Pastor Obed Yamasombi and the “I Will Go Bike for PNG” team ride through remote border villages between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, bringing Bibles, encouragement, and the love of Jesus to communities long forgotten by both nations.
At the edge of two nations, where the road disappears and the jungle takes over, entire communities live unseen and unheard. Most people will never set foot here. But it’s exactly where Pastor Obed Yamasombi began his journey—on two wheels.
In 2022, he had an opportunity to visit a border community between his country, Papua New Guinea, and neighboring Indonesia.
“There are no government services there, especially infrastructure like road, hospitals, clinics, and schools,” says Yamasombi. “It’s challenging for the people. They’ve been marginalized and forgotten by their countries.”
This situation touched Yamasombi’s heart. He knew he couldn’t just walk away. He had to do something.
“I felt sorry for them,” says Yamasombi. “And that’s why I mobilized the boys to reach out to the unreached villages along the border areas.”
Yamasombi gathered his friends and told them about the needs at the border. They wanted to help in a way that combined their passion for ministry and their love for biking. So, they decided to use their bikes as instruments for mission. With prayer and excitement, they packed up and started riding, determined to reach the unreached along this border. It was an adventure filled with purpose and blessing.
“When we passed through the villages along the borders, we greeted the villagers and shared Bibles and other Christian literature with them. Then we talked to them about Jesus. If we had any lollies [lollipops], we gave them to the children to brighten their day because they’re cut off from the outside world.”
Feeling neglected and isolated, the villagers’ hearts were touched by the bike team’s demonstration of love and concern.
“When we arrived in the villages, the people welcomed us into their communities with tears streaming down their faces,” says Yamasombi. “They fed us, and we sang for them. They asked us to build a church on their land and open a school in their village.”
The “I Will Go Bike for PNG” team rode through thick jungles and savannas and up steep hills. They carried their bikes over swamps and rivers. It was extremely challenging. Yet Yamasombi and his team pressed on, facing every obstacle with courage and faith. They knew the risks, but chose to go anyway, trusting God to lead the way.
Yamasombi asks that you please pray for the people the team ministered to, that the hearts of their brothers and sisters in this “no man’s land” will become part of the family of God.
Thank you for supporting mission. Your prayers and contributions bring hope, love, and the message of Jesus to the farthest places on earth.
Joshua Sagala
is the Media Ministry video production specialist at the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
