Wala Shihilɛ He Sane

Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ Sɛɛgbɛ ni Aaatao Tsutsu—Shihilɛ ko ni Yɔɔ Shweshweeshwe kɛ Miishɛɛ

TAAKƐ JETHA SUNAL GBA

Beni wɔye leebi nii wɔgbe naa lɛ, wɔnu adafitswaa yɛ redio lɛ nɔ akɛ: “Mla ekpɛlɛɛɛ Yehowa Odasefoi anɔ, ni átsĩ amɛnitsumɔ lɛ naa.”

ENƐ ba mli yɛ afi 1950 mli, ni no mli lɛ wɔyi ejwɛ ni ji yei ni wɔye kɛjɛ afii 20 kɛyaa lɛ miisɔmɔ yɛ Dominican Republic akɛ Yehowa Odasefoi amaŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛlɔi. Wɔshɛ jɛmɛ yɛ afi ni tsɔ̃ hiɛ lɛ mli.

Maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ jeee wala shihilɛ mli oti ni mikɛma mihiɛ kɛjɛ shishijee. Yɛ anɔkwale mli lɛ, ákɛ gbekɛ lɛ, mitee sɔlemɔ. Shi kɛlɛ, mitsɛ kpa sɔlemɔ yaa yɛ Jeŋ Ta I lɛ mli. Yɛ gbi ni akpɛlɛ minɔ awo Episcopal Sɔlemɔ lɛ mli yɛ afi 1933 lɛ nɔ lɛ, osɔfonukpa lɛ kane Biblia lɛ mli ŋmalɛ kuku kome ko pɛ, kɛkɛ ni ebɔi maŋkwramɔŋ saji ahe wiemɔ. Awo mli fũ aahu akɛ ekuuu esɛɛ eyaaa sɔlemɔ lɛ dɔŋŋ.

Wɔshihilɛ Batsake

Mifɔlɔi, ni ji William Karl kɛ Mary Adams lɛ fɔ bii enumɔ. Hii lɛ ji Don, Joel, kɛ Karl. Minyɛmi yoo Joy ji naagbee mɔ kwraa, ni mi ji onukpa. Ekolɛ eeenyɛ eba akɛ miye afii 13 beni mijɛ skul miba gbi ko ni mina Awo ni miikane wolo bibioo ko ni Yehowa Odasefoi fee lɛ. Ehiɛ saneyitso ni ji akɛ, The Kingdom, the Hope of the World (Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ, Je lɛ Hiɛnɔkamɔ). Ekɛɛ mi akɛ: “Anɔkwale lɛ nɛ.”

Awo gba wɔ fɛɛ nibii ni ekaseɔ kɛjɛɔ Biblia lɛ mli lɛ. Etsɔ ewiemɔi kɛ enifeemɔi anɔ eha wɔnu Yesu ŋaawoo ni ji akɛ: ‘Atao maŋtsɛyeli lɛ kɛ ejalɛ lɛ sɛɛgbɛ tsutsu’ lɛ shishi faŋŋ.—Mateo 6:33.

Jeee be fɛɛ be misumɔɔ akɛ mabo lɛ toi. Gbi ko lɛ, mikɛɛ akɛ: “Awo, kaashiɛ oha mi dɔŋŋ, kɛ jeee nakai lɛ mitsumɔŋ tsɛŋsii lɛ amli mihaŋ bo dɔŋŋ.” Shi etsɔ ŋaa gbɛ nɔ etee nɔ eshiɛ eha wɔ. Ekɛ wɔ fɛɛ ni no mli lɛ wɔji gbekɛbii lɛ fataa ehe be fɛɛ be kɛyaa Biblia mli nikasemɔi ni afeɔ yɛ  Clara Ryan, mɔ ni hi he ko ni kɛ wɔshia teŋ jɛkɛɛɛ lɛ shia lɛ mli yɛ Elmhurst, Illinois, yɛ U.S.A.

Clara tsɔɔ saŋkutswaa hu. Afi fɛɛ afi ni enikaselɔi lɛ baatswa saŋku yɛ nifeemɔ ko ni akɛkwɛɔ amɛhiɛyaa lɛ shishi lɛ, eŋɔɔ hegbɛ lɛ ni ekɛwieɔ Nyɔŋmɔ Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ kɛ gbohiiashitee lɛ he etsɔɔ. Akɛni misumɔɔ lala, ni mikase saŋkutswaa momo beni miye afii kpawo lɛ hewɔ lɛ, mibo nɔ ni Clara wie lɛ toi.

Etsɛɛɛ ni wɔ akɛ gbekɛbii lɛ, wɔkɛ Awo bɔi asafoŋ kpeei yaa yɛ Chicago anaigbɛ. Eji gbɛfaa kakadaŋŋ ko ni akɛ bɔs kɛ lɔle yaa, shi ebafee shishijee tsɔsemɔ ni akɛha wɔ yɛ nɔ ni Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ sɛɛgbɛ ni aaatao tsutsu lɛ tsɔɔ lɛ fã. Afii etɛ sɛɛ beni abaptisi Awo yɛ afi 1938 mli lɛ, mifata ehe kɛtee Yehowa Odasefoi akpee wulu ko yɛ Chicago. Enɛ ji maŋtiasei 50 ní akɛ nifeemɔ lɛ tsɔ tɛlifoŋ redio kpãai anɔ kɛtee mli lɛ ateŋ ekome. Nibii ni minu yɛ jɛmɛ lɛ ta mitsui mli.

