Dear Reader,

My wife and I recently attended the “Hope for the Journey” conference, which empowers caregivers to work with children of trauma. Their primary topic for instruction between caregiver and child? Connection.

We’re not talking about shallow bonds of quaint feelings, so easily built and too easily broken. Real connection is tethered to the soul, intimately vulnerable, and grounded in a deep, foundational trust. Caregivers who gently nurture such relationships are laying the groundwork for their once-fractured children to heal, grow, and be whole again.

Connection is everything.

At The Oak Life Journal, our hope is to help foster that connection—

Between caregivers and children.
Between directors and staff.
Between orphanages across nations.

Because if you and I can build a kinship, whether we have different life experiences, or fill different roles, or live in separate nations, or direct two distinct shelters, we will begin to see healing and change.

Change in the life of one child.
Change around the world.

In this edition, then, we hope you are encouraged and feel connected—

Social worker Ann Houck’s article on fighting children, empowers caregivers to traverse a difficult behavior scenario, while still building trust.

The news feed with Isaiah Cory keeps all of us connected to the important events of orphanages and alternative care organizations internationally.

And Anabel Frutos’ honest interview connects directors to one another through the common experience of striving for administrative excellence, and shared love for abandoned children.

And finally, we are all connected in Spirit. We are praying for each of you, that you find the strength, wisdom and hope necessary to walk out the incredible calling on your lives. We ask that you pray the same for us.

Cameron Talbot