqambothi lomculo. Lezi zingoma zazingathokozisi oFakazi kuphela kodwa ngisho namaphoyisa, ayecela abafowethu ukuba bacule ngenkathi kusetshenzwa. Ngelinye ilanga ngenkathi sinquma izihlahla, umqondisi wonogada bethu weza kithi wathi: ‘Culani izingoma ezimbalwa. Lesi isicelo esivela kumqondisi wethu uqobo lwakhe!’

“Lo mqondisi wayebazwile abafowethu becula izingoma zoMbuso izikhathi eziningi ngaphambili. Lesi kwakuyisicelo esifike ngesikhathi ngempela, ngoba kwase kusele kancane siquleke ukukhathala. Ngenjabulo saqala ukukhazimulisa uJehova ngamazwi ethu. Ngokuvamile lapho sicula ekamu, amakhosikazi onogada ayephuma ezindlini ezingomakhelwane, ame kovulandi, bese elalela isikhathi eside. Ayewathanda ngokukhethekile amazwi engoma 6, ‘Umhlaba Mawudumise,’ eculweni elidala. Le ngoma yayinamazwi amaningi amahle futhi imnandi.”

WAFIKA “KWELINYE IZWE”

Ngisho nasezimweni ezingalindelekile, kwakucaca ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bangabantu abanjani ngempela. UViktor Gutshmidt uyakhumbula: “Ekupheleni kwelinye isonto sizihlalele engadini, kwalethwa izimpahla zikagesi ezibizayo ekamu esasiboshwe kulo. Umshayeli owayelethe lezi zimpahla wayengeyena umzalwane kodwa sasiboshwe naye ekamu, imenenja ayehamba nayo yayivela kwelinye ikamu. Ngenxa yokuthi indawo yokugcina izimpahla yayivaliwe nomphathi wayo eseholidini, kwacelwa oFakazi ukuba bamukele le mpahla bese beyithulula.

“Sathatha lezi zimpahla sazibeka eduze kwendlu yokugcina izimpahla eyayingekude namabhalekisi okwakuhlala kuwo abafowethu. Imenenja yayinexhala lokushiya lezi zimpahla ingenaso isiqinisekiso sokuthi umphathi wendawo yokugcina izimpahla uzitholile. Kodwa umshayeli wamqinisekisa: ‘Ungesabi. Ngeke zithintwe muntu. Usufike “kwelinye izwe.” Khohlwa okwenzeka ngaphandle kwekamu. Kule ndawo ungathatha iwashi lakho ulishiye nomaphi, futhi ngakusasa uyolithola lapho ulishiye khona.’ Imenenja yaphikelela ithi ngenxa yokuthi le mpahla ibiza isigamu sesigidi sama-ruble, yayingeke iyishiye ingasayinelwe.

“Ngokushesha kwafika amadoda evela kubaphathi bekamu ezoxosha iloli. Enye yawo yatshela imenenja ukuba ishiye amaphepha empahla efikile bese iwalanda ngakusasa. Yahamba imadolonzima. Yabuya ngakusasa yafike yacela ukungena ekamu ukuze kusayinwe amaphepha empahla, kodwa unogada wayinikeza wona esesayiniwe.

“Kamuva unogada wasixoxela ukuthi kwakungavumi ukuba imenenja ihambe ekamu. Kwaphela isigamu sehora imile igqolozele isango namaphepha, yayiphenduka ithi iyahamba, iphinde ibuye imangele. Cishe yayiqala ukubona into enje selokhu yazalwa. Izimpahla zazidilivwe kahle, kwagcwaliswa namaphepha azo ingekho yona, futhi yonke into yayenziwe ngokwethembeka. Kodwa okuthakazelisa kunakho konke ukuthi lokhu kwakwenzeke ekamu elinesimiso sokulondeka esiseqophelweni eliphezulu okwakuboshwe kulo iziboshwa ezazibhekwa ‘njengemiguludu eyingozi.’ Yebo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi babeqanjelwa amanga kangakanani oFakazi, lapho kwenzeka izinto ezifuze lezi, kwakucaca ezibukelini ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova banjani ngempela.”

“MANJE SEBEYASHUMAYELA FUTHI”

Ngo-1960, ngemva kwezinsukwana abafowethu ababesekamu laseMordvinia bendawonye, kwakhethwa oFakazi abangaphezu kwekhulu ukuba bathunyelwe eKamu 10, ijele elikhethekile elisedolobhaneni eliseduze lase-Udarny. Leli kwakuyijele “lokuhlola” ukuthi oFakazi bangafundiseka yini kabusha. Iziboshwa zalapha zazigqoka iyunifomu emthende efana neyeziboshwa zasemakamu okuhlushwa amaNazi. Ngaphezu kweminye imisebenzi, oFakazi kwakufanele bambe izizemazema zeziqu zezihlahla ehlathini. Kwakudingeka bambe okungenani iziqu ezingu-11 kuya kwezingu-12 umuntu emunye. Kodwa ngezinye izikhathi, ngisho besebenza ndawonye usuku lonke babehluleka ukumba ngisho nesiqu esisodwa esikhulukazi se-oki. Babejwayele ukucula izingoma zoMbuso ukuze bakhuthazane. Lapho isikhulu sekamu sizwa izingoma zabo sasiye simemeze: “Nina boFakazi, ngeke nidle namuhla khona nizoyeka ukucula. Ngizonifundisa ukusebenza!” Omunye umzalwane owayekuleli kamu uyakhumbula: “Kodwa uJehova wasisekela. Naphezu kwezimo ezinzima, sasiphapheme ngokomoya. Sasijatshuliswa ukwazi ukuthi sithathe uhlangothi lukaJehova endabeni yobukhosi bendawo yonke.”—IzAga 27:11.

Babebaningana “othisha” basejele, ngakho isitokisi ngasinye sasinothisha waso, owayeyisikhulu sezempi esinesikhundla esiphakeme kunesikakaputeni noma esilingana nesakhe. Umgomo walezi zikhulu wawuwukwenza oFakazi balahle ukholo lwabo. Noma ubani olahla ukholo lwakhe wayezodedelwa. Inyanga ngayinye othisha babebhala umbiko ngoFakazi ngamunye, bese usayinwa izisebenzi eziningana zasejele. Kodwa embikweni kaFakazi ngamunye, isikhathi ngasinye babebhala ukuthi, “Akakwamukeli akufundiswayo; akafuni ukuyeka izinkolelo zakhe.” U-Ivan Klimko wathi: “Ngahlala iminyaka eyisithupha kweyishumi kuleli jele futhi mina nabanye abafowethu sasibhekwa ‘njengemigulukudu eyingozi kakhulu nenenkani.’ Satshelwa amanye amasosha ukuthi iziphathimandla zazibadonsisa kanzima ngamabomu oFakazi ukuze zibone ukuthi sizokwenzenjani.”

U-Iov Andronic, owachitha iminyaka emihlanu kuleli jele, wake wabuza umphathi wekamu, “Kuyoze kube nini sikuleli jele?” Ekhomba ihlathi, waphendula: “Niyophuma la mhla siyoningcwaba laphaya.” U-Iov uyalandisa: “Sahlukaniswa nezinye iziboshwa ukuze singazishumayezi. Sasigadwe ngeso lokhozi. Ngisho nalapho omunye kithi kudingeka aye kwenye indawo khona ekamu, wayehlale ephelezelwa induna. Ngemva kweminyaka eminingana, lapho sithunyelwa ekamu elingagadiwe kangako, ezinye iziboshwa ezingebona oFakazi zatshela umphathi wekamu: ‘OFakazi BakaJehova banqobile. Nabahlukanisa, kodwa sebeyashumayela futhi.’”

ISIKHULU SIYALIBONA IBHAYIBHELI LASO

Kwakunzima ngokukhethekile ukuletha izincwadi eKamu 10, ingasaphathwa eyeBhayibheli. Abafowethu babona kungenakwenzeka ukuba balethe iZwi likaNkulunkulu ejele. Omunye umzalwane owayeseneminyakana ekuleli jele uthi: “Ayikho into eyehlula uJehova. UNkulunkulu wayizwa imithandazo yethu. Sacela ukuba oFakazi abayikhulu bathole okungenani iBhayibheli elilodwa kuleli jele, kodwa sathola amabili!” (Math. 19:26) Kwenzeka kanjani lokhu?

Kwaqashwa isikhulu sezempi ukuba sizosebenza njengothisha wasejele. Kodwa umuntu ongenalwazi lweBhayibheli “wabafundisa” kanjani oFakazi? Wayethole iBhayibheli elinamakhasi agugile, ngakho ngaphambi kokuba aye eholidini wacela isiboshwa esesikhulile, esingumBaptist, ukuba silihlanganise kabusha, wayesetshela izinduna ukuba zingasiphuci. Lo mBaptist waqhoshela oFakazi ngokuthi wayethole iBhayibheli futhi wavuma ukubaboleka, bathi ukulibhekabheka. Lapho abafowethu bewuthola lo mcebo, baqaqa ngokushesha amakhasi awo base benikezana wona ukuba bawakopishe. Ezinsukwini ezimbalwa ezalandela, zonke izitokisi zoFakazi zaphenduka amashabhu okwakukopishelwa kuwo ngesandla. Kwakopishwa ngesandla amakhophi amabili ekhasi ngalinye. Omunye umfowethu uyakhumbula: “Lapho wonke amakhasi ehlanganiswa ndawonye, kwase kunamaBhayibheli amathathu! Isikhulu sathola iBhayibheli laso elihlanganiswe kabusha nathi sathola awethu amabili. Elinye sasilisebenzisela ukufunda, elinye salibeka endaweni ephephile, emapayipini anezintambo zikagesi onamandla amakhulu. Senza izindawo ezikhethekile kula mapayipi. Ngenxa yokuthi izinduna zazesaba kwakusondela kuwo, ayikho neyodwa eyayibheka khona. Lezi zintambo zikagesi onamandla amakhulu zasigadela kahle umtapo wethu.”

Noma kunjalo, ngesinye isikhathi kuseshwa, lesi sikhulu sezempi sabona ikhasi leBhayibheli elikopishwe ngesandla. Lapho sibona okwakwenzekile, sajabha kakhulu sathi, “Leli khasi eleBhayibheli elafika nami la ekamu!”

UKUGUBHA ISIKHUMBUZO

Unyaka nonyaka abafowethu babenza imizamo yokugubha iSikhumbuzo emakamu. Kuyo yonke leyo minyaka besekamu laseMordvinia, akekho noyedwa kubona owaphuthelwa yilesi senzakalo. Njengokulindelekile, abaphathi bekamu babezama ukuphazamisa lesi senzakalo. Babelwazi usuku lweSikhumbuzo, ngakho ngokuvamile ngalolo suku babevivisa bonke onogada. Kodwa lapho sekuhwalala, iningi lonogada lalikhathala ukugadana nathi ngoba akekho kubona owayazi indawo kanye nesikhathi esiqondile seSikhumbuzo.

Njalo abafowethu babenza imizamo yokuthola iwayini nesinkwa esingenamvubelo. Ngelinye ilanga iqembu lonogada lathola izifanekiselo ekhabetheni ngosuku lweSikhumbuzo, lazithatha lahamba nazo. Kamuva, lelo qembu lonogada lashintshwa elinye iqembu, lokhu kwanika umfowethu owayehlanza ihhovisi lesikhulu sonogada ithuba lokuba athathe izifanekiselo azidlulisele kubafowethu ngaphandle kokubanjwa. Ngalobo busuku, abafowethu bagubha iSikhumbuzo ngesikhathi sekugade iqembu lesithathu lonogada. Izifanekiselo zazidingeka ngokukhethekile ngoba omunye umzalwane wayedla izifanekiselo.

UKUGUBHA ISIKHUMBUZO EKAMU LOMAME

Amanye amakamu nawo ayenezinkinga ezifanayo. UValentina Garnovskaya ukhumbula ukuthi kwakunzima kangakanani ukugubha iSikhumbuzo ekamu lomame eKemerovo. Uyalandisa: “Kuleli kamu kwakunodade abangaba ngu-180. Sasingavunyelwe ukuhlangana ndawonye. Eminyakeni eyishumi, sagubha iSikhumbuzo kabili kuphela. Ngomunye unyaka sakhetha ukugubha iSikhumbuzo kwelinye lamahhovisi engangiwahlanza. Odade bahlangana bengabonwa, beqoqana kancane kancane kusasele amahora ambalwa kuqale iSikhumbuzo. Kwakukhona odade abangaba ngu-80. Sabeka isinkwa esingenamvubelo kanye newayini phezu kwedeski.

“Sanquma ukuqala ngaphandle kwengoma, ngakho omunye udade wavula ngomthandazo futhi konke kwaqala ngendlela ehloniphekile nejabulisayo. Dukuduku, sezwa umsindo ohambisana nokumemeza, kwavele kwasicacela ukuthi izinduna ziyasicinga. Sabona isikhulu sonogada silunguza efasiteleni eliphakeme. Ngaso leso sikhathi sezwa umuntu eshaya isicabha kakhulu, sezwa nezwi elithi asivule umnyango. Izinduna zangena zigulukudela, zagxavuna udade owayenikeza inkulumo, zayomvalela yedwa. Ngesibindi, omunye udade waqhubeka nenkulumo kodwa naye zambamba. Esebanjiwe lo dade, nomunye wesithathu wazama ukuqhubeka nenkulumo, kodwa sathathwa safuhlelwa kwelinye ikamelo, sesatshiswa ngokuthi sizovalelwa ngasodwa. Silapho saphetha iSikhumbuzo ngokucula ingoma sase sivala ngomthandazo.

“Lapho siphindela emabhalekisini ethu, ezinye iziboshwa zasibingelela ngala mazwi, ‘Ngesikhathi singaniboni sivele sazitshela ukuthi i-Armagedoni isifikile, uNkulunkulu wanithatha waniyisa ezulwini, washiya thina ukuba asibhubhise!’ Kwase kuyiminyaka embalwa siboshwe nalezi ziboshwa, zingalamukeli iqiniso. Kodwa ngemva kwalokhu, ezinye zazo zaqala ukulalela.”

“SASIQUQUBALA NDAWONYE”

Elinye ikamu eVorkuta lalinoFakazi abaningi abavela e-Ukraine, eMoldova, emazweni aseBaltic kanye nakwamanye amaripabhuliki aseSoviet Union. U-Ivan Klimko uyakhumbula: “Kwakungubusika buka-1948. Nakuba sasingenazo izincwadi zeBhayibheli, lokho okwakuvele komagazini abadala esasisakukhumbula sasikubhala ezicucwini zamaphepha, bese siwafihla ukuze izinduna zingawatholi. Kodwa zazazi ukuthi sinazo lezo zicucu zamaphepha. Kwakuseza ukusesha okwakuzothatha isikhathi eside. Ngezinsuku zasebusika ezibandayo, sasikhishelwa ngaphandle, simiswe sibe imigqa yabantu abayisihlanu. Ngokuvamile sasibalwa kaningi. Kubonakala sengathi babelindele ukuba sibanike lawo mapheshana kunokuba sibulawe amakhaza simi ngaphandle. Lapho besibala bephindelela, sasiququbala ndawonye, sixoxe ngezihloko zeBhayibheli. Izingqondo zethu zazihlale zigcwele izinto ezingokomoya. UJehova wasisiza ukuba sigcine ubuqotho bethu kuye. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, abafowethu bakwazi ngisho nokuletha iBhayibheli ekamu. Salihlukanisa laba izingxenye ezihlukahlukene ukuze kuthi uma kwenzeka libanjwa, lingathathwa lonke.

“Phakathi konogada kwakukhona nalabo ababezwelana noFakazi BakaJehova. Laba bantu abanomusa babesisiza nganoma iyiphi indlela ababengenza ngayo. Abanye babeshaya sengathi ababoni lapho othile kithi ethola iphasela. Ngokuvamile iphasela ngalinye laliba nekhasi elilodwa noma amabili afihliwe e-Nqabayokulinda. La makhasi ayengamagremu ambalwa nje kuphela ayeyigugu ukwedlula amakhilogremu okudla. Kuwo wonke amakamu oFakazi babentula ngokwezinto ezibonakalayo, kodwa sasicebe kakhulu ngokomoya.”— Isaya 65:13, 14.

“UZOWUHLUKANISA UBE IZINGXENYE EZINGU-50!”

Abafowethu babeqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli masonto onke nabantu ababebonisa isithakazelo eqinisweni. Iziboshwa ezimbalwa—ngisho nalezo ezazingenaso isithakazelo eBhayibhelini—zazazi ukuthi ngemva kuka-7:00 kusihlwa, kwakuqhutshwa izifundo zeBhayibheli emabhalekisini, ngakho zazizama ukungawubangi umsindo. U-Iov Andronic uyakhumbula: “Kwakusobala ukuthi uJehova wayesinakekela futhi ewuqhubekisela phambili umsebenzi wakhe. Ngaphezu kwalokho, sasizama ukubonisana uthando lobuKristu ngokuthi sisebenzise izimiso zeBhayibheli. Ngokwesibonelo, sasiphana ukudla esasikulethelwa ngamaphasela, okwakuwumkhuba ongandile emakamu.

“Kwelinye ikamu, uMykola Pyatokha wayephathiswe umsebenzi wokwabela abafowethu ukudla. Elinye iphoyisa le-KGB lake lathi, ‘Nika uMykola uswidi owodwa, yena uzowuhlukanisa ube izingxenye ezingu-50!’ Babenza kanjalo abafowethu. Sasabelana ngakho konke okwakufika ekamu, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ukudla okungokwenyama noma okungokomoya. Ukwenza kanjalo kwasisiza futhi kwanikeza ubufakazi obuhle kwabanezinhliziyo eziqotho.”—Math. 28:19, 20; Joh. 13:34, 35.

AMABHONASI OKUZIPHATHA KAHLE

Izisebenzi zakwelinye ikamu ezazisebenzelana eduze noFakazi BakaJehova zazithola ibhonasi engamaphesenti angu-30 omholo wazo. Sasiyini isizathu? UViktor Gutshmidt uyachaza: “Lokhu ngakutshelwa owayengumphathi wezimali ekamu. Wathi emakamu amaningi okwakuboshwe kuwo abafowethu, izisebenzi zasekamu zatshelwa ukuba zingahluthuki noma zithuke inhlamba kunalokho zikhulume kahle zibe nomusa ngaso sonke isikhathi. Uma ziziphatha kahle ngale ndlela, umholo wazo wawuzonyuswa. Lokhu kwenziwa ngamabomu ukuze kuboniswe wonke umuntu ukuthi kwakungebona oFakazi BakaJehova bodwa ababephila ngendlela eyisibonelo nokuthi babengahluke ngalutho kwabanye abantu. Ngakho izisebenzi zazikhokhelwa ngenxa yokuziphatha kahle. Zaziningi izisebenzi ekamu—ezokwelapha, ezivamile, abagcini bamabhuku ezimali, izinduna—sezizonke zazicishe zibe yikhulu. Akekho owayefuna ukulahlekelwa ithuba lokwenza imali eyengeziwe.

“Ngelinye ilanga umzalwane owayesebenza ngaphandle kwekamu wezwa induna yezisebenzi ithuka inhlamba. Ngakusasa umzalwane wahlangana nayo ngaphakathi kwekamu wayesethi: ‘Kusho ukuthi ukhona obekucasule ngempela emsebenzini. Ngizwe indlela obuthuka ngayo inhlamba!’ Induna yavuma: ‘Cha, ukuthi besengizwa ukuthi ngizoqhuma. Ngiphumele ngaphandle kwekamu ukuze ngiyobhodla.’ Yebo, kwakuwumthwalo kubantu ukuba baziphathe ngendlela efana neyoFakazi BakaJehova.”

SASHUMAYELA SINGALE KWEFASITELA

Abafowethu babebamba amathuba okushumayeza abanye futhi ngezinye izikhathi imizamo yabo yayibusiswa ngokucebile. UNikolai Gutsulyak uyakhumbula: “Ngokuvamile ukudla sasikuthola esitodlwaneni sasekamu. Lapho kuyithuba lami lokuyolanda ukudla, ngangizama ukusho amazwi ambalwa ngesihloko esithile seBhayibheli. Owesifazane owayesinika ukudla wayelalelisisa futhi ngelinye ilanga wangicela ukuba ngimfundele okuthile. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezintathu, induna yangibizela esangweni. Yatshela mina nomunye uFakazi ukuba siyofaka ifasitela endlini yomphathi wekamu.

“Sahamba namasosha saya edolobheni. Lapho sifika kulo muzi, savulelwa yilona wesifazane osebenza esitodlwaneni sasekamu. Wayengumkasikhulu sasekamu! Elinye isosha langena ngaphakathi, kwathi amabili alinda ngaphandle emgwaqweni eduze kwefasitela. Lo mame wasiphuzisa itiye, wasicela ukuba simtshele okwengeziwe ngeBhayibheli. Ngalolo suku samfakela ifasitela, samnikeza nobufakazi obugculisayo. Lapho ingxoxo yethu isiphelile wathi: ‘Ningangesabi mina. Abazali bami babengabantu abesaba uNkulunkulu njengani.’ Wayezifunda ngasese izincwadi zethu, efihlela umyeni wakhe owayebazonda oFakazi.”

“BUYELANI EMSEBENZINI”

Zazikhona ezinye izikhulu ezazibathanda oFakazi futhi zibakhulumela. Ngawo-1970, eBratsk, eSifundazweni Sase-Irkutsk, ihhovisi lendawo leqembu lamaKhomanisi asebenza embonini yamapulangwe, lathatha isinqumo sokuxosha bonke oFakazi BakaJehova ababeqashwe lapho. Abafowethu batshelwa: “Ngenxa yokuthi aniwuthandi uhulumeni waseSoviet, ngeke uninakekele. Njengoba nithanda uJehova, makaninakekele yena.” Abafowethu ababexoshiwe banquma ukuthi into engcono kakhulu abangayenza ukuyoshumayela obala, ngakho baqala ukwenza inkonzo yendlu ngendlu. Kwenye indlu kwavula owesifazane, abafowethu bazethula base bechaza kafushane isizathu sokuhambela kwabo. Kwezwakala ngezwi lendoda livela ekhishini lithi: “Ukhuluma nobani? Bangenise endlini.” Sebengenile endlini, le ndoda yabuza: “Aniyanga ngani emsebenzini? Usuku lokusebenza namuhla.” Abafowethu bachaza okwakwenzekile.

Bathola ukuthi le ndoda yayingumshushisi owayebuyele ukudla kwasemini. Ithukuthele, yashayela leyo nkampani ukuze ithole ukuthi kuyiqiniso ngempela yini ukuthi ihhovisi lalixoshe bonke oFakazi BakaJehova. Ngemva kokuthola ukuthi kwakunjalo ngempela, umshushisi waqhubeka: “Nibaxosheleni? Aniboni ukuthi nephule umthetho? Aninalo ilungelo lokwenza lokhu! Babuyiseleni bonke oFakazi emsebenzini wabo futhi nibakhokhele nomholo wabo wezinyanga ezintathu ezidlule abangazisebenzanga ngenxa yesinqumo senu.” Umshushisi wavala ucingo, waphendukela kubafowethu wathi: “Kusasa, buyelani emsebenzini, niqhubeke nisebenza.”

“MINA BENGILOKHU NGIFIHLA IZINCWADI KUSUKELA NGO-1947”

Ngawo-1970, abafowethu base benekhono lokunyathelisa, ukusakaza kanye nokufihla izincwadi. Ngezinye izikhathi, kwakuqhamuka izimo ezazidinga ukucabanga okusheshayo. UGrigory Sivulsky uyakhumbula: “Ngolunye usuku ngo-1976 indlu yethu yaseshwa. Ngayizolo ebusuku ngangibeke imibiko kanye namakheli abazalwane budedengu ekhabetheni. Njengoba kuseshwa, amaphoyisa e-KGB ayebukeka ezethemba sengathi ayazi ukuthi afunani nokuthi kufanele ayifunephi. Elinye iphoyisa lathi kimi: ‘Letha impintshisi ne-screwdriver—sizoqaqa lo sofa.’ Ngathandaza ngase ngiphendula ngokuqiniseka:

“‘Ukube beningizume ngendlela enizume ngayo abanye oFakazi, kukhona ebenizokuthola. Kodwa nisindwe izinyawo. Ngeke nithole lutho.’

“‘Besizotholani?’ kubuza iphoyisa.

“‘INqabayokulinda ne-Phaphama! Kodwa ngeke nithole lutho namuhla.’

“Ngiwanika amathuluzi, ngathi, ‘Uma seniqedile ukusesha, ngizocela nibuyisele usofa esimweni obukuso.’

“Zayima emthumeni. Ngibona ukuthi axakekile, ngaphendukela kwelinye lawo, eliseyibhungu, ngathi: ‘Ngicabanga ukuthi awukayihlanganisi iminyaka emithathu ufunana nezincwadi zoFakazi BakaJehova. Kodwa mina bengilokhu ngifihla izincwadi kusukela ngo-1947. Asikho isidingo sokuchitha isikhathi senu lapha; izincwadi zisendaweni ephephile.’

“Ngokumangalisayo, ahamba. Imibiko namakheli abazalwane kwakusobala kangangokuthi kwakungatholakala kalula.”

ISIKHATHI SOSHINTSHO

Ushintsho olwamenyezelwa ngo-1985 aluzange luzilethe ngokushesha izinguquko ezazilindelekile. Kwezinye izifunda, oFakazi babesaboshwa bethunyelwa nasemajele njengangaphambili. Noma kunjalo, ngo-1988 igatsha laseJalimane labhalela endlunkulu: “Ekuqaleni konyaka wenkonzo, bekunezimpawu zokuthi iziphathimandla zizimisele ukunikeza [abafowethu base-USSR] inkululeko eyengeziwe ngokuphathelene nemihlangano mhlawumbe nezincwadi, uma nje bengabhalisa eziphathimandleni zendawo. Ezindaweni eziningi bakwazile ukugubha iSikhumbuzo ngaphandle kokuphazanyiswa. Banomuzwa wokuthi indlela iziphathimandla ezibabheka ngayo isishintshe kakhulu.”

