It is now 6 PM in Kathmandu, Nepal, and I will be leaving for the airport at 1 AM for the 3:30 AM flight to Doha, Qatar where I will connect to Seattle. On Monday and Tuesday I participated in the conference, teaching for an hour on Monday evening and then four sessions of one hour each on Tuesday. I felt good but was a bit tired when I got back to the hotel. The entire time here has really been great and I look forward to the time when I return, hopefully early in 2023.
I always go to India for the annual pastor’s conference at the end of February, every year from 2007-2020. But it may not happen again. The Indian government is making it difficult for foreigners to go to India in order to participate in religious activities. If a foreigner applies for a tourist visa, he cannot teach at a conference. If he applies for a conference visa, when it is stated that he is there for a Christian conference, he will most likely be denied. If he goes on a tourist visa and participates in a Christian conference, not only could he get in trouble, but it will be even worse for the Christian organization in India.
So, the leaders of HMU are thinking about what to do. It may be that the future conferences will be via Zoom. Please be praying about this. A few years ago, Compassion International had to leave India, as the pro-Hindu government did not want them “proselytizing” children
These are such disappointing developments but compels us to pray for the Christian work in India.
I thank you again for your prayers. Things went perfectly here. Now just pray me home safely.
David
We’re praying for you, Pastor Dave.
Praying you have a smooth, safe flight home to Seattle.