Shi kɛlɛ, suɔmɔ ni miyɔɔ kɛha lala lɛ hu kã mitsui nɔ. Migbe nɔtsamɔ skul naa yɛ afi 1938 mli, ni Ataa eto gbɛjianɔ momo koni miyakase nii yɛ American Conservatory of Music yɛ Chicago. No hewɔ lɛ, yɛ afii enyɔ ni nyiɛ sɛɛ lɛ mli lɛ, mikase lala, mifata saŋkutswalɔi akui ahe kɛshwɛ jooi shii enyɔ, ni misusu he kɛji manyɛ mikɛ mihe awo nakai lalatswaa nitsumɔi lɛ amli kwraa.

Herbert Butler, tsɔɔlɔ ni tsɔɔ mi saŋkutswaa lɛ eshi Europa ni ebahi United States. No hewɔ lɛ, miha lɛ wolo bibioo ni gbɛi ji Refugees lɛ, * kɛ susumɔ akɛ ekolɛ ebaakane. Efee nakai, ni enɔ otsi beni migbe minikasemɔ naa sɛɛ lɛ, ekɛɛ akɛ: “Jetha, otswaa saŋku waa, ni kɛji otsa onikasemɔi lɛ anɔ lɛ, ekolɛ obaanyɛ oná nitsumɔ yɛ saŋkutswaa ni akɛtsɔɔ redio nɔ lɛ he nitsumɔhe ko mli aloo ni otsɔɔ lala.” Beni ekɛ ewao nyɛmɔɔ wolo lɛ nɔ lɛ ekɛɛ kɛfata he akɛ: “Shi misusuɔ akɛ otsui yɛ enɛ mli. Mɛni hewɔ ohaaa enɛ afee owala shihilɛ mli nitsumɔ?”

Mikɛ hiɛdɔɔ susu he waa diɛŋtsɛ. Yɛ nɔ najiaŋ ni matsa minikasemɔ lɛ nɔ yɛ lala kasemɔ he lɛ, mikpɛlɛ Awo ninefɔɔ akɛ mikɛ lɛ aya Yehowa Odasefoi akpee wulu ni afee yɛ Detroit, Michigan, yɛ July 1940 lɛ shishi lɛ nɔ. Wɔhi buui amli yɛ lɔlei wuji amaamɔhe lɛ. Yɛ anɔkwale mli lɛ, mikɛ misaŋku lɛ fata mihe kɛtee ni mifata he kɛtswa saŋku yɛ kpee wulu lɛ shishi. Shi mikɛ gbɛgbalɔi (be-fɛɛ sanekpakpa jajelɔi) babaoo kpe yɛ lɔlei wuji amaamɔhe lɛ. Amɛ fɛɛ amɛmii shɛ  amɛhe babaoo diɛŋtsɛ. Mikpɛ miyiŋ akɛ maha abaptisi mi koni maŋma gbɛbimɔ wolo kɛha gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ. Misɔle miha Yehowa koni eye ebua mi ni maya nɔ yɛ be-fɛɛ sɔɔmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli miwala gbii abɔ fɛɛ.

Mibɔi gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ yɛ mi diɛŋtsɛ mimaŋ lɛ mli. Sɛɛ mli lɛ, miyasɔmɔ yɛ Chicago. Yɛ afi 1943 mli lɛ, mifã kɛtee Kentucky. Yɛ nakai latsaa be lɛ mli beni eshwɛ fioo ni kpokpaa wulu nɔ kpee lɛ baaje shishi lɛ, afɔ̃ mi nine koni maya Gilead Skul klas ni ji enyɔ lɛ, he ni maná tsɔsemɔ kɛha maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛmɔ yɛ lɛ. No mli lɛ klas nifeemɔ lɛ baaje shishi September 1943.

Beni kpeei lɛ yaa nɔ yɛ nakai fɛ̃ibe lɛ mli lɛ, mikɛ Odasefonyo ko ni ha mi nɔ fɛɛ nɔ ni mitaoɔ lɛ kɛjɛ ebiyoo atadei anitoohe lɛ mli lɛ hi eshĩa lɛ. Ebiyoo lɛ kɛ ehe eyawo asraafoi anitsumɔ mli, ni ekɛɛ enyɛ koni ekɛ enibii fɛɛ ni eyɔɔ lɛ ake. Yɛ migbɛfaŋ lɛ, nɛkɛ hiamɔ nibii nɛɛ bafee Yesu shiwoo lɛ mlibaa akɛ: “Shi nyɛtaoa Nyɔŋmɔ maŋtsɛyeli lɛ kɛ ejalɛ lɛ tsutsu, ni akɛ nii nɛɛ fɛɛ aaafata he aha nyɛ.” (Mateo 6:33) Nyɔji enumɔ ni mikɛhi Gilead lɛ ba naagbee oya, ni beni migbe nikasemɔ lɛ naa yɛ January 31, 1944 lɛ, mikɛ miishɛɛ kpa gbɛ akɛ mabote maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli.

