“Wonderful, Pleasurable, Amazing!” These are just few of the words to describe the recently concluded UCG Manila year-end outing held last December 24-25, 2006 at the Blusyl Resort in Laguna.

Everybody shared sumptuous meals during the potluck dinner! After dinner, the brethren took turns dipping into the warm pool water surrounded by the relaxing atmosphere of trees and the cool December breeze.

After swimming, the brethren—from the young ones to the “once young”—spent the rest of the evening on videoke until past midnight. Some teens enjoyed exploring their skills on the billiard table, while in the nearby nipa hut, mothers enjoyed the fellowship among themselves over potato chips, chestnuts, brewed coffee, and plenty of laughter.

Early the next day, December 25, the brethren gathered around the pool to witness the baptism of Mr. Chris Modina conducted by Mr. Rey Evasco (UCG Manila pastor). Mr. Modina found the Church through the Internet. It is inspiring to note how God calls His people out of this world through this modern medium.

After breakfast, a quite different game called “bridging the gap” was introduced. The younger ones were paired with their older partners. The objective is for the pair to really know each other and prove they really know each other by answering the questions asked by the organizer later in the game. Questions like the birthday of their partner, favorite food, circumstances that led them to the Church of God were asked and easily answered as the younger sat opposite the older contestants.

Everybody felt like a winner after the wonderful opportunity to fellowship with a person from a different age group. It was the first time that this game was played in Manila congregation and we all hope this will be a good start for the brethren to really exert a conscious effort to communicate across different age groups in the Church.

After the game, all enjoyed that great lunch prepared by our women in the Church. The brethren took turns in cleaning the area as we prepared to leave the place. Many brethren stayed behind until later in the afternoon trying to extend that once-a-year opportunity to be with one another in that wonderful setting. One surmised that such wholesome activity we hold each year really helps the brethren understand one another, adjust to one another, and love one another.

Undoubtedly, this year’s outing was the most successful one for the Manila brethren, not only because of the food and the fun, but also because of the opportunity to know our brothers and sisters in a much deeper spiritual sense, making this outing truly wonderful, pleasurable, and amazing!