Jungle Journeys

Dear all,

Just a quick apology for the length of time that it has taken to get around to writing this blog – the past month or so has been a little crazy, but amazing in the same breath.

So….where to start where to start where to start…….?

How about at the beginning, I usually find that’s a useful place!

Well, about a month ago, a small bunch of us headed north to a place called Kpalme, which was a good few hours north of Lome. It was so nice to get out of the city and into the countryside, driving through small villages, seeing the scenery grow greener and greener and the landscape far more textured than it is in and around lome.

We stayed in this rather pleasant small guest house and tried to make the most of the short weekend that we had there. So we headed straight out for our hike up the mountain! Although it wasn’t the biggest mountain I’ve ever seen before, with the heat and humidity, it certainly felt like a trek! We were continually put to shame though, as we would huff and puff our way up, dripping with sweat, some small children wearing rag-tag flip flops would dart on past us…..a number of times! We thought this was bad enough, that was until we came up behind a lady carrying not only her child on her back, but a large bucket full of water on her head, filled to the rim, not spilling a drop, as she smoothly managed the rough terrain underfoot to reach her village that was towards the top of the mountain.

I wonder….when was the last time we turned our tap on to get a drink and said thank you Lord….I imagine that this lady would do so with joy in her heart every single time, if only she were to have the chance!

As we reached the top of the mountain, relief from the heat finally came, in the shape of a tropical rain storm. The temperature cooled, the breeze picked up, and the rain drops the size of ping pong balls fell….all the way to the bottom of the mountain. What an experience….to be in a rain forest….and to have it rain! The sound of the water slapping against the huge banana leaves, the slight wind through the canopy, and the huge cracks of thunder that sounded like someone was felling a huge tree right above us. Such fun, such a blessing!

The next day was much the same, as we headed back into the forest, this time in search of a waterfall. Our guide was great, guiding us through the thicket and along paths that would have been easily missed by each of us. We knew however that we were getting close, as the rumble of water over rocks grew louder and that distinctive crashing sound of water falling from a distance could be heard by us all. The track finally began to open up for us and we soon came across our much-awaited destination.  I think the pictures say enough!

On the drive home, I was struck by how quickly the last few years of my life seem to have gone by. I felt as though, when sitting cramped in our rough and ready van, that I was back at school, thinking about what I wanted to do when I left and having no idea….

And then I look at my situation and smile. I love that I am here in Africa. I love that I am part of something that is bigger than me. Something that is making an impact in the lives of those who fly under the radar of the worlds News channels. I love the adventure, the challenges, the ups and downs. I love that I can share this experience with close friends. I love the opportunity and I love you all for supporting me in and through it all.