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, abazalwane abamisiwe banikeza igatsha laseJalimane amakheli abafowethu ababezimisele ukwamukela amaphasela okudla okungokomoya. Bona babeyobe sebekudlulisela kubadala abayoqikelela ukuthi wonke umuntu uyazuza ngokomoya. Ngo-February 1990 kwakunamakheli acishe abe ngu-1 600 asetshenziswayo ukuze kutholakale ukudla okungokomoya kanye ngenyanga.

Ngo-1989 oFakazi abayizinkulungwane ezimbalwa baseSoviet Union bakwazi ukuya emhlanganweni wesigodi okhethekile ePoland. UYevdokia, uFakazi wasedolobheni laseNaberezhnye Chelny, uyakhumbula: “Sathandaza ngobuqotho kuJehova, simcela ukuba sikwazi ukuya emhlanganweni wethu wesigodi wokuqala wangempela. Umqondisi wenkampani engangisebenza kuyo wababaza lapho ezwa ukuthi ngifuna ukuya kwelinye izwe: ‘Ini! Awuyibuki yini ithelevishini? Umngcele uvaliwe, akekho ovunyelwe ukudlula!’

“Ngokukhulu ukuzethemba, ngaphendula, ‘Umngcele uzovuleka.’ Nembala kwaba njalo. Endaweni okuseshwa kuyo abagibeli eBrest, ngoFakazi BakaJehova kuphela ababevunyelwa ukudlula. Asiseshwanga nokuseshwa futhi sonke saphathwa ngomusa. Omunye owayengeyena uFakazi wazama ukudlula kanye nathi ngokuthi ashaye sengathi ungomunye wezihambeli zomhlangano. Kodwa izisebenzi zalapha zambamba ngokushesha futhi waboshwa. Zazi kanjani? Phela, zonke izihambeli zomhlangano zazimomotheka futhi ziphethe izikhwama ezincane kuphela.”

UKWAMUKELWA NGEZANDLA EZIFUDUMELE EMOSCOW

Kwase kudlule iminyaka engu-40 kusukela oFakazi bacela imvume yokuba umsebenzi wabo ubhaliswe ngo-1949. Ngaleso sikhathi, ngenxa kanembeza, abafowethu babengavumelani nezimfuno zikahulumeni kaStalin. Kodwa ngo-February 26, 1990, usihlalo weKomiti Lezindaba Zenkolo eMoscow, wamukela ithimba loFakazi BakaJehova. Lo mhlangano wawuthanyelwe amaphini kasihlalo amabili kanye nabanye ozakwabo abathathu. Ithimba loFakazi BakaJehova lalakhiwa abantu abangu-15: abafowethu abangu-11 ababevela eRussia nakwamanye amariphabuliki aseSoviet Union, kube uMilton Henschel noTheodore Jaracz baseBrooklyn kanye noWilli Pohl noNikita Karlstroem ababevela egatsheni laseJalimane.

Umhlangano wavulwa usihlalo ngala mazwi: “Sijabula kakhulu ngokuhlangana noFakazi BakaJehova. Ngiye ngezwa okuningi ngani ngaphambili, kodwa ngiyaqala ngqa ukuhlangana nani. Sizimisele ukuxoxisana nani ngomoya wobu-glasnost (okhululekile).” Abafowethu bezwakalisa isifiso sabo sokubhalisa umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union. Usihlalo waqhubeka: “Kuyajabulisa ukuzwa lokhu futhi lesi isikhathi esifanele. Khona maduze kuzoba intwasahlobo, isikhathi sokutshala. Ngakho singalindela imiphumela emihle nezithelo ezinhle.”

Lapho usihlalo ecela abafowethu ukuba bazethule, kwacaca ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova batholakala kulo lonke izwe, kusukela eKaliningrad kuye eMpumalanga Ekude. Omunye umbonisi wesifunda wathi: “Ngimelela amabandla amane aseSifundazweni Sase-Irkutsk. Kodwa ngiphinde nginakekele neMpumalanga Ekude, iKhabarovsk, iKrasnoyarsk kanye neSifundazwe SaseNovosibirsk nesase-Omsk. Usihlalo wababaza, “Yinkulu indawo oyisebenzayo; idlula eyamazwe amaningi!”

Iphini likasihlalo lathi: “Kudingeka siziqonde kangcono izinkolelo zenu ngoba asiziqondi ezinye zazo. Ngokwesibonelo, enye incwadi yenu ithi uNkulunkulu uzohlanza umhlaba futhi asuse bonke ohulumeni abakhona namuhla. Asikuqondi lokhu.” UMfoweth’ uPohl waphendula: “OFakazi BakaJehova abahlanganyeli kunoma yiluphi uhlobo lobudlova. Uma incwadi ikhuluma ngalokho, isuke ibhekisele eziprofethweni ezithile zeBhayibheli. OFakazi BakaJehova bashumayela ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu kanye nokuphila okuphakade emhlabeni oyipharadesi.”

Iphini likasihlalo lathi, “Akukho lutho olungalungile kulokho.”

Ekupheleni kwengxoxo, usihlalo wathi: “Sikujabulele kakhulu ukuhlangana nani. Kufanele nibhaliswe ngokushesha ngangokunokwenzeka.”

Ngo-March 1991, oFakazi BakaJehova eRussia baqashelwa ngokomthetho. Ngaleso sikhathi, iRussia yayinabantu abayizigidi ezingaphezu kuka-150 futhi ibika inani labamemezeli boMbuso abangu-15 987. Manje, abafowethu nodadewethu baseRussia base bedinga iziqondiso ezengeziwe ezivela kuJehova.—Math. 24:45; 28:19, 20.

“YEKA INJABULO, YEKA INKULULEKO!”

Ngenxa yokuthi iFinland iseduze neRussia, iNdikimba Ebusayo yacela igatsha laseFinland ukuba lisize ekuhleleni umhlangano wezizwe eSt. Petersburg, eRussia, owawuzoba ngo-June 26-28, 1992. Bazizwa kanjani abafowethu ngokuba nomhlangano wesigodi ngokukhululekile ngemva kokuvinjelwa komsebenzi iminyaka engaphezu kuka-50? Omunye umzalwane uyakhumbula: “Kwakukhona izinkulungwane zabantu enkundleni. Izinyembezi zazilokhu zigobhoze njalo. Yeka injabulo, yeka inkululeko! Sasingakaze siphuphe ukuthi inkululeko enje siyoke siyibone kulesi simiso sezinto. Kodwa uJehova wakwenza kwenzeka. Sakhumbula isikhathi esasivalelwe sodwa ngaso ekamu sibahlanu, sizungezwe uthango oluphakeme, indlela esasishintshisana ngayo ukuze abane bethu bagcine lona wesihlanu efudumele. Inkundla esasikuyo manje nayo yayibiyelwe ngodonga oluphakeme. Kodwa sasifuna ukuhlala lapha isikhathi eside ngangokunokwenzeka. Ayichazeki indlela esasizizwa ngayo.

“Amehlo ethu ayehlengezela izinyembezi umhlangano wonke. Sasikhaliswa injabulo yokubona lesi simangaliso. Nakuba sasesineminyaka engaphezu kuka-70, sasehla senyuka kule nkundla njengezingane ezincane. Kwase kuphele iminyaka engu-50 silinde le nkululeko. UJehova waqale wavumela ukuba sidingiselwe eSiberia, sabe sesiyiswa emakamu nasemajele. Kodwa manje sasihlangene kule nkundla! Akekho onamandla angaphezu kukaJehova. Sama, sabukana sakhala. Kwakungathi siyaphupha. Abanye abazalwane abasebasha beza kithina babuza: ‘Kukhona okonakele? Ukhona yini oniphathe kabi?’ Kodwa asikwazanga ukuphendula ngoba sasikhala. Egcwele izinyembezi emehlweni, omunye wethu waphendula: ‘Sikhaliswa injabulo!’ Sabachazela indlela esasikhonze ngayo uJehova iminyaka eminingi ngesikhathi sokuvinjelwa komsebenzi. Manje sasingakholwa ukuthi uJehova wayeseshintshe zonke izinto ngokushesha okungaka.”

Ngemva kwalowo mhlangano ongalibaleki, igatsha laseFinland lacelwa ukuba lithumele amaphayona akhethekile angu-15 eRussia. Ngo-July 1, 1992, uHannu no-Eija Tanninen, umbhangqwana oshisekayo waseFinland, bafika esabelweni sabo eSt. Petersburg. Ekuqaleni, inselele yabo enkulu kwakuwukufunda ulimi. Ngemva kwesifundo sokuqala solimi, baya enkonzweni, bacela ukuqhubela abantu izifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya. UHannu uyakhumbula: “Ekuqaleni kwawo-1990, cishe wonke umuntu edolobheni wayefuna ukufunda iBhayibheli. Lapho senza inkonzo yasemgwaqweni abantu babesinika amakheli abo ngokukhululekile. Bonke abantu babefuna izincwadi. Uma unike umuntu oyedwa umagazini noma ipheshana emgwaqweni, kwakufika abanye abayishumi bezocela izincwadi ngoba bebone lezi ozinike omunye. Abantu babengagcini nje ngokwamukela izincwadi kodwa babezifundela khona lapho emgwaqweni nasezitimeleni.”

Kusukela ngo-October 1992 kwafika amaphayona akhethekile amaningi avela ePoland. Iqembu lokuqala lalihlanganisa nodade abangashadile. Ngokushesha iqembu lesibili elivela ePoland lathunyelwa eSt. Petersburg. Ngemva konyaka, iqembu lamaphayona avela ePoland lathunyelwa eMoscow. Eminyakeni eyalandela, amavolontiya angaphezu kuka-170 avela ePoland, ikakhulukazi lawo ayephothule eSikoleni Sokuqeqeshela Inkonzo (MTS), abelwa ukuba akhonze eRussia.

UMNYANGO OMKHULU OHOLELA EMSEBENZINI

Ngemva kwalowo mhlangano wezizwe eSt. Petersburg, iNdikimba Ebusayo yanika abafowethu imvume yokuthenga isiza esifanelekayo (esingamahektare angu-7) esasinezakhiwo ezindala, endaweni yaseSolnechnoye eseduze nedolobha. Sase sifikile isikhathi sokwakha iBethel eRussia. Igatsha laseFinland lacelwa ukuba lisize emsebenzini wokwakha. Ngo-September 1992 iqembu lokuqala lamavolontiya elivela eFinland lafika eSolnechnoye. U-Aulis Bergdahl, umfowethu owayekulelo qembu okwathi kamuva waba ilungu leKomiti Yegatsha uyakhumbula: “Mina nomkami, u-Eva Lisa, sasamukela ngenjabulo isimemo sokuyosiza ekwakhiweni kweBethel eRussia. Kwakusobala kithi ukuthi uJehova wayeqondisa umsebenzi. Abafowethu abavela emhlabeni wonke bawusekela lo msebenzi.”

U-Alf Cederlöf, owayeqondisa umsebenzi wokwakha kanye nomkakhe uMarja-Leena, baseFinland, babeyisikhuthazo kubo bonke abafowethu esakhiweni. Amalungu eKomiti Yegatsha YaseFinland nawo ayeyisikhuthazo kakhulu. Abafowethu basendlunkulu eBrooklyn bavakashela eSolnechnoye ngesikhathi sokwakha. U-Aulis uyakhumbula: “Ngo-1993, uMilton Henschel wasivakashela ngemva komhlangano wezizwe waseMoscow. Wayeyisikhuthazo kakhulu kokubili lapho exoxa namavolontiya esakhiweni nalapho exoxa nawo ngasese.”

Kwakunamavolontiya angaba ngu-700—avela eScandinavia, eYurophu, eMelika, e-Australia, eRussia nakwamanye amazwe ayengaphansi kweSoviet—ayesebenza ekwakhiweni kweBethel. Izizinda namasiko awo kwakungefani, ngisho nendlela yawo yokusebenza. Kodwa umsebenzi wafezwa njengoba uZakariya 4:6 esho, “‘ngeke kube ngebutho lempi, noma ngamandla, kodwa ngomoya wami,’ kusho uJehova wamabutho.” Ngempela le “ndlu” yayakhiwa uJehova. (IHu. 127:1) Abafowethu baseRussia bazinikela ngokukhululekile emsebenzini woMbuso. Iningi labo lalilisha ngeminyaka nasemaqinisweni, noma kunjalo iningi labo lase liqalile ukuphayona. Babelangazelela ukufunda indlela yokwakha esheshayo nesezingeni eliphezulu nokuthi bazihlele kanjani izinto ngendlela yasezulwini.

UKUHLELA UMSEBENZI

Ngasekupheleni kuka-1993, kwafika amalungu eKomiti Yezwe YaseRussia eSolnechnoye. Kwamenywa u-Ivan Pashkovsky, uDmitry Livy, uVasily Kalin, u-Aleksey Verzhbitsky, u-Anatoly Pribitkov kanye noDmitry Fedunishin. Ngemva konyaka bajoyinwa uMikhail Savitsky. INdikimba Ebusayo yabela uHorst Henschel wasegatsheni laseJalimane ukuba asize abafowethu ekuhleleni umsebenzi.

Enye yezinto zokuqala okwakufanele ihlelwe kwakuwumsebenzi wokujikeleza. Ekuqaleni, kwamiswa izifunda eziyisihlanu ezweni, ezimbili zaziseSt. Petersburg ezintathu ziseMoscow nasezindaweni eziyizungezile. Ababonisi besifunda besikhathi esigcwele bokuqala abahlanu kwakungu-Artur Bauer, uPavel Bugaisky noRoy Öster eMoscow, bese kuthi eSt. Petersburg kube uKzyztov Poplawski kanye noHannu Tanninen. Kamuva, uRoman Skiba wamiswa njengombonisi wesifunda. UMatthew Kelly, owathweswa iziqu e-MTS ngo-1992 e-United States, wabelwa ukuba abe ngumbonisi wesigodi wesikhashana.

UHannu Tanninen ukhumbula indlela ababonisi besifunda ababewahambela ngayo amabandla ekuqaleni kwawo-1990: “Ngathumela elinye ibandla ePetrozavodsk, eKarelia, incwadi elazisa ngokuhanjelwa okusondelayo. Le ncwadi yayineziqondiso zokuthi imihlangano kufanele iqhutshwe kanjani phakathi nalelo sonto. Lapho mina nomkami sifika, sahlangatshezwa umdala esiteshini sesitimela, sahamba saya kwakhe. Wangitshengisa incwadi, wayesethi, ‘Sithole le ncwadi owayibhala, kodwa ngoba besingaqondi ukuthi isho ukuthini, sibone kungcono ukulinda wena usichazele yonke into.’

“Ngesikhathi sihambela okokuqala eMurmansk, kwakunabamemezeli abangu-385 abaqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingaphezu kwenkulungwane. Nokho, inani lezifundo zeBhayibheli laliphakeme kakhulu kunalokhu ngoba izifundo eziningi zaziqhutshwa namaqembu abantu abanesithakazelo. Ngokwesibonelo, omunye udade oyiphayona wayenezifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-13, kodwa ngabantu abangaphezu kuka-50 ababefunda naye!

“Isabelo sethu sesibili kwakuyisifundazwe saseVolgograd nesaseRostov. EVolgograd kwakunamabandla amane kuphela endaweni enabantu abangaphezu kwesigidi. Abafowethu babelangazelela ukufunda indlela yokuqhuba imihlangano nezifundo zeBhayibheli kanye nendlela yokushumayela endlini ngendlu. Isikhathi ngasinye lapho senza ukuhambela kwethu, kwakudingeka simise amabandla amasha. Embikweni wombonisi wesifunda, sasibala ukuthi bangaki ababebhapathiziwe kusukela ekuhambeleni kwethu kokugcina. Ebandleni ngalinye kwakunabantu abangu-50, 60 noma abangu-80 ababebhapathizwe kusukela ekuhambeleni kwethu kokugcina futhi kwelinye ibandla babengaphezu kwekhulu! Umphumela waba ukumiswa kwamabandla amasha angu-16 kulelo dolobha eminyakeni emithathu kuphela.”

Ngo-January 1996 kwamiswa iKomiti Yegatsha eRussia. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, kwamiswa ababonisi besigodi bokuqala besikhathi esigcwele. Phakathi kwabo kwakunoRoman Skiba (eSiberia neMpumalanga Ekude), uRoy Öster (eBelarus, eMoscow, eSt. Petersburg kuze kuyofika eziNtabeni Zase-Ural), uHannu Tanninen (eCaucasia kuze kuyofika eVolga) kanye no-Artur Bauer (eKazakhstan nase-Asia Ephakathi). Ngalezo zinsuku, bonke ababonisi besigodi babephinde bakhonze nesifunda esincane.

UKUHAMBA AMABANGA AMADE

URoman Skiba wayengelinye lamaphayona akhethekile afika kuqala eRussia evela ePoland ekuqaleni kuka-1993. Uyakhumbula: “Ngo-October 1993, ngathola isabelo sokuba ngikhonze emsebenzini wesifunda. Isifunda sami sokuqala sasihlanganisa amabandla aseningizimu yeSt. Petersburg, eSifundazweni SasePskov, nakulo lonke elaseBelarus. Noma kunjalo, kwakungesona isifunda esikhulu kunazo zonke eRussia. Ngokushesha kwadingeka ngijwayele ukuhamba amabanga amade. Ngo-November 1995, ngabelwa esifundeni esise-Ural, ngamiswa nanjengombonisi wesigodi obambele. Insimu yami yayihlanganisa i-Ural, iSiberia yonke kanye neMpumalanga Ekude. Omunye umzalwane walinganisela ukuthi lesi sigodi sasingahlanganisa amazwe angu-38 alingana nePoland! Lesi sigodi sasinezikhathi ezihlukile ezingu-8! Eminyakeni emibili kamuva, ngacelwa yigatsha ukuba ngivakashele iqembu elise-Ulaanbaatar, okuyinhloko-dolobha yaseMongolia.”

UMfoweth uSkiba uyaqhubeka: “Ngelinye ilanga, ukuze ngifike eYekaterinburg ngisuka eNoril’sk, esenyakatho ye-Arctic Circle, kwadingeka ngigibele indiza kabili, okokuqala ngisuka eNoril’sk ngiya eNovosibirsk, bese ngigibela enye ngiye eYekaterinburg. Ngeke ngalulibale lolo hambo ngoba lwadonsa isikhathi eside. Indiza esuka eNoril’sk yabambezeleka amahora angu-12, ngakho mina nomkami uLyudmila sahlala usuku lonke esikhumulweni sezindiza. Ngokujabulisayo, kwase kuwumkhuba wethu ukwenza isifundo somuntu siqu lapho sisohambweni.

“Ngezinye izikhathi, naphezu kwayo yonke imizamo yethu, sasifika sekwephuzile ebandleni esasilihambele. Ngelinye ilanga, ukuze sifike kwelinye ibandla elisedolobhaneni elisentabeni i-Ust’-Kan, e-Altai, kwadingeka sihambe ngemoto emgwaqweni owubhuqu entabeni. Ngeshwa, imoto yafa endleleni, ngenxa yalokhu angikwazanga ukubheka amarekhodi ebandla futhi safika sekudlule amahora amabili esifundweni. Sasikhathazekile, sizitshela ukuthi cishe siyofika kungasekho muntu. Yeka indlela esamangala ngayo lapho sithola abantu abangu-175 belindile kulelo hholo eliqashiwe, nakuba kwakunabamemezeli abangaphansi kuka-40 kulelo bandla! Kubonakala sengathi ngesikhathi sibambekile kwafika abantu abaningi abathakazelayo bevela kwezinye izindawo ezisezintabeni.”a

IMIHLANGANO ENGALIBALEKI

Kwakungokokuqala ngqa ukuba kube nemihlangano yesigodi kwamanye amadolobha amakhulu, lapho abafowethu babengenakho okuhlangenwe nakho kokuhlela umhlangano. Ngo-1996, eYekaterinburg, abafowethu bakhetha inkundla efanelekayo ukuba baqhubele kuyo umhlangano wesigodi. URoman Skiba uyakhumbula: “Emabhentshini kwakumile utshani futhi ngaphakathi kwenkundla kwase kunezihlahla ezingamamitha amabili ubude. Kwakusele amasonto amathathu nje ngaphambi kokuqala komhlangano, futhi kwakunamabandla amathathu kuphela kulelo dolobha nasezindaweni ezizungezile. Ngenhlanhla, umphathi wenkundla wayezimisele ukusebenzisana nathi ngisho nakuba ayengaqondi ukuthi kwakuzokwenzeka kanjani ukuba sibe nomhlangano kuleyo nkundla. Abafowethu baqala ukusebenza, futhi kwathi kufika usuku lomhlangano inkundla yayicwebezela. Umphathi wenkundla akakholwanga!” Ebonisa ukubonga kwakhe, wavumela abafowethu ukuba baqhubele iSikole Senkonzo Samaphayona kwesinye sezakhiwo zenkundla. Omunye umzalwane uyakhumbula: “Ngemva komhlangano, le nkundla yaqala futhi ukusetshenziselwa ezemidlalo, ezazingenisela leli dolobha imali.”

Ngezinye izikhathi, kwakufuneka ukuvumelana nezimo nokukhuthazela ukuze sikwazi ukuba nemihlangano emikhulu. Ngo-1999 eVladikavkaz, abafowethu abakwazanga ukuqasha inkundla okwakuzoqhutshelwa kuyo umhlangano wesifunda, okwakulindelwe abantu abangu-5 000 kuwo. Ngakho ngokushesha bahlela esinye isimiso somhlangano. Kwaba nemihlangano emihlanu yosuku olulodwa enesimiso esifushanisiwe enkundleni yokubuka ibhayisikobho eVladikavkaz. Ngemva kwalokho, ngempelasonto, kwethulwa isimiso esiphelele sezinsuku ezimbili zomhlangano wesifunda ezindaweni ezimbili eziqhelelene ngamakhilomitha angaba mabili, edolobheni laseNalchik. Umhlangano wakwelinye ihholo waqala ngemva kwamahora amabili kuqale lo omunye, ukuze izikhulumi zomhlangano wokuqala zikwazi ukuya kulo wesibili. Kwakubonakala sengathi amaphimbo ababonisi abajikelezayo ayezosha imihlangano ingakapheli. Kamuva omunye umzalwane walinganisela ukuthi cishe wayebeke izinkulumo ezingu-35 ngaleyo mpelasonto! Konke kwahamba kahle kwaze kwaba semini yasekuseni ngoMgqibelo lapho umhlangano kwelinye ihholo uphazamiseka. Kwangena amadoda agqoke amayunifomu ehholo ehamba nenja, atshela bonke abakhona ukuba baphume ngokushesha ngenxa yezizathu ezithile. Njengokujwayelekile, abafowethu nodade abazange batatazele kodwa benza njengoba kwakushiwo, bahlala ngaphandle badla imiphako yabo futhi babungazana. Kwatholakala ukuthi umuntu othile oshisekela inkolo ngokweqile, wayethinte iziphathimandla ngocingo wazitshela ukuthi kunebhomu ngaphakathi ehholo. Ihholo lahlolwa kodwa kwangatholakala lutho, ngakho abafowethu bavunyelwa ukuba baqhubeke nomhlangano. Ngemva kokwenziwa kwezinguquko ezimbalwa esimisweni, umhlangano waphethwa ngempumelelo futhi wonke umuntu wazuza.

AMATSHE, AMAHAWU NEZINKEMBA

Imbewu yeqiniso yasakazeka ngokushesha ezweni lilonke. U-Eija Tanninen uyakhumbula: “Ngo-1998 sasilungiselela uhambo lwamahora angu-15 ngesitimela, sisuka komunye umhlangano wesigodi siya komunye. Abafowethu bacela ukuba sihambe nezinto eziningi zedrama yomhlangano. Kwakuyingozi lokhu ngoba sasazi ukuthi izisebenzi ezihlola amathikithi esitimeleni zazingabathandisisi abantu abanemithwalo eminingi. Kodwa ngosizo lwabafowethu, sawathwala ngesibindi amatshe, amahawu, izinkemba kanye nezikhwama ezigcwele izingubo zedrama, sakufaka egumbini lethu labantu abane. Kulelo gumbi sahlala nayo yonke imithwalo yethu kanye nabanye abagibeli ababili.

“Lapho isisebenzi esihlola amathikithi sifika kithina, sabuza ukuthi kungani sithwele imithwalo eminingi kangaka. Sachaza ukuthi le mithwalo izinto zedrama ezodlalwa emhlanganweni wesigodi woFakazi BakaJehova. Sasinomusa futhi sasitshela ukuthi esikhathini esingaphambili sasilalele inkulumo yeningi eyayinikezwe umyeni wami ngesikhathi sivakashele elinye ibandla edolobheni lakubo. Salubona usizo lukaJehova.”

BAFUNDISWA INDLELA YOKUQHUBA IZIFUNDO ZEBHAYIBHELI

Ziningi izinto odadewethu ababezifunda komunye nomunye. U-Eija uyakhumbula: “Ngicabanga ukuthi kwakudingeka ukubekezela nokuthobeka okukhulu kodade ngesikhathi siqala inkonzo yethu eRussia ngoba ngangingakwazi ukukhuluma kahle ulimi. Yangithinta indlela odade ababelangazelela ngayo ukufunda indlela yokuqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli. Iningi labo lalilisha eqinisweni kanti abanye babo babekhonze ngesikhathi umsebenzi uvinjelwe, kungelula ukuba isiqondiso esivela enhlanganweni kaJehova sifike kubona.

“Sakhonza edolobheni laseVolzhskiy kusukela ngo-1995 kuya ku-1996. Ngokuvamile, lapho udade engimema ukuba ngihambe naye siyoqhuba isifundo sakhe seBhayibheli, abanye odade abambalwa babecela ukuhamba nathi. Ekuqaleni ngazibuza ukuthi kungani babefuna ukuhamba nathi, kodwa bachaza ukuthi babefuna ukubona, bafunde indlela yokuqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli. Ngabachazela ukuthi uma ofundelwayo engenankinga futhi engeke abe namahloni uma bekhona, babengahamba nathi. Kwakuvame ukuba khona odade abayisithupha kuye kwabayishumi, ababekholelwa ukuthi ngeke bamphazamise ofundelwayo, futhi kwakuba njalo ngempela. Ngemva kwezinyangana, ngabona izifundo zeBhayibheli eziningi ziqala ezazo izifundo zeBhayibheli nabantu abathakazelayo. Ngaleso sikhathi kwakunamabandla amabili eVolzhskiy. Eminyakeni eyishumi kamuva kwase kumiswe amabandla angu-11.”

