OUR STORY
Thrive Nica was founded in 2021. Mark & Amanda Haugstad and Jeff & Nicole Waggoner have a long relationship with and love for the country of Nicaragua and its people. Mark and Amanda first journeyed to Nicaragua in 2013 and Jeff and Nicole followed shortly after in 2014; both on short term trips.
In 2015, Jeff and Nicole felt God calling them to move to Nicaragua with their three daughters. They prayed, found an organization to go through, and fundraised. In March of 2017 they moved from Minnesota to Masatepe, Nicaragua. Throughout that time, Mark and Amanda continued traveling on short term trips. Jeff and Nicole lived in Masatepe until June of 2018 when they were forced to evacuate due to civil unrest and violence throughout the country. They have since been able to travel back a couple of times on short term trips.
Both couples have been supporting organizations and individuals in Masatepe for the past several years, but have had a longing to do more. In the summer of 2020, they began dreaming and praying about starting a non-profit. 16 months later… here we are! As of Oct. 2021, Thrive Nica is officially a non-profit. We are super excited to start this new adventure and grateful to have Ashley Nadine Schaber and Michaela Langlais serving on our Board of Directors. Check out the bios below to learn more!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicole Waggoner
President
Nicole has travelled to Masatepe, Nicaragua several times on short term trips and lived there for 15 months. She has been employed by a non-profit in Nicaragua and still works closely with organizations there. She also speaks some Spanish.
Amanda Haugstad
Vice President
Amanda is a former high school Spanish teacher, is fluent in Spanish, and has been on multiple short term trips to Nicaragua as both a participant and a leader. She also served several years on the missions board at a local church.
Jeff Waggoner
Treasurer
Jeff has travelled to Nicaragua several times on short term missions trips and also lived in Masatepe, Nicaragua for 15 months. He has been employed by a non-profit in Nicaragua, supports teens through Young Life and speaks Spanish.
Michaela Langlais
Michaela is employed by a non profit church ministry, helped to launch a local non-profit that provides monthly meals for families in her community, and has been on 2 mission trips to Nicaragua.