Amɛ Hu Amɛhala Be-Fɛɛ Sɔɔmɔ Nitsumɔ Lɛ

Awo kɛ ehe wo gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli yɛ afi 1942 mli. Yɛ nakai be lɛ mli lɛ, minyɛmimɛi hii etɛ kɛ minyɛmi yoo lɛ miiya skul lolo. Bei babaoo lɛ Awo haa amɛfataa ehe yɛ skul kpamɔ sɛɛ kɛha shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ. Etsɔɔ amɛ koni amɛye amɛbua kɛha shia nifeemɔi hu. Lɛ diɛŋtsɛ lɛ bei babaoo lɛ, etoɔ nii anɔ ni efeɔ nibii krokomɛi ni he hiaa lɛ kɛyashiɔ jenamɔ tuu bɔni afee ni enyɛ ekɛ ehe awo sɔɔmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli kɛ́ je tsɛre.

Yɛ January 1943, beni mitsuɔ gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ yɛ Kentucky lɛ, minyɛmi nuu Don hu kɛ ehe wo gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli. Ataa ni kpa gbɛ akɛ ebii fɛɛ baaná kɔleji tsɔsemɔ taakɛ lɛ kɛ Awo ná lɛ nijiaŋ je wui. Beni Don kɛ ehe ewo gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli nɔ ni miihe ashɛ afii enyɔ lɛ, afɔ̃ lɛ nine kɛtee Yehowa Odasefoi ajeŋ muu fɛɛ nitsumɔhe nine ni yɔɔ Brooklyn, New York lɛ, koni eyatsa ebe-fɛɛ sɔɔmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ nɔ akɛ nitsulɔi lɛ ateŋ mɔ kome.

Joel bɔi gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ yɛ June 1943 mli be mli ni eyɔɔ shĩa. Yɛ nakai be lɛ mli lɛ, ebɔ mɔdɛŋ akɛ ebaakɔne Ataa yiŋ koni eŋmɛ lɛ gbɛ ni eya kpeei, shi eyeee omanye. Shi kɛlɛ, beni Joel ebɔ mɔdɛŋ akɛ ebaaje shia Biblia mli nikasemɔ shishi yɛ akutso lɛ mli ni eyeee omanye lɛ, Ataa kpɛlɛ nɔ akɛ ekɛ lɛ akase nii kɛjɛ wolo ni ji “The Truth Shall Make You Free” lɛ mli. Eha sanebimɔi lɛ ahetoo yɛ gbɛ ni yɔɔ mlɛo nɔ, shi enyɛ Joel nɔ doo koni eha lɛ Ŋmalɛ mli nɔdaamɔ nɔ yɛ nɔ ni wolo lɛ kɛɔ lɛ he. No ye ebua Joel koni eha Biblia mli anɔkwale lɛ atsɔ enɔ.

Joel hiɛ kã nɔ akɛ, Selective Service Board (Ajinafoi Akuu ni Haa Mɔ Tsɔɔ Jamɔ ko Mli Sɔɔlɔ) ni ha Don ye ehe ni etsɔ jamɔŋ sɔɔlɔ lɛ, baafee nakai nɔŋŋ amɛha lɛ. Shi beni ajinafoi akuu lɛ na akɛ Joel ji oblanyo ni edako tsɔ̃ lɛ, amɛkpoo akɛ amɛaakpɛlɛ enɔ akɛ jamɔŋ sɔɔlɔ, ni amɛŋma wolo amɛyaha lɛ koni eba kɛha asraafoi anitsumɔ. Beni ekpoo gbɛjianɔ ni ato koni aha etsɔ asraafonyo lɛ, atsu koni ayamɔ lɛ. Beni FBI lɛ nine shɛ enɔ sɛɛ lɛ, aha eye gbii etɛ yɛ Cook County tsuŋwoohe lɛ.

Ataa kɛ wɔshĩa lɛ tsu nii akɛ mlidaamɔnɔ kɛjie lɛ. No sɛɛ lɛ, efee nakai nɔŋŋ eha Odasefoi oblahii krokomɛi ni kɛ shihilɛ ni tamɔ nakai nɔŋŋ kpe lɛ. Jalɛsane ni ayeee lɛ ha mitsɛ mli wo la, ni ekɛ Joel tee Washington, D.C., koni eyakwɛ akɛ aleenɔ ebaanyɛ etsɛ sane lɛ yisɛɛ koni  asaa akwɛ mli ekoŋŋ yɛ jɛmɛ lo. Naagbee lɛ, Joel nine shɛ nɔkpɛlɛmɔ ni etaoɔ lɛ nɔ akɛ jamɔŋ sɔɔlɔ, ni aŋmɛɛ sane lɛ he. Mitsɛ ŋma mi wolo yɛ mi-maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa nitsumɔ lɛ mli akɛ: “Esa akɛ wɔkɛ kunimyeli nɛɛ he yijiemɔ lɛ aha Yehowa!” Yɛ August naagbee gbɛ yɛ afi 1946 mli lɛ, afɔ̃ Joel hu nine koni eyasɔmɔ akɛ nitsumɔhe nine lɛ mli nitsulɔi lɛ ateŋ mɔ kome yɛ Brooklyn.