UMTHANDAZO WAKHE WAPHENDULWA

Kwakusobala ukuthi imfundo engokwasezulwini yayizuzisa kakhulu, ingazuzisi nje kuphela abafowethu abasha emaqinisweni kodwa nalabo abase bekhonze uJehova iminyaka eminingi ngaphansi kokuvinjelwa. UHannu Tanninen uyakhumbula: “Ezimweni ezihlukahlukene sabona ukuqondisa kwezingelosi nezenzakalo ezasihlaba umxhwele. Ngo-1994 safika ebandleni elisha eNovgorod, manje eselibizwa ngokuthi iVeliky Novgorod, abafowethu basiyisa emzini esasizohlala kuwo ngalelo sonto. Kulowo muzi kwakunesivakashi okuthiwa uMaria, udade osekhulile owayehambe amakhilomitha angaba ngu-50 ukuze abe khona ngesonto lokuhambela kwethu. Kwase kuphele iminyaka engu-50 eseqinisweni, futhi efisa ukuhlangana nombonisi wesifunda wokuqala wangemva kokugunyazwa komsebenzi. Sacela ukuba asilandise indlela athola ngayo iqiniso. Wasitshela ukuthi lapho eneminyaka engu-17, wayiswa ekamu lokuhlushwa eJalimane, lapho ahlangana khona noFakazi BakaJehova. Walamukela iqiniso futhi wabhapathizelwa ekamu ngudade ogcotshiwe. Ekugcineni wadedelwa, waphindela eRussia ukuze ayoshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso. Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile, waboshwa ngenxa yomsebenzi wokushumayela. Wachitha iminyaka eminingi emakamu okufukuzwa kuwo eSoviet.

“Lapho esephetha indaba yakhe, kwasithinta ukuzwa lo dadewethu othobekile ethi emasontweni ambalwa ngaphambili wayethandaza kuJehova ukuba ambonise ukuthi kukhona yini okungalungile ngendlela amkhulekela ngayo. Kamuva ngalobo busuku, ngamchazela ukuthi esikhathini esedlule, isihloko se-Nqabayokulinda esithi “Imibuzo Evela Kubafundi” saxoxa ngendaba ethile. Sathi ukuze ubhapathizo lwamukeleke, kubalulekile ukuba lwenziwe umzalwane ongumKristu. UMaria wabonga kakhulu. Wezwa sengathi umthandazo wakhe wawuphenduliwe. Wakujabulela ukubhapathizelwa kubhavu. Kwase kudlule iminyaka engu-50 kusukela azinikezela ngo-1944.”

UKUHAMBISA UKUDLA OKUNGOKOMOYA EZINDAWENI EZIHLUKAHLUKENE

Kusukela ekuqaleni kuka-1991, izincwadi zazithunyelwa eRussia ngamaphasela amancane zivela eJalimane noma eFinland. Ngo-July 1993, iloli lokuqala elivela eJalimane lafika eSolnechnoye lithwele amathani angu-20 ezincwadi. Amaloli avela egatsheni laseRussia aqala umzila wokudiliva oya eMoscow, eBelarus naseKazakhstan. Zazikhona izinselele. Ukuze bahambise izincwadi eKazakhstan, ngokwesibonelo, abafowethu kwakufanele bahambe ibanga elingamakhilomitha angu-5 000 ukuya. Babebambezeleka emingceleni, kuthi ebusika amaloli abhajwe eqhweni.

Namuhla, iSolnechnoye ithola amathani angu-200 ezincwadi njalo ngenyanga. Abashayeli bamaloli aseBethel basebenzisa wonke amathuba ukuze bafakaze konogada basemingceleni noma ezisebenzini zasemingceleni. Phakathi kwabo bakhona abakujabulelayo ukufunda izincwadi zeBhayibheli. Ngesinye isikhathi lapho kuhlolwa, elinye iphoyisa lathi lingabona ukuthi iloli laseBethel lingelenhlangano yenkolo, laqala ukugxeka inkolo. Lathi lalithukwe umpristi othile, elalimmisile ngoba ephule imithetho yomgwaqo. Abafowethu balichazela indlela uJehova aphatha ngayo abantu nenjongo yakhe ngomhlaba nesintu. Iphoyisa lehlisa umoya laqala ukuba nobungane. Laqala ngisho nokubuza imibuzo, abafowethu base bekhipha amaBhayibheli futhi baxoxa kamnandi nalo. Lokhu kwalithinta kangangokuba lathi: “Ngizobafuna oFakazi ukuze ngiqhubeke nale ngxoxo.”

Kusukela ngo-1995 kuya ku-2001, igatsha laseJapane lalinakekela ukuthunyelwa kwezincwadi emabandleni aseVladivostok, eMpumalanga Ekude. Uma sezifikile lapho, abafowethu babezithumela ngemikhumbi emabandleni aseKamchatka. Abafowethu baseVladivostok bajwayelana nokaputeni beminye imikhumbi eyayiya eKamchatka. Omunye ukaputeni wavuma ukuhamba nezincwadi zethu azifake egunjini lakhe ngaphandle kwenkokhelo futhi wayesiza ngisho nasekufakeni izincwadi emkhunjini. Wachazela abafowethu: “Nakuba ngingelona ikholwa, ngifuna ukwenza isenzo esihle. Ngiyanithanda futhi ngithanda nendlela enihleleke ngayo. Lapho ngifika endaweni yokuthulula izimpahla, akudingeki ngilinde isikhathi eside ukuze izincwadi zithululwe. Abantu benu batheleka kuhle kwezinyoni, bawathathe ngokushesha amabhokisi ezincwadi.”

UKWANDA KULETHA ISIDINGO

Kwase kuyiminyaka eminingi INqabayokulinda yesiRashiya enamakhasi angu-16 iphuma kanye ngenyanga, futhi inyatheliswa emaphepheni amakhudlwana kunalawa asetshenziswa manje. Zonke izihloko ezifundwayo zazihunyushelwa olimini lwesiRashiya kodwa abafowethu baseSoviet Union babezithola sekwephuzile uma kuqhathaniswa nesiNgisi. Izihloko ezifundwayo zazitholakala ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha kuya eminyakeni emibili, bese kuthi ezinye izihloko zitholakale sekwephuze ngisho nakakhulu. Kusukela ngo-1981, INqabayokulinda yesiRashiya yanyatheliswa iwumagazini onamakhasi angu-24 ophuma kanye ngenyanga, futhi kusukela ngo-1985, yaphuma kabili ngenyanga. Umagazini wokuqala onemibala egqamile, onamakhasi angu-32, ophuma kanye kanye nowesiNgisi wawungoka-June 1, 1990.

UTanja, omunye wabahumushi, uyakhumbula: “Lapho sibheka emuva, siyazi ukuthi okuningi kwalokho esasikuhumusha futhi sikunyathelisa ngaleso sikhathi kwakungafundeki kahle futhi kungaqondakali kalula. Kodwa yikona okungcono esasingakwenza ngaphansi kwalezo zimo. Futhi kwakuwukudla okwakudingwa abantu ababekade belamba ngokomoya.”

Ukugunyazwa komsebenzi emazweni ayengaphansi kweSoviet Union kwenza ukuba izincwadi zethu zisakazwe kabanzi. Abahumushi besiRashiya ababesebenzela eJalimane babelangazela ukuthola usizo. Izenzakalo ezimbili zaholela ekubeni kube nentuthuko ezingeni lokuhumusha. Esokuqala, abazalwane nodade abaningana abavela eRussia nase-Ukraine baya egatsheni laseJalimane beyoqeqeshwa njengabahumushi, okuyinto eyabathokozisa kakhulu. Abayisihlanu bafika ngo-September 27, 1991, abanye bafika kamuva. Ngakho iqembu labahumushi besiRashiya laqala ukwenziwa ngcono. Zazikhona izinkinga. ‘Ukhuni namatshe’ akuzange kuphenduke “igolide” ngokushesha kodwa kwadlula kuzo zonke izigaba ezibalwe ku-Isaya 60:17.

Esesibili, abahumushi besiRashiya baqala ukuzuza emsebenzini owenziwa uMnyango Wezinkonzo Zokuhumusha owawusanda kumiswa. Kwaba nomhlangano wabahumushi egatsheni laseJalimane ngesikhathi esicishe sifane naleso okwafika ngaso abafowethu nodade bokuqala abavela eRussia, befika eSelters, eJalimane.

Kuyatuseka ukuba umsebenzi wokuhumusha wenziwe ezweni okukhulunywa kulo ulimi okuhunyushelwa kulo. Ngakho kwakujabulisa lapho, ngo-January 1994, abahumushi besiRashiya besuka egatsheni laseJalimane beyohlala eBethel eyayakhiwa eSolnechnoye.

Yebo, kwakunzima ngalaba bahumushi ukuhlukana nabafowethu abase benamashumi eminyaka behumushela abafowethu baseSoviet Union kodwa abazimo zabo zazingabavumeli ukuba bathuthele eRussia. Iqembu labafowethu nodade abangu-17, elalihlanganisa nabafowethu ababili ababezokhonza njengamaphayona akhethekile, lahamba eSelters ngeSonto, ngo-January 23, 1994, likhala ezimathonsi.

“YIMINA UNKULUNKULU WESIGULI”

Kwase kuyiminyaka eminingi odokotela nezisebenzi zezokwelapha eRussia besekela imibono yabo ngezinkolelo zeziguli emfundisweni yabo yokungabi khona kukaNkulunkulu nasekusetshenzisweni kabanzi kwegazi kwezokwelapha eSoviet. Ngakho, noma nini lapho oFakazi ababedinga ukwelashwa becela ukuba balashwe ngaphandle kwegazi, odokotela babemangala noma bavele badelele.

Izikhathi eziningi odokotela babeze bathi, “Lapha, yimina uNkulunkulu wesiguli!” Uma singavumelani nalokho okushiwo udokotela, isiguli sasingaxoshwa ngokushesha esibhedlela. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukuma koFakazi okusekelwe eBhayibhelini ngokumpontshelwa igazi kwakuye kusetshenziswe abaphikisi emizamweni yabo yokuvimbela umsebenzi wethu eRussia.

Egatsheni laseRussia ngo-1995, uMnyango Wokwaziswa Ngezezibhedlela waqala ukusebenza ngenjongo yokunikeza abezokwelapha ukwaziswa okunembile ngokuma koFakazi BakaJehova. Kwaba nemihlangano embalwa lapho abadala abavela emaKomitini Okubonisana Nezibhedlela angaphezu kuka-60 bafunda khona indlela yokunikeza odokotela nezisebenzi zezokwelapha ukwaziswa okudingekile kanye nendlela yokuthola odokotela abazimisele ukwelapha oFakazi ngaphandle kwegazi.

Ngo-1998 eMoscow, odokotela baseRussia kanye nozakwabo bakwamanye amazwe, baba nengqungquthela yezizwe enesihloko esithi “Ezinye Izindlela Zokuhlinza,” okwakungeyokuqala ngqa eRussia. Kwaba khona odokotela abangaphezu kuka-500 abavela ezifundeni eziningi zaseRussia. Phakathi kuka-1998 no-2002, odokotela baseRussia bathola ulwazi olwanele ukuze bakwazi ukuba nezingqungquthela eziningi ezifana nalezi emadolobheni amakhulu aseRussia. Kwaba nemiphumela emihle ngenxa yalezi zingqungquthela.

UDkt. A.I. Vorobyov, owayengungqongqoshe wezempilo futhi eyisazi esiyinhloko segazi nezakhi zalo woMfelandawonye WaseRussia, encwadini yasemsebenzini ayibhalela abameli ababevikela amalungelo eziguli ezingoFakazi, waphawula ukuthi ngenxa yokuhlola kabusha kodokotela indaba yokumpompela igazi, “inani lomama abafa bebeletha ezweni lakithi liye lancipha ngamaphesenti angu-34.” Wanezela: “Ngaphambi kwalokhu, umbiko wethu wezokwelapha wabika ukuthi inani lomama abafa ngenkathi bebeletha liphakeme izikhathi eziphindwe ka-8 uma liqhathaniswa nelabanye omama eYurophu, ngenxa yokuthi ababelethisi lapha bampompela omama igazi ngokungenasidingo.”

Ngo-2001 umnyango wezempilo Womfelandawonye WaseRussia, wathumela iziqondiso ezikhungweni zokwelapha kulo lonke izwe. Iziqondiso zazithi, udokotela kufanele akuhloniphe ukwenqaba kwesiguli ukumpontshelwa igazi ngenxa yezizathu zenkolo. Ngo-2002, umnyango wezokwelapha waseRussia wakhipha Iziqondiso Zokusetshenziswa Kwezingxenye Zegazi. Lezi ziqondiso zathi igazi lingampontshelwa kuphela ngemva kokuba isiguli sinike imvume ebhalwe phansi. Zibonisa nokuthi uma iziguli zenqaba ukumpontshelwa izingxenye zegazi ngenxa yezizathu zenkolo, kufanele kusetshenziswe ezinye izindlela zokwelapha.

Isimo sengqondo sodokotela abaningi ngokusebenzisa igazi sashintsha ngemva kokusebenzelana nabameleli boMnyango Wokwaziswa Ngezezibhedlela. Omunye udokotela ohlinzayo wabatshela: “Ngiye ngezwa ezigulini [ezingoFakazi] kanye nakinina ukuthi ukwenqaba kwenu ukumpontshelwa igazi akusekelwe nje emzweni odlulayo, kodwa kuwumyalo ovela eBhayibhelini. Ngithe angikuhlole lokhu. Ngifunde yonke imibhalo ekhonjiwe kulokhu kwaziswa eninginikeze kona. Ngemva kokucabangisisa ngakho, ngifinyelele esiphethweni sokuthi ngempela ukuma kwenu kusekelwe eBhayibhelini. Kodwa kungani abefundisi bethule ngale ndaba? Manje kuye kuthi uma le ndaba iqhamuka, ngibatshele abanye odokotela ukuthi oFakazi yibona bantu abalalela iBhayibheli.” Namuhla, odokotela abangaphezu kuka-2 000 eRussia belapha iziguli ezingoFakazi ngaphandle kokusebenzisa igazi.

BAKHONZA NGENJABULO EZABELWENI ZABO

U-Arno noSonja Tüngler, abaphothula oPhikweni LweSikole SaseGileyadi oluseJalimane, bebelokhu bekhonza emadolobheni ahlukahlukene aseRussia kusukela ngo-October 1993. Umsebenzi kaJehova uye wathuthuka kanjani emasimini abakhonze kuwo? Lalela njengoba belandisa okuhlangenwe nakho kwabo.

U-Arno: “Safika esabelweni sethu eMoscow. Ngemva kwamasonto ambalwa, sanikeza izinkulumo zethu zokuqala eSikoleni Senkonzo Esingokwasezulwini. Ngemva kwamasonto ayisithupha siseRussia, nganikeza inkulumo yami yokuqala emhlanganweni omkhulu. Sasabelwe ebandleni elinabamemezeli ababhapathiziwe abangaba ngu-140, futhi insimu yebandla yayilingana nesifunda eJalimane! Isabelo sethu sokuqala sasiseduze nomuzi wethu. Yeka indlela okwakujabulisa ngayo ukuba ngoFakazi bokuqala ngqa abashumayela endlini ngendlu lapho!”

USonja: “Nakuba sasingasazi nhlobo isiRashiya, ngezinye izikhathi sasifakaza sodwa emgwaqweni, sikhuluma nabantu sibanikeza namapheshana nezincwadi. Abazalwane nodade bendawo babesisekela kakhulu, futhi kwakulula ukuhlela ukuphuma nabo enkonzweni yasensimini. Babenomusa nesineke esikhulu, besivumela ukuba sikhulume isiRashiya sethu esingacacile. Abaninikhaya nabo babenesineke kakhulu. ISoviet Union yayisiwile futhi abantu babenesithakazelo esikhulu enkolweni.”

U-Arno: “Okwasisiza kakhulu ukuba sifunde isiRashiya kwaba ukuhlanganyela enkonzweni yendlu ngendlu nokuqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli. Kwathi kuba inyanga yesine siseRussia, ngo-January 1994, sase siqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli ezingu-22, ngakho sasinamathuba amaningi okuzwa nokukhuluma isiRashiya sabantu abavamile.

“Ngaleso sikhathi kwakuba nabantu abaningi ababhapathizwayo emihlanganweni emikhulu; kwakungaba amaphesenti ayishumi noma ngaphezulu alabo abakhona. Kwakungewona wonke amabandla ayenabazalwane abafanelekayo ukuba banelise isidingo sabadala nezinceku ezikhonzayo. Omunye umdala wayeze akhonze njengombonisi owengamele wamabandla amahlanu! Wangicela ukuba nginikeze inkulumo yeSikhumbuzo kwelinye lalawa mabandla. Kwaba nabantu abangu-804, futhi kwadingeka ukuba baphume ehholo ngokushesha nje ngemva kwenkulumo ngoba kwakunelinye ibandla elalizongena. Isikhulumi senkulumo yesibili sathola ingozi yemoto endleleni ngakho asikwazanga ukufika ngesikhathi, kwase kudingeka ngiphinde ngiyibeke inkulumo. Kwakunabantu abangu-796! Kusho ukuthi emabandleni amabili nje kuphela kwaba nabantu abangu-1 600 eSikhumbuzweni, okubonisa isithakazelo esikhulu abantu ababenaso eqinisweni ngaleso sikhathi.”

UJEHOVA “USHESHISA” UKUVUNA

EZwini lakhe, uJehova wathembisa ‘ukusheshisa’ ukubuthwa ‘kwezinto zakhe ezifiselekayo.’ (Isaya 60:22; Hag. 2:7) Ngo-1980, kwakunabamemezeli abangu-65 eSt. Petersburg, okwathi naphezu kokubhekwa ngeso lokhozi yi-KGB, bakwazi ukuxoxa nezakhamuzi zedolobha ngezindaba zeBhayibheli. Ngo-1990 kwase kunoFakazi abangaphezu kuka-170 ababeshumayela ngokwethukela emigwaqweni ezingxenyeni ezihlukahlukene zedolobha. Ngo-March 1991, umsebenzi woFakazi wabhaliswa eRussia, futhi ngokushesha kwase kunamabandla amahlanu kuleli dolobha. Umhlangano wezizwe eSt. Petersburg ngo-1992 kanye nezinye izenzakalo ezingokomoya kwaphumela ekwandeni okusheshayo. Ngo-2006, bekunamabandla angaphezu kuka-70 ashumayela eSt. Petersburg.

Ngo-1995 kwakunebandla elilodwa nje kuphela e-Astrakhan, elingekude kangako nomngcele weKazakhstan. Leli bandla lalingenaye umdala noma inceku ekhonzayo. Noma kunjalo, abafowethu baba nayo yomibili imihlangano, owesifunda nowosuku olulodwa. Izinkulumo zesimiso zanikezwa abadala ababehambe amakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-700 besuka eKabardino-Balkaria. Laba bafowethu babengazi ukuthi bangaki abazobhapathizwa kule mihlangano. URoman Skiba uyakhumbula: “Sinomunye umdala safika kusasele amasonto amabili umhlangano uqale ngenjongo yokuya enkonzweni yasensimini nebandla nokuhlola abanesifiso sokubhapathizwa. Nokho, sagcina singekho kwanhlobo isikhathi sokuya enkonzweni. Sonke isikhathi sethu sasichitha sixoxa nabantu abangu-20 ababefuna ukubhapathizwa!”

Ngo-1999 eYekaterinburg, abafowethu bamema abahwebi abambalwa emakethe ukuba beze eSikhumbuzweni. Laba bahwebi bacela ukumema nabangane babo. Yeka indlela oFakazi abamangala ngayo lapho kufika abantu abangaba ikhulu ehholo! Nakuba ihholo elaliqashiwe lalilikhulu, abanye kwadingeka bame.

IZIFUNDO ZEBHAYIBHELI ZABANTU ABANGU-50

Umsebenzi wokushumayela eSifundazweni Sase-Ivanovo, esingekude neMoscow, waqala ngasekupheleni kuka-1991 lapho uPavel no-Anastasia Dimov bethuthela kule ndawo. Babehlalelwe umsebenzi onzima—ukushumayela ensimini enabantu abangaphezu kwesigidi. Babezoqala kanjani? Banquma ukusebenzisa indlela elula nephumelelayo: isitodlwana sezincwadi. Bamisa isitodlwana sabo enkabeni yedolobha bakhangisa ngezincwajana, omagazini nezincwadi. Abadlulayo babema futhi abaningi babonisa isithakazelo esiqotho. Bonke ababenesithakazelo eqinisweni babemenyelwa emhlanganweni wesifundo seBhayibheli. Le mihlangano wawungeke uyibize ngokuthi izifundo zeBhayibheli zasekhaya, ngoba yayiqhutshelwa emahholo aqashiwe futhi kube nabantu abangu-50. Lezi zifundo zazifana nemihlangano yebandla futhi zaziba nezingxenye ezimbili. Kweyokuqala, kwakufundwa incwadi ethi Ungaphila Phakade EPharadesi Emhlabeni, ngemva kwalokho kutadishwe isihloko esithile se-Nqabayokulinda. Kwakuba nezifundo ezinjena kathathu ngesonto, ngasinye sibe amahora amathathu. Kwakuqhutshwa imihlangano emithathu enjena ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene zedolobha. UPavel wayebika izifundo zeBhayibheli ezintathu. Lapho ebuzwa ukuthi kungani eqhuba izifundo ezimbalwa kangaka kanti iningi labamemezeli liqhuba izifundo ezingaba ngu-10 kuya ku-20, kwavela ukuthi kwakuba nabantu abangu-50 esifundweni ngasinye! Kwaba sobala ukuthi uJehova uyalibusisa leli lungiselelo ngoba ngokushesha abaningi ababeba khona kulezi zifundo bazwakalisa isifiso sokushumayela izindaba ezinhle. Ngemva kwesinye isifundo, uPavel wamemezela ukuthi labo abafuna ukuba abamemezeli abasale. Akekho owaphuma, futhi bonke baba abamemezeli. Inani lezitodlwana zezincwadi landa edolobheni, futhi izitodlwana eziningi kuleli dolobha nasemapaki zase zigcwele izincwadi.

Manje kwase kuyisikhathi sokudlulela komunye umkhakha wenkonzo, indlu ngendlu. Kodwa kwakuzoqalwa kanjani njengoba cishe kwakungekho noyedwa ummemezeli owayeke wahlanganyela kule ndlela yokushumayela? Labo ababefisa ukufunda ukushumayela endlini ngendlu bahambisana nabakwaDimov enkonzweni. Ngokuvamile babeba baningi abamemezeli abafuna ukufunda. Ngezinye izikhathi, uPavel wayeya endlini ngendlu nabamemezeli abayishumi ngesikhathi! Ngokumangalisayo, lokhu akuzange kubethuse abaninikhaya futhi babekujabulela ukuxoxa neqembu. Abanye babeze balingenise endlini lonke iqembu.

Ngokushesha abamemezeli abasha base bemagange ukushumayela ezindaweni ezingaphandle kwedolobha lase-Ivanovo, ngakho kwahlelwa ukuba kuhanjelwe amanye amadolobha eSifundazweni Sase-Ivanovo. Amaqembu abamemezeli abangu-50 ayegibela esitimeleni esiphokophele edolobheni abaya kulo, bese kuthi phambili bahlukane bahambe ngababili. Njengoba beshumayela emafulethini, babememela abantu emhlanganweni owawuzoba ngabo lobo busuku. Kulo mhlangano, abafowethu babebonisa ama-video akhishwa oFakazi BakaJehova. Babenikeza nezinkulumo. Ngemva komhlangano bonke abakhona babebuzwa ukuthi bangasijabulela yini isifundo seBhayibheli sasekhaya, futhi labo abasifunayo babenikeza abafowethu amakheli abo. Ngenxa yalo msebenzi, kuye kwasungulwa amabandla angaba mahlanu edolobheni ngalinye kwambalwa aseSifundazweni Sase-Ivanovo.

Ngo-1994, e-Ivanovo nje kuphela, kwakunabamemezeli abangu-125, futhi kwaba nabantu abangu-1 008 eSikhumbuzweni. Ngonyaka ofanayo kwabhapathizwa abantu base-Ivanovo abangu-62 emhlanganweni wesigodi. Kwakwakheke ibandla elisha ngosuku olulodwa! Manje, eSifundazweni Sase-Ivanovo kunabamemezeli boMbuso abangu-1 800 abamatasa emsebenzini weNkosi.

UKUHLANGANA NDAWONYE NAPHEZU KOKUPHIKISWA

Emadolobheni amaningana kwakungelula ukuthola imvume yokuba nemihlangano emikhulu ezinkundleni zemidlalo. Ngokwesibonelo, eNovosibirsk, abaphikisi abasekelwa abefundisi bamasha phambi kwamasango enkundla yemidlalo lapho kwakunomhlangano khona. Olunye lwezingqwembe ezaziphethwe abaphikisi lwaluthi: “Qaphelani OFakazi BakaJehova.” Nokho, labo ababemasha abanakanga ukuthi izinhlamvu ezimbili zegama lokuqala oqwembeni zazingabonakali, ngakho empeleni uqwembe lwaluthi: “Nakekelani OFakazi BakaJehova.”

