One Step Beyond
PRIORITIES
‘One hundred years from now it will not matter what car I drove, what was in my bank account or what house I lived in, but the world may be a different place because I was important in the life of a child’.
Our author - David Sutton
Between 14 - 18 August the London South East Division held a ‘Children’s Summer Camp’. Five ‘Chathamites’ were represented and one of them, David Sutton, has sent us this report.
We all, at various stages in our lives, have experiences which leave a lasting impression, sometimes change us imperceptibly and at other times quite radically.
I recently had an experience which may cause some raised eye brows – one week away with 3 “youngish” ladies – what do you think about that guys?
The ‘youngish’ ladies
I can almost see those raised eye brows but also hear expressions of sympathy.
But to be serious, Margaret, her sister Barbara, Marjory and I were privileged to be the catering team (I hasten to add I was the goffer) at Vinehall School in Robertsbridge where the Army held its Summer Camp for children.
With the ‘oldish’ man?
What an experience this was though at times we wondered just what we had taken on with hundreds of potatoes to peel, thousands of carrots to be chopped (it seemed that many anyway) and as for the rounds of toast – how many? When I say we were catering for around 85 hungry people, three times a day plus drinks in between, you probably will get some idea of the task involved.
We witnessed at first hand a dedicated team of Young Leaders, which included our own Vanessa. They were led by a motivated and utterly committed staff who gave of themselves in every way so that each child received something from their stay. I am certain this will seed and germinate to flower, who knows where or when, at sometime in the future.
For the ladies and myself, I repeat, it was a privilege and experience which gave us each memories which will last.
God bless all who give up time and dedicate skills to be ‘important in the life of a child’