1. Relationships know no walls.

Las Vertientes and Hacienda El Penon were the neighborhoods where we served in Chile. Each house is surrounded by at least a 7 ft. solid wall and gate that’s not meant for passersby to see through. At first glance, it would seem impossible to build relationships with these hurdles. James and Coletta Morsey didn’t see walls, they saw people looking for hope, freedom, and friendship. They didn’t move to Chile guns blazing yelling about God at the top of their lugs from the street corners. That wasn’t Jesus’ strategy either. They worked to build deep friendships, create a positive community culture, and share the radical love of Jesus through every aspect of their lives. I can’t even begin to list the number of people we were able to meet that lived behind these walls. Each new person would say something like “Oh you’re friends of James and Coletta, me too!” Their influence is more than just the “missionary” stereotype. It’s an influence that can only be birthed in authentic relationships and sustained with a genuine love and care for people. It’s the influence that Jesus carried

2. The Truth of The 40% Rule

I completed one of the most physically demanding challenges of my life in Chile. It was a off-trail hike in the foothills of the Andes Mountains - 14 miles - 6500 ft. elevation gain - 10 hours. There were multiple times that I wanted to quit. I never vocalized it, but I definitely thought it. I pulled a muscle about half way up and by the last false summit I felt like I couldn’t lift my leg a step further. Then I remembered something my friend Adam Paulson once taught me. The US Navy SEAL’s have a rule for mental toughness: The 40% Rule. When your mind is telling you you’re done, you’re really only 40 percent done. I shared this with James and Coletta, who used it to encourage me all the way to the top. I’m still not totally sure how I made it up and back in one piece. All I know is that I couldn’t have done it without the combination of the 40% rule, James and Coletta, and supernatural strength from God teaching me how to dig deeper than I ever thought possible.

3. An example of true contentment.

Before the Race I would have explained contentment as similar to being passive. In the United States, “success” seems to be all about the rate at which you can climb the ladder. James and Colletta ignore the ladders and instead chase after God’s bigger story. The thing that impacted me most was their “it’s not ours, it’s God’s” philosophy about everything. For 21 YEARS they have dedicated their lives to loving the Chilean people. They aren’t bringing the American, fast-paced church start up philosophy to Chile. They are creating real life-changing community. From the beginning vision of a church, James and Coletta actively seek local leadership. It’s one of their biggest prayers - to be replaced! Their identity isn’t rooted in their jobs or their projects. It’s rooted in the fact that “God has provided in the past, and he will do it again.” Their contentment isn’t passive. It’s expectant. I want that. Their example is one of the most impactful gifts I’ve been given on the Race so far.