Ngo-1998, abazalwane ababehlela ukuba kube nomhlangano wesifunda e-Omsk bahlangabezana nezinkinga. Ngomzuzu wokugcina, iziphathimandla zendawo zacindezelwa abaphikisi, zaphoqa umqondisi wehholo ukuba esule isivumelwano sokuqashisela oFakazi ihholo. Kwafika abantu abangamakhulu ambalwa beze emhlanganweni futhi babuthana eceleni kwehholo. Ethukile futhi esabela yena kanye nehholo, umqondisi wancenga abafowethu ukuba batshele abantu ukuba bangavuki umbhejazana. Abafowethu bamehlisa umoya, bemtshela ukuthi akukho muntu owayezolimaza omunye. Ababefikile bathatha izithombe ngokuthula ukuze bakhumbule lesi senzakalo, base behlukana. Umqondisi wayeseqiniseka ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bangabantu abanokuthula. Ngemva kwamasonto amabili, umhlangano waba kwelinye ihholo. Abaphikisi bakuthola sekwephuzile lokhu ngakho bangakwazi ukuwumisa futhi bafika ngasekupheleni kwesimiso.

UMHLANGANO “ONGAPHANSI KWEZINKANYEZI”

Kusukela ngo-August 22 kuya ku-24, 2003, omunye wemihlangano yesigodi wolimi lwezandla wawuzoqhutshwa edolobheni laseStavropol’ eCaucasia. Izihambeli zazivela emadolobheni angu-70 aseRussia. Umhlangano wawusengozini yokumiswa ngenxa yokuphikisa okushubile kwabaphathi bedolobha. Ngosuku olwandulela umhlangano, umqondisi wehholo wasichitha isivumelwano sokuqasha ihholo. Kodwa ngoLwesihlanu, ngo-August 22, abafowethu benza isivumelwano nabaphathi besekisi sokuba babe nomhlangano enkundleni yesekisi.

Isimiso saqala ngo-3:00 ntambama, kwathi ngemva nje kwekhefu, ugesi waphela kungazelelwe. Izivakashi zahlala ezindaweni zazo ngokubekezela, kwathi ngemva kwehora isimiso saqhubeka lapho ugesi ubuya, saphela ngo-9:30 ebusuku.

Usuku lwesibili lomhlangano lwaqala ngokuphela kukagesi ngo-9:30 ekuseni. Ngokushesha namanzi avalwa. Abafowethu babezoqhubeka kanjani nomhlangano engekho amanzi nogesi? Ngo-10:50 ekuseni, iKomiti Yomhlangano yanquma ukuvula yonke iminyango yale nkundla, njengoba lalibalele ngaphandle. Ngobuhlakani, abafowethu bathatha izibuko ezinkulu bazibeka ngaphandle emgwaqweni ukuze zingenise ukukhanya kwelanga ehholo. Nakuba izilaleli zase zikwazi ukubona isikhulumi, kwacaca ukuthi ukukhanya okukhulu kwakwenza kube nzima ngesikhulumi ukuba sibone uhlaka lwaso! Ngakho besebenzisa ezinye izibuko, abafowethu baqondisa ukukhanya kwezinye izibuko ezingamabhola ezazilenga ophahleni olungaphakathi lwale nkundla. Le nkundla yesekisi yagcwala ukukhanya okubanikayo, futhi isikhulumi kanye nabo bonke ababekhona bakwazi ukugxila esimisweni. Kwaba umhlangano oyingqayizivele “ongaphansi kwezinkanyezi.” Izihambeli zawachaza kanjalo amachashaza okukhanya ayesakazeke kuyo yonke inkundla emnyama.

Ngokushesha, kwafika umphathi-dolobha kanye nezinye izikhulu ezimbalwa enkundleni. Kwabamangaza ukuthi oFakazi babesaqhubeka nomhlangano wabo. Ngaphezu kwakho konke, bahlatshwa umxhwele ukuziphatha kwezihambeli zomhlangano. Akekho noyedwa kuzo owakhalaza, futhi zazithe njo endaweni yesikhulumi. Isikhulu samaphoyisa, ngaphambili esasikhahle oFakazi, sathintwa yilokho esakubona kangangokuba sathi, “Enhliziyweni nasemphefumulweni wami, nginani, kodwa siphila ezweni elinganithandi.”

Izikhulu zahamba futhi ngokushesha ugesi wabuya enkundleni. Yize umhlangano waphela sekwephuzile ngezinsuku zokuqala ezimbili, izihambeli zahlala ezindaweni zazo kwaze kwaba umthandazo wokugcina. Naphezu kokuphikiswa, inani lezihambeli lalilokhu landa usuku nosuku, kusukela kwezingu-494 ngoLwesihlanu, kwaba ezingu-535 ngoMgqibelo kuya kwezingu-611 ngeSonto! Emthandazweni wokuphetha, uJehova wabongwa ngokukhethekile ngokuvumela lo mhlangano uqhubeke. Izihambeli zahlukana zijabule, zizimisele ngokwengeziwe ukukhonza uYise osezulwini, zidumise igama lakhe.

IZITHULU ZIDUMISA UJEHOVA

Phakathi kwezinkulungwane zezihambeli ezazivela eSoviet Union emhlanganweni okhethekile ePoland ngo-1990, kwakunabaningana abayizithulu. Ngemva kokuthola isikhuthazo esingokomoya emhlanganweni, laba “bahlwanyeli” bokuqala benza imizamo emikhulu yokushumayela. Ngo-1992, kwase kungashiwo ukuthi le ngxenye yensimu yase ikulungele ukuvunwa nokuthi ‘isivuno sasizoba sikhulu.’ (Math. 9:37) Ngo-1997 kwakhiwa ibandla lokuqala lolimi lwezandla, futhi kwakunamaqembu amaningi olimi lwezandla kulo lonke izwe. Ngo-2002 kwakhiwa isifunda solimi lwezandla—isifunda esikhulu kunazo zonke emhlabeni uma kukhulunywa ngendawo. Ngo-2006, kubantu abayizithulu kuleli zwe, isilinganiso singummemezeli oyedwa kubantu abangu-300, kuyilapho kubantu abezwayo, singummemezeli oyedwa kubantu abayinkulungwane.

Kwakudingeka izincwadi zethu zihunyushelwe olimini lwezandla ngendlela esezingeni eliphezulu. Ngo-1997 igatsha laseRussia laqala ukuhumushela olimini lwezandla. UYevdokia, omunye wodade abayizithulu eqenjini labahumushi bolimi lwezandla, uthi: “Ukukhonza eBethel nokuhumusha izincwadi zethu ngiziyise olimini lwezandla kuyilungelo elikhethekile kimi. Ezweni, abantu abazethembi izithulu futhi bazibukela phansi. Kodwa kuhlukile enhlanganweni kaNkulunkulu. Okokuqala, ngiyabona ukuthi uJehova ngokwakhe uyasethemba thina zithulu ukuthi singakwazi ukudlulisela iqiniso olimini lwethu. Okwesibili, siyazethemba lapho siphakathi kwabantu bakaJehova futhi sikujabulela ngempela ukuba ingxenye yomkhaya omkhulu kangaka.”

IZINDABA EZINHLE NGAZO ZONKE IZILIMI

Nakuba isiRashiya kwakuwulimi olukhulu lokuhweba nokufunda eSoviet Union, kukhulunywa nezinye izilimi cishe ezingaba ngu-150. Ngo-1991, ngemva kokuhlukana kweSoviet Union yaba amazwe angu-15, kwavuselelwa isithakazelo seqiniso kwabaningi abakhuluma lezo zilimi, ikakhulukazi emazweni ayesanda kuthola inkululeko. Ngokuvumelana nesAmbulo 14:6, kwenziwa umzamo omkhulu wokufinyelela abantu bazo “zonke izizwe nezinhlanga nezilimi nabantu” kule nsimu enkulukazi. Lokhu kuye kwabangela ukuba INqabayokulinda inyatheliswe ngezilimi ezingu-14 ezintsha ezisensimini engaphansi kwegatsha laseRussia, ukuze kunikezwe amashumi ezinkulungwane zabafundi abasha ukudla okungokomoya. Ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukusakazwa kwezindaba ezinhle, ihhovisi legatsha laseRussia lengamela ukuhunyushwa kwezincwadi ngezilimi ezingaphezu kuka-40, okwenza ukuba iqiniso leBhayibheli lizithinte ngokushesha nangokujulile izinhliziyo kunanini ngaphambili.

Iningi lalezi zilimi zikhulunywa ngaphakathi kweRussian Federation. Ngokwesibonelo, ungezwa kukhulunywa isi-Ossetic emigwaqweni yaseBeslan naseVladikavkaz; isiBuryat, esihlobene nesiMongolia, sikhulunywa endaweni ezungeze iChibi iBaikal; isiYakut, ingxube yesi-Altaic nesiTurkic, sikhulunywa abelusi bamaphiva kanye nezinye izakhamuzi zaseMpumalanga Ekude; kanye nezinye izilimi ezingaba ngu-30 eCaucasia. Ngemva kwesiRashiya, isiTatar ulimi olukhulu kunazo zonke eRussia futhi sikhulunywa abantu abangaphezu kwezigidi ezinhlanu, ngokuyinhloko endaweni ebizwa ngokuthi iTatarstan.

Abantu abakhuluma isiTatar ngokuvamile bayathanda ukufunda izincwadi zesiTatar, kodwa bambalwa abamukela izincwadi zesiRashiya. Phakathi nomkhankaso we-Kingdom News No. 35, owesifazane ohlala emaphandleni wathola ikhophi ye-Kingdom News wabe esebhala incwadi ecela incwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo? ngesiTatar. Udade wamthumelela incwajana wambhalela nencwadi, futhi lona wesifazane waphendula ngesasasa ngencwadi enamakhasi angu-8. Ngokushesha waqala ukufunda iBhayibheli, esebenzisa izincwadi zesiTatar. Indoda eyathola incwajana ethi Ingabe UNkulunkulu Uyasikhathalela? ngesiTatar yathi iyisize ukuba ibheke isimo sezwe ngendlela ehlukile. Le miphumela yayingeke ibe khona ngaphandle kwezincwadi zesiTatar.

Owesifazane okhuluma ulimi lwamaMari wathola i-Kingdom News No. 35. Ngemva kokuyifunda, wafuna ukwazi okwengeziwe, kodwa babengekho oFakazi emaphandleni ayehlala kuwo. Waxhumana nomunye woFakazi BakaJehova ngenkathi evakashele edolobheni futhi wathola incwadi Ulwazi kanye nezinye izincwadi ngesiRashiya. Ngemva kokuzifunda yedwa lezi zincwadi, waqala ukushumayela ngakubo, futhi ngokushesha wayesefundela iqembu labathakazelayo. Wabe esezwa ngomhlangano okhethekile wosuku olulodwa e-Izhevsk, waya khona enethemba lokuthi uzobhapathizwa. Nokho, lapho efika emhlanganweni wathola ukuthi labo abazobhapathizwa kudingeka balifundisise iBhayibheli, ngakho abafowethu bahlela ukuba bamsize ngokomoya. Konke lokhu kwakuwumphumela wokufunda i-Kingdom News ngolimi lwakhe.

EVladikavkaz kwakunebandla elilodwa nje kuphela lesi-Ossetic, futhi emihlanganweni yesifunda neyesigodi zazingekho izinkulumo zesi-Ossetic. Nokho, ngo-2002 kwaba nezinkulumo ngalolu limi ngokokuqala. Abafowethu abakhuluma isi-Ossetic babejabule kakhulu! Ngisho nalabo ababesazi kahle isiRashiya bathi ukuzwa isigijimi seBhayibheli ngolimi lwabo kubathinta izinhliziyo. Lokhu kwaba nomthelela ekukhuleni ngokomoya kwebandla futhi kwaheha ama-Ossetic omdabu amaningi ukuba eze eqinisweni. Ngo-2006 kwakhiwa isifunda e-Ossetia, futhi kwaba nomhlangano wesifunda ngesi-Ossetic okokuqala ngqa.

Phakathi nokuhambela kwababonisi abajikelezayo kwelinye iqembu endaweni esemajukujukwini yase-Aktash, e-Altai, kwaqoqana abantu abangaba ngu-30 endlini eyodwa, nakuba kuleli qembu babembalwa abangabamemezeli. Wonke umuntu walalela inkulumo yeningi, kodwa kwathi phakathi nenkulumo yenkonzo yombonisi wesigodi, abangaba ingxenye yalabo ababekhona bahamba. Ngemva komhlangano, umbonisi wesigodi wabuza abafowethu bendawo ukuthi kungani abantu abaningi kangaka behambile. Owesifazane osekhulile ongumAltaic waphendula ngesiRashiya esingesihle, “Wenza umsebenzi obalulekile, kodwa angizwanga lutho!” Ekuhambeleni kombonisi wesifunda okulandelayo, izinkulumo zatolikwa, futhi bonke abantu bahlala bajabulela isimiso.

Kunabafundi abaningi abaphuma kwamanye amazwe edolobheni laseVoronezh. Ngo-2000, inceku ekhonzayo ekhuluma isiShayina yahlela ukuba kube namakilasi okufunda isiShayina. OFakazi abaningi basifunda futhi baqala ukushumayeza abafundi abangamaShayina. IsiShayina ulimi olunzima ngokukhethekile, kodwa abafowethu abazange baphele amandla. Ngo-February 2004, kwahlelwa isifundo sencwadi sesiShayina sokuqala kuleli dolobha. Ngo-April wonyaka ofanayo, kwabhapathizwa isifundo seBhayibheli sokuqala esingumShayina, ngemva kwezinyanga ezimbili kwabhapathizwa esinye. Manje, esifundweni sencwadi kuba nabantu abathakazelayo abafika njalo futhi kuqhutshwa izifundo ezingu-15 ngesiShayina. Njengoba izindaba ezinhle zifinyelela zonke izingxenye zale nsimu ebanzi, igatsha laseRussia liyaqhubeka lisabela ezicelweni zokuthola izincwadi ezengeziwe ngezilimi ezengeziwe.

AMAPHAYONA AYAQEQESHWA

Sekuyiminyakana manje iSikole Senkonzo Samaphayona siqhutshwa eRussia. Ikilasi ngalinye lakhiwa abantu abaphakathi kuka-20 no-30, iningi labo elingamaphayona endawo okungadingeki ahambe amabanga amade ukuze eze esikoleni. Nokho, kwakungenjalo ngenkathi lesi sikole siqala ukuba khona eRussia. URoman Skiba uyakhumbula: “ISikole Senkonzo Samaphayona engingasoze ngasikhohlwa sasiseYekaterinburg ngo-1996. Kwakunabafowethu nodade abangaphezu kuka-40. Ukuze bafike esikoleni, abaningi kwadingeka bahambe amakhulu amakhilomitha, abanye acishe abe inkulungwane.”

USvetlana ubelokhu ekhonza njengephayona elivamile ensimini yabakhuluma ngezandla kusukela ngo-1997. Ngo-January 2000, waya esikoleni samaphayona solimi lwezandla. Ngemva kwesikole, uSvetlana wachaza indlela isikole esimsize ngayo ukuba athuthukise inkonzo yakhe nokuba aqonde ukuthi kusho ukuthini ukuba umKristu emkhayeni nasebandleni. Uthi: “Ngaqala ukubathanda ngokwengeziwe abanye. Ngaqaphela nokubaluleka kokubambisana nabafowethu nodade, futhi manje isiyalo sengisamukela kahle. Izifundo zami zeBhayibheli nazo seziye zathuthuka ngokuphawulekayo selokhu ngiqale ukusebenzisa imifanekiso ekufundiseni kwami.”

U-Alyona ukhonza njengephayona eKhabarovsk, idolobha eliseMpumalanga Ekude, usiza izithulu ukuba zifunde iqiniso. Ukuze akwenze kangcono lokhu, u-Alyona wayefuna ukuya eSikoleni Senkonzo Samaphayona solimi lwezandla. Kwadingeka anqobe ziphi izingqinamba? U-Alyona uthi: “Isikole samaphayona solimi lwezandla esasiseduze sasiseMoscow, eqhele ngamakhilomitha angu-9 000 eKhabarovsk. Ukuze ngibe sesikoleni, kwadingeka ngihambe ngesitimela izinsuku ezingu-8 ngiya, nezinsuku ezifanayo ngibuya.” Kodwa akazisolanga nakancane!

Ngaphandle kwezikole ezilungiselelwe ukusiza labo abasensimini yolimi lwezandla, kuye kwaba namakhulu eZikole Zenkonzo Zamaphayona eRussia kusukela ngo-1996 kuya ku-2006. Ukuqeqeshwa kwamaphayona kube nomthelela ekwandeni emsebenzini wokushumayela kanye nasemabandleni. UMarcin, njengamanje okhonza njengombonisi wesifunda, uyakhumbula: “Ngo-1995, ngamiswa njengephayona elikhethekile eBandleni LaseKuntsëvo eMoscow. Ngaya enkulumweni yeningi naseSifundweni Se-Nqabayokulinda, futhi kwakungathi umhlangano wesifunda! Kwakunabantu abangaba ngu-400 ehholo. Ngaleso sikhathi, ibandla lalinabamemezeli abangu-300. Ngemva kweminyaka engaphansi kweshumi, lelo bandla lokuqala lase lizale amabandla amasha ayishumi!

“Ngenkathi ngikhonza njengombonisi wesifunda phakathi kuka-1996 no-1997, ngabona ukwanda okumangalisayo kulesi sifunda. Ngahambela ibandla elithile edolobheni laseVolzhskiy, eSifundazweni SaseVolgograd, ngase ngibuyela kulo ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha. Phakathi naleso sikhathi, kwakunabamemezeli abasha abangu-75 ebandleni. Kwakungathi ibandla elisha ngokuphelele! Kunzima ukuchaza umoya walabo bamemezeli abasha abashisekayo. Imihlangano yenkonzo yasensimi, eyayiba sendlini esesakhiweni esinezitezi eziningi, yayivame ukuba nabantu abangaba ngu-80. Abaningi babema ezitebhisini ngenxa yokuthi yayingasekho indawo endlini.”

ABASHA BAKHAZIMULISA UJEHOVA

Intsha eningi ibonisa isithakazelo esigijimini soMbuso naphezu kokuphikisa kwabazali bayo. Omunye udade oneminyaka engu-20 uyalandisa: “Ngo-1995 ngenkathi ngineminyaka engu-9, oFakazi BakaJehova bashumayeza abazali bami, kodwa abazange balamukele iqiniso. Nganginesithakazelo sokwazi okwengeziwe ngoNkulunkulu. Ngokujabulisayo, umngane wami esasifunda naye ekilasini waqala ukufunda iBhayibheli, futhi ngangiba khona lapho efundelwa. Lapho abazali bami bezwa ngalokhu, bangenqabela ukuba ngihlangane noFakazi. Ngezinye izikhathi babengivalela ngedwa endlini ukuze ngingayi kofunda. Lokhu kwaqhubeka ngaze ngaba mdala. Ngahamba ekhaya ngaya esikoleni kwelinye idolobha futhi ngabathola oFakazi lapho. Yeka ukuthi ngakujabulela kanjani ukuqala phansi ngifunde iBhayibheli! Ngaqala ukuthanda uJehova ngayo yonke inhliziyo yami futhi ngabhapathizwa emhlanganweni wesigodi ngo-2005. Ngemva kokubhapathizwa, ngaba iphayona elisizayo. Manje abazali bami sebeqala ukukuthanda lokho obekulokhu kuyigugu kimi kusukela ngimncane.”

Omunye udade uyakhumbula: “Ngo-1997 lapho ngineminyaka engu-15, oFakazi banginikeza i-Phaphama! Ngangilithanda ngempela igama lalo magazini kanye nokuqukethe, futhi ngangifuna ukuwuthola njalo. Lapho ubaba ethola ukuthi ngifunda lo magazini, wabenqabela oFakazi ukuba beze ekhaya. Ngemva kwesikhashana, umzala wami waqala ukufunda iBhayibheli noFakazi BakaJehova, futhi ngasekuqaleni kuka-2002, ngaqala ukuya naye emihlanganweni eHholo LoMbuso. Ngilapho, ngezwa ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova bakhonza njengezithunywa zevangeli, futhi ngahlakulela isifiso esivuthayo sokusiza abanye bafunde ngoNkulunkulu. Kodwa umzala wangichazela ukuthi kudingeka ngiqale ngiyeke ukubhema, ngivumelanise ukuphila kwami nentando kaNkulunkulu, bese ngiba omunye wezikhonzi zaKhe. Ngasilandela leso sikhuthazo, futhi ngemva kwezinyanga eziyisithupha ngibhapathiziwe, angipholisanga maseko ngaba iphayona elisizayo. Ngiyajabula ukuthi sengithole injongo yangempela ekuphileni.”

UKUFUNA “IZINTO EZIFISELEKAYO” ESAKHA

Esinye isifunda sihlanganisa iSifundazwe Sase-Amur kanye nayo yonke indawo yaseSakha. Phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo ka-2005, ngokokuqala ngqa eYakutsk, inhloko-dolobha yaseSakha, kwaba nomhlangano okhethekile wosuku olulodwa nowesifunda. Kwakuthokozisa ngokukhethekile ukubona abantu bokudabuka lapha beza kule mihlangano.

Ukuze kuzuze abafowethu, isifunda sahlukaniswa saba izingxenye ezinhlanu, ngayinye yaba nomhlangano wayo. Ukusuka komunye umhlangano uye komunye kwakuthatha ababonisi abajikelezayo amahora angu-24 ngesitimela, bese kuba amahora angu-15 ngemoto bese kuba amahora amathathu ngendiza.

Ebusika kubanda kakhulu kule ndawo, izinga lokubanda lifinyelela ku-50°C ngaphansi kwezingaqhwa. Naphezu kwalokho, abamemezeli bendawo abagcini ngokushumayela emafulethini kodwa nasendlini ngendlu.

Kwakhiwa amaqembu amabili abamemezeli ngasekuqaleni kuka-2005. Elinye iqembu lisendaweni yaseKhayyr, engamakhilomitha angu-80 uma usuka ogwini loLwandle LwaseLaptev eduze kwe-Arctic Circle. Le ndawo inabantu abangu-500, kuhlanganise noFakazi abane. ESikhumbuzweni sango-2004 esaba kule ndawo kwakunabantu abangu-76. Ukuze ahambele iqembu elikule ndawo, umbonisi wesifunda kudingeka aqale ahambe amakhilomitha angaba ngu-900 ngendiza, bese ehamba amakhilomitha angaphezu kuka-450 ngemoto emigwaqweni eneqhwa.

Elinye iqembu lakhiwa endaweni esemajukujukwini ase-Ust’-Nera, engamakhilomitha ayikhulu ukusuka e-Oymyakon. Ngezinye izikhathi ebusika izinga lokubanda kule ndawo liba ngu-60°C ngaphansi kwezingaqhwa. Ukuze baye emhlanganweni wesifunda ngonyaka ofile, abamemezeli baleli qembu bahamba ngezimoto ezimbili. Kwadingeka bahambe amakhilomitha angu-2 000 beya nalapho bebuya, behamba ezindaweni ezicezile, eziwugwadule, namazinga okubanda engu-50°C ngaphansi kwezingaqhwa.

Omunye umbonisi wesifunda wabika okuhlangenwe nakho okuthakazelisayo okwenzeka endaweni ephakeme ngamamitha angu-4 000 olwandle. “Phakathi nomkhankaso wencwajana ethi Hlalani Nilindile!, kwaba nemihlangano esifundeni sethu. Sinombonisi wesigodi sasihamba ngendiza siya emhlanganweni olandelayo. Ngeshwa, incwajana ehanjiswayo yayisisiphelele, ngakho sanikeza isisebenzi sasendizeni incwajana ethi Yini UNkulunkulu Ayifunayo Kithi? Sasitshela ukuthi sesiyitholile vele incwadi yeBhayibheli, thina samangala lapho sisibonisa incwajana ethi Hlalani Nilindile! Yeka ukuthi sajabula kanjani ukuthi abafowethu babematasa! Phakathi nengxoxo yethu, kwadlula umsizi womshayeli wendiza. Enesithakazelo kokuxoxwa ngakho, wahlanganyela engxoxweni futhi saxoxa saze sacishe sayofika lapho sasiya khona. Ejatshuliswe ingxoxo, wathatha omagazini abambalwa ukuze abanikeze asebenza nabo.”

IZINDABA EZINHLE ESIQHINGINI SASESAKHALIN

ESakhalin, isiqhingi esingenhla kweHokkaido, isiqhingi esisenyakatho kunazo zonke eJapane, oFakazi bavela okokuqala ngasekupheleni kwawo-1970. Abafowethu baseVladivostok ababengamele umsebenzi wokushumayela kule ndawo bakhuthaza uSergey Sagin ukuba andise inkonzo yakhe nokuba athuthele kulesi siqhingi ashumayeze izakhamuzi zakhona. USergey wathola umsebenzi echwebeni, futhi wazama ukuqala izingxoxo ngezindaba zeBhayibheli nayesebenza nabo. Ngokushesha wayeseqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli eziningana. Nakuba kamuva uSergey kwadingeka ahambe kulesi siqhingi, imbewu yeqiniso yagcina ithelile.

Imihlangano yesigodi ePoland ngo-1989 nango-1990 yashukumisa oFakazi abaningi eRussia ukuba bandise inkonzo yabo futhi bathuthele lapho indingeko inkulu khona. Ngo-1990, uSergey noGalina Averin basuka eKhabarovsk, eseMpumalanga Ekude, baya eKorsakov eseSakhalin. Ngemva kwezinyangana, amaphayona amabili nabamemezeli abaningana bathuthela eYuzhno-Sakhalinsk, lapho kwakunoFakazi oyedwa nje vo.

UPavel Sivulsky, indodana kaPavel Sivulsky okukhulunywe ngaye ngaphambili futhi owayengelinye lalawo maphayona, manje ukhonza eBethel. Uyakhumbula: “Lapho sifika eYuzhno-Sakhalinsk, mina nomunye umzalwane sahlala ehhotela njengoba singayitholanga ngokushesha indawo yokuhlala. Saqala umsebenzi wendlu ngendlu eceleni kwehhotela lethu futhi phakathi nezingxoxo sasibuza abantu ukuthi ukhona yini onendawo yokuhlala esingaqasha kuyo. Sasithola abantu abasibuza ukuthi bangaqhubeka kuphi nezingxoxo zabo zeBhayibheli, kodwa kwakudingeka sibatshele ukuthi sihlala ehhotela nokuthi ngokushesha lapho sesinendawo yokuhlala, sizobamema. Sathandaza ngobuqotho kuJehova simcela ukuba asisize sithole imisebenzi nendawo yokuhlala. UJehova wayiphendula imithandazo yethu. Ngokushesha sase sisebenza futhi sinendawo yokuhlala. Omunye umninikhaya wasimema ukuba sihlale kwakhe. Akazange asikhokhise futhi wayeze asiphekele nokusiphekela, okwasisiza ukuba sichithe isikhathi esengeziwe enkonzweni. UJehova wasibonisa ukuthi unathi. Kungekudala sase siqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli eziningi, sihlela namaqembu ezifundo zencwadi. Ngemva kwezinyanga ezimbili, saqasha indlu futhi saqhubela imihlangano kuyo.”

