It is hard to believe I will be back on South Sudan soil within 35 hours. This past year has been a whirlwind – actually, more of a hurricane to be truthful. I haven’t been very good at keeping everyone informed – I guess part of me has been trying to process what I have seen and the other part was trying to figure out what to do about it. A trip to South Sudan and two trips to Cameroon later, here I am. I am not sure I have found all of the answers that I have been looking for, or that I have been able to accomplish as much as I wished, but I do know one thing. Change can happen – big or small – it can happen, as long as we take that initial step forward.
I came across my journal from my LAST December trip and wanted to share my very first entry with you.
December 16th, 2010
I am on a plane to Sudan. Sudan. I think for the first time in my life, I am actually stuck for words. Usually I have some idea of what to expect, some frame of reference, something to help formulate my thoughts but this time I have nothing. Sudan is so remote, so hidden, so far away from everything I know.
This morning I took my kids to their West Vancouver school with their lunch kits overflowing with healthy food, and then I took a long hot bath in my house that overlooks the ocean. After, my husband and I went for lunch together at a great downtown restaurant and agreed upon a family vacation to Mexico in the New Year. Later after I picked up the kids, we watched in fascination as our stick-bug eggs hatched while we ate gingerbread cookies. Ironic.
Tomorrow I wake up in a country destroyed by 40 years of civil war, 2 million people brutally killed and another 4 million people displaced. Where children and mothers are dying of thirst and tribes are fighting to death over access to basic needs. Oil and water run deep and plentiful beneath the ground yet above ground there is so much suffering and destruction. A country raised on violence, forgotten by the rest of the world.
What am I doing on a plane traveling to Sudan? I have asked myself the same question and I do not know the answer. Ever since I first heard of Sudan, I have felt a pull. I can’t explain it, I just now that I am meant to go here. I don’t choose these places, the places choose me, of that I am certain. Perhaps I will find out on this trip? Already I feel my soul start to engage, my heavy heart start to lift as I get closer and closer….
We have come a long way since I wrote this (over 100 water wells drilled!!!), thanks to all of your support!!! Sometimes we accept these adventures in life, without knowing their outcome. Not only do I look forward to what this new trip may hold, I look forward to sharing it with all of you.
Tags: Africa, Obakki Foundation, South Sudan, Treana Peake, water projects
Wow..what a journey and great cause you have undertaken. I have this feeling your are about to accomplish things far greater than you can imagine.
Thank you Treana for your openess and honesty. Thank you for sharing your trepedations, as well as your success. And thank you most of all for allowing us to be a part of your journey! I believe we can make a change, ALL of us together
GREAT entry…the juxtaposition of two worlds…one world that NEEDS great help and the other world that CAN make these changes come to life
You have had an amazing year, but not to nag too much, we miss your updates. I love hearing about the trips you make and knowing that just by doing one small thing a difference can be made.
Keep up the good work, and have a safe trip
xoxo
Treana and team,
I wish I could be travelling with you as you continue to inspire me to do good things for others in the world. I can’t even begin to imagine what being so far away from home would be like, however think I would enjoy being disconnected from technology and connecting with people face to face.
I find it incredibly difficult to find my own place in a world that worships a Kardashian lifestyle built on excess, arrogance, self-indulgence and serious lack of work ethic. This morning, I read about the purchase of an $88 million dollar condo in NYC which its owner will ‘visit’ while studying at NYU. It turns my stomach to read of such waste as I think of how that money could have been better spent.
Immediately following the article about the condo, was the Obakki facebook update and although I had previously read your post, reading it again lifted my spirits. Just knowing people are working towards helping others build a better life, made me feel like I am not the only one who has their priorities straight.
I look forward to your posts and those of the team on the ground in Sudan. The people who work on Obakki’s behalf in a country so far from home are amazing! I marvel at their selflessness and brilliance as they bring so much to the people there on a daily basis. They are one of the forces ensuring progress keeps moving forward and I love hearing from them too in your posts!
I wish you all safe travels and success on your trip. I hope you will learn of many more lives transformed because of the work you are all doing.
Wishing you safe travels and a holiday season enjoyed with the ones you love,
Lisa Blinn and Family
xo
Wow…
I read this post with fascination and the upmost respect for someone like you who, without knowing the outcome, follows your heart and enters a journey to make a change..
Thank you for making an effort and making a change!
I hope I will find a way, myself, to make a difference, just a small change in this world, someday.
Kind regards,
Andy Jun
- A big admirer of yours and your husband.
Sometimes I have to go inside my heart’s shelves and I have to clean and replace in the right order thousands of dreams and persons that I’ve cared for, during all my life… old and new ones.
now, I’m just thinking : “I’m gonna meet this great woman someday!” and you really have to believe in your dreams…!
I must confess you’re among all that ‘mess’
Thanks for showing us your heart Treana. Take care and keep believing even if you don’t know all the answers. xxx
Very informative blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.