With only a couple of days to spare, the Myanmar embassy in Washington issued the Hindals a visa to enter the country. God answered prayer and this long awaited trip was about to become a reality.
The Chin State of Myanmar is closed to all foreign visitors consequently the leaders of the Chin Association of Baptist Churches (CABC) arranged for the conference to be held in the city of Kalemyo, located just outside their border. Kalemyo is still restricted access, so the Hindals had to report their movements to the authorities on a daily basis. These restrictions did not affect the program of the conference.
About 140 pastors, church people, including 40 Bible College students, travelled 120 miles to the conference by bus. Though that may not seem like a great feat, the trip took 10 hours over winding mountain roads which for most of us would seem impassable. Not only were the buses packed with people, but at least 25 of them plus luggage and cabbages rode on top. Chris Hindal spoke 12 times during the 3-day conference and Deb also spoke 3 times. These people are very appreciative of the opportunity to have a representative from the partnership minister among them. Being a part of the international partnership makes them feel like they have a home rather than being an isolated association of Baptist churches.
Continue to pray for the Hindals as they journey on to India. You can follow their itinerary which is posted on this website.