Atlantic Productions
6 July 2019 • WAR CRY • TELEVISION 3
BORN TO BE
WILD
H
UNTING for crocodiles, speedboating down a mighty river, exploring coral reefs and hanging out with orphan orangutans are all on the itinerary in Judi Dench’s Wild Borneo Adventure, which concludes on ITV on Tuesday (9 July). During the two-part series, Dame Judi discovers more about one of the richest rainforest ecosystems on the planet, where new species are still being discovered. Guided by conservationists and experts, she meets a winged mammal called the kubong, a diligent dung beetle, and a snake she nicknames James Bond. She expresses unbridled delight about the diversity that surrounds her. In last week’s episode, the actress flew by helicopter 125 miles into the heart of the rainforest. She was awestruck by the views below, remarking: ‘It is spectacular. I never imagined it would be quite so overpowering to look at. It’s like flying over broccoli!’ Later Judi was winched up one of the rainforest’s tallest trees, which soars to a height of more than 100 metres. It provided her with a view of the canopy, which sustains up to 30 per cent of rainforest life. Being in the jungle also stirred another of Judi’s senses. She heard its symphony, which croaked into life at dusk
Meeting an orphaned baby orangutan
Judi Dench flies high in jungle adventure, writes Emily Bright Judi is hoisted up to the rainforest canopy
with cicadas, grasshoppers and crickets. She was struck by the sheer scale of the insect kingdom, learning that as many as 80,000 species coexist within the Borneo rainforest. Throughout her journey, Judi is astonished at the rich ecosystem she encounters. ‘The jungle is beyond my wildest dreams,’ she says. ‘Around every corner there’s an extraordinary creature.’ Whether we see an orangutan swinging from rainforest trees or simply admire a butterfly in our back garden, there is beauty to behold wherever we look. Over many thousands of years, humankind has delighted in the world on which all life in its diversity depends.
She expresses delight about the diversity that surrounds her One Bible poet expressed joy when reflecting on the beauty of nature by praising God for his abundant provision. The writer enthused: ‘How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures’ (Psalm 104:24 New International Version). The writer believed that the richness of life derived from a magnificent and mighty God and that all life depended on him. Many other people have expressed their irrepressible joy that they could encounter such a God in their everyday existence, knowing he would sustain them through whatever they faced. We may feel that our springs of strength have dried up, or that we are falling prey to our circumstances. However, God offers us a rich abundance of life and love, if we’re willing to walk towards him. He can strengthen us with his peace, love and guidance. We may feel that our lives are rooted in past mistakes, broken relationships or difficulties, but we have a tremendous chance to grow closer to God.