NCHEA 2009!!

The last week-end in March found several members of our family busy serving at the 2009 Nebraska Kids Conference. NCHEA, the Nebraska Christian Home Educators Association, has their annual conference each spring and while the parents are attending the conference, their 5-12 year old children enjoy two days of Character lessons, Scripture memory and singing songs of Praise to their Creator.

This year Esther was once again the 'Head Chef' providing meals for the 90+ staff serving at the Kids Conference. While Tabitha, Moses and I were leaders on teams, Noah had a part in the 8-scene drama. Seth joined us on Saturday to cordinate cleaning and clearing the church by our appointed time that evening.

With over 300 children in attendance, it was their largest conference yet, but the Lord blessed mightily!!! The strengh, grace and stamina He showered so abundantly over the staff members and the drama team was such a testimony of His goodness!

It's difficult to sum up an entire week-end with just a few pictures, but I'll do my best to give you a glimpse!!

We arrived in Lincoln bright and early on Wednesday morning. Our first priority was to purchase all the food supplies neccesary for the seven meals we would prepare. Although Sams is a bulk food store, our caravan of 4 heavily loaded carts attracted a number of smiles and chuckles.
In the midst of our shopping excursions, we had some minor trouble with the bus. After a quick moment of prayer, we called another member of the core staff cordinating the Kids Conference. He was able to drop by and quickly fix the problem, getting us on the road once again!! Thank You Lord!!

After a full day of shopping it's time to take a couple of minutes of down to to gear up for the next couple of days with some pizza and........

......a little bit of laughter!

Another Praise the Lord-- The garbage disposal in the church had been previously clogged with a dishrag. One of the staff members (who is actually a plumber) brought in his tools and after a little bit of work, had the dishrag removed and we were up and running again!!

With breakfast serve at 7:30, we needed to be at the church at 5:30 to begin the preparations. Those early mornings were filled with myraids of different kitchen tasks.
Baking cookies.....

Tabitha and Bryant preparing snack trays.

The famous cinnamon rolls!

----The Drama----

The highlight of the conference is the eight part drama. This year in keeping with the Westen theme it traced settlers travelling west in search of a better life! It follows their lives as some of them trust in Him, and yet others rely on their own judgements to meet the obstacles that they come across.

The leader; Garrett. He was a wise counselor to the other settlers, urging them to set their eyes on the Heavenly Father to direct their paths.

The ever clever Mr. & Mrs. Harris, and Dodge & Shadow.

Jenny, Garrett's daughter & Nellie the irish school teacher who travels with them.

As they arrive in the West they are greeted by Rich E. Lands, a powerfull landowner who control most of the western town. His offer seems quite good, but yet; they are cautious.

Rich offers his best deal to the new settlers.

Though Garrett counsels him to reconsider, Dodge foolishly signs the contract.

Sylvester warns the settlers not to trust Rich E. Lands. Yet they will have nothing to do with him.

Mrs. Harris accuses Ethel of stealing her valued teapot!! Ethel learns the valuable lesson of honesty!!

Rich E. Lands with the crooked sherriff and the two cronies, plotting against the settlers.

Kate, the landowner's daughter, helps her father with his scheming.

The scary, sneaky Mr. Sylvester!!

Mr. Sylvester happens upon Ethel at the general store. Frightened, she runs to the protection of her husband Wayne.

Mr. Sylvester rescues the Wards after their barn collapses during a tornado.

Catching the cronies.

They caught him!!

Praying for wisdom.

Rich E. Lands refuses to listen to his very own brother Sylvester as he confronts him about his wicked trickery towards the settlers.

The hysterical cronies!

Rich E. Lands plan to destory the settlers backfires on him, and he blow up his entire ranch with dynamite!!

Following the explosion, the cronies try to piece themselves back together!!

Rich mourns the loss of all his material wealth.

Rich listens humbly to the settlers.

The settlers offer Rich their forgiveness- through Christ's power!

Sylvester shares with his brother, the glorious truth of the Gospel.

Finally ready to bend the knee.

"Oh Kate, can you forgive me??" The reconciliations between Father and daughter begins as they both seek the Father.

"Let us serve God together!!"

A huge thank-you to the drama team for their phenomenal job!!
(For more drama pictures; go here!!)

I don't have pictures of us leaders with our teams, but I do have random images captured during small group session in my room and also during main group.

Rachel led Main Group singing sessions.

Thomas, the Program Director, Dismisser and Award-Giver-Outer.

Lots of little cowboys and cowgirls present!!

The 13th Infantry-- the All boys team who presented a special presentation.

Esther chases Skeeter, who was trying to meddle with her cookin'!!

Listening attentively!

I was leader to a team of 17 excited children, and was very grateful for the service of my fellow team-mates!!

Two of my assistants.

Lunchtime in my room.

Our special visitor who read to our class!!

Sweet 'lil cowgirl!

Andrew and Ruth teach the Bible verse.

The Staff.