In the remote Bomai Forest, two Catholic catechists search for truth.

The Bomai Forest is one of the most remote places in Papua New Guinea. It is made up of ten isolated villages, all dominated by Catholicism since the early 1920s.

Mathias Wima and Titus Nime were two Catholic catechists in the Bomai Forest who studied the Bible in sincerity, and in their search for truth, God revealed the sanctity of the Sabbath. Upon discovering this, they wasted no time in discussing the matter. They reasoned that although Jesus resurrected on Sunday (which the Bible refers to as the first day of the week) the true Sabbath was the seventh day, Saturday. They concluded that this was the day in which Anutu (the name for God in their native language) commanded them to rest from their daily labor and to worship Him.

God’s work in reaching these two native speakers in such an isolated area was nothing short of a miracle. People living in such remote regions face numerous challenges that hinder their spiritual growth. Two significant factors in the Bomai Forest were the pervasive influence of a pork-based diet and the entrenched Catholic teachings about Sunday sacredness. In such an environment, understanding and accepting the Sabbath truth would be nearly impossible, or at best, a slow and arduous process. Yet, God’s timing and methods were perfect.

When Mathias and Titus discovered the truth, their joy was immeasurable. They regarded the Sabbath as a precious treasure, and their love for God deepened. Desiring to learn more, they continued their spiritual journey with sincere hearts. And God, seeing their earnest motives, orchestrated another miracle by sending a Seventh-day Adventist missionary to visit them. Armed with tracts and biblical insights, the missionary strengthened their convictions. Inspired by the new light they had received, Mathias and Titus made the bold decision to establish a Seventh-day Adventist church in their Catholic-dominated village. And they succeeded.

This church became a beacon of truth, and through the influence of these two steadfast men in their 70s, the Sabbath message spread to four other villages in the Bomai Forest. God’s method of one-on-one visitation proved incredibly effective. What started with two faithful individuals expanded to many souls across multiple villages.

But the remaining six villages in Bomai Forest still await the light of truth. As we pray for the Bomai Forest mission, let us rejoice in the work God has already accomplished, and trust Him for what lies ahead. The story of Mathias and Titus reminds us that no place is too remote, no heart is too hardened and no obstacle to too great for God to overcome. May their journey inspire us to remain faithful, to trust in God’s promises, and to rejoice in the knowledge that He is always at work.  

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Location
Papua New Guinea

Author
Moses Yauma is a lay evangelist working in the upper highlands of PNG. 

How You Can Help
Pray for Mathias and Titus as their love for truth deepens. Pray that God will use them to bring many to Jesus in the Bomai region of PNG!

Pray for the missionary Bible workers as they penetrate deeper into the unreached areas of PNG.

Give to the evangelistic work in PNG by sending your check marked “PNG Evangelism” to: 

Mission Projects International 
PO Box 237
Kirksville, MO 63501

To give securely online, visit:
www.missionspro.org/donate