Karl kɛ ehe wo gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli shii abɔ yɛ eskul hejɔɔmɔ bei amli dani egbe nɔtsamɔ skul naa yɛ afi 1947 mli, ni ebɔi daa gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ. No mli lɛ, Ataa gbɔmɔtsoŋ hewalɛ miiba shi, no hewɔ lɛ Karl ye ebua lɛ kɛtsu enitsumɔ lɛ kɛyashi be ko dani eshi kɛyatsa gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ nɔ yɛ he kroko. Yɛ afi 1947 naagbee gbɛ lɛ, Karl yafata Don kɛ Joel he kɛsɔmɔ yɛ Brooklyn nitsumɔhe nine lɛ akɛ Betel weku lɛ mli bii lɛ ateŋ mɔ kome.

Beni Joy gbe nɔtsamɔ skul naa lɛ, ebɔi gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ. Kɛkɛ ni yɛ afi 1951 mli lɛ, eyafata enyɛmimɛi hii lɛ ahe yɛ Betel. Etsu nii akɛ tsũi amlisaalɔ ni etsu nii yɛ Woji Ashɛɛ Nitsumɔhe lɛ hu. Yɛ afi 1955 lɛ, ekɛ Roger Morgan ni ji Betel weku lɛ mli bii lɛ ateŋ mɔ kome lɛ bote gbalashihilɛ mli. Aaafee afii kpawo sɛɛ lɛ, akɛni amɛhala akɛ amɛaato amɛ diɛŋtsɛ amɛweku shishi hewɔ lɛ, amɛshi Betel. Yɛ be ni sa mli lɛ, amɛtsɔse bii enyɔ ní amɛ hu amɛmiisɔmɔ Yehowa.

Beni bii lɛ fɛɛ yɔɔ be-fɛɛ sɔɔmɔ lɛ mli lɛ, Awo kɛ hewalɛwoo ni he hiaa ha Ataa, ni lɛ hu ejɔɔ ewala nɔ eha Yehowa ni abaptisi lɛ yɛ afi 1952 mli. Yɛ afii 15 ni tsɔ hiɛ dani ebaagbo lɛ, ebafee mɔ ko ni he esa waa ni nyɛɔ etsɔɔ gbɛ̀i ni waaa nɔ eshiɛɔ Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ he anɔkwa saji lɛ ehaa mɛi krokomɛi, eyɛ mli akɛ helai kɛ gbɔjɔmɔi ba enɔ moŋ.

Beni Awo fo gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli be kukuoo ko sɛɛ yɛ Ataa hela lɛ hewɔ lɛ, Awo tee nɔ etsu gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ aahu kɛyashi egbele mli. Eheee lɔle gbi ko gbi ko; ni asaŋ etaaa baisikel hu. Eji mɔ ko ni kɛɛɛ, ni enyiɛɔ kɛyaa he fɛɛ he, ni bei pii lɛ kɛyaa maŋ lɛ mli hei ni jɛkɛ, koni eyafee Biblia mli nikasemɔi.

Maŋsɛɛ Sanekpakpa Shiɛmɔ Nitsumɔ lɛ Mlibotemɔ

Beni migbe Gilead Skul nikasemɔ lɛ naa sɛɛ lɛ, wɔteaŋ mɛi komɛi kɛ afi yatsu gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ yɛ New York City kooyigbɛ aahu kɛyashi wɔnine shɛ gbɛbimɔ kɛha gbɛfaa he woji ni sa lɛ anɔ. Yɛ naagbee mli, yɛ afi 1945 lɛ, wɔshi kɛtee wɔnitsumɔ lɛ mli yɛ Cuba, he ni wɔtsake wɔhe wɔwo shihilɛ hee ko mli fiofio yɛ lɛ. Ahere wɔshiɛmɔ lɛ nɔ bɔ ni sa, ni etsɛɛɛ ni wɔ fɛɛ wɔbɔi Biblia mli nikasemɔi babaoo feemɔ. Wɔsɔmɔ yɛ jɛmɛ afii babaoo. Kɛkɛ ni aha wɔ nitsumɔ kroko yɛ Dominican Republic. Gbi ko lɛ, mikɛ yoo ko kpe ni ebi koni miyasara ejarayelɔ French yoo ko ni atsɛɔ lɛ Suzanne Enfroy ni miitao yelikɛbuamɔ kɛha Biblia lɛ shishinumɔ lɛ.

