A Man of God

There are people in life you connect with immediately. You seem to be able to understand one another before you finish your sentences, and when you come across these individuals the relationships grow deep quickly. Before Christmas we met and made such a connection with Michelle and Chris Gennaro. Today, we attended a celebration service remembering Chris' life. Last Friday Chris was called home to heaven, leaving Michelle and their six children here on earth.

Chris felt the pull to come to Africa when he was a teen, but it wasn't until 2011 that he first arrived in Lesotho. He, Michelle and their kids set up home in one of the most remote villages in Lesotho named, "Mutamong." They lived without running water, a working bathroom, and had solar powered electricity. We had the distinct honor of being their guests in this home, and our lives have been transformed because of our time with their family.

We will never forget sitting around their table, Michelle, with her Bible open encouraging us in our calling to reach out to the people of Lesotho. Chris's humor was both disarming and engaging at the same time, yet there was a depth of character about him that flowed from a gigantic heart. He shared his vision for the village with us. His vision was refreshing and inspiring. Richard and I sensed an urgency to soak up all the wisdom he offered, and we are so fortunate that we did.

Several times during our short stay with the Gennaros we witnessed them loving on the Basotho. Chris would be called out at all hours of the night to collect friends from the surrounding area in his Land Rover. The terrain was nearly impassable, but he would navigate it, in the dark, to help a friend in need.  His cell phone was like a 9-1-1 call center, and it was amazing to see him field the constant onslaught of needs from the villagers. He loved the Basotho big, and he loved them well.

Our boys with the three youngest Gennaro kids in Mutamong. 

Today, those who have grown to know and love the Gennaros in Africa gathered to remember Chris' life. It was a highly emotional day filled with tears, memories, and some laughter.  Some of the Basotho he loved so well from the village sang a song of praise a cappalla, leaving little doubt of the impact Chris and Christ have made in their lives.

It was a hard day in many ways and on the two-hour ride home Richard helped me to put it all into perspective. He told me that he does not believe Chris died because he came to Africa, but that his days, like all our days, were numbered from the very beginning. My husband went on to say that he believes with all his heart that Chris was doing what God asked him, and because of his obedience he was happy and fulfilled like many close to him had never before seen. His sister testified today that he was so free living in Lesotho. We believe if he had not come to Africa Chris would have died last Friday with regret, but he did not. He was ushered into eternity with his dear wife and colleagues singing praises and loving on him.

Chris had said he would die in Africa. Nobody expected it to be this soon, but the fact he lived his life so well here has secured the fact that his story will be told for generations in the remote mountain village of Mutamong. It is a culture which thrives on story telling. Chris came to tell the story of the ultimate Savior. When the stories of his life are relayed around open fires in the village it will be impossible to separate this man from his GOD!