Family Day in Tauranga 2019!

Tauranga, New Zealand

​The Members of Church of God International (MCGI) brethren from Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua and Napier grabbed the chance to carry out a 2-day family bonding on the 1st and 2nd of January 2019.

​The scripture from Hebrews 10:24 states, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works". The brethren expressed their love for one another by travelling to Tauranga together to enjoy the holiday. Traveling 3 to 4-hour long drive was not a hindrance for the brethren.

​The bonding began by having a picnic at The Mount in Tauranga. While others were eating and appreciating the beautiful scenery, the kids together with their parents enjoyed swimming at the beach. This activity was followed by fishing wherein other members had an opportunity to try it for the first time. After a tiring morning agenda, a karaoke night was the last activity of the brethren along with a delicious dinner before ending the night.

​On the second day, the brethren went to McLaren Falls Park in Tauranga to relax and feel the lake breeze under the sunny weather. While the adults are busy preparing lunch, the kids were playing and feeding the ducks with the bread that they had brought as snacks. The brethren were delighted to then go on a mini-trekking to see McLaren Falls, one of the tourist attractions in Tauranga. Brother Eli mentioned that “walking” for at least 20 minutes a day is healthy for the body. The brethren took pictures below the waterfall as a souvenir, ignoring the coldness of the water!

​Lastly, the MCGI family wrapped up the day by taking group pictures, to capture the precious moment with a hope that they will gather for another bonding activity, if God permits. The brethren's faces expressed how much they loved and cared for each other, and they left Tauranga with happy hearts. In 1 Thessalonians 4:9 it says “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another”. The MCGI family are thankful to God for an opportunity given to socialize and see the brethren in person.

Written by: Sister Iya de Vera