Suzanne ji Yudanyo, ni beni Hitler yatutua France lɛ, ewu lɛ jie lɛ kɛ amɛbii enyɔ lɛ kɛtee maŋ kroko mli. Oya nɔŋŋ ni Suzanne bɔi mɛi krokomɛi nibii ni ekaseɔ lɛ tsɔɔmɔ. Klɛŋklɛŋ lɛ, ekɛ yoo lɛ ní bi koni miyasara lɛ lɛ gba sane, kɛkɛ ni ekɛ  Blanche ni ji enaanyo ko ni jɛ France lɛ hu wie. Amɛ fɛɛ amɛtee hiɛ kɛyashɛ baptisimɔ he.

Suzanne bi mi akɛ: “Mɛni manyɛ mafee koni mikɛye mabua mibii lɛ?” No mli lɛ, ebinuu lɛ miikase datrɛfonyo nitsumɔ, ni ebiyoo lɛ miikase joo, kɛ hiɛnɔkamɔ akɛ ebaajo yɛ Radio City Music Hall ni yɔɔ New York lɛ. Suzanne shɛ Buu-Mɔɔ kɛ Awake! woji tɛtrɛbii lɛ emaje amɛ. Nɔ ni jɛ mli ba ji akɛ, Suzanne binuu lɛ, eŋa, kɛ eŋa nyɛmi yoo ni ekɛ lɛ ji haaji lɛ fɛɛ batsɔmɔ Odasefoi. Suzanne wu Louis, she gbeyei yɛ suɔmɔ ni eŋa lɛ yɔɔ yɛ Yehowa Odasefoi ahe lɛ he akɛni yɛ nakai bei amli lɛ Dominican Republic nɔyeli lɛ etsĩ wɔnitsumɔ lɛ naa lɛ hewɔ. Shi beni weku muu lɛ fɛɛ fã kɛtee United States lɛ sɛɛ lɛ, naagbee lɛ, lɛ hu ebatsɔ Odasefonyo.

Atsĩ Nitsumɔ lɛ Naa Shi Wɔmiisɔmɔ Lolo

Eyɛ mli akɛ atsĩ Yehowa Odasefoi anitsumɔ lɛ naa yɛ 1949 yɛ Dominican Republic beni aha wɔ nitsumɔ yɛ jɛmɛ lɛ sɛɛ etsɛɛɛ moŋ, shi wɔfaishi ni wɔtswa ji akɛ wɔbaabo Nyɔŋmɔ toi akɛ Nɔyelɔ moŋ fe gbɔmɛi. (Bɔfoi lɛ Asaji 5:29) Taakɛ Yesu fã esɛɛnyiɛlɔi lɛ ni amɛfee lɛ, wɔtee nɔ wɔtao Nyɔŋmɔ Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ sɛɛgbɛ tsutsu kɛtsɔ ehe sanekpakpa lɛ ni wɔha mɛi le lɛ nɔ. (Mateo 24:14) Ni kɛlɛ, wɔkase bɔ ni ‘wɔhiɛ aaatɛ̃ tamɔ onufui, ni wɔɔfee kpoo tamɔ okpoi’ be mli ni wɔtsuɔ shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ. (Mateo 10:16) Ákɛ nɔkwɛmɔnɔ lɛ, misaŋku lɛ bafee yelikɛbuamɔ nɔ̃ kpele kɛha mi. Kɛji miyafee Biblia mli nikasemɔi lɛ, mikɛyaa. Minikaselɔi lɛ ebatsɔmɔɔɔ saŋkutswalɔi, shi moŋ wekui srɔtoi babaoo batsɔmɔ Yehowa sɔɔlɔi!

Beni naatsĩi lɛ ba sɛɛ lɛ, ajie wɔ ni ji oblayei ejwɛ—mi, Mary Aniol, Sophia Soviak, kɛ Edith Morgan—kɛjɛ maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛlɔi ashĩa ni yɔɔ San Francisco de Macorís lɛ mli kɛtee maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛlɔi ashĩa ko ni yɔɔ nitsumɔhe nine ni yɔɔ Santo Domingo, ni ji maŋtiase lɛ mli. Shi daa nyɔŋ nɔ lɛ, mifaa gbɛ kɛyaa he ni aje gbɛ akɛha wɔ ni wɔtsu mli nii lɛ koni miyatsɔɔ lala. No ha miná hegbɛ ni mikɛ mumɔŋ niyenii awo misaŋku baagi lɛ mli koni mikɛyaha wɔnyɛmimɛi Kristofoi lɛ, ní mikɛ amɛshiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ he akɔntaabui aku sɛɛ kɛba.

Beni awo nyɛmimɛi ni jɛ San Francisco de Macorís lɛ tsuŋ yɛ Santiago yɛ Kristofoi ashidaamɔ ni amɛkɔ akɛ amɛkɛ amɛhe woŋ maŋ saji amli lɛ mli hewɔ lɛ, abi koni mikɛ shika ayaha amɛ, ni kɛ aaahi lɛ, koni mikɛ Bibliai afata he, kɛ agbɛnɛ koni mikɛ amɛhe amaniɛbɔi abaha amɛwekumɛi. Yɛ Santiago tsuŋwoohe lɛ, beni bulɔi lɛ na misaŋku baagi lɛ yɛ miŋaashi lɛ, amɛbi akɛ, “Mɛni okɛ enɛ yaafee?” Miha hetoo akɛ: “Mikɛyaashɛje amɛmii.”

