Pastor Japheth Lian at HCJB Global-Australia's studios in Melbourne.

(Nov. 8, 2013 - by Beth Patton) The world calls them the Hill People because of the rolling landscape of Chin state in northwestern Myanmar (Burma) where they live. The Chin Hakha people were once traditional animists, but a majority has now embraced Christianity, two centuries after it was introduced to the country.

Because they are seen as a threat, tens of thousands of Chin Hakha people had to flee their homes and live as refugees in other countries, including Australia and as far afield as Venezuela.

Persecuted for their beliefs, the Chin people who remain in Myanmar face the challenge to remain strong in their Christian faith. Nationwide, there are an estimated 1 million internally displaced persons, mostly people from Christian areas, according to Operation World.

In Melbourne, Australia, a team of Chin refugees is making a connection to encourage their people still living in the largely undeveloped, impoverished area of Myanmar. One way they have found to reach them and connect them with the gospel is through radio, in partnership with HCJB Global-Australia.

Rev. Japheth Lian (left) and Pastor Mang Hre look on as Brent Weeks explains studio operations.

Three pastors living in Australia produce a program called Duhdim Nun (Abundant Life) in the Chin Hakha language. HCJB Global-Australia broadcasts the program from its international broadcast facility in Kununurra twice a week, both in the morning and evening.

One of the presenters, Rev. Japheth Lian, said team members love the challenge of radio. "It keeps us quite busy preparing the programs and we are becoming more professional. We love the radio business, the challenge and the responsibility of producing good programs for the kingdom of God and for the listeners."

"To know that people are listening to your program and are being changed by it is the life-blood that keeps a presenter going," added Peter Penford, publicity and promotions manager at HCJB Global-Australia. "That's why responses from listeners, like this one recently received, thrill their hearts."

Christian Chin Hakha families in Myanmar. Photo credit: www.merlin.org.uk

"Hello, I am from a rural area of Chin state," wrote a listener in Myanmar. "Thank you for this station that broadcasts the gospel. It's a time of blessing when I listen to the sermon."

Another response came from a listener in Venezuela. "I enjoy very much listening to shortwave radio," he stated. "I have to tell you this is my prime hobby because I like to learn about other people's cultures, manners, music and news. You can imagine my surprise when I found your radio station on my dial. It never crossed my mind that I would be able to receive such a strong signal from this part of the world."

Radio is proving to be a wonderful way to bless the Hill People of Myanmar, no matter where they live.

Sources: HCJB Global-Australia, Operation World