◼ Approximately 3,500 miles [5,500 km] west of Chita, a representative of the Russia branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses was invited to a special ceremony hosted by the administration of the district of St. Petersburg. The reason? After the snow has melted each year, local Witnesses help to clean up the litter that has accumulated on a 40-mile [60 km] stretch of road not far from the branch. Showing appreciation for this community spirit, an official formally presented a certificate of merit to the branch representative. The audience heartily applauded. Interestingly, when a host speaker at the ceremony mispronounced the divine name, Jehovah, several non-Witnesses in attendance quickly corrected him, showing that they were familiar with both God’s name and the people known by it.

[Picture on page 29]

The Russia branch received a certificate of merit