The Finland branch was asked to help with the construction project. In September 1992 the first group of volunteers from Finland came to Solnechnoye. Aulis Bergdahl, one of the brothers from the group who later became a member of the Branch Committee, recalls: “My wife, Eva Lisa, and I joyfully accepted the invitation to help build a Bethel in Russia. It was obvious to us that Jehovah was directing the work. Our brothers from around the world were supporting the project.”

Alf Cederlöf, the construction overseer from Finland, and his wife, Marja-Leena, were a source of inspiration to all the brothers at the construction site. The members of the Finland Branch Committee were also very encouraging. Brothers from Brooklyn headquarters visited Solnechnoye during the construction. Aulis recalls: “In 1993, Milton Henschel visited us after the international convention in Moscow. He was very encouraging both in his talks to the volunteers on the site and in his private conversations with them.”

There were about 700 volunteers​—from Scandinavia, Europe, America, Australia, Russia, and the other former Soviet republics—​working on the Bethel construction. They came from various cultures and backgrounds and had different work methods. But the work was accomplished, as Zechariah 4:6 says, “‘not by a military force, nor by power, but by my spirit,’ Jehovah of armies has said.” Jehovah was indeed building this “house.” (Ps. 127:1) Russian brothers willingly offered themselves for the Kingdom work. Most were young and new in the truth, but many of them had already started pioneer service. They were eager to learn how to do quick, high-quality construction and how to handle matters regarding the theocratic organization.

[Picture on page 207]

Aulis and Eva Lisa Bergdahl were among the first group of volunteers to arrive in Solnechnoye