Njengoba ibandla lalikhula, abamemezeli abaningi abasha bangenela inkonzo yamaphayona. Babonisa umoya wokuphayona futhi bathuthela kwezinye izingxenye zesiqhingi ukuze basakaze iqiniso ezakhamuzini. UJehova wayibusisa kakhulu inkonzo yentshiseko yaleli bandla elikhula ngokushesha, futhi ngemva kweminyaka emithathu, ngo-1993, kwase kwakhiwe amabandla amasha angu-8 evela kuleli elilodwa lokuqala!

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, abamemezeli abaningi bahamba kulesi siqhingi ngenxa yezinkinga zomnotho nangenjongo yokuthuthukisa inkonzo yabo. Njengasekuqaleni, imizamo enjalo yahambisana nokwanda. Manje, kuneHholo LoMbuso elihle enkabeni yedolobha laseYuzhno-Sakhalinsk, futhi lesi siqhingi sinamabandla angu-9 namaqembu amane, okuyisifunda esisodwa.

NAPHEZU KWABAPHIKISI ABANINGI, UMNYANGO UYAVULEKA

Ekhulwini lokuqala, umphostoli uPawulu wathi: “Ngivulelwe umnyango omkhulu oholela emsebenzini, kodwa kukhona abaphikisi abaningi.” (1 Kor. 16:9) Ngemva kweminyaka engu-2 000, inani labaphikisi alehlile. Kusukela ngo-1995 kuya ku-1998, ihhovisi lomshushisi eMoscow labathathela izinyathelo zomthetho kane oFakazi. OFakazi BakaJehova babekwa icala lokwenza abantu ukuba baphikisane nezinye izinkolo, lokuhlukanisa imikhaya, ukuhileleka ekuvukeleni uMbuso, kanye nokuphazamisa amalungelo ezinye izakhamuzi. Lapho lezi zinsolo zingakwazi ukuqinisekiswa, oFakazi babekwa elinye icala ngo-1998, lisekelwe kuzo kanye lezi zinsolo ezisekelwe ezeni.

Cishe ngemva konyaka umnyango wezobulungisa wayibhalisa kabusha i-Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Isikhungo Sokuqondisa SoFakazi BakaJehova), uqaphela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova nezincwadi zabo abagqugquzeli lutho olwenza abantu bazonde ezinye izinkolo, oluhlukanisa imikhaya, noma oluphazamisa amalungelo abantu. Noma kunjalo, ihhovisi lomshushisi laphinde lafaka icala elifanayo futhi!

Abanye oprofesa bezifundo zenkolo bayaqaphela ukuthi oFakazi BakaJehova basekela izinkolelo zabo eBhayibhelini kuphela. UDkt. N. S. Gordienko, uprofesa wezifundo zenkolo eHerzen Russian State Pedagogical University eSt. Petersburg uthi: “Lapho ochwepheshe bebeka oFakazi BakaJehova icala ngenxa yezimfundiso zabo, abangaze bangaqaphela ukuthi empeleni basuke bebeka iBhayibheli icala.”

Noma kunjalo, iNkantolo Yedolobha YaseMoscow yanquma ukungabe isabaqaphela ngokomthetho oFakazi BakaJehova eMoscow. Kodwa lokhu akubavimbeli abafowethu ukuba baqhubeke begcwalisa umyalo weBhayibheli wokuhlanganyela izindaba ezinhle nabanye. OFakazi BakaJehova bayaqiniseka ukuthi izakhamuzi zaseMoscow kumelwe zizenzele esazo isinqumo maqondana nenkolo. Ukwenqabela izakhamuzi leli lungelo kuyosho ukubephuca inkululeko bonke abantu baseMoscow. Ngenxa yalokhu, oFakazi eMoscow bazoqhubeka begcwalisa umyalo kaJesu Kristu wokushumayela nokwenza abafundi. (Math. 28:19, 20) Sikhuluma nje iNkantolo YaseYurophu Yamalungelo Abantu idingida isinqumo seNkantolo Yedolobha YaseMoscow.

Ngo-September 1998, lapho kuqala ukuthethwa kwecala lokuqedwa komphakathi woFakazi BakaJehova eMoscow, kwakunamabandla angu-43 oFakazi BakaJehova eMoscow. Ngemva kweminyaka engu-8, kwase kunangu-93! UJehova uthembise abantu bakhe: “Noma isiphi isikhali esiyokwakhiwa ngokumelene nawe ngeke siphumelele.” (Isaya 54:17) Ngo-2007, oFakazi BakaJehova baba nomhlangano wabo wesigodi eMoscow eNkundleni Yemidlalo YaseLuzhniki, lapho kwake kwaba khona imidlalo yama-Olympic. Kulo mhlangano kwaba nabantu abangu-29 040, kwabhapathizwa abangu-655.

IGAMA LIKANKULUNKULU LIKHULU ERUSSIA

Njengoba kulotshiwe kuMalaki 1:11, uJehova uNkulunkulu wathi: “Kusukela ekuphumeni kwelanga kuze kube sekushoneni kwalo igama lami liyoba likhulu phakathi kwezizwe.” Ukuphuma ngakunye kwelanga kuletha amathuba okuthola abantu abanjengezimvu kuleli zwe elikhulukazi. Phakathi nonyaka wenkonzo odlule nje kuphela, kwabhapathizwa abantu abangaphezu kwezinkulungwane ezingu-7 eRussia. Lobu ubufakazi obungenakuphikwa bokuthi “uCzar woCzar,” njengoba uJesu Kristu ebizwa kanjalo eBhayibhelini lesiRashiya, uyabasekela abantu bakhe njengoba benza lo msebenzi.—Math. 24:14; IsAm. 19:16.

Umphostoli uPetru wathi: “Usuku lukaJehova luyofika njengesela.” (2 Pet. 3:10) Ngenxa yalokho, abantu bakaJehova eRussia bazimisele ukusebenzisa isikhathi esisele bafune abantu abathambekele ngokufanele, kuzo zonke izizwe, izizwana, izilimi nabantu.

[Umbhalo waphansi]

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 110]

“Ukube besike sezwa umbiko omubi ngani, ngisho nokuthi nichithe iconsi legazi leli, besizonidubula nonke”

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 128]

“Uma siniyeka, izakhamuzi eziningi ezingamaSoviet zizonijoyina. Yingakho sinibheka njengosongo olukhulu eMbusweni wethu”

[Amazwi acashunwe esihlokweni ekhasini 219]

“Abantu benu batheleka kuhle kwezinyoni, bawathathe ngokushesha amabhokisi ezincwadi”

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 69]

Iyindawo Enjani ISiberia?

ISiberia iyindawo eyihlane okungahlaleki kuyo nengajwayeleki, ubusika bakhona bushubisa umkantsha, ukushisa kwehlobo kukhipha umkhovu etsheni. Lena futhi kwakuyindawo okwakudingiselwa kuyo bonke ababephikisana nohulumeni wamaSoviet. Kodwa kunokwengeziwe ngeSiberia.

ISiberia iyisifunda esikhulu ukwedlula iCanada, engeyesibili ngobukhulu emhlabeni. Namuhla iSiberia ihlanganisa indawo engamakhilomitha-skwele ayizigidi ezingu-13 ukusuka e-Ural Mountains kuye empumalanga ePacific Ocean, kubuye kusuke eMongolia naseChina kuye enyakatho e-Arctic Ocean. Iyizwe elinothile ngemikhiqizo yemvelo—izingodo, uwoyela negesi. ESiberia uyothola izintaba, amathafa, amaxhaphozi, amachibi kanye nemifula emikhulu.

Eminyakeni engaba yikhulu nengxenye, iSiberia yayiyindawo okwakuboshelwa kuyo abantu, basetshenziswe ngempoqo futhi badingiselwe kuyo. Phakathi nawo-1930 nawo-1940, uJoseph Stalin wathumela izigidi zabantu ukuba bayosebenza emakamu akhona. Ngo-1949 nango-1951, oFakazi BakaJehova abangaba ngu-9 000 baseMoldova, emazweni aseBaltic nase-Ukraine badingiselwa eSiberia.

[Ibhokisi/Izithombe ekhasini 72, 73]

Ake Sithi Qaphu Qaphu NgeRussia

Izwe

IRussia iyizwe elikhulu kunawo wonke emhlabeni, ibanzi ngamakhilomitha angu-7 700 ukusuka empumalanga kuye entshonalanga futhi ukusuka enyakatho uya eningizimu ingamakhilomitha angu-3 000, okwenza indawo isiyonke ibe ngamakhilomitha-skwele angu-17 075 400. Njengoba izifunda zinezikhathi ezingu-11 ezingefani, cishe ingxenye enkulu yeNyakatho Nenkabazwe yakhiwa iRussia. ERussia kukhona intaba ephakeme kunazo zonke nomfula omude kunayo yonke eYurophu, futhi yilapho uthola khona ichibi elijule kunawo wonke emhlabeni.

Abantu

AmaRashiya akha amaphesenti angu-80 ezakhamuzi zaseRussia. Kukhona namanye amaqembu abantu bendabuko angaphezu kuka-70. Amanye abalelwa ezinkulungwaneni ezimbalwa zabantu, kanti amanye angaphezu kwesigidi.

Ulimi

Ulimi olusemthethweni isiRashiya futhi sikhulunywa cishe yizo zonke izakhamuzi. Ngaphezu kwalokho, kunezinye izilimi ezingaphezu kwekhulu ezikhulunywayo, ezinye zazo ziyizilimi zabantu abacishe bafike esigidini.

Umnotho

IRussia ingelinye lamazwe ahamba phambili emhlabeni ekukhiqizeni uwoyela negesi yemvelo. Ezinye izimboni ezinkulu zihlanganisa ezamahlathi, izimayini kanye nemikhiqizo yazo zonke izinhlobo.

Ukudla

Ukudla okusuthisayo okwenziwe ngenyama, inhlanzi, iklabishi noma izaqheqhe kudliwa nesinkwa esinsundu se-rye, amazambane kanye nokunye okufana nokolweni. Ukudla kwamaRashiya kucebile ngamafutha kanye nesitashi, okunikeza amandla adingekile okukhuthazelela ubusika obude nobubandayo. Ukudla okuvamile kungaba yi-pelmeni (amadombolo enyama) esojeni noma kuthelwe ukhilimu omuncu phezu kwayo, noma i-piroshki (okusaphaya) eneklabishi, inyama, ushizi, noma amazambane. Phakathi kwezintandokazi zamasobho kune-borscht, noma isobho lika-beetroot kanye ne-shchi, noma isobho leklabishi.

Isimo sezulu

Ihlobo liyashisa, ubusika bumnyama futhi buyabanda. Intwasahlobo nekwindla kudlula ngokushesha, okwenza lezi ezinye izinkathi zonyaka ezimbili zidonse isikhathi eside.

(Amabalazwe aseRussia asekhasini 116 no-167)

[Izithombe]

IKremlin

INtaba i-El’brus, eKabardino-Balkaria

Ibhere elinsundu, eNhlonhlweni YaseKamchatka

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 92, 93]

Kulwiwa Nezinhliziyo Nezingqondo

Uhulumeni waseSoviet wawungahlosile ukuqothula oFakazi. Inhloso yawo yayiwukubaguqulela emibonweni yamaSoviet. Ukuze ufeze lokhu, uhulumeni wasebenzisa i-KGB—inhlangano yezobunhloli nezokuphepha. Nazi ezinye izindlela i-KGB eyayizisebenzisa.

Ukusesha: Kwakuseshwa imizi yoFakazi, ngisho nasebusuku. Eminye imikhaya yaphoqeleka ukuba ishintshe izindawo zokuhlala ngenxa yokuseshwa njalo.

Ukugada: Lokhu kwakuhlanganisa ukucushwa kwezingcingo, ukuvulwa kweposi nokucushwa kwemizi ngezinto zokulalela okushiwoyo.

Ukuhlawulisa nokuphazamisa imihlangano: Kulo lonke izwe, iziphathimandla zendawo zazihlala ziziqaphe ngeso elibukhali izindawo abafowethu ababeqhubela kuzo imihlangano. Bonke ababekhona babehlawuliswa. Ngokuvamile inhlawulo kwakuba ingxenye noma ngaphezudlwana komholo wenyanga wabantu abaningi.

Ukugwazisa nokufumbathisa: I-KGB yayithembisa abanye oFakazi izindawo zokuhlala phakathi edolobheni laseMoscow kanye nezimoto uma bezosebenzisana nabo. Ezimweni eziningi abafowethu babetshelwa ukuthi bazogwetshwa iminyaka eminingi emakamu okufukuzwa kuwo uma benqaba.

Imibono eyiphutha: Amabhayisikobho, ithelevishini kanye namaphephandaba ayeveza oFakazi njengabantu abayingozi emphakathini. Emajele nasemakamu kwakuba nezimbizo okwakugxekwa kuzo abafowethu kuthiwa basebenzisa iBhayibheli njengehawu lokukhankasela ezombusazwe. Le mibono eyiphutha yaholela ekubandlululweni; othisha babenikeza izingane ezingoFakazi amamaki aphansi, kanti abaqashi babencisha abafowethu izinzuzo zasemsebenzini noma isikhathi seholide okwakufanele basithole.

Ukungena ngobuqili enhlanganweni: Izinhloli ze-KGB zenza sengathi zinesithakazelo esigijimini soMbuso, zafundelwa futhi zabhapathizwa. Ezinye zazo zathuthuka zathola amalungelo engeziwe enkonzo phakathi enhlanganweni. Umgomo wazo wawuwukuvimba umsebenzi wokushumayela, zidale nokwehlukana phakathi koFakazi.

Ukudingisa: OFakazi babethunyelwa ezindaweni eziqhele kakhulu zezwe. Lapho, abafowethu kwakudingeka bafukuze kanzima besebenza amahora angu-12 usuku ngalunye ukuze bathole okokuziphilisa. Ebusika, babehlushwa amakhaza ashubisa umkantsha; ehlobo kuwomiyane nezibawu.

Ukuphuca kanye nokuhlukanisa: Babephucwa izindawo zabo, imizi nezimpahla. Izingane zazihlukaniswa nabazali bazo abangoFakazi.

Ukugcona nokushaya: OFakazi abaningi, kuhlanganise nabesifazane, babethukwa futhi begconwa. Abanye babeshaywa ngonya olwesabekayo.

Ukubopha: Injongo kwakuwukuphoqelela oFakazi ukuba balahle ukholo lwabo noma ukubahlukanisa nabafowabo.

Amakamu okufukuzwa kuwo: OFakazi base bekhandleke bephelile ngenxa yokusebenza kula makamu. Ngokuvamile babemba iziqu zezizemazema zezihlahla. Abafowethu babephinde basebenze ezimayini zamalahle, bakhe imigwaqo nojantshi bezitimela. Njengoba zazihlukanisiwe nemikhaya yazo, izisebenzi zasemakamu zazihlala emabhalekisini.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 96, 97]

Ngasithola Kabili Isigwebo Sokufa

UPYOTR KRIVOKULSKY

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1922

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1956

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wafunda esikoleni sokufundela ubufundisi engakalitholi iqiniso. Wachitha iminyaka engu-22 emajele nasemakamu, washona ngo-1998.

NGO-1940, oFakazi basePoland baqala ukushumayela endaweni engangihlala kuyo e-Ukraine. Mina ngahanjelwa uKorney, umzalwane ogcotshiwe. Saxoxa ubusuku bonke futhi ngagculiseka ukuthi wayengitshela iqiniso ngoNkulunkulu.

Ngo-1942 kwahlasela ibutho laseJalimane, amasosha amaSoviet ayesephuma endaweni engangihlala kuyo. Kwakuyisikhathi sezinxushunxushu. Abashisekeli bezwe lase-Ukraine bangibelesela ngokuthi angibajoyine ekulweni namaJalimane namaSoviet. Lapho ngenqaba, bangishaya ngaze ngaquleka base bengihudulela emgwaqweni. Ngabo lobo busuku, babuya bezongilanda bangiyisa endaweni okwakubulawelwa kuyo abantu. Sesilapho, baphinda bangibuza ukuthi ngizobalwela yini abantu base-Ukraine. Ngabatshela ngesibindi futhi ngamemeza, “Ngizokhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu yedwa!” Babe sebengigwebela ukufa. Kwathi lapho elinye lamasosha lithi angidutshulwe, elinye labamba isibhamu lamemeza: “Ningamdubuli! Usazoba usizo.” Enye indoda yathukuthela yathelwa ngamanzi, yangishaya. Yangisongela ngokuthi izongidubula lingakapheli isonto, kodwa ngemva kwesinsukwana, iyona eyabulawa.

Ngo-March 1944 ibutho lamaSoviet labuya futhi, amasosha athatha wonke amadoda ahamba nawo, nami ngangilapho. Kulokhu, yibutho laseSoviet elalidinga abantu abazokulwa. Endaweni abasiyisa kuyo ngatholana noKorney, umzalwane owayengifundise iqiniso. Kwakunabanye oFakazi abangu-70. Sama sazihlukanisa kwabanye, sakhuthazana. Kweza iphoyisa lasibuza ukuthi kungani sizihlukanisile kwabanye. UKorney wachaza ukuthi singamaKristu futhi ngeke siyokulwa. Ngaso leso sikhathi amasosha amthatha athi azomdubula. Kwaba ukumgcina kwethu. Aqala ukusisongela, ethi nathi sizodutshulwa njengaye, futhi sabuzwa ngamunye ngamunye ukuthi sizolwa yini empini. Lapho ngenqaba, amasosha amathathu nesikhulu sawo bangiyisa ehlathini. Umkhuzi wawo wafunda isigwebo senkantolo yezempi: “Ngoba uyenqaba ukugqoka iyunifomu yezempi nokuyokulwa, uzobulawa ngokudutshulwa.” Ngathandaza ngobuqotho kuJehova futhi ngizibuza ukuthi uzoyamukela yini inkonzo yami, kwazise ngangingakalitholi ithuba lokubhapathizwa. Khona manjalo ngezwa umyalo, “Dubulani isitha!” Kodwa amasosha adubula emoyeni. Isikhulu sawo sabe sesingishaya. Ngagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi ejele futhi ngagcina sengikwelinye lamakamu okufukuzwa kuwo eSifundazweni SaseGorki, enkabeni yeRussia.

Ngadedelwa ngo-1956, kamuva ngaganwa uRegina, uFakazi othembekile. Sasinezinyanga eziyisithupha sishadile ngenkathi ngiboshwa kungalindelekile futhi ngagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi ejele.

Lapho ngidedelwa ekugcineni, esinye isikhulu sasejele sathi kimi, “Akunandawo yakho wena la ezweni lamaSoviet.” Sasishaye phansi. Yeka indlela okuhle ngayo ukwazi ukuthi izwe elikaJehova nokuthi uyena onqumayo ukuthi obani abazohlala phakade kulo!—IHu. 37:18.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 104, 105]

“Mantombazane, Bakhona OFakazi BakaJehova Phakathi Kwenu?”

UYEVGENIA RYBAK

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1928

UNYAKA ABHAPHATHIZWA NGAWO 1946

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wazalelwa e-Ukraine, wayiswa ngenkani eJalimane lapho athola khona iqiniso. Usaqhubeka ekhonza uJehova ngokwethembeka eRussia.

NGELINYE iSonto ngezwa unqambothi lomculo ngefasitela. Kwakucula oFakazi BakaJehova. Kungakabiphi, ngase ngiya emihlanganweni yabo. Ngangingaqondi ukuthi amaJalimane awashushiselani amanye amaJalimane ngenxa yokholo lwawo. Abangane bami base-Ukraine engangiyiswe nabo eJalimane baqala ukungizonda ngoba ngase ngizihlanganisa namaJalimane. Omunye wabo wake wangithethisa wayesengisakaza ngempama. Amantombazane ayekade engabangane bami ahleka.

Sengidedelwe ngo-1945, ngabuyela e-Ukraine. Umkhulu wathi: “Unyoko useyahlanya. Utshinge izithixo zakhe, manje usenomunye nje uNkulunkulu.” Lapho sesisodwa, umama wathatha iBhayibheli wafunda lapho lithi khona uNkulunkulu uyakuzonda ukukhonza izithombe. Wayesengitshela ukuthi useya emihlanganweni yoFakazi BakaJehova. Ngamanga, futhi ngihlengezela izinyembezi ngathi kuye, “Mama engimthandayo, nami ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova!” Sobabili sakhala izinyembezi zenjabulo.

Umama wayeyikhonzile inkonzo. Njengoba cishe bonke abazalwane babevalelwe emakamu, wamiswa njengenceku yeqembu. Wangithelela ngentshiseko yakhe.

Ngo-1950 ngaboshelwa imisebenzi yenkolo, inkantolo yangigweba iminyaka eyishumi ekamu. Thina singodade abahlanu sayiswa edolobheni lase-Usol’ye-Sibirskoye, eSiberia. Kusukela ngo-April 1951, sasebenza sakha ujantshi. Sasitshatha ukhonkolo osindayo, owodwa sibabili. Sasithutha ngezandla izinsimbi zikajantshi ezingamamitha ayishumi ubude, ezisinda amakhilogremu angu-320 iyinye, sakhe ngazo ujantshi. Sasikhathala sibe ingcuba. Ngelinye ilanga sesigoduka sivela emsebenzini sifile ukukhathala, kwaqhamuka isitimela esasigcwele iziboshwa, sema eduze kwethu. Kwalunguza umlisa mumbe ngefasitela wabuza, “Mantombazane, bakhona oFakazi BakaJehova phakathi kwenu?” Kwaphela nya ukukhathala. Samemeza: “Yithina, singodade abahlanu!” Lezi ziboshwa kwakungabafowethu nodadewethu abathandekayo base-Ukraine ababedingisiwe. Njengoba isitimela simile, basixoxela ngesasasa okwakwenzekile nokuthi babedingiswe kanjani. Izingane zabe sezisisholo izinkondlo ezazibhalwe abazalwane. Ngisho kwamasosha awasiphazamisanga, sakwazi ukubungazana nokukhuthazana.

Sasuswa e-Usol’ye-Sibirskoye sayiswa ekamu elikhulu eduze kwase-Angarsk. Safica odade abangu-22. Babehlela yonke into, ngisho namasimu okwakushunyayelwa kuwo. Lokhu kwasisiza kwasilondoloza ngokomoya.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 108, 109]

Ngayiswa ‘Ekhoneni Lesihlanu’ Izikhathi Eziningana

UNIKOLAI KALIBABA

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1935

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1957

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Ngo-1949 wadingiselwa eSifundazweni SaseKurgan, eSiberia.

KITHINA kwakusengathi bonke oFakazi eSoviet Union babhekwe ngeso lokhozi. Ukuphila kwakungelula, kodwa uJehova wasinika ukuhlakanipha. Ngo-April 1959 ngaboshwa ngenxa yokwenza imisebenzi yenkolo. Ngingafuni ukukhaphela abanye abazalwane, nganquma ukuphika noma yini engangibuzwa yona. Umseshi wangitshengisa izithombe zabazalwane wathi angisho ukuthi bangobani. Ngathi akekho engimaziyo. Wayesengitshengisa isithombe somfowethu, wangibuza, “Umfowenu lo?” Ngaphendula: “Angazi noma uyena noma akuyena yini. Angiqiniseki.” Ngemva kwalokho, wangikhombisa isithombe sami wangibuza, “Uwena lo?” Ngathi mina, “Lo muntu ufana nami, kodwa ukuthi yimina yini noma akumina, angiqiniseki.”

Ngavalelwa esitokisini izinyanga ezingaphezu kwezimbili. Njalo ekuseni ngangivuka ngibonge uJehova ngomusa wakhe wothando. Ngangibe sengicabanga ngomBhalo othile weBhayibheli, bese ngixoxa ngawo ngedwa. Ngemva kwalokho ngangicula ingoma yoMbuso buthule, ngoba sasingavunyelwe ukucula ezitokisini. Ekugcineni ngangibe sengicabanga ngendaba ethile yeBhayibheli.

Ikamu engathunyelwa kulo kakade lase linoFakazi abaningi. Izimo esasiboshwe ngaphansi kwazo zazingezinhle neze, futhi sasingavunyelwe ukuxoxa. Kwakuvamile ukuba abafowethu bayiswe esitokisini lapho babevalelwa bodwa khona, indawo ababevame ukuyibiza ngokuthi ikhona lesihlanu. Ngayiswa ekhoneni lesihlanu izikhathi eziningana. Lapho, iziboshwa zazinikezwa amagremu angu-200 kuphela esinkwa ngosuku. Ngangilala phezu kwepulangwe elalimbozwe ngensimbi ewugqinsi. Ifasitela laliphukile futhi kunenqwaba yomiyane. Ngangicamela phezu kwamabhuzu ami.

Ngokuvamile, umzalwane ngamunye wayezitholela eyakhe indawo azofihla kuyo izincwadi. Mina ngakhetha ukuzifihla emshanelweni engangishanela ngawo. Lapho kuseshwa, unogada wayengacabangi ukubheka emshanelweni, nakuba ayecingisisa kwezinye izindawo. Izincwadi sasibuye sizifihle ezindongeni. Ngafunda ukuyethemba inhlangano kaJehova. UJehova ubona futhi wazi yonke into, futhi usiza ngayinye yezinceku zakhe ezithembekile. UJehova wayengisiza njalo.

Ngisho nangaphambi kokudingiswa komkhaya wakithi ngo-1949, ubaba wayethe uJehova angahlela izinto ngendlela yokuthi abantu abalé kude eSiberia balithole iqiniso. Sazibuza, ‘Kungenzeka kanjani lokho?’ Empeleni yizo iziphathimandla ezasiza izinkulungwane zabantu abaqotho eSiberia ukuba zazi iqiniso.

