How did the good news reach those far-flung areas? Some of the brothers who were punished with exile for their irrepressible preaching work were allowed to choose their place of exile. Brother Kouzounis, from Kaválla, was exiled to the Chalcidice prefecture in 1938. After asking Jehovah for guidance, he chose the village of Nea Simantra. When the villagers there asked why he was exiled, he would tell them it was because he was a Christian. This thought-provoking answer led to many discussions​—and he handled the Scriptures quite capably. In time a congregation was established in Nea Simantra. From there the good news spread to Galátista, where another congregation was formed. In Nea Moudania a group of women became believers​—Sisters Mastoraki, Stampouli, and Nteniki. They taught others in Floyita, with the result that a congregation was formed there as well. The truth then spread to Kassándra.

The work in the rural areas was challenging. When they distributed the tract Ecclesiastics Indicted, the Witnesses were sometimes detained in police stations and then brought before the courts. But persecution strengthened their faith and zeal for the Kingdom. The result was that from 1930 onward, the congregation in Kalamaki steadily increased in number.