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Not long after Simeon's birth, a missionary at a Baptist Missionary Society, based in Angola, had a dream. He dreamed that a Great King had been born in the region under his ministry. He decided to go looking for this baby. Requesting guidance from the Holy Spirit, he came to the baby Simeon Toko. Staring at an infant so rachitic, like a "weak and tender plant", and with so blemished a little face, he shook his head. Doubt had come to stay. He asked one or two questions and left, feeling victimised by his dream and the voice that had led him there. Not long after Simeon's birth, a missionary at a Baptist At precisely midnight, a strong wind shook the house and the Missionary Society, based in Angola, had a dream. He dreamed _ Holy Spirit possessed everyone at the prayer meeting, with the that a Great King had been born in the region under his ministry. exception of a man called Sansio Alphonse, the choir leader. He decided to go looking for this baby. God let him remain in an ordinary frame of mind so that he could Requesting guidance from the Holy Spirit, he came to the baby write down the testimonials and miracles taking place before his Simeon Toko. Staring at an infant so rachitic, like a "weak and dumbfounded eyes. Many in the group were speaking in tongues. tender plant", and with so blemished a little face, he shook his Some saw heavenly light and heard celestial voices; others were head. Doubt had come to stay. He asked one or two questions able to communicate clearly with people several kilometres from and left, feeling victimised by his dream and the voice that had where the prayer was taking place. led him there. The excitement about the miracles that happened at this new Pentecost led Simeon Toko's followers to spread all over town A Powerful Mission and start preaching the building of God's Kingdom. This attracted In 1949, Simeon attended an international conference of the attention of Belgian colonial authorities, who viewed the Protestants in Leopoldville (currently called Kinshasa). During activity as a threatening commotion. this event, the ceremonial masters asked three Africans from Within about three months, the police began jailing the preach- Angola to pray. Those selected were Gaspar de Almeida, Jesse ers. They were jailed and prosecuted as promptly as were the Chiulo Chipenda and Simeon Toko. Simeon Toko asked in his Kimbanguists, the followers of Simeon Toko's Messenger, Simon public prayer that the Holy Spirit manifest in Africa to put an end Kimbangu—who himself was imprisoned from 1921 until his to the abuses of the colonial powers. death in 1951. Some were beheaded, burned Toko became a dedicated member of the alive in their homes, drowned in the river or Baptist Church in Itaga. He formed a shot without being prosecuted. Finally, the singing choir of 12 people. Instantly this colonialists decided to deport them. The choir became famous, and from 12 members wives, husbands and children were separated it grew into hundreds. At each of the choir i from their families and homes by hundreds performances, whether at their church or Then the unbelievable and even thousands of kilometres. while visiting another church, the Holy happened. Before When miracles started taking place among Ghost manifested with such a power that A the new followers of "Kimbangu", the white missionaries suspected young Toko of Canhandi and the two Belgian authorities tried to suffocate this ossessing black-magic powers. Jealously, Portuguese accomplices, new Messianic group at once. the missionaries summoned him to abandon R On 22 October 1949, Simeon Toko and his "dark practices". He responded to them the body of Simeon Toko 3,000 of his companions were put into two y saying: "But if we are praying to the recomposed itself! different jails, Ofiltra and Ndolo. After three same God, how come when I pray, and . months in the jails, a decree was passed there is a manifestation of the Holy Simeon Toko stood up! to deport them out of the country. This Ghost, you accuse me of sorcery? Is it Canhandi could not is when Simeon Toko started revealing believe his eyes. The ecause I am an African that my Himself. prayers couldn't possibly be answered? The Belgian administrator of the jail Portuguese ran away in terror. Does the Holy Spirit discriminate in Ndolo was named Pirote. He abused against Africans, too?" (See 1 Samuel the "Tokoist" prisoners, hurling racist 0:10.) insults. He always ended with: "Filthy But the missionaries were fed up nigger, you're going back to nigger with him and decided to exclude him country in Angola!" from the church. Then what was meant Tired of this abuse, Simeon Toko to happen, happened. All those who replied sharply to Pirote: "Know that if ad joined the church on the inspiration there is a stranger here, it is you! To of Simeon's magnificent choir left the show you that I am home, the day you church with him. The question was make the injustice of deporting me whether Simeon Toko would abandon these followers or keep from Belgian Congo, I'll have you carrying my bags alongside them with him. me!" Simeon Toko held up both hands, spread out his fingers, and He decided to keep them with him, realising all the same that a told the abusive Belgian to count them. He said: "I give 10 years very harsh duty awaited him. He decided to pray again to his to the Belgians, not one more or less, to leave this country!" Father, repeating the same prayer he had made three years before No one at that time comprehended these sibylline words. at the Baptist conference. However, the disciples of Simeon Toko understood later: the day On 25 July 1949, Simeon and 35 members of his choir met on a they were deported, Pirote fell dead. He was gripped with an street called Mayenge, at the house of a man named Vanga apparent heart attack while working in his office, and died as sud- Ambrosio. The choir began to sing, waiting for the time to pray. denly as though a bullet had struck him squarely. Shortly before midnight, Simeon Toko lifted his eyes to the sky As for the other mysterious statement made by Simeon Toko: and he addressed this prayer to his Father: "Father, I know you 10 years later, in 1960, the Belgians were obliged to leave their always answer my prayers. Now look; consider these sheep you _ rich colony of Congo. But to impel this event, Simeon Toko have sent to me. This duty is so immense that without the Holy "unleashed his army". This incredible story is very well known Spirit, the Comforter, we will never be able to achieve what you throughout central Africa, and will be reported in greater detail in intended. The prayer I addressed to you three years ago, didn't another book. The event was witnessed by thousands of people you hear it?" on 4 January 1959. Some of the author's own relatives were there, happened. Before _Canhandi and the two recomposed itself! Simeon Toko stood up! Canhandi could not The Portuguese ran away in terror. 64 = NEXUS Then the unbelievable believe his eyes. — www.nexusmagazine.com AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2001