Lalai ni mitswa lɛ ateŋ ekome ji nɔ ni Odasefonyo ko ŋma beni eyɔɔ Nazi yiwalɛ ŋsara mli lɛ. Amrɔ nɛɛ nakai lala lɛ ji lala 29 ni yɔɔ Yehowa Odasefoi alala wolo lɛ mli lɛ. Mitswa lala lɛ bɔni afee ni wɔnyɛmimɛi ni awo amɛ tsuŋ lɛ anyɛ akase elámɔ.

Miná mile akɛ, ajie Odasefoi lɛ ateŋ mɛi babaoo kɛtee ŋmɔ ko ni ji Trujillo, maŋ nɔyelɔ nukpa lɛ nɔ̃ lɛ mli. Akɛɛ mi akɛ, eyɛ gbɛ ni bɔs lɛ baatsɔ nɔ lɛ masɛi. No hewɔ lɛ, aaafee shwane mli lɛ, miyi shi yɛ bɔs lɛ mli ni mibi ni atsɔɔ mi gbɛ ni  yaa ŋmɔ lɛ mli lɛ. Mɔ ko ni yɔɔ shwapo bibioo ko ni ji lɛ diɛŋtsɛ enɔ̃ mli lɛ kɛ ewao tsɔɔ mi he ni ŋmɔ lɛ yɔɔ yɛ gɔji lɛ asɛɛ ni ekɛɛ akɛ ekɛ ekpɔŋɔ lɛ kɛ gbekɛ nuu ko hu ni baatsɔɔ mi gbɛ lɛ baaha mi kɛji mashi misaŋku lɛ akɛ shiwoo nɔ̃ lɛ.

Ehe bahia ni wɔfo faa yɛ nakai gɔji lɛ asɛɛ, beni wɔyi enyɔ lɛ fɛɛ tara okpɔŋɔ lɛ nɔ ni esereɔ lɛ. Wɔna akooi akuu ko, ni tsɛji tamɔ baaŋmɔŋ kɛ bluu su ni tsakeɔ ni miikpɛlɛ yɛ hulu lɛ nɔ. Amɛyɛ fɛo jogbaŋŋ diɛŋtsɛ! Misɔle akɛ: “Miidao shi, Yehowa, akɛni ofee amɛ fɛfɛo lɛ hewɔ.” Naagbee lɛ, wɔyashɛ ŋmɔ lɛ mli beni atswa shwane ŋmɛji ejwɛ. Asraafonyo ni kwɛɔ nyɛmimɛi lɛ anɔ lɛ jɛ mlihilɛ mli eha mikɛ amɛ wie, ni eŋmɛ mi gbɛ koni mikɛ nibii fɛɛ ni mikɛba ni Biblia bibioo ko fata he lɛ aha amɛ.

Beni mikuɔ misɛɛ lɛ, misɔle aahu yɛ gbɛ lɛ nɔ, ejaakɛ je ena. Wɔbashɛ shwapo lɛ naa ekoŋŋ ní wɔhe efɔ tsɔtsɔɔtsɔ yɛ nugbɔ ni nɛ lɛ hewɔ. Akɛni naagbee bɔɔsu kɛha gbi lɛ etee momo hewɔ lɛ, mibi shwapotsɛ lɛ koni ewa lɔle ni miiho lɛ eko eha mi. Ani oshara ko baŋ kɛji akɛ mikɛ hii enyɔ ni yɔɔ tsɔne lɛ mli lɛ tee? Amɛteŋ mɔ kome bi mi akɛ: “Ani ole Sophie? Ekɛ minyɛmi yoo kase nii.” Mimu sane naa akɛ enɛ ji hetoo ni Yehowa kɛha misɔlemɔ lɛ! Amɛkɛ mi tee Santo Domingo shweshweeshwe.

Mifata mɛi ni jɛ Dominican Republic ni tee Yehowa Odasefoi amajimaji ateŋ kpee yɛ Yankee Stadium ni yɔɔ New York lɛ yɛ afi 1953 mli lɛ ahe. Miweku muu lɛ fɛɛ, ni mitsɛ fata he lɛ tee eko. Beni akɛ amaniɛbɔɔ ni kɔɔ bɔ ni shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ yaa nɔ ehaa yɛ Dominican Republic lɛ eha sɛɛ lɛ, mi kɛ Mary Aniol, ni fata mihe yɛ maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli lɛ ná nifeemɔ lɛ mli gbɛfaŋnɔ be kukuoo ko kɛfee bɔ ni wɔtsu wɔshiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ he nii wɔha yɛ naatsii shishi lɛ he nɔkwɛmɔnɔ.