Lapho kufika izinguquko kuleli, abafowethu balibamba ngazo zombili ithuba lokuya emhlanganweni wezizwe ePoland ngo-1989. Angisoze ngazilibala lezo zinsuku. Ngemva komthandazo wokugcina, saqhubeka simile, futhi sashaya izandla isikhathi eside. Yeka ukuthi kwakujabulisa kanjani! Kwase kuyiminyaka eminingi sihlupheka, sibhekana nezinkinga, kodwa sasingavamile ukukhala izinyembezi. Kodwa lapho sesihlukana nabafowethu abathandekayo basePoland, izinyembezi zazigobhoza futhi akekho owakwazi ukuzivimba—empeleni akekho owayefuna.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 112, 113]

Ukwenza Konke Ngenxa Yezindaba Ezinhle

UPYOTR PARTSEY

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1926

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1946

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wahlangana noFakazi BakaJehova ngo-1943, wachitha isikhathi emakamu okuhlushwa amabili amaNazi nasekamu okufukuzwa kulo eRussia. Kamuva wakhonza njengombonisi wesifunda ngenkathi umsebenzi uvinjelwe.

NGEMVA kokufunda amaqiniso ayisisekelo eBhayibheli ngiseJalimane lobuNazi, angichithanga sikhathi ngaqala ukuwaxoxa nengangibajwayele, futhi iningi labo lahlanganyela kanye nami ekukhulekeleni okumsulwa. Ngo-1943 umpristi mumbe wangimpimpa kumaGestapo, angibopha angibeka icala lokukhuthaza ukuvukela umbuso phakathi kwentsha. Ngazithola sengisekamu lokuhlushwa laseMaidanek, ePoland. Sasikwazisa ngokukhethekile ukuhlangana nabafowethu nodadewethu. Ngenkathi sisekamu, sazimisela ngokwengeziwe ukushumayela. Abaningi ekamu babebonisa isithakazelo eqinisweni, futhi sasizama ukuthola izindlela zokufakaza ngoMbuso kaJehova. Ngake ngashaywa imivimbo engu-25 ngemvubu enamafosi amabili. Uma ngiqeda ukushaywa ngasukuma ngasho ngezwi elikhulu ngesiJalimane, “Danke schön!” (“Ngiyabonga!”) Omunye umJalimane wababaza: “Bheka ukuthi uzimisele kanjani lo mfanyana! Siyambhaxabula, yena uyasibonga!” Umhlane wami wawumivimbovimbo.

Umsebenzi wawunzima futhi sasikhathala sibe imvuthu. Abafayo babeshiswa esithandweni sokushisa izidumbu, esasivutha imini nobusuku. Ngangicabanga ukuthi kungekudala yimi engizobe ngishiswa kuleso sithando. Kwakubonakala sengathi angisoze ngaphuma ngiphila kuleli kamu. Ukulimala kwangivulela intuba yokuphuma. Bonke ababenempilo engconywana babephoqelelwa ukuba basebenze, bese kuthi abanye bayiswe kwamanye amakamu. Ngemva kwamasonto amabili ngathunyelwa ekamu lokuhlushwa laseRavensbrück.

Ngasekupheleni kwempi, ngezwa ngandlebenye ukuthi amaJalimane ayezosidubula asibulale sonke. Sabe sesizwa kuthiwa onogada bashaye utshani. Lapho iziboshwa zibona ukuthi manje sezikhululekile, zagcwala izintaba. Mina ngazithola sengise-Austria, lapho ngabuthelwa khona impi. Ngenqaba ngaphetha, ngabatshela ukuthi ngiqeda kuphuma ekamu lokuhlushwa ngenxa yezinkolelo zami. Ngavunyelwa ukuba ngigoduke ngiye e-Ukraine, ngaleso sikhathi eyayiyingxenye yeSoviet Union. Ngo-1949, ngashada noYekaterina, owaba umngane wami wokuphila othembekile. Ngaboshwa ngo-1958 ngabe sengithunyelwa ekamu okufukuzwa kulo laseMordvinia.

Ngemva kokukhululwa, ngahlanganyela ekunyatheliseni izincwadi zeBhayibheli. Ngelinye ilanga ngo-1986, sasisebenze ubusuku bonke sinyathelisa amakhasi angu-1 200. Sawabeka phansi, emibhedeni, nanoma ikuphi lapho sasingawafihla khona. Kungalindelekile, kwaqhamuka iphoyisa le-KGB, lathi “lizoxoxa.” UYekaterina walibuza ukuthi lingathanda ukuxoxelaphi, wangacabanga ukuthi lingase lithi lifuna ukungena endlini. Ngokujabulisayo, lathi lifuna ukukhuluma nathi ekhishini elingaphandle. Ukube langena endlini, sasizoboshwa.

Kuze kube yinamuhla, sizama ukuphila ngokuvumelana nokuzinikezela kwethu nokwenza konke ngenxa yezindaba ezinhle. Izingane zethu ezingu-6, abazukulu abangu-23, nezingane zabazukulu ezingu-2 zikhonza uJehova ngokwethembeka, futhi siyambonga uJehova ngokuthi izingane zethu ziyaqhubeka zihamba eqinisweni.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 122]

Ukuvalelwa Wedwa Esitokisini

Ngokwesimiso sokujezisa saseSoviet, ukuvalelwa wedwa esitokisini kwakuyindlela evamile yokujezisa labo, ngokwesibonelo, abatholakala benezincwadi zenkolo. Iziboshwa zazinikezwa izingubo eziklebhukile bese zivalelwa esitokisini.

Ake usibone ngeso lengqondo lesi sitokisi. Sasisincane—singaba amamitha skwele amathathu. Kwakumnyama, kumanzi, kungcolile, futhi kubanda kakhulu ikakhulukazi ebusika. Izindonga zikasemende zimahhadlahhadla. Odongeni oluwugqinsi ngemitha kwakunefasitela elincane. Kwezinye izitokisi amafasitela ayephukile. Isibani sikagesi sasiletha ukukhanya okuthile; sivalelwe embotsheni esodongeni ngesisefo sensimbi. Ngaphandle kukasemende phansi, okuwukuphela kwenye into owawungahlala kuyo kwakuyingxenye encane esabhentshi likasemende eyayixhumene nodonga. Kwakungahlaleki kuyo isikhathi eside. Imilenze neqolo kwakukhathala futhi kuqaqambe, nodonga lwaluwuhuzula umhlane.

Ebusuku onogada babekulethela ibhokisi lamapulangwe ozolala kulo. Lalakhiwe nangezinsimbi. Wawungalala phezu kwalelo bhokisi lamapulangwe nensimbi, kodwa ubuthongo babungafiki ngenxa yokugodola. Zazingekho izingubo zokwembatha. Ngokuvamile, iziboshwa ezivalelwe zodwa zazithola isinkwa esingamagremu angu-300 ngosuku nesobho elimanzi njalo ngemva kwezinsuku ezintathu.

Kwakunepayipi lendle elincane elalinuka phú. Kwezinye izitokisi kwakunophephela owawufaka iphunga lesitamukoko sendle ngaphakathi esitokisini. Ngezinye izikhathi onogada babesebenzisa lo phephela ukuze badangalise isiboshwa futhi basijezise ngokwengeziwe.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 124, 125]

Ikamu LaseMordvinia #1

Phakathi kuka-1959 no-1966, abafowethu abangaphezu kuka-450 bahlala isikhathi esithile kuleli kamu, elalineziboshwa ezingu-600. Leli kamu lingelinye kwangu-19 okwakufukuziswa kuwo abantu ngempoqo eMordvinia futhi lalibiyelwe ngocingo lukagesi olucijile olucishe lube ngamamitha amathathu ukuphakama. Lwaluphinde lubiyelwe ngezinye izingcingo ezingu-13 ezicijile. Igceke elizungeze ikamu lalihlale livukuziwe ukuze noma ubani oweqayo ashiye umkhondo.

Ngokubehlukanisa ngokuphelele oFakazi, iziphathimandla zazizama ukubenza balahle ukholo lwabo ngokubacindezela ngokwenyama nangokwengqondo. Noma kunjalo, abafowethu bakwazi ukuhlela imisebenzi engokwasezulwini khona ekamu.

Leli kamu laba isifunda esinombonisi wesifunda. Sasakhiwe amabandla amane, akhiwa amaqembu esifundo sencwadi angu-28. Ukuze basizakale bonke bahlale beqinile ngokomoya, abafowethu banquma ukuqhuba imihlangano engu-7 ngesonto. Ekuqaleni babeneBhayibheli elilodwa vo, ngakho benza isimiso sokulifunda ngokwamabandla. Lapho nje ithuba livela, abafowethu baqala ukwenza amakhophi eBhayibheli. Izincwadi zeBhayibheli ezikopishwe ngesandla zazihlanganiswa zenziwe iqoqo lezincwadi, iBhayibheli langempela lithukuswe endaweni ephephile. Ngokwenza kanje, abafowethu babekwazi ukuhambisana nesimiso sokufundwa kweBhayibheli. Kwakuhlelwe nokuba kuqhutshwe iSifundo Se-Nqabayokulinda. Odade ababezovakashela abayeni babo babefika namakhophi amancane omagazini ekamu, bawafake emlonyeni noma ezithendeni zezicathulo zabo noma bafihle imicwana emincane yamaphepha kamagazini ngaphansi komqhino. Abafowethu abaningi bavalelwa bodwa isikhathi esingangosuku kuya ezinsukwini eziyishumi nanhlanu ngenxa yokukopisha izincwadi ngesandla.

Le ndawo yayiqhelile kwezinye iziboshwa. Onogada babeqikelela ukuthi oFakazi abafundi lutho ngesikhathi bevalelwe bodwa. Noma kunjalo, abanye abafowethu babeqhamuka nezindlela zokubanikeza ukudla okungokomoya. Umzalwane wayegibela ophahleni lwesakhiwo esibheke igceke okwakuhambahamba kulo labo abavalelwe bodwa. Wayesuke ephethe amaphepha amancane abhalwe amavesi eBhayibheli ayesefonyozwa aba amabholana amancane angaba isentimitha. Wayewashumeka epayipini elide, abese elifuthela ngakuFakazi ohamba lé phansi egcekeni. UFakazi wayegoba, ashaye sengathi ubopha izintambo zesicathulo, acoshe lokhu kudla okungomoya engabonwa.

Ekuseni nakusihlwa iziboshwa zazidla incumbe exutshwe nembijanyana yamafutha. Emini zazidla isobho elingamanzi nokudlana nje okungatheni. Isinkwa ezazisidla wawungathi indwangu yokuthunga amabhuzu! U-Ivan Mikitkov uyakhumbula, “Ngahlala iminyaka engu-7 kuleli kamu, futhi cishe njalo nje sasijuqwa isisu.”

Abafowethu bahlala beqinile okholweni. Ukuhlukaniswa nabanye akuzange kuliphazamise ingokomoya lezinceku zikaNkulunkulu eziqotho, ezaqhubeka zibonisa ukholo nothando ngoNkulunkulu nangomakhelwane bazo.—Math. 22:37-39.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 131, 132]

Yabuza, “Ukhalelani?”

UPOLINA GUTSHMIDT

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1922

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1962

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Waba umkaViktor Gutshmidt. Ngesikhathi esejele, uPolina waqaphela indlela oFakazi BakaJehova ababenomusa ngayo.

NGANGIKHOLELWA ezimisweni zobuKhomanisi futhi ngizisekela ngokuqinile. Nakuba kunjalo, ngaboshwa amaKhomanisi ngo-May 1944 ngase ngithunyelwa ekamu okufukuzwa kulo eVorkuta. Kwaphela iminyaka emithathu ngingatshelwa isizathu sokuboshwa kwami. Ekuqaleni ngacabanga ukuthi kwenzeke iphutha futhi ngalindela ukudedelwa. Esikhundleni sokudedelwa ngagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi ekamu ngoba kuthiwa ngikhulume kabi ngamaSoviet.

Ngenxa yokuthi nganginolwazi lwezokwelapha, ngasebenza esibhedlela sasekamu eminyakeni yokuqala ngiboshiwe. Ngo-1949 ngadluliselwa e-Inta, ekamu leziboshwa zezombusazwe. Iziphathimandla zalapho zazinesandla esiqinile. Phakathi kweziboshwa kwakubusa umoya wenzondo, ukweyisa, ukuziphatha okubi, ukungazwelani kanye nowokungabi nathemba. Amahemuhemu okuthi wonk’ umuntu ekamu uzodutshulwa noma agwetshwe udilika jele enza isimo esibi saba sibi nakakhulu. Ngenxa yokucindezeleka, iziboshwa eziningana zasangana. Iziboshwa zazingathembani futhi zizondana ngenxa yokuthi kwakugcwele izimpimpi ekamu. Abantu baphenduka onkom’ idla yodwa futhi bazama ukuzivumelanisa nezimo ngezinga ababengenza ngalo. Abantu abaningi babengamagovu futhi behaha.

Kwakuneqembu labesifazane abangaba ngu-40 elalihluke ngokuphawulekayo kwabanye. Babehlale bendawonye futhi babebahle ngendlela emangalisayo, behlanzekile, benomusa futhi benobungane. Iningi labo kwakuyizintombi abanye kungamantombazanyana. Ngathola ukuthi babengamakholwa, oFakazi BakaJehova. Iziboshwa zazibaphatha ngezindlela ezingafani. Ezinye zazinonya nokhahlo. Ezinye zazithanda indlela yabo yokuziphatha, ikakhulukazi uthando ababethandana ngalo. Ngokwesibonelo, lapho omunye woFakazi egula, babeshintshana ngokumnakekela. Kwakungajwayelekile lokhu ekamu.

Kwangimangaza ukuthi leli qembu labantu lalakhiwa abantu bezizwe eziningi kodwa noma kunjalo babenobungane komunye nomunye. Ngaleso sikhathi ngase ngikhathele ukuphila. Ngolunye usuku ngizizwa ngidangele, ngahlala phansi ngakhala. Enye yamantombazane yeza kimi, yangibuza, “Polina, ukhalelani?”

Ngaphendula: “Angisakufuni ukuphila.”

Le ntombazane, uLidia Nikulina, yaqala ukungiduduza. Yangitshela ngenjongo yokuphila, indlela uNkulunkulu azoxazulula ngayo zonke izinkinga zesintu nangezinye izinto eziningi. Ngo-July 1954 ngadedelwa. Ngaleso sikhathi ngase ngifunde okuningi koFakazi BakaJehova futhi ngakujabulela ukuba omunye wabo.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 140, 141]

Ngangingunjiniyela Wezempi Manje Ngingumshumayeli Wezindaba Ezinhle

UVLADIMIR NIKOLAEVSKY

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1907

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1955

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wathunyelwa emakamu nasemajele ahlukahlukene izikhathi ezingu-256. Washona ngo-1999.

NGATHOLA iziqu e-Institute of Engineering Communication YaseMoscow ngo-1932. Kwaze kwaba ngu-1941 ngisebenza njengonjiniyela nomklami oyinhloko ekolishi laseMoscow. Ngayiklama mathupha imishini ekhethekile esetshenziswa emikhunjini yezempi. Ngaboshwa phakathi nempi futhi ngagcina sengithunyelwe ekamu elimaphakathi neKazakhstan, edolobhaneni laseKengir.

Ngafike ngakhangwa iqembu loFakazi BakaJehova. Babehlukile kwezinye iziboshwa. Babecishe babe ngu-80 phakathi kweziboshwa ezingaba ngu-14 000 ezakhiweni ezintathu zasekamu. Umehluko phakathi koFakazi nezinye iziboshwa wacaca bha ngesikhathi kubhikishwa eKengir ngo-1954. OFakazi BakaJehova abazange bahlanganyele kulokho kubhikisha, benqaba ngisho nokukulungiselela. Babonisa ukuzola okumangalisayo, bazama nokuchazela ezinye iziboshwa ukuma kwabo. Ukuziphatha kwabo kwangihlaba umxhwele ngaze ngayobaphenya ngezinkolelo zabo. Kamuva, nganikezela ukuphila kwami kuJehova. Ukholo loFakazi lwavivinyeka ekamu, ikakhulukazi ngesikhathi kufika amasosha ahlomile ehamba ngezinqola zempi ezonqanda umbhikisho.

Ngesinye isikhathi ngatshelwa ukuthi kufike ojenene ababili abavela eMoscow bezoxoxa nami ngokukhethekile. Omunye wabo wathi kimi: “Vladimir, sekwanele manje. Ungunjiniyela nomklami. Izwe lakho liyakudinga. Sifuna uphindele emsebenzi wakho. Ufunani nje phakathi kwabantu abangafundile?”

Ngaphendula: “Akukho engingazishaya isifuba ngakho. Wonke amakhono umuntu anawo avela kuNkulunkulu. Labo abamlalelayo bayojabulela ukuBusa KoMbuso KaKristu Kweminyaka Eyinkulungwane, lapho isintu siyobuyiselwa ekupheleleni futhi siyoba esifunde ngempela.”

Kwangijabulisa kakhulu ukuthola ithuba lokuxoxa nalab’ ojenene ngeqiniso. Bangincenga kaningana ukuba ngiphindele emsebenzini wami wangaphambili. Kodwa ngabacela ukuba bangaphinde bangikhathaze, kunalokho bangiyeke khona ekamu nginabafowethu abangokomoya engibathanda kakhulu.

Ngo-1955 isigwebo sami sahoxiswa. Ngabe sengiqala ukusebenza enkampanini yabaklami engahlangene nezempi. Ngemizamo yami yokuhlwanyela imbewu yeqiniso ngobuningi, ngaqalisa isifundo seBhayibheli nomkhaya womunye unjiniyela. Ngokushesha yena kanye nawo wonke umkhaya wakhe baba oFakazi BakaJehova nabashumayeli abashisekayo. Kodwa i-KGB yayingigadile, futhi kwathi lapho isesha kwami yathola izincwadi zeBhayibheli. Inkantolo yangigweba iminyaka engu-25 ngidonsa ejele, futhi ngathunyelwa ekamu laseSiberia okufukuzwa kulo elalisedolobheni laseKrasnoyarsk. Ngashintshelwa kaningi emakamu nasemajele ahlukahlukene. Ngathi uma ngibala, ngathola ukuthi ngashintshwa izikhathi ezingu-256 ekuphileni kwami.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 147, 148]

Sasidinga Amapotimende Amakhulu

NADEZHDA YAROSH

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1926

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1957

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Lona wesifazane wafunda iqiniso esekamu lokuhlushwa laseRavensbrück. Ngemva kokuphindela eSoviet Union, wasebenza iminyaka eminingi ehambisa izincwadi. Njengamanje uhlala eCaucasia.

LAPHO ngingena ekamu lokuhlushwa ngo-1943, saphela nya isithakazelo sokuphila. Ngaba kuleso simo kwaze kwaba yilapho ngihlangana noFakazi BakaJehova. Yeka injabulo okwakuyiyo ukuphindela ekhaya e-Ukraine senginethemba eliqinile lokuphila phakade epharadesi emhlabeni! Ngaqala ukubhalelana nodadewethu abangoFakazi ukuze ngiziqinise ngokomoya. Nokho, amanxusa e-KGB ayezifunda izincwadi zami futhi kungakabiphi, ngagwetshwa iminyaka engu-15 ekamu eliyijele.

Ngo-November 1947, ngathunyelwa ekamu laseKolyma, lapho ngadonsa khona isigwebo ngingaboni noyedwa uFakazi. UJehova wangisiza ukuba ngishumayele. UYevdokia, omunye weziboshwa, wabonisa isithakazelo eBhayibhelini. Saba abangane futhi sasekelana, kokubili ngokomoya nangokomzwelo. Nganginolwazi olungatheni lweBhayibheli kodwa lokho engangikufundile kwakwanele ukuba ngilondoloze ubuqotho bami kuJehova.

Ekuqaleni kuka-1957, ngemva konyaka nje ngikhululiwe, ngalibangisa eSuyetikha, eSifundazweni Sase-Irkutsk. Abafowethu lapho bangamukela ngezandla ezifudumele. Bangisiza ukuba ngithole umsebenzi nendawo yokuhlala. Kodwa okwangijabulisa kakhulu kwaba ukucelwa ukuba ngihlanganyele emisebenzini engokwasezulwini. Njengoba ngangingakabhapathizwa, ngabhapathizwa kubhavu omkhulu wamanzi. Ngase ngikulungele ukuthwala imithwalo yemfanelo enhlanganweni kaJehova. Le mithwalo yemfanelo yayihlanganisa ukuhambisa izincwadi zeBhayibheli kanye neposi.

Izincwadi kwakufanele zihanjiswe kulo lonke elaseSiberia, eRussia emaphakathi nasentshonalanga ye-Ukraine. Konke kwakufanele kuhlelwe ngokucophelela kusengaphambili. Ukuze sihambise izincwadi entshonalanga ye-Ukraine, sasidinga amapotimende amakhulu. Ngesinye isikhathi siseSiteshini SaseYaroslavl’ eMoscow, ingidi yelinye ipotimende yaphuka, zonke izincwadi zasakazeka phansi. Ngazibutha ngaphandle kokutatazela futhi ngathandaza. Ngandlela-thile ngakwazi ukuziqoqa zonke ngazifaka ndawonye, ngakhala ngemuka. Ngenhlanhla, akekho owayenginakile.

Ngesinye isikhathi ngasuka e-Ukraine namapotimende amabili ayegcwele nswi izincwadi ngalibangisa eSiberia nginqamula eMoscow. Ngashutheka ipotimende elilodwa ngaphansi kombhede wesitimela. Ngokushesha kwangena amadoda amabili—amanxusa e-KGB—kuleli gumbi engangikulo. Phakathi kwezinye izinto, ayekhuluma ngoFakazi, ethi “basakaza izincwadi futhi bashoshozela abantu ukuba bamelane namaSoviet.” Ngazama ukuqhubeka ngizolile ukuze ngingawenzi asole. Phela ayehlezi phezu kwawo lo mbhede engangishutheke kuwo izincwadi!

Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ngangisakaza izincwadi noma ngifeza ezinye izabelo, ngangilungele ukuboshwa noma nini. Kunezimo eziningi ezangifundisa ukuthembela kuJehova kuzo zonke izinto.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 158, 159]

“Abantu Bakho Bahluke Ngokuphelele”

UZINAIDA KOZYREVA

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1919

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1958

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Lona wesifazane wahlala iminyaka eminingi emakamu ahlukahlukene, washona ngo-2002.

KUSUKELA ebuntwaneni nganginesifiso sokukhonza uNkulunkulu. Ngo-1942 umngane wami owayengahlose bubi, wangiyisa esontweni lakhe lobu-Orthodox baseRussia, ukuze njengoba asho, “ngingayi esihogweni.” Kodwa lapho umpristi ezwa ukuthi ngingumOssetia, wenqaba ukungibhapathiza. Lapho umngane wami esemkhokhele imali, wawushintsha umqondo, wangibhapathiza. Ekufuneni kwami iqiniso ngasonta namaSabatha, abakwaMoya kanye namaBaptist. Ngenxa yalokhu, iziphathimandla zangigwebela ukuyofukuza kanzima. Ekamu okufukuzwa kulo ngatholana noFakazi futhi ngokushesha ngalibona iqiniso. Ngemva kokudedelwa ngo-1952, ngaphindela ekhaya, ngaqala ukushumayela izindaba ezinhle.

Ngolunye usuku ngo-December 1958 ngezikhathi zasekuseni, ngezwa kungqongqoza umuntu ngodlame. Amasosha angena ngendlov’ iyangena aqala ukusesha umuzi wakithi ngesikhathi amabili engivalele ekhoneni. Lapho ubaba evuka, wethuka kakhulu ngenxa yomndeni wakhe, ikakhulukazi amadodana akhe. Abazali bami babenamadodana ayisihlanu kuyimina ngedwa intombazane. Lapho ubaba ebona indlela amasosha ayepequlula ngayo kuwo wonke amakamelo ngisho nasekamelweni eliphezulu imbala, wavele wabona ukuthi lokhu kuseshwa kuphathelene nenkolo yami. Esephethe isibhamu, wamemeza, “nhloli yaseMelika!” Wazama ukungidubula kodwa isosha lamhlwitha isibhamu. Kwakungakholakali ukuthi ubaba ongizalayo wayefuna ukungibulala. Lapho amasosha eseqedile ukusesha, angithatha angifaka elolini kodwa ngangijabule ngokuthi ngisaphila. Ngenxa yokusekela ezenkolo ngagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi ejele.

Ngo-December 1965, ngadedelwa ngaphambi kokuba isigwebo sami siphele. Abazali bami bajabula lapho bengibona kodwa ubaba wayengafuni ngihlale ekhaya. Okuxakayo ukuthi izisebenzi ze-KGB zaphoqa ubaba ukuba angibhalise njengomuntu ohlala kwakhe futhi angisize ngithole umsebenzi. Ubaba wayesenokhahlo njengaphambili kodwa ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, isimo sakhe sengqondo saqala ukushintsha. Wayexoxa nodade nabazalwane lapho bengivakashele ekhaya. Abafowethu engizalwa nabo babengomahlalela, beyizidakwa nezindlavini. Ngolunye usuku ubaba wathi: “Ngiyabona ukuthi abantu bakho bahluke ngokuphelele kulokho ebengikucabanga. Ngifuna ukukunika ikamelo lakho wedwa enizokwazi ukuqhubela kulo imihlangano yenu.” Angikholwanga! Ubaba wanginika ikamelo elikhulu wayesethi: “Ungesabi. Lapho niqhubeka nemihlangano yenu, mina ngizonigada futhi akekho ozongena.” Kwabanjalo ngempela ngoba wonk’ umuntu wayazi ukuthi kwakungadlalelwa kubaba.

