The story of the entry of the Gospel into the Land of Papua is full of stories of fortitude, sacrifice, and strong faith. In 1947, a man of God named Reverend Izaac Samuel Kijne delivered a message that is still relevant and motivating today. He said, "Whoever works in this land faithfully, honestly, and listens, will walk from one sign of wonder to another." This message was not only addressed to indigenous Papuans, but also to all those who serve in the land of Papua, both natives and workers from outside Papua. These words emphasize that service done with honesty and dedication will yield positive results, not only for oneself, but also for the people being served.
Since then, the ministry of the word of God in Papua has continued to grow, with the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) at the forefront of spreading the gospel to remote areas of Papua. One area that continues to be of concern is the Aimando Padaido District in Biak Numfor Regency. This year, Aimando and Padaido became one of the priority areas of support for the One in Love (SDK) Program of the Indonesian Bible Institute (LAI). LAI's SDK program bridges the Bible and spiritual reading needs of God's people who live in remote and remote areas of the archipelago. So, last September 9-14, 2024, the LAI Team consisting of Melvy Alfons and Deyunita Sevinirim from LAI Representative Tanah Papua, along with Perlando Panjaitan and Victor from LAI Jakarta were present to distribute Bibles and parts in this place.
The Journey Starts from Bosnik
Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the journey began from Bosnik, a village in Biak. The first ship took the group to Pai Island, where the GKI Jahwe congregation is located. Although there were coordination problems, especially regarding the unavailability of signals in the middle of the sea, the spirit of the LAI team never wavered. Two other team members, Victor and Perlando, who boarded the second boat, even got lost in the middle of the ocean due to the lack of signal. Fortunately, they eventually arrived safely at their destination.
On Pai Island, a joyful atmosphere greeted the LAI group. The GKI Jahwe congregation received the Bibles with great joy. However, the journey did not stop here. Having finished with the visit on Pai Island, the group continued on to Padaidori Island, where GKI Jahja Sasari is located. Here, they spent the night before continuing their mission the next day.
Natural Challenges in Service Missions
The next day, September 11, 2024, the plan to continue the journey to GKI Immanuel Meos Mangguandi had to be postponed. The sea was still low, so the ship could not continue its journey. The long wait until noon was finally rewarded when the tide began to rise. Although not completely, the ship was able to sail slowly towards its next destination.
The visit at GKI Immanuel was warmly welcomed by the congregation, most of whom are fishermen. "We often go to the sea, yes, every time, morning, noon, and night," said Pastor Yunita Rumkoren, who leads the congregation at the church. For them, the sea is a source of life. "The sea for us is a garden," said Pastor Hana Yawandare of GKI Mateus Baitel Nusi. "If the catch is plentiful, it means that God's blessings are abundant. But if it is small, we must be patient.
However, it's not just sea conditions they have to deal with. Another obstacle is the availability of fuel oil (BBM). When fuel is not available, fishing activities and church activities are disrupted. Pastor Jhon Matuan, who serves in this place, emphasized that the congregation often submits all challenges to God. "We believe that God is in control of everything, including our life at sea," he said.
Growing Faith Amidst Challenges
The life of the congregation in Aimando Padaido District is not an easy one. In addition to the economic situation that depends on marine products, faith growth is also a concern for church leaders in this area. "Little by little we see a growth of faith among the congregation, although the process is slow," said Pastor Yunita Rumkoren. The arrival of the SDK-LAI team, which brought Bibles and children's spiritual readings, was a blessing to the congregation who had been experiencing difficulties in accessing the Word of God.
After visiting GKI Immanuel, the group traveled to GKI FYS Rumainum on Pasi Island, where they stayed for the second night. On the following day, they continued the Bible distribution to Auki Island, greeting the GKI Crete congregation gathered at the dockside. The journey continued to Nusi Babaruk Island to meet the congregation of GKI Ebenhaezer, who also welcomed the group with joy. In this place, the group was treated to a simple but gratefully served lunch. This was a precious moment of togetherness between the team and the congregation.
Hopes for the Future
After visiting various churches on small islands, the group returned to Pai Island to spend the night in the pastorate of GKI Jahwe. The following day the group returned home to Bosnik. This ministry trip was not only about Bible distribution, but also a reminder of the strong philosophy of life held by the Papuan people. "Kobenadi, Kofararur, Kofrar ro Yaf Manseren"is a saying in the Biak language that means "We will always pray, work, and run in God's way for a change," said Rev. Jhon Baransano, the chairman of the Aimando Padaido chapel who accompanied the LAI team during the SDK ministry.
To everyone who visits and comes to bring good, God's people in Biak-Numfor warmly greet, "Jouw Suba! Salam shalom!" They not only open the doors of their homes, but also their hearts to welcome the Word of God that brings new life.