Gbɛfaa Nitsumɔ Mli Miishɛɛnamɔi Krɛdɛɛi

Yɛ nakai hulutsoo be lɛ mli lɛ, mikɛ Rudolph Sunal ni batsɔ miwu yɛ afi ni nyiɛ sɛɛ lɛ mli lɛ kpe. Eweku lɛ tsɔmɔ Odasefoi yɛ Allegheny, Pennsylvania, yɛ Jeŋ Ta I lɛ sɛɛ etsɛɛɛ. Beni áwo lɛ tsuŋ akɛ Kristofonyo ni kɛ ehe wooo maŋ saji amli yɛ Jeŋ Ta II be lɛ mli sɛɛ lɛ, ekɛ ehe ha kɛha Betel sɔɔmɔ yɛ Brooklyn, New York. Beni wɔbote gbalashihilɛ mli sɛɛ etsɛɛɛ nɔŋŋ ni afɔ̃ lɛ nine koni eyasara asafoi akɛ nɔkwɛlɔ gbɛfalɔ. Yɛ afii 18 ni nyiɛ sɛɛ lɛ amli lɛ, mifata ehe yɛ kpokpaa nɔkwɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli.

Wɔ kpokpaa nɔ sɔɔmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ ha wɔtee Pennsylvania, Verginia Anaigbɛ, New Hampshire, kɛ Massachusetts, kɛ hei krokomɛi. Bei babaoo lɛ wɔkɛ wɔnyɛmimɛi Kristofoi lɛ hiɔ shi yɛ amɛshiai amli. Eji miishɛɛ krɛdɛɛ akɛ wɔɔle amɛ jogbaŋŋ ni wɔkɛ amɛ afee ekome kɛsɔmɔ Yehowa. Suɔmɔ kɛ gbɔfeemɔ su ni ajie lɛ kpo atsɔɔ wɔ lɛ ji nɔ ni jɛ hedɔɔ kɛ tsui krɔŋŋ mli diɛŋtsɛ be fɛɛ be. Beni Joel kɛ Mary Aniol ni ji mitsutsu maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ hefatalɔ lɛ ebote gbalashihilɛ mli sɛɛ lɛ, amɛkɛ afii etɛ hi gbɛfaa nitsumɔ lɛ mli kɛsara asafoi ni yɔɔ Pennsylvania kɛ Michigan lɛ. Sɛɛ mli yɛ afi 1958 lɛ, afɔ̃ Joel nine koni ebatsɔ Betel weku lɛ mlinyo ekoŋŋ, ni yɛ nɛkɛ be nɛɛ mli lɛ Mary fata he.

 Beni Karl kɛ nɔ ni shɛɔ aaafee afii kpawo esɔmɔ yɛ Betel sɛɛ lɛ, aha etee kpokpaa nɔkwɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli nyɔji fioo koni ená niiashikpamɔi babaoo. Yɛ no sɛɛ lɛ, ebatsɔ tsɔɔlɔ yɛ Gilead Skul lɛ. Yɛ afi 1963 lɛ, ekɛ Bobbie, mɔ ni kɛ anɔkwayeli sɔmɔ yɛ Betel kɛyashi egbele mli yɛ October 2002 mli lɛ bote gbalashihilɛ mli.

Beni Don kɛ afii babaoo sɔmɔɔ yɛ Betel lɛ, efãa gbɛ be kɛ beaŋ kɛyaa maji krokomɛi anɔ koni eyasɔmɔ mɛi ni tsuɔ nii yɛ nitsumɔhe niji kɛ maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛmɔ nitsumɔi amli lɛ. Enitsumɔi lɛ kɛ lɛ etee Orient, Afrika, Europa, kɛ Amerika maji krokomɛi amli. Bei babaoo lɛ, Don hefatalɔ anɔkwafo, Dolores, fataa ehe kɛfaa gbɛ lɛ.

Wɔshihilɛ Gbɛ̀i Batsake

Mitsɛ gbo beni ehe eye be saŋŋ sɛɛ, shi dani ebaagbo lɛ ekɛɛ mi akɛ emii eshɛ ehe waa akɛ wɔhala akɛ wɔbaasɔmɔ Yehowa Nyɔŋmɔ. Ekɛɛ akɛ wɔnine eshɛ jɔɔmɔi babaoo nɔ diɛŋtsɛ fe bɔ ni kulɛ ebaaji, eji wɔkɛ wɔhe wo kɔleji nikasemɔ ni eto eyiŋ yɛ he eha wɔ lɛ mli kulɛ. Beni miye mibua Awo ni eto enibii kɛshi he ni eyɔɔ lɛ kɛba he ko ni bɛŋkɛ he ni minyɛmi yoo Joy yɔɔ lɛ sɛɛ lɛ, mi kɛ miwu kpɛlɛ gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔi srɔtoi anɔ yɛ New England bɔni afee ni wɔbɛŋkɛ he ni emami ní wɔyelikɛbuamɔ he miihia lɛ yɛ nakai beaŋ lɛ yɔɔ lɛ. Beni emami gbo lɛ, minyɛ awo kɛ wɔ bahi shi afii 13. Kɛkɛ lɛ, yɛ January 18, afi 1987 mli lɛ, egbe eshikpɔŋ nɔ nitsumɔ naa beni eye afii 93.

