New guy is flying in today. We could use another pilot out here, but I always wonder how long they will stay. The jungle isn't for everyone.




Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

We Can Get Along Without You-An Excerpt

Over the next few days Marta struggled with her feelings. She knew she wanted John for her own, but she also suspected he wasn’t the type to settle down. Oh sure they could be together, but it would be on his terms. They would live in a large city where she would be his pretty little wife and he a world traveling airline pilot. Sure, they would still serve God, but maybe as members of a large congregation, not in the capacity they now served as missionaries half a world away.

That is how she imagined her life with him. The more she thought about life without him, the bleaker that seemed. She would live with her decision forever and she would be happy here. Only the more she thought about John, the more desperate she felt knowing that the only other man she could ever love, would ever love, would probably be devoted to somebody else.

Numah approached around dinner time, as Marta carried water from a creek. Numah grabbed one of the water bags. “Will you be boiling this water or using the medicine?”

“The water may be a little dirtier, so I think I will use some of the iodine pills the nurse gave me,” Marta said.

“It is strange to think you cannot drink our water. Something we have always required for life, you cannot live with.”

“Yes, it is strange. It reminds me of a saying we have in America. ‘Don’t drink the water.’ We tell that to everyone who travels to foreign countries,” said Marta.

“Over the years I have seen you work very hard and struggle with many enemies inside of you, just to be our friend, and to teach us what you do. But lately, I have seen you struggle with something very strong, an enemy that may indeed be your friend,” said Numah.

Marta crouched mentally, every synapse, nerve, and muscle fiber poised, preparing herself for what was coming from her observant friend.

“I pray to God since you and Raymond showed Him to me that day three years ago. Since his death, I have been praying for the man who will make you his own and continue the work here,” said Numah.

“I am not lonely,” Marta protested. “I am here for one thing, and that is for all of you.”

“Do not assume we will fall apart without you. There are others who are willing to ‘toil in the fields,’ as you say. But I do not think you will leave us if you are with this man,” said Numah.

Jeffrey W. Bennett is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

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I hope you understand

     “That was a close call, wasn’t it?” Marta patted John’s hand.

     “Yeah, I thought she would be chopped up for sure,” John sighed.

     “That’s terrible.”

     “It’s true. I saw the same thing happen in flight school. One of the other students didn’t duck low enough while approaching the helicopter. I almost quit flying,” John reflected.

Marta turned to John and leaned her left shoulder against the plane. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

     “Are you really?” John asked.

     “Yes. I wanted to tell you last night at the Millicans’, but I felt too awkward to say anything. You must hate me for ignoring you, but I felt like if I said anything they would know about last night,” said Marta.

    “I felt awful about ignoring you. I thought you were mad at me,” John said.

     “Please let me finish, John, while I have the courage,” said Marta.

     John looked into her imploring eyes. He saw nothing but frustration and confusion. Doesn’t she realize she could ask me for anything and I would do it for her? “By all means.”

     “Actually, I thought you were mad at me. I just couldn’t speak to you or look at you without feeling I would burst into tears.” Marta’s voice became shaky and she quickly turned away, trying to hide the tears welling in her eyes. She sniffed them back before continuing. “I have liked you since the first time we met, actually since before we met. I prayed all night and struggled with desperation when you and Steve went down. You can’t imagine how terrible I felt hearing you on the radio and not being able to help. I tried so many times to answer you and let you know we were here for you praying and hoping. When I followed your disaster on the radio and learned of your courage, of how you survived to bring Steve back, I instantly felt something for you, even though we had never met.” She saw John’s aquiline face glow with amazement.

     “When we finally did meet, my knees buckled in spite of my denying my true feelings. John, I have only felt this way toward one other person and I feel terribly guilty about having them about you. Can you understand that?”

     “Had I known you were there for me when I was in that jungle, I would have been out a lot earlier,” said John. “The moment I saw you, I recognized someone I could easily like and trust. But like you, I guess I tried to hide those feelings. And like you, I can’t afford to fall in love. You know what my plans are, and knowing you has made them difficult to face,” said John.

     “But we can’t just deny them, even though we feel we must. I want to continue with our relationship, act on our feelings, and let what happens happen. I’m willing to suffer the consequences of my decision. I don’t care. I just want you while I have you. But at the same time, I don’t know if I am ready for others to know about us. I just don’t think I can explain our relationship since they all knew Raymond, and I don’t know what they would think of me,” said Marta.

      “Marta, I can’t promise you anything other than that I do earnestly care for you. But I may have to leave here, and I know you are just as dedicated to your work as I am to my goal of becoming an airline pilot.         

     You couldn’t even consider leaving with me. Think about that. If you still want to continue in the direction we are headed, let me know next time you see me. I will be back in two days. Then, if you still want me, I can let the others in Tiom know how we feel about each other,” said John.

      “Thanks for understanding. That gives you points in my book.” Marta said tenderly, caressing his cheek with the back of her hand.

      John returned her smile warmly and nuzzled his face into her comforting open hand. He was grateful for her honesty but just couldn’t shake the dreadful feeling of having to come to a decision between following Marta or his plans.

     Marta watched the plane become a distant speck over the mountainous horizon. After the plane disappeared, Marta walked over to the plaque dedicating the airfield to her late husband. Tears were heavy in her eyes as she caressed the letters forming his name. Each letter Marta traced with her fingertips provoked fond memories of the man who was gone. But she knew love and the hope to love again was not lost. “I hope you understand,” she whispered tearfully, somehow knowing he would. 

Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the author of Commitment. non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Watch the Propeller

      John taxied the plane to the opposite end of the small airstrip, turned it into the wind as he usually did, and prepared to shut down. As he reached down to grab his check list, he caught a glimpse of sudden movement from the crowd. At the same time, Digul recognized his mother and began rocking in excitement, waving his arms, and shouting. This added to the urgency of Digul’s crying mother as she bolted toward the plane.

     “John, look out!” Marta warned, at the same time waving the excited mother back.

     “Noooo!” John screamed, reaching for the throttle to still the whirling blades.

     John stared blankly as he shook off the fear. That was almost a catastrophe, he thought as his door swung open. He was not completely aware of the many hands that rubbed his arms and patted his head. He wanted to just lie back and sigh as he recovered from the shock. As he sat shaking, he saw Marta being pulled from the plane, as everyone wanted to hug her. It wasn’t until the plane started rocking as many bodies bumped against it that John become fully aware of the celebration.

     Digul’s mother cried and held Marta in thanksgiving as some men helped Digul out of the back. They stepped back aghast at the hard structure on his leg. For a long minute, the celebration came to an abrupt end. The poor kid just stood there with his head cocked to one side trying to understand. His mother began to approach him cautiously, not wanting to hurt her son, who just two days before lay on his death bed. Seeing his mother only a few yards away he tried to walk toward her, but only stumbled.

     Finally recovered from his scare, John emerged from the plane with the crutches and fell in behind Marta and the boys.

     Digul was proud of himself for being able to slowly walk to his mother. He stopped and beamed a bright smile of accomplishment. He struggled to get his arms free and held them out to his mother.

     Suddenly the spell was broken, as the mother once again rushed to her son. She held him close as the people began cheering. They understood he had recovered, and he wasn’t a ghost.

     Digul took up his crutches and followed the rest of his people to the village as the excitement wore off, leaving John and Marta alone. They stood together leaning against the plane, each enjoying the cool air blowing in from the east and swirling around them. It was quiet now and they could actually hear the breeze whispering gently over the plane. In the distance, playing monkeys caused tree tops to sway vigorously.

Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is an author of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.