A Trip that Made a Difference to Diadora and ME!
Perhaps you have heard this story before: A boy was walking along the beach after a storm and discovered hundreds of starfish had washed up onto the shore. He began picking them up, one at a time, and throwing them back into the ocean when a man stopped and asked, “Why are you doing that? It will make little difference as there are hundreds of them.” The boy picked up one more starfish, threw it back into the ocean and replied, “It made a difference to that one!” **
I recently returned from Nicaragua where I volunteered for a Habitat for Humanity project. I was overwhelmed with the magnitude of poverty in the small village where we worked.
Prior to our venturing out, we had an orientation led by our Nicaraguan Habitat leader, Aleandra, who reported that there was a need for over 600,000 homes in Nicaragua— either new build or fixing up existing homes in desperate need of
repair. And we were going to build ONE HOME! At the time I thought, what difference will this make? How do you tackle such an overwhelming need?
When we met the eventual home owner Diadora, her daughter, and grandchildren, I realized that we were making a life-changing impact for this one family. I saw and experienced the deep emotion and gratitude of Diadora and her daughter for what we were doing for them. I got it—and found joy and 
happiness for what we were doing knowing that their lives and their children’s lives just took a major turn for the better. They had something so very powerful – HOPE and the feeling of knowing that someone CARED.
Every morning before we had breakfast, I got up at 5:30 and spent an hour by myself reflecting on the previous day and I prayed for the day ahead. I prayed that what I was experiencing and the meaningful lessons learned would be brought home with me. These people are no different than those we engage with most every day. Everyone needs to feel there is hope, that someone cares for their future, and that someone “has their back,” maybe not to the degree I experienced in Nicaragua, but the foundation and fundamentals are the same. I prayed that this would be etched on my heart.
During the week, I walked the neighborhood during our breaks to engage with the children
who were happy, playful, and full of curiosity about this gringo walking in their neighborhood. We played soccer in the dusty dirt streets. We laughed and communicated as we had fun. We took selfie photos and giggled and smiled as they saw photos of themselves. I was able to arrange to get some reprints to some of the kids as a special statement that they were important.
I alwa
ys wondered prior to the trip what impact we would make on the family of the house, but did not comprehend the impact that the people and volunteering would have on me. One afternoon, I walked the entire
neighborhood and was struck with startling and deep emotion. I was humbled with what I was experiencing—being grateful in a way that I had never felt before. I was humbled for my life and how amazed I was at the happiness, gratitude, pride, and care that these families felt and exhibited despite having so little. And I mean so little: no running water, dirt floors, outhouses, outdoor cooking over an open fire—and incomes often less than $100 a month.
I walked away feeling less prideful, and with a deeper caring and concern for those around me. I want to be a more patient, more giving, and open person. I cannot express enough how I hope others will seek out an experience like this as it will deepen the substance of who you are and how you view life around you and the relationships you have.
My trip to Nicaragua as part of a Habitat for Humanity volunteer team and my experiences there can be best summarized by this quote:
**adapted from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley
where the World Trade Center towers once stood. During my visit, I came across this book, 
I remember, like it was yesterday, the day I was sitting with Dad in my parents’ home in Roseville and he asked if I would speak at his funeral. I was overwhelmed with the honor and at the same time the terror of such a task at a time of such emotional turbulence. How could I say no as this is something that few are granted, to personally be asked before a loved one’s death. The letter I gave my dad became the foundation of my talk at his funeral. As I re-read the letter I found the deep emotions of his loss surface along with the wonderful memories that sometimes fade over time. The letter brought back into clarity these important memories and the power of the written word as it kept my memories and feelings alive in my heart and fresh in my mind.
The memories of my trip to NYC, lunch with Rev. Wigdahl, and the time with Mom sitting on the balcony reminiscing about her life with Dad helped me be thankful for my life and the greatness of my memories, both the good ones and those of events I wish had not occurred. I am reminded that I was blessed as a child growing up. I was blessed during the years my own children grew and developed. I remember the wonderful times of our family camping trips and experiences and of being engaged in my children’s activities and their career development as they grew up and matured to become the great young adults they are today.
od news is that we can determine how the defining moments in life will affect us. In my case, I see them as an opportunity for growth, reflection, change, and revitalization. Professionally, my website is a public banner statement of this revitalization to embrace life, honor heritage, and be thankful for legacy. I am committed to sharing this revitalization with those around me and using it in my approach to life and business.
Ramblings from Bob Strommen 