{Adoption Video Series} New Life Nicaragua Orphanage

I woke up one night really frustrated. No, my hubs wasn’t snoring, but I felt empty inside. We are happy living in Nicaragua serving with Project Hope hosting the mission teams that visit on short term mission trips, however, something was missing for me. My heartbeat is visiting orphans. I had no idea how I was going to make a connection with an orphanage without dragging one of the Nicaraguan staff with me to help with translation. (I speak Spanish at the level of a toddler.) I needed to start praying specifically: “Jesus, please bring me an orphanage that I can fellowship and serve and love and play and make a difference.”

The next day, we took Zoie to a special festival event at the church we attend. I was standing in front of the “ring toss” cheering Zoie on to victory, when a beautiful mom holding an equally beautiful little girl ran up to me. “Are you Kari Gibson? I know you … you have a blog called My Crazy Adoption!!”

I was shocked. “Yes, that’s me!” We hugged and we both started to get emotional. I couldn’t believe a blogger friend found me in Nicaragua! We talked non-stop and I learned Michelle was living here for the next three months for the completion of her adoption of two biological sisters. She was living solo (her hubby was at home working and taking care of her oldest son) with her four children in a rented apartment. I was hugging my hero! I honestly don’t know if I could do what she’s doing with so much strength and courage. I can’t wait to share her story next week on My Life Is Crazy Too series.

I had no idea God was planning on answering my big prayer in a matter of minutes. I was too giddy talking to Michelle to notice the blond lady standing to the side (waiting for me to take a breath.) Michelle introduced me to Chris Bagwell and shared she was an orphanage director here in Managua. Can you guess the look on my face? I was speechless. Chris was helping Michelle with transportation and offering support during her adoption process and brought her to the festival for fun and fellowship. I couldn’t hold back my joy and hugged her neck! She’s a sassy, Southern belle, orphan warrior and has lived in Nicaragua eleven years with her hubby, Tim and family. She’s a seasoned missionary and protector of the fatherless… She lives radical James 1:27! God hand delivered my miracle!

We’ve had the honor of visiting New Life for the past two weeks, sometimes twice a day! Chris saved my heart! She embraced my crazy gifts and passions and has allowed our family to visit with an open door. They had a milk crisis on our first visit, and it was incredible asking my Facebook friends to help raise funds for food and basic needs for the orphans. You made such a big difference! There are 15 beautiful orphans living at the re-nutrition center and I can’t wait for you to fall in love, too. You’ll meet sweet Veronica, baby Juan, Sarie, Carla, and the rest of the precious New Life angels. Please visit New Life Nicaragua website here to learn how you can help and serve on a short term mission trip.

We have the honor of serving + loving big at New Life Nicaragua re-nutrition center in Managua. Watch our first interview, one of five videos, with Chris Bagwell and learn more about this incredible orphanage for children who have been abused, starved, neglected, and orphaned. We are all called to Simply Love.