A Joy-Fest in Nicaragua
Discovery Stories
Stay up to date with the latest discovery stories here. We have stories about world-changing students and everything our department is up to.
For eight years, Discovery sent teams to Nicaragua to serve with partners and people who would become dear friends. Yearly visits to Managua's poor and impoverished communities were a staple on the Discovery team schedule, until political unrest in the area in 2017 made traveling to Nicaragua an impossibility. Of course, a world pandemic compounded the difficulties. Years passed, and before long Valor's absence from Managua totaled six years. It was an absence felt by leaders who'd taken teams there in the past - and it was an absence felt in Nicaragua as well.
The waiting came to an end in the summer of 2023, when more than 20 Valor students and leaders revived the Discovery Managua team. The team returned to the places and people that Valor had served in the past, and the reunion was a sweet one. By the end of June, the team had returned to Denver having left their mark at Ruby Ranch. The ministry reflected on the experience soon after.
Valor Christian High School from Colorado came to serve alongside us, and it truly felt like we were being reunited with family!! We were so happy to have them back in Nicaragua! This entire team was such a blessing to the children from Club Esperanza who joined us at Ruby Ranch for a weekend of camp.
Stories about Jesus during Vacation Bible School time, all of the fun games and crafts, dance parties and new friendships made between the team and the campers… it was all so beautiful. The heart and vision of Ruby Ranch that was shared so many years ago with Team Valor leaders, has come full circle and now their team has had the opportunity to experience the impact and beauty of that vision.
Our prayer time over the kids was so powerful! We love what our friend, Tim (Welch, Discovery Managua leader), shared about that morning of prayer.
"Our VBS culminated with a prayer time, as the ministry partner and the Valor students and leaders prayed over these little children. Wow, wow, wow. The Valor students prayed over these kids for an hour, at least, in English (to our Spanish speaking campers). But what came from this prayer time was transformational for both us and them. The best way I can describe what I experienced is that Holy Spirit showed up in a big way. We witnessed one of the most beautiful connections between the Valor students and these Nicaraguan children, when after praying the Valor students would open their eyes only to see tears streaming down the faces of the child they were praying over. The Holy Spirit doesn’t know language barriers. God was doing something supernatural in them and through them. One of those moments in life that you know, that you know, that you know that God just showed up."
"It’s nearly impossibly to put into words how truly incredible and life transforming this experience was," agreed co-leader Jennifer Gribble. "We will all be unpacking it for years to come. I am floored by the honesty, resiliency and vulnerability of this team and the way God pursues and lavishes his love on us. This was a joy-fest and left me struck with awe and wonder. It was literally the best thing I have ever done. What a gift!"
Team Valor, we are at a loss for words ourselves. You outdid yourselves with how you loved, how you served, and how much you impacted the children from Club Esperanza in Nicaragua. It truly was a joy-fest!! We love you all.
The Ruby Ranch Team
More Discovery Stories
Times of worship at the cross, sharing testimonies around the campfire of what Jesus has done in our lives, fun games in the rancho at night. God was pursuing every heart in countless ways each day.
Valor Christian High School from Colorado came to serve alongside us, and it truly felt like we were being reunited with family!! We were so happy to have them back in Nicaragua!
This summer, I had the privilege of going on the Colorado Trek. This Discovery experience focused on faith and discipleship while backpacking across southwestern Colorado. Our trip didn’t actually start on trail, but at our first of many group meetings prior to the trip. We spent time diving into scripture and discussion in order to further understand topics like faith, community, and the character of God, which were reaffirmed for me throughout our five days of hiking.
Going on the trip to Zambia truly changed my life. My parents are missionaries, so I grew up overseas serving, but I wasn't expecting the experience to impact me this much.
I was truly blessed to be a part of this experience and amazing team. The two weeks spent in Poland will always have a huge impact on my life, the way I treat others, and the relationships I will build in the future.
Africa cannot be put into words. Rwanda is not a country that can be explained, only deeply felt. Heartbreak, loss, redemption, and love all float within the famous red dirt and a thousand hills. Rwanda changes you.
My Discovery trip this year was unreal. Aside from getting to serve the children of Alaska, I also got to serve with my fellow peers. Every day was a gift that I know my Alaska team did not take for granted. The Lord showed up in ways I will never forget.
2022 grad Ashleigh Anema served in student leadership in her time at Valor, was the VP of Discovery in 2021-22, and has served on Discovery teams in Honduras and Thailand. Recently she shared her reflections on her time in service at Valor.
Each year, Valor Discovery experiences take students all over the country and the globe to serve others in the name of Christ. Many trips are led by the same leaders and partner with the same ministries year after year.
Each year, Valor Discovery experiences take students all over the country and the globe to serve others in the name of Christ. Many trips are led by the same leaders and partner with the same ministries year after year.
Over the years, a handful of Valor students and alumni have spent their summers at Teepee learning scripture, chasing adventure, building relationships and gaining perspective.
As the world went on lockdown, Valor students faced this past Spring with purpose. In the midst of the pandemic, they looked around for what they could do and found comfort in serving.
Madison Kempton’s roots in international missions run deep. So do her roots at Valor Christian. Learn more about her here in a recent blog post.
Unlike most of her fellow seniors, Ellie won’t be headed to college in the fall. Instead, she’ll pack her bags for nine months of service, an adventure with World Race that she started dreaming about years ago.
Alumni Christine Adams sat down to share about her experience as a Physician Assistant in Santa Barbara, CA during recent weeks.
Just a few years ago, the health care field wasn’t one Coach Brooke Jelniker thought she’d end up in – but as she’s learning, God had other plans.
Learn how Valor has changed perspective in the midst of a worldwide pandemic as we have worked together as a team to serve the Lord.
Through Discovery, many students change the trajectory of their life vocationally, spiritually, relationally and emotionally, more holistically becoming who God created them to be.
For many students, Valor’s Discovery program leads to eye-opening experiences in a new country or a new understanding of different cultures and customs.
View the reflections of the Valor Baseball team on their trip to the Dominican Republic.