To foster closer fellowship and the spirit of camaraderie among members, the United Church of God (UCG), Bacolod congregation held a church outing last December 28-29, 2008 at Mambukal Mountain Resort, Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The activity was conducted under the leadership of Mr. Florante Siopan, pastor of the said congregation and in charge of the Visayas congregations in the Philippines.
The congregation arrived at the mountain resort in the morning of December 28 and settled in the two cottages reserved for them. While women were busy preparing for lunch, the rest of the members enjoyed swimming, hiking, and fellowshipping. Few of the “not-so-young-ones” just stayed in the vicinity of the rented cottages appreciating the beauty of God’s creation.

Lunch time was the moment for everyone to gather again at the rented cottages near the swimming pool and to enjoy the variety of food prepared by the families.

After lunch, the group checked in the tourist lodge where the whole of its second floor was reserved for exclusive occupancy by the UCG. Each family was provided with one room. Two suites were provided, one of which was occupied by the girls and the other by the singles. There was also a room provided for the boys.

The afternoon of the first day was spent for leisure. The youth went boating in the lagoon, others went dipping in the hot spring, some went inside the butterfly garden, and the rest just enjoyed sightseeing. Late afternoon was spent watching thousands of bats hovering in the air, alighting from one tree to another and just making the surroundings of the place very spectacular.

Everyone went back to the lodge just after sunset with a sense of satisfaction in their faces, at the same time anticipating the evening meal to be served. After dinner, the “sing-along session” enabled both the young and the old to express themselves through songs till midnight.

The second day (December 29) was full of adventure for the young boys who climbed up to the Sixth Falls, the second-to-the-last falls at the northwestern foothills of Kanlaon Volcano which is at an elevation roughly 2,000 feet above sea level. The rest of the members went swimming, hiking, sight-seeing and bat-watching once again.

The group packed up for home before lunch with beautiful memories of their wonderful experiences, and the joy of having shared cherished moments with their brethren in a place filled with God’s wonderful creation.

© 2008 United Church of God, AIA - Pilipinas