I really enjoyed this book!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS BOOK WITH ME!
I got behind in the COVID DRAMA and missed posting about this important book when it came out.
Thank you!

Both a memoir and a call to action, Guardians of the Trees recounts Webb’s time in Indonesia, first on research, and then founding a non-profit called @healthinharmonyngo . People living near the rainforests had to log to pay for expensive medical bills; even if they realized the rainforest’s importance and that it wouldn’t last forever, they often had no choice. Webb already strongly believed in protecting the rainforests, but seeing the logging and medical crises in Indonesia is what inspired her to start Health and Harmony, providing medical services and other services to rainforest communities to combat both climate change and poverty. In her mind, human and planetary health are inextricably linked.
~
I guess this is more like info on the organization than a true review, but I found HIH’s model so fascinating and want to see more organizations functioning like it. I don’t think I’ve highlighted/annotated a nonfiction book more than GOOT. The beautiful relationships in the rainforest communities and with nature itself really shine in this memoir. I rarely felt like I needed to “take a break” from Guardians of the Trees, either. My only qualm is that the spiritual aspect Webb’s life wasn’t as clear or fleshed out to me, despite it seemingly playing a big part in expanding her work to a more global scale and in her personal healing, too.
~
However, the spiritual aspect made me think of how the church could use a similar model more often. How can we as Christians both address spiritual and physical poverty/societal issues, with long-term impacts? To me, those aspects are as closely linked as planetary and personal health are to Webb. After all, the early church provided for the poor, widowed, orphaned, and suffering, and the biblical God is a God of justice and love. I would definitely say that GOOT had a big impact on my awareness and thinking. I haven’t had a ton of 5🌟 books this year, but GOOT is definitely one I recommend!