Ngakho imihlangano yethu yobuKristu sasiyiqhubela ekhaya, ngaphansi kwesivikelo sikaJehova nobaba. Sasiba ngabantu abangaba ngu-30 ngoba lalingako inani loFakazi e-Ossetia ngaleso sikhathi. Kwakungijabulisa ukubheka ngaphandle kwefasitela bese ngibona abazali bami behlezi emgwaqweni besigadile. Namuhla e-Ossetia kunabamemezeli abashisekayo abangaba u-2 600 abamemezela uMbuso kaJehova.—Isaya 60:22.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 162, 163]

Kwakuyimina Ngedwa UFakazi Owayesasele Ekamu

UKONSTANTIN SKRIPCHUK

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1922

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1956

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wafunda iqiniso ngo-1953 ngesikhathi esekamu okufukuzwa kulo futhi wabhapathizelwa khona ngo-1956. Wachitha iminyaka engu-25 elandelanayo eboshwe njengomunye woFakazi BakaJehova. Washona ngo- 2003.

NGAHLANGANA nomzalwane ogama lakhe linguVasily ekuqaleni kuka-1953 esitokisini sasetilongweni. Wangitshela ukuthi wayeboshelwe ukholo lwakhe kuNkulunkulu. Kwangixaka ukuthi umuntu angaboshelwani ngenxa yezinkolelo zakhe. Lokhu kwangikhathaza kakhulu kangangokuba angikwazanga ukulala. Ngakusasa wangichazela. Kancane kancane, ngakholiseka ukuthi iBhayibheli liyincwadi evela kuNkulunkulu.

Ngo-1956 ngabhapathizwa. Ekupheleni kwalowo nyaka, imfolomane yasisesha futhi yathola ukuthi sinenqwaba yezincwadi zeBhayibheli. Uphenyo lwaqhubeka isikhathi esingangonyaka, kwathi ngo-1958 inkantolo yangigweba iminyaka engu-23 ngenxa yokusekela ezenkolo. Ngaleso sikhathi, ngase ngichithe iminyaka emihlanu nengxenye emakamu. Kuso sonke leso sikhathi esiyiminyaka engu-28 kanye nezinyanga eziyisithupha, ngadonsa isigwebo sami ngingakaze ngidedelwe nakanye.

Ngo-April 1962 inkantolo yangichaza “njengomgulukudu oyingozi kakhulu,” ngakho ngadluliselwa ekamu elinesimiso sokulondeka seqophelo eliphezulu, lapho ngachitha khona iminyaka engu-11. Kwakunezinto eziningi ezazenza leli kamu libe “elikhethekile.” Ngokwesibonelo, umuntu wayethola imali yokudla engama-kopeck angu-11 ngosuku, le mali yayingaphansi kwemali eyayidingeka ukuze umuntu akwazi ukuthenga isinkwa ngaleso sikhathi. Ngangingamasentimitha angu-192 ubude kodwa ngisinda amakhilogremu angu-59. Isikhumba sami sasishwabene futhi sidlekile.

Ngenxa yokuthi ngangiwumakhi onekhono, ngangithunywa izikhathi eziningi ukuyolungisa ezindlini zezikhulu. Akekho owayengesaba futhi abanikazi bemizi babengazixaki ngokufihla izimpahla zabo. Lapho inkosikazi yesinye isikhulu izwa ukuthi ngangizosebenza endlini yabo, ayizange iyihambise indodana yayo eneminyaka eyisithupha enkulisa. Kwakuyisimo esithakazelisayo: “umgulukudu oyingozi kakhulu” uchitha usuku lonke uwodwa endlini nengane eneminyaka eyisithupha! Kwakusobala ukuthi akekho owayekholelwa ukuthi ngiyisigebengu, “esiwumgulukudu oyingozi kakhulu” nanokwenza.

Kancane kancane, bonke abazalwane ababesekamu lethu badedelwa. Ngo-1974, kwakuyimina ngedwa uFakazi owayesasele ekamu. Ngahlala khona eminye iminyaka engu-7 ngaze ngadedelwa ngo-August 1981. UJehova waqhubeka engisekela ngokomoya. Kanjani? Kuleyo minyaka engu-7, ngangithola INqabayokulinda ingamakhophi abhalwe sancwadi. Omunye umzalwane wayevame ukungithumelela lezi zincwadi ezaziqukethe izihloko ezibhalwe kahle ngesandla, ezazivela kumagazini omusha. Isikhathi ngasinye, umlisa owayebheka izincwadi ekamu wayenginikeza incwadi isivuliwe kakade. Sasazi sobabili ukuthi yini eyayiqukethwe yilezi zincwadi. Kuze kube namuhla, angazi ukuthi yini eyamshukumisela ukuba azifake engozini ngale ndlela kodwa ngiyajabula ngokuthi waqhubeka esebenza khona yonke leyo minyaka engu-7. Kunakho konke, ngibonga uJehova. Kuyo yonke leyo minyaka, ngafunda ukuthembela kuJehova futhi wanginika amandla.—1 Pet. 5:7.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 168, 169]

Ngemva Kwempi, Ngaphindela ERussia

U-ALEKSEY NEPOCHATOV

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1921

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1956

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wathola iqiniso ekamu lokuhlushwa laseBuchenwald ngo-1943 futhi wachitha iminyaka engu-19 eboshwe eRussia. Wakhonza njengephayona elivamile iminyaka engaphezu kuka-30, esiningi saleso sikhathi umsebenzi wokushumayela wawuvinjelwe.

ENEMINYAKA engu-20, u-Aleksey wayiswa ekamu lokuhlushwa lase-Auschwitz, eJalimane LamaNazi. Kamuva wathunyelwa ekamu laseBuchenwald lapho athola khona iqiniso. Ngaphambi nje kokuba akhululwe, oFakazi ababili abagcotshiwe bathi kuye: “Aleksey, kungaba kuhle uphindele eRussia ngemva kwempi. Yizwe elikhulu elidinga abavuni ngokukhethekile. Isimo sakhona sinzima, ngakho kulungele ukuhlangabezana nanoma yiluphi uvivinyo. Sizokuthandazela wena nalabo abayokulalela.”

AmaNgisi amdedela u-Aleksey ngo-1945. Waphindela eRussia, lapho ngokushesha agwetshwa khona iminyaka eyishumi eboshiwe ngenxa yokwenqaba ukuvota. Uyabhala: “Ekuqaleni, kwakuyimina ngedwa uFakazi ejele. Ngacela isiqondiso sikaJehova ekufuneni abanjengezimvu, ngokushesha sasesingu-13! Phakathi naso sonke leso sikhathi sasingenazo izincwadi zokufunda iBhayibheli. Sasikopisha imiBhalo ezincwadini esasizitsheleka emtatsheni wezincwadi wasejele.”

U-Aleksey wasidonsa sonke isigwebo sakhe seminyaka eyishumi. Esekhululiwe, waya endaweni ayazi ukuthi inabantu abaningi abakholelwa kuJesu. Uthi: “Abantu babelambile ngokomoya. Babeza kimi emini nasebusuku; behamba nezingane. Konke ababekuzwa babekuhlola eBhayibhelini.”

Eminyakeni embalwa eyalandela, u-Aleksey wasiza abantu abangaphezu kuka-70 ukuba babhapathizwe. Omunye wabo kwakunguMaria, owaba ngumkakhe. Uyakhumbula: “I-KGB yayingifuna phans’ phezulu. Ngaboshwa futhi ngagwetshwa iminyaka engu-25 ejele. Kwase kuboshwa uMaria. Lingakaqulwa icala, uMaria wachitha izinyanga ezingu-7 evalelwe yedwa. Umphenyi wathi angamkhulula ngokushesha uma nje engalahla uJehova. Wenqaba. Inkantolo yamgweba iminyaka engu-7 eboshwe emakamu okufukuzwa kuwo. Udadewethu ongokomoya wathatha indodakazi yethu esencane wayinakekela.”

U-Aleksey noMaria badedelwa bengakasiqedi isigwebo sabo. Bathuthela eSifundazweni SaseTver’. Lapho, iziphathimandla nabantu bendawo babengabafuni nakubabona, kangangokuthi omunye umakhelwane washisa umuzi wabo. Eminyakeni eyalandela, baphoqeleka ukuba bathuthe kaningi; nakuba kunjalo, endaweni ngayinye ababefika kuyona babenza abafundi abasha.

U-Aleksey uthi: “Njengoba sasiboshiwe, sasingakwazi ukufunda iZwi likaNkulunkulu. Kusukela lapho, siye sazibekela umgomo wokufunda iBhayibheli nsuku zonke. Mina noMaria sesilifunde lonke izikhathi ezingaphezu kuka-40. YiZwi likaNkulunkulu eliye lasinika amandla nentshiseko enkonzweni.”

Sekukonke, u-Aleksey wahlala iminyaka emine emakamu okuhlushwa amaNazi kanye nengu-19 emajele nasemakamu aseRussia. Phakathi neminyaka engu-30 ephayona, yena nomkakhe basize inqwaba yabantu ukuba yazi futhi ithande uJehova.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 177, 178]

Laliqinisile Isosha

UREGINA KUKUSHKINA

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1914

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1947

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Nakuba achitha iminyaka eminingi engaxhumani nebandla, waqhubeka ngokwethembeka eshumayela izindaba ezinhle.

NGO-1947 uFakazi wakhuluma nami emakethe. Ngabo lobo busuku ngamvakashela emzini wakhe, futhi saxoxa isikhathi eside. Ngaso leso sikhathi nganquma ukuthi njengoba ayenza, nami ngizokhonza uJehova ngentshiseko! Ngathi kuye, “Uyashumayela, nami futhi ngizoshumayela.”

Ngo-1949, ngaboshwa eL’viv, e-Ukraine, ngenxa yokushumayela futhi ngehlukaniswa nomyeni wami kanye namantombazanyana ami amabili. Isigungu esasakhiwa amajaji amathathu esasiqula icala lami sangigwebela ukufa ngokudutshulwa. Efunda isigwebo, owesifazane ongomunye wala majaji amathathu wenezela, “Njengoba unezingane ezimbili, sinqume ukukwehlisela isigwebo sokufa sibe iminyaka engu-25 ubhadla ejele.”

Ngafakwa esitokisini esasinabantu besilisa bodwa. Base bazi ukuthi ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova. Lapho bezwa ukuthi ngigwetshwa iminyaka engu-25, bamangaliswa indlela engangingenaxhala ngayo. Ngesikhathi sengikhishwa kulelo jele, insizwa eyisosha yanginikeza isijumbulwana sokudla futhi ngomusa yathi, “Ungesabi; konke kuzolunga.”

Kwaze kwaba ngu-1953 ngidonsa isigwebo sami ekamu elisenyakatho yeRussia. Ekamu kwakunodade abaningi bevela ezindaweni ezihlukahlukene zombuso waseSoviet Union. Sasithandana njengomkhaya.

Ngokuziphatha kwethu, thina bodade sazama ukunikeza ubufakazi obuhle kwabanye sinethemba lokuthi kungase kubashukumisele ekukhonzeni uNkulunkulu. Kwakudingeka sisebenze kanzima amahora amaningi. Ngadedelwa ekamu singakapheli isigwebo sami, kodwa ngazithola sengibhekene nolunye uhlobo lokwehlukaniswa. Kwadlula iminyaka engaphezu kwemihlanu ngingakwazi ukuthintana nebandla. Lokhu kwakunzima kakhulu kunokugqunywa ejele. Naphezu kwalezo zimo, ngangikuzwa njalo ukusekela kukaJehova nothando lwakhe olungaguquguquki. Ngangilifunda kakhulu iBhayibheli ngizindle ngengangikufunda, futhi lokhu kwangiqinisa ngokomoya.

UJehova wangisiza ngaxhumana noFakazi ngendlela engajwayelekile. Ephephandabeni i-Soviet Russia, ngafunda isihloko esijivazayo esasikhuluma ngabafowethu e-Ossetia, eningizimu-ntshonalanga yeRussia. Sasithi umsebenzi woFakazi BakaJehova umelene nomphakathi wamaSoviet. Kuleso sihloko kwanikezwa izibongo zabafowethu nodade kwaze kwashicilelwa namakheli abo. Ngajabula kakhulu! Ezincwadini engababhalela zona, ngabatshela ukuthi ngifuna ukubabona. Ngesikhathi sihlangana, abafowethu bangisekela kakhulu baze bathi uJehova wayevumele ukuba lesi sihloko sinyatheliswe ukuze ngikwazi ukuthintana nabantu bakhe.

Manje sengineminyaka engu-92 ubudala. Yebo, leliya sosha elinomusa laliqinisile. Kukho konke ukuphila kwami, naphezu kobunzima, zonke izinto bezilokhu zingilungela.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 188, 189]

Ukwenza ‘Izikhonkwane Zamatende’ Ethu Ziqine Ngangokunokwenzeka

UDMITRY LIVY

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1921

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1943

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wakhonza eKomitini Yezwe YaseRussia iminyaka engaphezu kuka-20 futhi manje ungumdala ebandleni eliseSiberia.

KWAKUNGU-1944, kusasele izinyanga eziyisithupha kuphele iMpi Yezwe II. Ngenxa yokungathathi hlangothi kwami njengomKristu, icala lami laqulwa umahluleli wombutho wezempi. Isigwebo sami sasiwukubulawa ngokudutshulwa, kodwa kamuva sashintshwa saba ukuvalelwa iminyaka eyishumi ekamu lokuqondisa izigwegwe.

Ngo-January 1945 ngathunyelwa ekamu elisenyakatho yeRussia edolobheni lasePechora, eRiphabhuliki YaseKomi. Phakathi kwamakhulu eziboshwa ezazisekamu kwakukhona abazalwane abayishumi. Ngokudabukisayo, ngaphucwa INqabayokulinda yami okwakuwukuphela kwayo, sasala singenakho ukudla okungokomoya. Ngaphelelwa amandla kangangokuthi ngangingasakwazi nokusebenza. Ngesinye isikhathi ngigeza, omunye umzalwane wathi ngizace ngendlela esabisayo. Empeleni, isimo sami sasidabukisa kangangokuthi ngaze ngadluliselwa esibhedlela sasekamu eVorkuta.

Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi, ngaqala ukuba ngcono ngase ngithunyelwa ukuyosebenza enkwalini. Ingakapheli nenyanga, ngaphinde ngazaca. Udokotela wayecabanga ukuthi ngidayisa ukudla kwami ukuze ngithole ugwayi, kodwa ngamchazela ukuthi ngingomunye woFakazi BakaJehova futhi angibhemi. Ngahlala iminyaka engaphezu kwemibili kulelo kamu. Nakuba kwakuyimina ngedwa uFakazi kulelo kamu, babehlale bekhona abantu abathanda ukuzwa iqiniso futhi abanye babo bazamukela izindaba ezinhle.

Ngolunye usuku izihlobo zami zangithumelela INqabayokulinda ebhalwe kahle ngesandla. Ngakwazi kanjani ukuyithola, njengoba imfolomane yayiyibhekisisa ngokucophelela impahla ngayinye eyayifika ekamu? Phela, babethatha ikani balihlukanise kabili, bese esikhaleni esincane esisesinqeni bashumeke amakhasi ayo, ngaphezulu bamboze ngamafutha ayisinqumela. Imfolomane yabhoboza ikani kodwa yangathola lutho olusolisayo, yayisinginikeza lona. La “manzi aphilayo” angiqinisa kakhulu isikhashana esithile.—Joh. 4:10.

Ngo-October 1949 ngadedelwa singakapheli isigwebo sami, kwase kuthi ngo-November ngaphindela ekhaya e-Ukraine. Sathola ukuthi abazalwane abathile babeye eMoscow beyobhalisa umsebenzi wethu, kodwa kwabonakala sengathi iziphathimandla zazingazimisele ukubhalisa oFakazi BakaJehova eSoviet Union.

Ngobusuku buka-April 8, 1951, sagitsheliswa ezitimeleni kanye neminye imindeni yoFakazi BakaJehova, sathunyelwa eSiberia. Emasontweni amabili alandelayo, sase siphakathi eSiberia, edolobhaneni laseKhazan eSifundazweni Sase-Irkutsk.

Umbhalo ka-Isaya 54:2 othi, “Yelula izintambo zetende lakho, uzenze ziqine lezo zikhonkwane zakho zetende,” wasithinta izinhliziyo. Kwabonakala ukuthi sasigcwalisa lesi siprofetho. Ubani nje nempela kithi owayengaya ngokuzithandela eSiberia? Ngabona ukuthi kufanele senze izikhonkwane zethu ziqine ngangokunokwenzeka. Ngakho ngiye ngahlala eSiberia iminyaka engaphezu kuka-55.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 191, 192]

Angikaze Ngibe Nendawo Yokuhlala Ethi Mina

UVALENTINA GARNOVSKAYA

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1924

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1967

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wahlala iminyaka engu-21 emajele nasemakamu, engu-18 yayo yayingaphambi kokuba abhapathizwe. Ngaphambi kokuba ashone ngo-2001, uValentina wasiza abantu abangu-44 ukuba bafunde iqiniso.

MINA nomama sasihlala entshonalanga yeBelarus. Ngahlangana noFakazi BakaJehova ngo-February 1945. Kwafika umzalwane othile ekhaya kathathu wasitshengisa izinto ezithile eBhayibhelini. Nakuba ngingaphindanga ngambona, ngaqala ukushumayeza omakhelwane nabantu engangibajwayele. Iziphathimandla zangibopha, ngase ngigwetshwa iminyaka engu-8 emakamu. Ngathunyelwa eSifundazweni Sase-Ulyanovsk.

Ekamu nganginakisisa ezinye iziboshwa futhi ngilalela nezinto ezazixoxa ngazo, nginethemba lokuthola omunye woFakazi BakaJehova. Ngo-1948, ngezwa esinye isiboshwa sesifazane sikhuluma ngoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Igama laso kwakungu-Asya. Ngakujabulela kakhulu ukuxoxa naye ngezinto ezingokomoya. Ngokushesha kwafika abanye odade abathathu ekamu. Sasinezincwadi ezimbalwa, ngakho sasizama ukuhlangana ndawonye kaningi ngangokunokwenzeka.

Ngadedelwa ngo-1953, kodwa kwathi eminyakeni emithathu nengxenye eyalandela, ngaboshelwa ukushumayela, ngagwetshwa iminyaka eyishumi. Ngo-1957 ngadluliselwa ekamu laseKemerovo elalinodade abangu-180. Sasinezinsiza-kufundisa zeBhayibheli eziningi. Ebusika sasizifihla eqhweni, ehlobo sizifihle esikhotheni nasenhlabathini. Lapho siseshwa, ngangifihla izincwadi ngezandla ngokuthi ngembathe itshali emahlombe bese ngibamba umphetho walo ngezandla. Lapho ngidluliselwa kwamanye amakamu, ngangigqoka ikepisi engangilithungile engangifaka kulo omagazini abambalwa be-Nqabayokulinda.

Ekugcineni, ngathunyelwa ekamu laseMordvinia. Kuleli kamu kwakukhona iBhayibheli elalifihlwe endaweni ephephile. Sasilifunda kuphela uma kukhona lo dade owayenelungelo lokulibeka endaweni ephephile. Ngaphandle kwalesi sikhathi, iBhayibheli ngangigcine ukulibona kumzalwane owangifundisa iqiniso ngo-1945.

Ngemva kokudedelwa ngo-1967, ngathuthela edolobheni lase-Angren, e-Uzbekistan. Lapha, ngakwazi ukubonakalisa ukuzinikezela kwami kuJehova ngobhapathizo lwamanzi. Ngabonana nabazalwane okokuqala ngqa kusukela ngahlangana nalowaya mzalwane wokuqala. Phela, ngangihlale emakamu omame kuphela. Bonke abazalwane nodade ebandleni babeshiseka enkonzweni futhi ngavele ngabathanda. Ngo-January 1969, abazalwane abangu-8 kanye nodade abayisihlanu baboshwa ngenxa yokushumayela, ngangiphakathi kwabo. Ngagwetshwa iminyaka emithathu “njengomgulukudu oyingozi ngokukhethekile.” Ngavalelwa ngedwa kaningi ngenxa yokushumayela.

Ngangiqhuba izifundo zeBhayibheli nabantu abathakazelayo sizemboze ngengubo yokulala. Sasingavunyelwe ukuxoxa ngesikhathi sokwelula izinyawo. Uma ubanjwe ukhuluma, wawujeziswa ngokuthi uvalelwe wedwa. Sasisebenzisa izincwadi ezibhalwe ngesandla kuphela, esasilokhu sizikopisha.

Angikaze ngibe nendawo yokuhlala ethi mina. Zonke izimpahla zami zazihlala epotimendeni elilodwa, noma kunjalo ngangijabule futhi nganelisekile ngokuthi ngikhonza uJehova.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 200, 201]

Ingokomoya Lami Laqiniswa Umphenyi

UPAVEL SIVULSKY

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1933

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1948

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Bazama ngokuphindaphindiwe ukuthonya indlela yakhe yokucabanga ukuze ivumelane nendlela yokucabanga yamaSoviet, manje ukhonza njengomdala ebandleni laseRussia.

NGO-1958 ngaboshwa ngoba ngisekela ezenkolo. Iphoyisa langiyisa esitimeleni, lathi, “Mbuke okokugcina umkakho ngoba ngeke uphinde umbone.”

E-Irkutsk ngavalelwa esitokisini esikhethekile esasenzelwe ukuba ngikwazi ukuma kuphela. Ngemva kwalokhu ngavalelwa ngedwa izinyanga eziyisithupha ngaphambi kokuba icala lami liqulwe. Lapho ngiphonswa imibuzo ebusuku, abaphenyi babenza konke okusemandleni ukuze baqede ukholo lwami eBhayibhelini nokuthembela kwami enhlanganweni kaNkulunkulu. Ngamangalelwa ngokuthi ngenza imisebenzi yoFakazi BakaJehova engekho emthethweni. Ngezinye izikhathi babesebenzisa ubudlova, nakuba indlela yabo eyinhloko yokungigoba kwakuwukuzama ukuthonya indlela yami yokucabanga. Nganxusa uJehova ukuba angiphe amandla okuhlala ngithembekile. Wayelokhu enami.

Ngesinye isikhathi ngiphenywa, umphenyi wangibizela ehhovisi lakhe wathi, “Manje sizokubonisa ukuthi inhlangano yakho yenzani. Uzobe usuzibonela ukuthi umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu yini noma cha!”

Engigqolozele emehlweni, waqhubeka: “Kulo nyaka umhlangano wenu eNew York ubuthanyelwe abantu abangu-253 000 ezinkundleni ezimbili. Uma ucabangela ubukhulu balo mhlangano, uyazi ukuthi beningeke niphumelele ngaphandle kokusizwa i-CIA. Umhlangano ubuyizinsuku ezingu-8. Izihambeli bezivela emazweni ahlukahlukene, zifike ngezindiza, izitimela, imikhumbi kanye nangezinye izindlela zokuthutha abantu. Bekungenzeka yini konke lokhu ngaphandle kosizo lweziphathimandla? Ubani obengakhokha izindleko zomhlangano obusezinkundleni ezinkulu kangaka, izinsuku ezingu-8?”

Umphenyi wayesesakaza izithombe zagcwala phezu kwetafula. Esinye sazo kwakungesezihambeli zomhlangano zamukelana ngenjabulo, zigqoke nezingubo zomdabu ezimibalabala. Esinye kwakungesikaMfoweth’ uKnorr enikeza inkulumo, ezinye zibonisa ubhapathizo kanye noMfoweth’ uKnorr enikeza abasanda kubhapathizwa incwadi ethi “Intando Yakho Mayenziwe Emhlabeni.” Sasingakayitholi le ncwadi kodwa sezwa ngayo kamuva kuyi-Nqabayokulinda. Engithe njo emehlweni, umphenyi wathi: “Ikhuluma ngani le ncwadi? Ngenkosi yasenyakatho nalokho okuzokwenzeka kuyo. Bebengawuhlela kanjani oFakazi BakaJehova bebodwa? Siyazi ukuthi le mihlangano ithanyelwa amasosha aseMelika ukuze afunde kinina indlela okufanele ahleleke ngayo. Siyazi nokuthi omunye usozigidi unikele ngesizumbulu semali ukuze lo mhlangano ube yimpumelelo. Osozigidi abamane nje basaphaze imali ngaphandle kwesizathu!”

Lo mphenyi wayengasoze ayazi indlela engangizizwa ngayo ngaleso sikhathi. Kwaba sengathi ngangiyile kulowo mhlangano nakuba ngingazange ngiphumele ngaphandle kwejele. Ngezwa amandla ami evuseleleka. Ngangikudinga ngempela lokhu! UJehova wangibonisa umusa, wangibusisa ngokucebile. Manje ngase ngikulungele ukuqhubeka ngikhuthazela.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 214, 215]

Ebhayisikobho Kwakugcwele OFakazi BakaJehova

UVENERA GRIGORYEVA

UNYAKA AZALWA NGAWO 1936

ABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1994

UMLANDO WAKHE OMFUSHANE Wayengumdlali wezithombe ngawo-1960, wadlala indima ethile ebhayisikobho yamaSoviet eyayisakaza amanga ngoFakazi. Kusukela ngo-1995 uye wakhonza njengephayona elivamile eSt. Petersburg.

NGESIKHATHI ngiqala umsebenzi wami njengomdlali wezithombe ngo-1960, nganikezwa indima eyinhloko esithombeni sebhayisikobho ekhuluma ngoFakazi ethi God’s Witnesses [oFakazi bakaNkulunkulu], eyayibukiswa ezindaweni eziningi zaseSoviet. Le bhayisikobho yayikhuluma “ngehlelo elinonya loFakazi BakaJehova,” elaba nesandla ekufeni kweqhawekazi uTanya, engangidlala indawo yalo. Ngokwale ndaba, uTanya ubalekela leli “hlelo” ngesikhathi sasebusuku, engagqoke jazi kanti kunesiphepho seqhwa. Unyamalala eqhweni, ngemva kwalokho kuzwakale izwi lomuntu olandisa indaba selisho ngokukhulu ukudabuka, “Wafa kanjalo-ke uTanya Veselova.” Ngangiyithanda le ndaba futhi ngangikubheka njengelungelo ukuhlanganyela ekulweni noFakazi BakaJehova, nakuba izinto engangizazi ngabo kwakuyilezo engangizifunde endabeni engangiyidlala.

