Women’s Ministry
Food, Fellowship, Fun ‘n’ Games at the Gomez Residence
By Mae Ann Balbuena
On May 31, 2008 the WM met at the Gomez’ Residence to have an overnight retreat. It was participated by 12 ladies, whose ages shall remain anonymous. It was just a time for us to relax and enjoy one another’s company. There was a swimming pool, which was very inviting and, of course, there was food aplenty as it was a potluck dinner.
After a few minutes of kwentuhan we started the festivities by playing games, and I got to lead in the fun!
First, we played “How To Follow Instructions” - Gathering the ladies in the patio by the swimming pool, I passed out instruction sheets. All in all, there were 13 fairly simple instructions. Everyone was supposed to be able to read and follow correctly in five minutes’ time. Guess what? Only one of them was able to do it right. Wondering where they failed? Well, the final instruction clearly stated, “Now that you have written your name on the upper right hand corner of the paper, last name first, ignore all other directions.” J
Next up was a game called “Guessture” – The object of this game was to get everyone to act out whatever word was written on the several pieces of paper that they would each pull out of a box, and try to get their team mates to guess the word by shouting out their guesses. This was hilarious!
Imagine Mommy Yolly Santos doing “Darna” by holding a yellow banana with her outstretched hand to the sky, as if she were ready to fly. She forgot that Darna is supposed to swallow her magic stone, not wave it in the air. Tita Nila Gomez danced the once-popular “Spaghetti Pababa” to portray the word “spaghetti.” Mommy Baby Laxamana was so quick to guess hearthrob “Piolo Pascual”, as portrayed by Tita Choleen Lema! Tita Bold Castillo gracefully wiggled her tail to mimic “Dyesebel.” Oh ladies, I tell you, you missed out on all the fun!
Then we did the “Trust Walk”. This is where the ladies are paired with someone she doesn’t know that well yet. One is blindfolded while the other will guide her to walk around the house and through the garden area. Then the roles are reversed. The object of the game is to develop trust, dependency and faith on the person guiding while you cannot see where you’re going. It is meant to remind the players of the reality of our need to trust the Lord in spite of not seeing Him shaping our future - the things that are about to happen in our lives each day. After everybody had taken their turn, we discussed our insights into the game as a group then prayed.
Our last activity (by now it was almost midnight!) was “Draw a Picture”, based upon Psalms 91. In this activity, each one was given a piece of paper and colored pens with which to draw their life’s situation over the past 3 months or so. They were to describe what they had been or were going through by their drawings. It is amazing how each one came up with different pictures with which to describe their current lots in life. It was encouraging to see how each one held to the hope that God would always be there, regardless. We divided ourselves into three groups and once again prayed, this time for the specific needs that each one had expressed. Tears mingled with much needed and appreciated expressions of loving encouragement.
After all that, it was swimming time! Incredibly most of us were still eating. By 1 a.m. it was time to turn off the lights. Brod Egay, our gracious host, prepares an inflatable bed, where several of us happily shared. Some slept on the couch, others on the floor. Tita Nelia we salute you for cleaning the rest room!
As for the winner of the “Loudest Snorer” award, don’t worry…your secret’s safe with us! J
The hospitality of the Gomezes was superb! The following morning, breakfast was served - piping hot coffee, freshly cooked rice, ham and daing. Like the night before, it was a great time of fellowship around the table filled with laughter and joy unspeakable and full of thanksgiving to God. To God alone be the glory, honor and praise!
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