This book sees Jungle Doctor trying to convince the Wadoyek tribe that the ways of the hospital are better than the ways of the witchdoctor and fighting for more lives. As always, I enjoyed reading of Jungle Doctor's challenges and adventures in 1920's Tanzania and how God showed the African people that He loved them. Another thing I enjoy is the Africans' way of saying things and their sense of humour. I thoroughly enjoyed reading yet another installment of Jungle Doctor's adventures.
1. The loss of Susan's horn was what you might call 'accidentally on purpose'. It was an accident on Susan's part - she didn't mean to lose it, but if she hadn't, Caspian would never have been able to call the acnient kings and queens of old to set all to rights. Makes you wonder if there wasn't someone directing everything that went on in this story. There are many things that happen in this story that seem bad at the time, but without them things would never have been put to rights in Narnia.
2.This incident applies to the real world in a very true sense. I can think of at least one time when it seemed that the worst had happened, but looking back, God used that event to bring many people into a closer relationship with Him. As a matter of fact, I would not know my best friends if it had not been for that event. God is always guiding and preparing us for the future, for the big picture.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
Answers to the discussion questions at the end of chapter one:
1. Lewis is correct in claiming that our world is under the spell of worldliness in almost every way. While there are a good many people who have allowed Jesus to break that spell, there are a lot more who either don't know there is a spell to be broken or refuse to be freed from it. This is evident all around us. Every time we turn on the TV or listen to the radio or go shopping we see it and Satan is trying with all his might to use it to hinder our relationship with God.
2. These stories rekindle in us a desire for good character, both in ourselves and in those around us. They make us want to be in a "land of 'courtesy and courage', a place where 'obedience to proper authority is a delight' and where 'the fruits of such attitudes are obvious.' "
Over the holidays I've gotten slack in keeping my blog up to date, so, for the sake of my head and yours, I'll include a list of all the books I can remember reading, and reviews of some of the best ones.
- The Preist (I read this one earlier but it is part of this series)
- The Warrior
- The Prince
- The Prophet
- The Scribe - All of these books were by Francine Rivers
- Isle of Swords
- Isle of Fire - Both by Wayne Thomas Batson
- Jungle Doctor Attacks Witchcraft
- Jungle Doctor Stings a Scorpion
- Jungle Doctor in Slippery Places
- Jungle Doctor's Enemies
- Jungle Doctor Spots a Leopard - All by Paul White
- Danny Orlis in the Sacred Cave - By Bernard Palmer
- Ambushed in Africa - Written by Peter Reese Doyle
I've also listened to some audios and read-alouds, which I'll list, but not reveiw:
- Do Hard Things - By Alex and Brett Harris
- Jonathan Park audio adventures - Put out by Vision Forum
- Created for work - Bob Schultz
- Mad as Rabbits - I think this book was by Elizabeth Lane
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- The Silver Chair
- The Magician's Nephew
- The Last Battle - All by CS Lewis
- At Home in Mitford - By Jan Karon
The Sons of Encouragement Series (the ones by Francine Rivers)
I got these five books from Mum and Dad for Christmas and I really enjoyed them. They are aimed at an adult audience, so I found it a little harder to 'connect' with the characters and I had to skip a few bits. The reason I enjoyed these books is that the characters were godly, and the books are written from a Christian perspective. They also deal with very little-known or little-credited Bible Characters, so I learned a lot of stuff I didn't know before. Out of the whole series, my two favourites were: The Prince - I'm not exactly sure why; and The Scribe because I don't know a whole lot about New Testament history and the early Church. These books helped to make my understanding of These characters and the history surrounding them clearer and less jumbled.
Jungle Doctor's Enemies
This book sees Jungle doctor up against a measles epidemic in 1920's Tanzania, a place where witchdoctors and ancient 'wisdom' are preferred over the truly wise ways of the little jungle hospital Jungle Doctor calls home. This story is taken from the experiences of Dr Paul White, who was a missionary doctor in Tanzania in the 1920's. It tells the story of a blind boy who paid the ultimate price for following Jesus and in doing so saved many lives. If you haven't read a Jungle Doctor book, go and read one. If you've got one on your shelf, you should be ashamed of yourself if you haven't read it yet! These are great books for anyone who loves reading missionary stories.
Ambushed in Africa
I've read this book over and over and over! I've lost count of how many times. It's an adventure story with true Christian morals and, along with the other books in the 'Daring Adventure Series', Ambushed in Africa is a VERY GOOD read. One of the main lessons learnt in this book is that both spiritual and physical training are well worth your time and they will pay off in the end. It also talks about the different roles that males and females have in and out of the home. It's a nailbiter that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
Books I'm currently reading include:
- Prince Caspian - CS Lewis
- Inside Prince Caspian - Devin Brown (school books)
- Trapped in Pharaoh's Tomb - Peter Reese Doyle
- The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus - John R Cross
Logging off now as we embarked on a new journey...
We managed to sneak in a bit of Philippine history in our round of errands today.
In between stops, we visited Grand Oriental Hotel near the Fort. We have been there before and we want to visit it again before we leave Sri Lanka.
Why is it so significant?
Between 1882-1896, a physician and a man of letters visited Ceylon four times. To our family, he was beyond ordinary, a man distinguished and known to all Filipinos and even internationally. A linguist, scientist, scholar, writer and a believer of peace. But what really is close to our heart is how he felt about this city, Colombo. Like him, we have landed in this warm and green and friendly city 4 times (2005-2008) and we have enjoyed every bit of our stay. This may be our last chance to see this historical landmark so I took the privilege of freezing the moment.
The man is Jose Rizal, our national hero and here is his landmark here in old Ceylon..
One funny incident here happened when I adjusted my camera lens and accidentally directed it to the port in front of this building. The armed soldiers blew their warning signals. goose bumps almost jumped out of me! It is prohibited to take any photos here save for this building for security reasons. I find it undauntingly crazy at times... it happens almost anywhere here that is why we never got a photo of the beautiful town hall of Colombo.
Anyway, we feel proud to visit a landmark kept and preserved in his name in this old hotel at the very heart of this city.
I was able to take a few more photos on our trip down to Colombo, my batteries died out early for not having been charged the night before, a lesson that I never seem to learn he he.
But we met up with two families at Haputale and their boys joined us in our trip. It was fun fun fun.
View from Haputale.
Mountainside. The drop was incredible.
The highway
More magnificent views of the land.
Refreshments at a village store.
The ride home by van took us 5 hours.
Words are not enough so may the images suffice..
After eight long hours of awesome views and interesting scenery, we start to feel tiresome but we wish it could have been a longer trip..
Vibrant Bea felt so cold she had to wrap herself like a Tamil tea plucker.
Until we caught sight of Fernando (guy in white shirt) at Nanu Oya station. Notice the grey van on the right? That is our ride.
So this was where the train fully stopped and where we got off.
We've made it! Fuzzy took this photo - you might be wondering where he was.
Notice how Sri Lankans are so fond of kids? Lil Ruffin is used to this attention.
Tired but happy!
Ooh la la!
Bye train, bye Nanu Oya!
Nuwera Eliya, here we come!!
We are so thankful God has kept us safe through the trip. It was such a marvelous and unforgettable experience.