NPC CrossWord July 2004 Page 5

What began with a dog puppet, a bunch of cardboard, some paint and a few instruction manuals, turned into "Hero Quest - Powered by Faith", NPC's 2004 Vacation Bible School.

This year's theme introduced about 40 kids per evening during the week of June 14 - 18 to 5 Biblical Heroes. These faith-powered Bible stories helped the children understand that being a hero doesn't mean leaping tall buildings in a single bound, flying through the air on web ropes or catching the "bad guys". Being a hero means being strong in what you believe, being courageous to do the right things, being determined, being daring and loving one another as Jesus loves us.

Led by our canine leader, HQ, the kids were given clues as to the Biblical Hero for each night. During the evening the kids encountered this Hero through song, storytelling, recreation and crafts. Our Biblical hero encounters included: Daniel in the lion's den, Queen Esther, the four friends who lowered their sick friend through the roof of the building where Jesus was preaching, the Widow and, as the finale, Jesus himself. In addition to the Biblical heroes, the children were introduced to many modern day heroes as well - kids just like themselves who have done remarkable and heroic things.

But the list of heroes doesn't end with the ones encountered in the stories. I don't think the kids realized that they were playing and learning in the midst of lots and lots of real life heroes. The folks at NPC that made this event happen. These are my heroes - the folks that brought Hero Quest to life. Deb and Steve Bain who cooked yummy dinners for our guests and volunteers each night. Laura Lankford who led the assemblies and taught the kids all of the songs. Bill Brown - our Director and the guy in charge of the HAM (Hero Activity Meter) -- no really - the HAM was his job! Tanya Carroll - our Commissioner and storyteller. And let's not forget Jill Swenson,

who gave animation and a voice to HQ himself. Where would we have been without the talent and creativity of the builders of Metropolis?

I am amazed at what Jill Swenson, Laura & Melissa Lankford, Melanie Linder, Linda & Kathy Smith & Kelly Bartlett were able to do with some old cardboard boxes, donated paint, construction paper and glue. Metropolis has never looked better.

Lookout Justice League - here comes the station leaders and the Shepherds of Hero Quest! These teams had to be faster than speeding toddlers, more powerful than opinionated middle-schoolers and able to leap over groups of children on the floor in a single bound - they are Mark, Duck Ae & Daniel Karasek, Mundy & Becca Rado, Matt Fry, Tanya Carroll, Ali Carroll, Melissa Fry, Kelly Bartlett, Kathy Smith, Tim Rado, Pam Bartlett, Tommy Birmingham, Jessie, Sarah, & Bill Brown, Jill Swenson, Kerrie Bernardo, Linda Smith and Melissa Lankford.

But the list of heroes doesn't stop there - Hero Quest wouldn't have been a success without Norma and Katie Badeaux watching the kids too young to participate this year down in the Nursery, Jason Bernardo for video taping the event and helping me with this year's preparations, Ken Birmingham for the great support in getting everything on the web site, all of the actors in Tanya's dramas - Mike Carroll, Tim Rado, Dot Reilley Carol MacGreggor AND all of the folks that donated supplies, needed items and money.

The young people of our church and surrounding community don't have to look hard to find real heroes, people with the daring, determination and love to put on this Vacation Bible School. It is because of the group of folks that is Norcross Presbyterian Church that Hero Quest was able to reach out with the message of faith to the young people who attended. The kids thank you and I thank you. You are all truly heroes.