Blessings "in Favorable Times and Difficult Times"/AS TOLD BY TROPHIM R. NSOMBA

BLESSINGS EVEN IN DIFFICULT TIMES

In July 1984, I joined the 81 Witnesses at Dzaleka Prison. There, 300 prisoners were crowded together, sleeping on the floor shoulder to shoulder. Gradually, we Witnesses were able to divide ourselves into small groups to consider a scripture each day, which different ones would suggest. That gave us much encouragement. 

Then the prison warden separated us from the other prisoners.  A guard secretly told us:  "The government doesn't hate you. We keep you in prison for two reasons:  The government fears that you will be killed by the Young Pioneers, and because you preach that their soldiers will disappear during that war."

In October 1984, all of us had to appear in court.  We received a two-year prison sentence.  As before, we were put in with non-Witnesses. But the prison warden announced to all:  "Jehovah's Witnesses don't smoke cigarette.  So guards, don't trouble them by asking them for a cigarette and don't send them to collect a burning piece of  charcoal to light your cigarette.  They  are God's people!  All of Jehovah's Witnesses should be given food twice a day, since they are not here for crimes but because of their beliefs in the Bible. 

We benefited from our fine reputation in other ways as well.  When it was dark or rainy, prisoners were not allowed  to move about. But we were permitted  to leave the building whenever we wanted to.  They knew that we would not try to escape. In fact, when a guard fell ill while watching us as we worked in the fields, we carried him back to the prison compound for treatment.  The prison officials  knew that we could be trusted. So by maintaining our fine conduct, we were blessed to see Jehovah's name glorified through the mouth of our captors. -1 Peter 2:12.  

Next time: Blessings "in Favorable Times and Difficult Times"/AS TOLD BY TROPHIM R. NSOMBA -  A FAVORABLE TIME IS HERE AGAIN

From the Watchtower magazine