“If there is a first, then there must be a second.” I’ve often heard this statement from our ministers, especially when they deliver sermons about the first, second, and third resurrections. But do you know that this could apply somehow to church activities?

This is especially true with the Kidapawan brethren. Sometime in February 2004, the baptized members, affiliates, children, and grandchildren from Kidapawan City, Pres. Roxas, Makilala, and M’lang gathered at Le Reve Resort in Makilala, Cotabato to celebrate the reopening of Kidapawan City as an outlying Bible Study area and to witness at the same time the baptism of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar and Evelyn Osing of Poblacion Makilala.

Last July 31, 2005, the Kidapawan brethren did it again! The activity—just like what happened during the first church outing—was preceded by a whole day observance of the Sabbath on the 30th at the conference hall of the Cotabato Rural Bank, with Pastor Edmond D. Macaraeg and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Macaraeg in attendance. That Sabbath was actually a 3-in-1 activity—Sabbath services in the morning capped by eating together at noon, Bible study in the afternoon, and baptism counseling after that. Somehow, it lasted up to sometime in the evening.

Sunday, July 31 came and the brethren assembled at Le Reve Resort in Makilala, a short distance from the national highway. The Cuizon couple were reunited with their two daughters who came all the way from Davao City. The Osings with their three daughters and one son came early. The three children of Mrs. Hiyasmin Tuario managed to come on their own from Pres. Roxas. The extended families of the Tangonans and the Tonogs were also present. These numbers were complemented by the extended families of Pastor Macaraeg, who, with Mrs. Lorna Macaraeg, gave semblance of significance to the occasion. Of course, our local church elder, Mr. Rodrigo Florencondia—who planned the whole thing—was around, together with Mrs. Reynalda Florencondia. Altogether there were 44 attendees.

It was a feast of physical food, fruits, and fellowship not otherwise experienced when the brethren gather before and after Sabbath services. Fruits by which both Kidapawan and neighboring Makilala are widely noted for were in abundance. Durian, rambutan, marang, bananas, jackfruit, and young coconuts were more than enough, not to mention the variety of food prepared which made the noon-day meal a veritable feast on its own. Apart from food and fellowship, most of the time was spent by the children, the young, and those “once young,” in the cool waters of Le Reve—what with numerous water slides, three swimming pools, and the wide expanse of fresh water for boating. But do you know which was the most significant part of the whole activity? It was the baptism of Mr. Melecio Tangonan, 69, of Poblacion Makilala, in the very same children’s pool where the Osings were baptized over a year ago.

It was quite late in the afternoon when the brethren dispersed. After being united for two days in spiritual and physical activities, we went our separate ways with sweet memories etched indelibly in our hearts and minds. And of course, the challenge will always be there. Since we had our first and second outings for the church in Kidapawan, with God’s help let’s strive to have more in the future.