Bei pii lɛ, kɛ́ Awo nanemɛi jie eyi akɛ enyɛ etsɔse ebii lɛ fɛɛ koni amɛná suɔmɔ amɛha Yehowa ni amɛsɔmɔ lɛ lɛ, ekɛ heshibaa haa hetoo akɛ: “‘Shikpɔŋ’ kpakpa kɛkɛ miná ni mikɛtsu nii yɛ mli.” (Mateo 13:23) Mɛɛ jɔɔmɔ eji akɛ wɔɔná fɔlɔi ni sheɔ Nyɔŋmɔ gbeyei ni fee ekãa kɛ heshibaa he nɔkwɛmɔnɔ kpakpa amɛha wɔ nɛkɛ!

Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ Miiye Klɛŋklɛŋ Gbɛhe Lolo

Wɔ́tee nɔ wɔkɛ Nyɔŋmɔ Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ eye klɛŋklɛŋ gbɛhe yɛ wɔshihilɛ mli ni wɔbɔ mɔdɛŋ hu akɛ wɔkɛ Yesu ŋaawoo ni kɔɔ mɛi krokomɛi ni akɛ amɛ aaaja nibii ni ayɔɔ lɛ he lɛ etsu nii. (Luka 6:38; 14:12-14) Nɔ ni ejɛ mli kɛba ji akɛ, Yehowa ejɛ mlihilɛ mli eduro wɔ wɔhiamɔ nii. Wɔwala shihilɛ efee nɔ ni yɔɔ shweshweeshwe kɛ miishɛɛ.

Suɔmɔ ni mi kɛ Rudy yɔɔ kɛha lala lɛ elaajeko. Eji be ni yɔɔ miishɛɛ kɛji mɛi ni yɔɔ suɔmɔ ni tamɔ nakai nɔŋŋ lɛ ba wɔshĩa gbɛkɛ kɛha hiɛtserɛjiemɔ, ni wɔfee ekome kɛtswatswai wɔsaŋkui lɛ. Shi jeee lalatswaa ji nitsumɔ ni mitsuɔ. Eji shihilɛ mli miishɛjemɔ nɔ kroko. Amrɔ nɛɛ, mi kɛ miwu náa miishɛɛ akɛ wɔɔna yibiiwoo ni ejɛ wɔ-gbɛgbamɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli kɛba, ni ji mɛi ni wɔye wɔbua amɛ yɛ afii ni tsɔ hiɛ lɛ amli lɛ.

Yɛ gbɔmɔtsoŋ hewalɛnamɔ he naagbai ni wɔkɛkpeɔ lɛ fɛɛ sɛɛ lɛ, manyɛ makɛɛ akɛ wɔwala shihilɛ efee nɔ ni yɔɔ miishɛɛ waa diɛŋtsɛ kɛ shweshweeshwe yɛ nɔ ni fa fe afii 60 ni wɔkɛhi be-fɛɛ sɔɔmɔ lɛ mli lɛ. Daa leebi kɛ mite shi lɛ, midaa Yehowa shi akɛ eha misɔlemɔ lɛ hetoo beni mibote be-fɛɛ sɔɔmɔ lɛ mli yɛ afii babaoo ni eho nɛ lɛ, ni misusuɔ he akɛ, ‘Ŋmɛnɛ, mɛɛ gbɛ nɔ matsɔ matao Maŋtsɛyeli lɛ sɛɛgbɛ tsutsu?’

[Shishigbɛ niŋmaa]

[Mfoniri ni yɔɔ baafa 24]

Wɔ weku lɛ yɛ afi 1948 mli (kɛjɛ abɛkugbɛ kɛmiiya ninejurɔgbɛ): Joy, Don, Awo, Joel, Karl, mi, kɛ Ataa

[Mfoniri ni yɔɔ baafa 25]

Awo fee ekãa he nɔkwɛmɔnɔ yɛ shiɛmɔ nitsumɔ lɛ mli

[Mfoniri ni yɔɔ baafa 26]

Mi, Karl, Don, Joel, kɛ Joy, amrɔ nɛɛ, yɛ afii ni fa fe 50 sɛɛ

[Mfoniri ni yɔɔ baafa 27]

Kɛjɛ abɛkugbɛ kɛmiiya ninejurɔgbɛ: Mi, Mary Aniol, Sophia Soviak, kɛ Edith Morgan akɛ maŋsɛɛ sanekpakpa shiɛlɔi yɛ Dominican Republic

[Mfoniri ni yɔɔ baafa 28]

Mikɛ Mary (abɛkugbɛ) yɛ Yankee Stadium, 1953

[Mfoniri ni yɔɔ baafa 29]

Mikɛ miwu beni eyɔɔ kpokpaa nitsumɔ lɛ mli lɛ