Young-Adults’ Trip to Biliran; A Diary

If there is one event in a year that the young-adults fellowship is always excited about it could be the annual retreat. This activity has been held in different interesting venues and this year it transpired in Biliran, Biliran which took the entire young-adults delegation a (3) three and a half hours road trip to reach the destination: Biliran Gardens.

One Fine Day. As early as 7 o’ clock some young adults started to arrive to the assembly venue (church) very much prepared for hours of travel to Biliran. The weather was perfectly fine. No sign of heavy rain and the sun was too shy to shine brightly which makes it as an advantage to travel riding in a full seated L300 jeepney. There was no need to worry for the young men who hitched at the back of bare mini truck. In fact, it made even more exciting because it gave a full view for a sight- seeing. The engines started at around 8:30 and before the clock hit 9:00am 5 cars on a convoy were on the road heading to Biliran. Indeed the travel was as light and easy as the weather- no hassles, safe and pleasant.

Officially Away from the City. It was almost lunchtime when the group arrived at the Biliran Garden and finally it provided everybody a feel of being away from the busy lifestyle of the city. The young-adults coming from the young professionals and college students group of the church usually make the yearly retreat a chance to take a big break from the work loads of school and office to have a vacation, fellowship and contemplate on the Word of God. Biliran Garden was seemingly a conducive place for the activity: relaxation, enjoyment and contemplation.

The group had a nice lunch at the pool area of the hotel having a cool breeze as a background and the green scenery which appeals to the sight. After eating lunch and a quick picture taking, everybody was grouped for the room assignments. Some just had siesta in their room yet the others took advantage of the chance to go swimming for the pool was really inviting. There were also men who played billiards. Late in the afternoon, the games were facilitated by Pastor John, Pastor Manny and Ma’am Chona. There were four groups who competed. The games did not require too much physical efforts but it needed team work.  It was fun and it was evident that all got to enjoy what has been prepared and it ended nicely. Dinner was served after a while.

More than the excitement that the games gave and the pleasure the place offers for a once- a- year- retreat that the young-adults get to enjoy, the most important experience that everybody should dwell on is the message of the Word of God. The core of the activity is to always emphasize the importance on the Devotion of the Word of God which is actually the primary highlight of the activity above all.

The Fashion to Follow. It was Pastor Lito P. Dave who spoke for the evening service and preached about sanctification which was entitled “And This is Fashion” II Cor.6:11-18. It was a wonderful message of encouragement which conveys on the fashion of how we should live our life through living the principles of God’s Word. In this day and age, fashion is overly emphasized in different ways: music, lifestyle, movies, TV programs and the likes that it looks so very deceiving and enticing most of the time. The worldly fashion dictates that it has to be followed and admired even if in truth it only leads to disastrous life. It provides all sort of temporary: happiness, freedom, fame, peace belongingness and etc.. In the message, the most fashionable way that will make us stand out from the others is to follow God’s specific instructions and that the instructions from His Word should be executed. The Biblical fashion of Salvation should be lived through His grace. The Biblical Fashion of Service is not for the glory of men but of God which makes it a privilege rather than a prerogative.  Stressing out the relevance of the message it says; we should not be like the world being in the world. As the children of God we have to Come out and Separate ourselves from the sinful things that the world offers.  The Bible should be our manual for life.

After the short service, everyone has the chance to continue fellowshipping with the others. Some go for night swimming, the others played billiards and there were those who grouped themselves, (mostly the girls) share finger foods and get acquainted. Everybody was having fun. At 10:00 pm lights were off.

Side Trippin’ to Tinago falls. After breakfast, everybody packed up for check out. Before 9:00am everybody was in mobile on the road to Tinago Falls.  Tinago Falls is located in Sitio Pulang Yuta in Barangay Cabibihan in the Municipality of Caibiran. It took 40 minutes to get there.  

Tinago (which literally means "hidden’’) Falls has two water layers. The first layer is about 15 feet deep, while the second layer is 12 feet deep and is oval– shaped. About 90 feet tall, Tinago Falls cradles sylvan solid rocks at its basin. Its source of water is the Caibiran River. More than an hour was spent for swimming, picture taking and sight seeing while the lechon waits for lunch. The men which were more of the thrill seekers were taking turns to dive into the deeps of Tinago Falls while the ladies were plainly having the taste of the water by swimming on the safe sides of the spring. The group was on the road again bound for Tacloban after the place was cleaned after having lunch and as soon as the swimmers got dressed up.

Every year, there is a different story to tell for a young-adults retreat experience. This has always been the reason why it is well-attended. Being with a group of people who loves the Lord and by His grace follows His Word is a wonderful encouragement to ones spiritual growth and a blessing as well.