Jungle Courage
By W. Blake Gibbs
The Story
When they left the comforts of life in America for the dangerous jungles of Africa in the 1930’s, Harold and Ella Landrus could never have imagined the challenges and hardships they would face or the remarkable adventures they would experience.
From Harold’s “love at first sight” encounter with Ella; to their days as pastors in the dusty mining town of Aguilar, Colorado (where a drunken miner tried to shoot Harold); to their nearly 35 years as missionaries in the wild, remote jungles of Liberia, West Africa; their story is a powerful demonstration of God’s faithfulness, provision, and protection.
It is also the story of this remarkable family’s unwavering faith and courage. From deadly snakes, to marauding leopards, rampaging elephants, and terrifying plane crashes, the Landrus family faced every challenge with courage, faith, and purpose.
Jungle Courage is the account of a dedicated family striving to make a difference in the lives of native tribespeople deep in the African interior. They led lives of meaning and worth, while living out adventures that go beyond anything any movie could ever offer.
The difference is their story is true.
What are readers are saying
Editorial Review
“Jungle Courage is not just a story about the Landrus family. It is a timeless reminder that courage fueled by faith can overcome even the harshest circumstances.
At its core, this is a story of courage born not out of circumstances but out of conviction. Themes of perseverance, divine purpose, resilience, and unwavering faith run throughout, making the book more than just a retelling. It becomes a testimony of what it means to live boldly in alignment with one’s calling.”
Amazon Review
“This was simply the most interesting, inspiring book I have read in the last 20 years. The fact that it a true story makes it even better. I couldn’t put the book down.” - RF
Amazon Review
“Best book I’ve read in a very long time. Captivating, and so real, I couldn’t put it down. You will laugh, and you will cry. You’ll feel sad, mad, frustrated, joyful, glad, and terrified. You will be blown away. This book is well worth the read” - LR
Free previews
The Hunter Being Hunted
The African or Cape Buffalo is considered one of Africa’s most dangerous animals. Weighing up to seventeen hundred pounds and standing nearly six feet high at the shoulders, these powerful beasts are known for their mean dispositions and their unpredictable behavior.
Late one morning as they hunted, Harold and Paul encountered a rare lone buffalo. They had come upon it grazing in a small open spot in the jungle forest. Fortunately, it had not heard them, and they ducked quickly into the undergrowth to plot their plan of attack. Beyond what they needed for the family and to care for the students at the Bible school, this giant animal would provide food for the entire village for several weeks… read more
Love At First Sight
Sitting on an uncomfortable wooden bench at the back of a large circus-style tent waiting for the program to begin, Harold was thinking about why he was there. If he was honest with himself, it was because he wanted to escape having to study all afternoon. He was not a particularly good student, and his studies were a challenge.
When he was in his late teens, he felt very deeply in his heart God was calling him to be a missionary. Now in his early twenties, he was enrolled at Southern California Bible College intent on becoming equipped to serve as a missionary in some far-off corner of the world… read more
About the Author
W. Blake Gibbs, a native of Pasadena, California, grew up in neighboring Arcadia. After graduating from Arcadia High School, he earned his bachelor's degree from Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna College).
He married Esther Landrus, Harold and Ella’s youngest daughter, on July 3, 1965. One month later, as a Lieutenant in the US Army, he shipped out to Vietnam. Upon his return from Vietnam, Blake began a nearly forty-year career in business and industry.
When Blake turned sixty, he and Esther felt the Lord was calling them to join Agape Children’s Ministry as full-time missionaries. Agape rescues street children and other at-risk children in Kenya. Agape’s focus is to share the Gospel with the children and, after counseling and proper preparation, to reintegrate them with their family or extended family. God is blessing Agape’s ministry. Thousands of children have been rescued and successfully reintegrated. Blake and Esther retired in 2019. (If you’d like to learn more about Agape, go to: www.agapechildren.org)
Together, Blake and Esther have travelled extensively in Africa, Asia, and Europe. The first of their more than twenty-five trips to Africa was in 1969 to visit Harold and Ella deep in the jungles of Liberia at New Hope Town, a leper colony, their mission station. The visit provided Blake with a unique, hands-on understanding of the challenges of their daily lives in the remote, primitive African interior and of their effective and meaningful ministry.
Over the years, as he learned more and more about the Landrus family story, he knew it was a story that simply had to be told. A story of God’s faithfulness and provision. Of His mercy and grace. A story of their obedience to God’s call on their lives. Of their unwavering faith and unyielding courage. A story of challenges and hardships. Of tragedy and sorrow. Of joy and triumph. A story of unbelievable adventures.
Jungle Courage is that remarkable true story.
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