Le bhayisikobho yabukiswa ezindaweni zokubukela amabhayisikobho nasezindaweni zokuzijabulisa emadolobheni amaningi aseSoviet Union. Ngangiba khona lapho ibukiswa okokuqala endaweni ethile, bese ngiyavela esiteji lapho isiphelile. Ngaleso sikhathi, abantu baseSoviet babekholelwa yiyo yonke into ababeyibona kumabhayisikobho. Kwakuthi lapho ngiqhamuka esiteji, wonk’ umuntu aphefumulele phezulu, athi, “Uyaphila!” Ngemva kwalokho ngangichaza indlela le bhayisikobho eyayenziwe ngayo, kanye nendlela umqondisi ekanye nabantu ababenza izici zayo ezikhethekile, ababenze ngayo ukuba isiphepho seqhwa sibonakale singiphonsa emhosheni bese ngimbozwa yiqhwa.

Ngolunye usuku eVyshniy Volochek, eSifundazweni SaseKalinin (manje esibizwa ngokuthi iTver’), indawo yokubukela amabhayisikobho yayigcwele iphuphuma, kodwa ngalobu busuku izinto zenzeka ngendlela engajwayelekile. Lapho ibhayisikobho isiphelile, indoda esikhulile yeza kimina yangibuza imibuzo eyayiphathelene nenkolo kuphela, kodwa ngayiphendula ngendlela ebonisa ukuthi ngangingakholelwa ekutheni uNkulunkulu ukhona nokuthi uyena odale zonke izinto. Akekho noyedwa owaphawula ngebhayisikobho. Ngahlehla nyovane ngabuyela emuva kwesiteji, ngase ngibuza kumqondisi wohlelo, “Ubani lo engisanda kukhuluma naye?”

Waphendula, “Umholi wehlelo loFakazi BakaJehova. Empeleni leli hholo ligcwele bona kuphela.” Ngahlangana kanjalo-ke noFakazi BakaJehova, nokho ngingazi. Ngemva kwalokho, ngafuna ukufunda iBhayibheli kodwa angilitholanga ndawo. Ngashada nendoda yasePoland, sase sithuthela khona. Ngo-1977, kwangqongqoza odade ababili kwami futhi ngokushesha ngaqala ukufunda iBhayibheli nabo. Ngayithanda le ncwadi futhi saba abangane nalab’ odade. Ngo-1985, ubaba wagula kakhulu, ngakho mina nomyeni wami sathuthela eLeningrad (manje esiyiSt. Petersburg) ukuze siyomnakekela. Ngacela kuJehova ukuba angisize ngitholane noFakazi BakaJehova balapho.

Ekugcineni, ngaba omunye woFakazi BakaJehova. Sengikhonze iminyaka engu-12 njengephayona elivamile kanti uZdzisław, umyeni wami, yena uyinceku ekhonzayo ebandleni eliseSt. Petersburg.

Ngazi kokuhlangenwe nakho kwami ukuthi ‘ngokuklama isiphambeko ngobuqili,’ imboni yamabhayisikobho iyakwazi ukudukisa abantu abaningi. (Efe. 4:14) Ngesikhathi ngidlala kuleso sithombe sebhayisikobho yamaSoviet, ngangingakaze ngicabange ukuthi eminyakeni engu-30 elandelayo ngangiyoba omunye woFakazi BakaJehova.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 237]

INguqulo Yezwe Elisha NgesiRashiya

Sekuphele amakhulu eminyaka oFakazi BakaJehova bezisebenzisa ngempumelelo izinguqulo ezihlukahlukene zamaBhayibheli esiRashiya. Enye yazo yinguqulo yesigungu. Naphezu kolimi lwayo lwakudala kanye nokusebenzisa kwayo igama laphezulu izikhathi ezimbalwa, iye yasiza izinkulungwane zabafundi abakhuluma isiRashiya ukuba baqonde injongo kaNkulunkulu. Inguqulo kaMakarios, esebenzisa igama likaNkulunkulu izikhathi ezingaba ngu-3 000, nayo iye yaba usizo. Kodwa njengoba inani loFakazi baseRussia lalikhula, sakhula nesidingo senguqulo yeBhayibheli yesimanje, ecacile nenembile.

INdikimba Ebusayo yahlela ukuba INguqulo Yezwe Elisha ihunyushwe ngesiRashiya. Igatsha laseRussia lasebenza iminyaka engaphezu kweyishumi lenza lo msebenzi omkhulu wokuhumusha.

Ngo-2001 kwakhululwa INguqulo Yezwe Elisha YemiBhalo YamaKristu YesiGreki ngesiRashiya. Ngo-2007, kwakhululwa INguqulo Yezwe Elisha YemiBhalo Engcwele ephelele ngesiRashiya, okwajabulisa abafundi besiRashiya emhlabeni wonke. Le nguqulo entsha yaqale yakhululwa amalungu eNdikimba Ebusayo uTheodore Jaracz eSt. Petersburg, noStephen Lett eMoscow. Kwaduma ihlombe. Isasasa labonakala ngaso leso sikhathi. “Yeka ulimi olucacile noluqondakala kalula!” kubhala omunye udade. “Manje ukufunda imiBhalo Engcwele sekuyinjabulo enkulu nakakhulu.” Abaningi basho amazwi okubonga inhlangano afana nokuthi: “Yeka isipho esihle esivela kuJehova!” nathi “Sinibonga ngokusuka enhliziyweni.” Ngokungangabazeki ukukhululwa kwe-Nguqulo Yezwe Elisha ngesiRashiya kuyingqopha-mlando kubathandi beqiniso abakhuluma isiRashiya kuyo yonke indawo.

[Ibhokisi/Isithombe ekhasini 244, 245]

Ngosuku Olulodwa, Izinkinga Zethu Zaxazululeka

U-IVAN NONATALIA SLAVA

UNYAKA ABAZALWA NGAWO 1966 no-1969

UNYAKA ABABHAPATHIZWA NGAWO 1989

UMLANDO WABO OMFUSHANE Njengamaphayona, bathuthela lapho indingeko inkulu khona. U-Ivan usekhonza eKomitini Yegatsha YaseRussia.

MINA noNatalia sasuka e-Ukraine silibangise eRussia ekuqaleni kwawo-1990. ESifundazweni SaseBelgorod esasinabantu abacela esigidini nengxenye, babengafiki ngisho eshumini abamemezeli. Sasingangabazi—lena kwakuyindawo lapho ‘ukuvuna kwakukukhulu khona kodwa izisebenzi ziyingcosana.’—Math. 9:37.

Sasisanda kushada futhi kwadingeka sithole umsebenzi ukuze sizisekele. Nokho, isimo sezomnotho ezweni sasiya siwohloka, futhi abantu abaningi babelahlekelwa imisebenzi. Ukuze bathole ukudla okuyisisekelo, uhulumeni wakhipha amathikithi ayetholakala ezindaweni zomsebenzi. Njengoba thina sasingasebenzi, sasingenawo lawo mathikithi. Ngenxa yalokho, saphoqeleka ukuba sithenge ukudla okubizayo emakethe. Sasinenkinga futhi ngendawo yokuhlala, kwaze kwadingeka sihlale ehhotela. Ngemva kokukhokhela ikamelo izinsuku ezingu-20, sasingasenamali. Sasithandaza nsuku zonke kuJehova ukuba asisize sithole umsebenzi kanye nendawo yokuhlala engabizi. Sonke lesi sikhathi sasishumayela ngenkuthalo, sifuna abantu abaqotho. Lwafika usuku lwethu lokugcina sisehhotela. Ngemadlana eyayisele sathenga isinkwa nobisi. Ngesikhathi sesiyolala kusihlwa saphinde samnxusa uJehova ukuba asisize sithole umsebenzi nendawo yokuhlala ngoba ngakusasa ekuseni kwakufanele siphume kulelo hhotela.

Ekuseni saphashanyiswa ukukhala kocingo. Singalindele, umphathi wehhotela wangitshela ukuthi umzala wami wayengilinde endaweni yokwamukela izivakashi. Umzala wangipha imadlana, wayesengixoxela ukuthi wayesanda kuthola enhle ibhonasi le, ngakho uthanda ukungipha kuleyo mali. Kodwa akugcinanga lapho. Emizuzwini embalwa kamuva, umzalwane othile wasishayela ucingo esazisa ukuthi wayesitholele indawo yokuhlala eshibhile. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngalo lolo suku sathola umsebenzi wokunakekela amagceke enkulisa. Ngakho ngosuku olulodwa, izinkinga zethu zaxazululeka. Sase sinemali, indawo yokuhlala nomsebenzi. Akungabazekanga nakancane ukuthi uJehova wayeyizwile imithandazo yethu.

Ngo-1991 ababekhona eSikhumbuzweni eBelgorod babengu-55; ngemva konyaka inani lababekhona laba ngu-150. Ngonyaka olandelayo baba ngu-354. Ngo-2006, idolobha lase linamabandla ayisithupha nabamemezeli abangaphezu kuka-2 200 kulesi Sifundazwe SaseBelgorod.

[Ibhokisi ekhasini 250]

Izindaba Zamuva Eziphathelene Nomthetho

Ilungelo lethu lokukhulekela ngaphandle kokuphazanyiswa uhulumeni laqinisekiswa ngo-January 2007, ngesikhathi i-European Court of Human Rights (ECHR [iNkantolo YaseYurophu Yamalungelo Abantu]) ikhipha isinqumo esivuna thina, esathi “ukuhlangana koFakazi BakaJehova njengeqembu ukuze bafunde futhi baxoxe ngemibhalo yenkolo kuyindlela yabo eyamukelekayo yokukhulekela nokufundisa.”

Nakuba umsebenzi wabo wabekelwa imingcele edolobheni laseMoscow ngo-2004, abafowethu bayaqhubeka behlangana ngokukhululekile ukuze bakhulekele uNkulunkulu futhi bahlanganyele ngokugcwele ngangokunokwenzeka emsebenzini wokushumayela. Ngo-2007 abafowethu bakujabulela kakhulu ukugubha iSikhumbuzo futhi baba nemihlangano yesigodi eMoscow ngaphandle kokuphazanyiswa, njengoba kwakunjalo nakwezinye izindawo zaseRussia.

Nakuba zisekhona izinkinga ezingokomthetho, abafowethu bayaqhubeka belwa kanzima ukuze bamelane nokuphikiswa. Ngokwesibonelo, kwafakwa isicelo esisha kuyi-ECHR, esiphathelene nesenzo soMnyango Wamaphoyisa WaseLyublino sokuphazamisa iSikhumbuzo eMoscow ngo-April 12, 2006. Amaphoyisa abopha abafowethu abangu-14, aze asongela ngisho nommeli wabo ngommese. Nakuba isinqumo senkantolo yendawo ngokwezinga elithile savuna abafowethu, isinqumo sayo sashintshwa, kwathi nalapho abafowethu sebelidlulisile icala, labalahla. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngo-July 2007 kwamangalelwa izikhulu zikahulumeni ezihlukahlukene, eziye zenza uphenyo olungapheli nolungagunyaziwe mayelana nemisebenzi yethu engokwenkolo eSt. Petersburg.

[Ishadi/Igrafu ekhasini 228-230]

ISHADI LEZENZAKALO EZIPHAWULEKAYO​—ERussia

1890

1891 Ngenxa yokushumayela ngesibindi, uSemyon Kozlitsky udingiselwa empumalanga yoMbuso WaseRussia.

1904 Igatsha laseJalimane lithola izincwadi ezivela eRussia ezibonga izinsiza-kufundisa zeBhayibheli.

1910

1913 Uhulumeni waseRussia uqaphela ihhovisi labaFundi BeBhayibheli eFinland, ngaleso sikhathi eyayiyingxenye yoMbuso WaseRussia.

1923 I-Watch Tower Society ithola izincwadi eziningi ezicela ukuba izinsiza-kufundisa zeBhayibheli zithunyelwe eRussia.

1928 EMoscow, uGeorge Young wethula isicelo sokuba umsebenzi wabaFundi BeBhayibheli uvunyelwe eRussia. Iziphathimandla ziyenqaba ukuvuselela i-visa yakhe.

1929 Kusayinwa isivumelwano nesiteshi somsakazo eTallinn, e-Estonia. Izinkulumo zeBhayibheli zisakazwa emoyeni eLeningrad nakwamanye amadolobha.

1930

1939-40 I-USSR idla intshonalanga ye-Ukraine, iMoldova kanye namazwe aseBaltic. Ngaleyo ndlela, izinkulungwane zoFakazi BakaJehova ziba ngaphansi kwayo.

1944 Amakhulu oFakazi athunyelwa emajele nasemakamu okufukuzwa kuwo kulo lonke elaseRussia.

1949 OFakazi BakaJehova basuswa eMoldova badingiselwe eSiberia naseMpumalanga Ekude.

1950

1951 OFakazi abangaphezu kuka-8 500 abavela entshonalanga ye-Ukraine, eBelarus, eLatvia, eLithuania nase-Estonia badingiselwa eSiberia.

1956/57 Izihambeli ezazisemihlanganweni yesigodi engu-199 emhlabeni wonke zidlulisela isicelo senkululeko yokukhulekela kuhulumeni waseSoviet.

Ekupheleni kwawo-1950 OFakazi abangaphezu kuka-600 bayahlukaniswa futhi umuntu ngamunye uvalelwa yedwa ekamu elikhethekile laseMordvinia.

1965 Uhulumeni waseSoviet umisa umthetho omusha ogunyaza bonke abadingiselwa eSiberia ukuba bakwazi ukuhlala nakwezinye izindawo ezingaphandle kweSiberia. OFakazi abadingiselwe eSiberia bahlakazekela kulo lonke izwe.

1970

1989-90 Amalungu eNdikimba Ebusayo ahlangana nabafowethu baseRussia okokuqala ngqa. OFakazi base-USSR baya emihlanganweni ekhethekile ePoland.

1990

1991 Ngo-March 27, oFakazi BakaJehova bathola ukuqashelwa ngokomthetho eRussia.

1992/93 Kuba nemihlangano yezizwe eSt. Petersburg naseMoscow.

1997 Kunikezelwa igatsha laseRussia elisedolobhaneni laseSolnechnoye eduze kwaseSt. Petersburg.

1999 Kunikezelwa iHholo Lomhlangano lokuqala eRussia, eliseSt. Petersburg.

2000

2003 Ukunwetshwa kwegatsha kuyaphela.

2007 Amabandla angaphezu kuka-2 100 namaqembu angawodwa asebenza ngenkuthalo eRussia.

[Igrafu]

(Ukuze ubone ukuthi indaba ihlelwe kanjani, bheka encwadini)

Ingqikithi Yabamemezeli

Ingqikithi Yamaphayona

Ingqikithi Yabamemezeli

Ingqikithi Yamaphayona

Ingqikithi yabamemezeli emazweni angu-15 ayeyingxenye ye-U.S.S.R.

360,000

300,000

240,000

180,000

120,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 1990 2000

[Umdwebo/Ibalazwe ekhasini 218]

(Ukuze ubone ukuthi indaba ihlelwe kanjani, bheka encwadini)

Amanye amagatsha aye asiza ekudiliveni izincwadi kulo lonke izwe

GERMANY FINLAND

↓ ↓

Solnechnoye

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

BELARUS KAZAKHSTAN MOSCOW RUSSIA

JAPAN

↓

Vladivostok

↓

KAMCHATKA

[Amabalazwe ekhasini 116, 117]

(Ukuze ubone ukuthi indaba ihlelwe kanjani, bheka encwadini)

ARCTIC CIRCLE

ARCTIC OCEAN

North Pole

Barents Sea

Kara Sea

Laptev Sea

East Siberian Sea

Chukchi Sea

Bering Strait

SWEDEN

NORWAY

DENMARK

COPENHAGEN

GERMANY

POLAND

Lodz

WARSAW

Baltic Sea

FINLAND

ESTONIA

LATVIA

LITHUANIA

BELARUS

Brest

UKRAINE

L’viv

MOLDOVA

Caspian Sea

KAZAKHSTAN

ASTANA

Kengir

UZBEKISTAN

TASHKENT

Angren

CHINA

MONGOLIA

ULAANBAATAR

CHINA

Sea of Japan

JAPAN

TOKYO

Hokkaido

Sea of Okhotsk

Bering Sea

RUSSIA

Petrozavodsk

St. Petersburg

Solnechnoye

Kaliningrad

Novgorod

Vyshniy Volochek

MOSCOW

Tula

Orel

Kursk

Voronezh

Udarnyy

Vladimir

Ivanovo

Nizhniy Novgorod

Syktyvkar

Ukhta

Pechora

Inta

Novaya Zemlya

Vorkuta

URAL MTS.

SIBERIA

Yekaterinburg

Naberezhnye Chelny

Izhevsk

Saratov

Volzhskiy

Stavropol’

Pyatigorsk

Mt. El’brus

Nal’chik

Nartkala

Beslan

Vladikavkaz

CAUCASUS MTS.

Astrakhan

Volga River

Tomsk

Novosibirsk

Kemerovo

Krasnoyarsk

Novokuznetsk

Ust’-Kan

Aktash

Biryusinsk

Oktyabr’skiy

Bratsk

Vikhorevka

Tulun

Central Khazan

Zima

Zalari

Usol’ye-Sibirskoye

Kitoy

Angarsk

Irkutsk

Lake Baikal

Kirensk

Khabarovsk

Vladivostok

Korsakov

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk

Sakhalin

Yakutsk

Oymyakon

Ust’-Nera

Kamchatka

Chukchi Peninsula

Kolyma River

Khayyr

Noril’sk

[Ibalazwe ekhasini 167]

(Ukuze ubone ukuthi indaba ihlelwe kanjani, bheka encwadini)

Caspian Sea

Baltic Sea

Barents Sea

Kara Sea

ARCTIC OCEAN

North Pole

Laptev Sea

East Siberian Sea

Chukchi Sea

Bering Strait

Sea of Okhotsk

Sea of Japan

KAZAKHSTAN

CHINA

MONGOLIA

MURMANSK

PSKOV

TVER’

MOSCOW

BELGOROD

VORONEZH

ROSTOV

KABARDINO-BALKARIA

ALANIA

IVANOVO

NIZHEGOROD

MORDVINIA

ULYANOVSK

VOLGOGRAD

TATARSTAN

PERM’

KOMI REP.

URAL MTS.

SIBERIA

SVERDLOVSK

CHELYABINSK

KURGAN

TYUMEN’

OMSK

TOMSK

NOVOSIBIRSK

ALTAI

ALTAI REP.

KEMEROVO

KHAKASSIA REP.

KRASNOYARSK

TUVA REP.

IRKUTSK

BURYATIA

CHITA

SAKHA REPUBLIC

AMUR

KHABAROVSK

PRIMORSKIY KRAY

SAKHALIN

KAMCHATKA

[Isithombe ekhasini 66]

Ukuphuma kwelanga eNhlonhlweni YaseChukchi

[Izithombe ekhasini 68]

Lolu phawu, olubhalwe ngezilimi zesiRashiya nesiKazakh, lukhomba endaweni yaseSiberia iBukhtarma, lapho uSemyon Kozlitsky adingiselwa khona

[Izithombe ekhasini 71]

AbakwaHerkendell basebenzisa isikhathi seholide labo langemva komshado besiza abantu abakhuluma isiJalimane eRussia

[Izithombe ekhasini 74]

Amaphepha asemthethweni anikezwa uKaarlo Harteva (kwesokudla) lawo iNxusa Lombuso WaseRussia eNew York elawagxiviza ngesitembu sikahulumeni

[Isithombe ekhasini 80]

Ngo-May 1925, lo mhlangano wesiRashiya eCarnegie, ePennsylvania, wawunabantu abangu-250, kwabhapathizwa abangu-29

[Isithombe ekhasini 81]

Lo magazini wamemezela: “ISifundazwe SaseVoronezh sigcwele amahlelo”

[Isithombe ekhasini 82]

UGeorge Young

[Izithombe ekhasini 84]

Cishe kwaba iminyaka eyishumi u-Aleksandr Forstman ehumusha amapheshana, izincwajana nezincwadi eziyisa olimini lwesiRashiya

[Isithombe ekhasini 90]

URigina noPyotr Krivokulsky, ngo-1997

[Izithombe ekhasini 95]

U-Olga Sevryugina waba inceku kaJehova ngenxa ‘yezincwadi zamatshe’ zikaPyotr

[Isithombe ekhasini 100]

U-Ivan Krylov

[Izithombe ekhasini 101]

OFakazi ababedingisiwe bazakhela imizi eSiberia

[Isithombe ekhasini 102]

UMagdalina Beloshitskaya nomkhaya wakhe badingiselwa eSiberia

[Isithombe ekhasini 110]

UViktor Gutshmidt

[Isithombe ekhasini 115]

U-Alla ngo-1964

[Isithombe ekhasini 118]

USemyon Kostylyev namuhla

[Isithombe ekhasini 120]

Ukuqeqeshwa kukaVladislav Apanyuk ngeBhayibheli kwamsiza wanqoba uvivinyo lokholo

[Izithombe ekhasini 121]

Amaphoyisa athola le ncwajana ethi “Ngemuva Kwe-Armagedoni—Izwe Elisha LikaNkulunkulu” emzini kaNadezhda Vishnyak

[Isithombe ekhasini 126]

UBoris Kryltsov

[Isithombe ekhasini 129]

UViktor Gutshmidt nodadewabo (ngenhla), amadodakazi akhe nomkakhe, uPolina, sekusele cishe inyanga aboshwe ngo-1957

[Isithombe ekhasini 134]

U-Ivan Pashkovski

[Isithombe ekhasini 136]

Ngo-1959, umagazini obizwa ngokuthi “Ingwenya” wanyathelisa isithombe salezi zincwadi ezatholwa otshanini obomisiwe

[Isithombe ekhasini 139]

Ngaphansi kwale ndlu kwakunendawo yokunyathelisa eyatholwa i-KGB ngo-1959

[Isithombe ekhasini 142]

U-Aleksey Gaburyak wasiza ekubuyiseni ababehlakazekile

[Izithombe ekhasini 150]

Imishini yokunyathelisa yokuzakhela

I-Rotary press

I-Paper press

Umshini wokuncwela

Umshini wokuhlanganisa

[Isithombe ekhasini 151]

UStepan Levitsky, umshayeli webhasi, wakhuluma ngesibindi nomuntu onyathelisayo

[Isithombe ekhasini 153]

UGrigory Gatilov washumayeza abanye esitokisini ayekuso

[Izithombe ekhasini 157]

Izimbali ezinde zaba indawo enhle esithekile yokutadishela iBhayibheli nokuxoxa ngalo

[Isithombe ekhasini 161]

Ubukhulu bangempela be-“Nqabayokulinda” eyenziwe incwajana encanyana

[Isithombe ekhasini 164]

“Isiqondiso Sezwe Lase-USSR”

[Isithombe ekhasini 170]

Abafowethu babefihla “ingcebo” emapotimendeni anesikhala ohlangothini noma emabhuzwini abo

[Isithombe ekhasini 173]

U-Ivan Klimko

[Isithombe ekhasini 175]

Ibhokisi likamentshisi lalingafaka amakhophi amahlanu noma ayisithupha e-“Nqabayokulinda” ebhalwe ngamagama amancane ngangolwembu

[Isithombe ekhasini 184, 185]

Kuyo yonke iminyaka abayichitha ekamu laseMordvinia, akekho noyedwa umzalwane owaphuthelwa iSikhumbuzo

[Isithombe ekhasini 194]

UNikolai Gutsulyak washumayeza ngokwethukela umkamphathi wekamu

[Izithombe ekhasini 199]

Imihlangano Yezizwe

Ngo-1989 izihambeli zomhlangano ezivela eRussia zaya emihlanganweni yezizwe emithathu ePoland

EWarsaw

EChorzow

EPoznan

[Isithombe ekhasini 202]

Ngemva kokubhaliswa ngokomthetho, kusukela kwesobunxele kuya kwesokudla: UTheodore Jaracz, uMichael Dasevich, uDmitry Livy, uMilton Henschel, isisebenzi somnyango wezobulungisa, u-Anany Grogul, u-Aleksey Verzhbitsky noWilli Pohl

[Izithombe ekhasini 205]

UMilton Henschel unikeza inkulumo eMhlanganweni Wezizwe “Wabaphathi Bokukhanya” ngo-1992, eNkundleni Yemidlalo YaseKirov, eSt. Petersburg

[Isithombe ekhasini 206]

Kwathengwa isiza eSolnechnoye, eRussia

[Isithombe ekhasini 207]

U-Aulis no-Eva Lisa Bergdahl babephakathi kweqembu lokuqala lamavolontiya afika eSolnechnoye

[Isithombe ekhasini 208]

UHannu no-Eija Tanninen babelwa eSt. Petersburg

[Isithombe ekhasini 210]

Enomkakhe uLyudmila, uRoman Skiba wahamba amabanga amade emsebenzini wesigodi

[Isithombe ekhasini 220]

Abafowethu abasingatha izincwadi esikhumulweni semikhumbi eVladivostok

[Isithombe ekhasini 224]

U-Arno noSonja Tüngler bajabulele amalungelo amaningi esabelweni sabo eRussia

[Isithombe ekhasini 226, 227]

Umhlangano webandla ehlathini ngaseSt. Petersburg, ngo-1989

[Isithombe ekhasini 238]

Ihhovisi legatsha laseRussia lengamela ukuhunyushwa kwezi-ncwadi ngezilimi ezingaphezu kuka-40

[Isithombe ekhasini 243]

ISikole Senkonzo Samaphayona sokuqala esaba seSt. Petersburg, ngo-June 1996

[Izithombe ekhasini 246]

Ukushumayela eRussia

Emasimini eSifundazweni SasePerm’ naseNartkala

Emigwaqweni yaseSt. Petersburg

Endlini ngendlu eYakutsk

Ezimakethe zaseSaratov

[Izithombe ekhasini 252, 253]

Igatsha LaseRussia

Izakhiwo zokuhlala nendawo ezungezile uma uyibuka usemoyeni

[Isithombe ekhasini 254]

Kwaba nabangu-23 537 emhlanganweni wesigodi ka-2006 eMoscow

[Isithombe ekhasini 254]

INkundla Yemidlalo YaseLuzhniki