Brethren from the Butuan City congregation enjoyed a pleasant day of fellowshipping out in the beach on Sunday, January 13. January is a rainy month for Agusan del Norte, so it was raining early that morning and the outing was almost cancelled. However, around 8 a.m., the rain stopped and the sky cleared, and with the persuasion of the little ones, the event was pushed through.

The outing was blessed with a tranquil, peaceful seaside as if divinely provided. The occasion did not include any special program, just a time to escape the pressures of daily routines. The brethren enjoyed each other’s company eating, talking, laughing, relaxing, and watching the children swimming. In most beach outings skin sunburn is common especially among little children that insist on frolicking in seawater all day. But not on this day because the weather was nice with the sun hiding behind the clouds. While it rained earlier, there was no rain when we reached Caasinan Beach, Cabadbaran City at around 10 a.m. We expected gusty winds due to the reported low pressure a day or two before, but we were greeted with and granted gentle sea breeze throughout the day. At the end of the day, the brethren went home feeling closer to one another, more relaxed, and refreshed. Perhaps, there should be more fellowshipping like this in the future to draw brethren closer together.

—Reported by James Presbitero, Jr., Butuan City

© 2008 United Church of God, AIA - Pilipinas