Indeed. I suppose instead of how Don described it, I'd describe it as thus:
"The jungle is oppressive at every corner. The heat feels like it's literally pressing down on you, but you hardly notice because your attention is focused on the deluge of stinging insects. Your only respite is getting lost in your own mind, shutting out some of your senses to maintain your sanity. Grar (the cleric) doesn't even notice that he's about to step into the quicksand, but Terigaria (the ranger) quickly grabs his shoulder and steers him to safety."
"Exiting the jungle at last, you come upon a village carved out of hill. The villagers look upon you with surprise. 'We are shocked to see you!' exclaims the elder. 'No one who is not of our village has survived the jungle. Most got lost and the jungle swallowed them up. Others couldn't hack their way through the jungle before exhaustion set in. How did you do it?'" "I have...certain skills" replied Terigaria.
That is, don't just narrate it as "OK, you pass the jungle, now you're at the village. Narrate it so that those abilities have a tangible feel to the story of the adventure, and highlight what would have happened if the ranger wasn't there. That is what makes those abilities feel useful.