These weren't the only words of wisdom that Gena left with us. Over the past four years she shared many of her thoughts and insights on the discussion board. As a memorial to her, and to glorify the Lord she served, we've decided to share some of those with you here. Gena made her first post on July 8, 1999:

Greetings in the Name of Jesus! This is the first time I have posted to the board. I have been "cruising" through the old posts and really felt this was one that I wanted to add my "bit" to.

In response to Fern's question, "In what ways are you using your freedom to serve Christ?" I contribute the following:

I am a career missionary (single of course!) in South America. I live in the high Andes Mountains (I'm currently in the States on furlough) and am continually traveling in my teaching ministry. Though I desire to be married and believe that is God's will for me some day (I am 39) I also realize that were I to be married at this point in my life I would not be able to minister in the way in which God is currently leading me.

My first term in South America, while living in a small mountain town, I was away from home about three weeks out of every four. How could one possibly take care of a husband and children when gone so often? With a move to a larger more central town in my second term my traveling has cut down but it is still at about two weeks out of the month. When I am home, more often than not, I am either holed up writing classes or doing counseling etc. I realize that at this point in my life singleness is the Lord's will because of "the work of the ministry."

I am an anomaly to the average Christian in my country where marriage is the expected end for women. They cannot fathom why I am still single. In the past I have tried to explain to them that I do not view myself as one half of a whole but rather as a complete and whole person in Jesus Christ. Most of them just look at me with a glassy eyed, uncomprehending stare. So, now when I am asked the usual question of, "When are you going to get married?" I just respond with, "I'm thinking about next Tuesday at eight, what do you think?"

Someone recently asked me if I found it harder to be single the older I got. To be honest, at times I do, especially as the big four oh approaches, but I have long ago come to the conclusion that there are worse things then being single; such as being out of the will of God! As I told him, if I had wanted to marry someone who was not God's best for my life I could have done that 20 years ago. Having waited so long why blow it now?

I thank the Lord for the great privilege He has given me to be able to serve Him on the foreign field. God knows what is best for me and for His Kingdom so who am I to complain? I know that when the Lord sends me a mate as He has promised me, that God will then redirect my ministry endeavors; however, until that time, I happily keep on with what He has given into my hand.

I pray that each one of us would truly discern the purpose that God has for his life right now at this moment and live each moment to the fullest for His glory.

God bless you all! Genevieve

Did Gena not face the problem of loneliness, alone on the mission field without a spouse? Indeed she did, and she offered this bit of hope and advice to another participant on our discussion board who was struggling with loneliness while studying outside of his country:

Yes, I have suffered the "demanding pain of loneliness" as you put it. I, too, had to face a very similar situation in a foreign land and I understand how painful it can be. I am a missionary in South America and a year and a half after arriving at my field site I relocated into a remote mountain region. There, no one spoke English, they were closed to outsiders (the church, too!), they were suspicious of white women, and I was treated like the local prostitute because I, from necessity (e.g. singleness), lived alone and you know there is only ONE reason why a woman would live alone ... My loneliness was not so much for a mate but for ANYONE to talk to and be my friend.

I don't want to come off as giving some type of spiritual aspirin nor sounding pat here but ... I really found the answer to be digging into God. Looking back I now thank God for that time of loneliness and physical aloneness because it forced me to look to Jesus to fill the needs I was accustomed to having met by other human beings. I had no television, books, nor friends. I left the mountains a couple of days every few months. I began to spend protracted time in prayer and Bible study. I also began to exercise faithfully and cook naturally because it gave me something to fill the extra hours with when I was not studying or ministering. As my spiritual life began to blossom God brought a wonderful friend into my life, Sofia, who helped to meet those earthly companionship needs.

I would really caution you about looking to another person (as in romance) to fill the need you are experiencing in your life at this moment. I don't know how long you have been in Germany so this may not be applicable but culture shock is a very real experience and is not something that should be discounted. First and foremost, as I shared from my own experience, I would dig into God. Set aside at least an hour a day just to talk to Him. Be honest and let Him know what you are going through. Ask Him to guard your heart and emotions as you make this transition far away from home. I assume from what you have said that you are accustomed to praying quite a bit. If not, and you would like a little prayer guide helper I use to disciple people with, let me know.

Now, lest that sound hyper-spiritual, here are some suggestions for practical proactive things you could do. I would try to seek out potential friends (of the same sex) and begin to spend time with them. I would not look for a member of the opposite sex at this time recognizing that I am at a vulnerable point in my life. If you haven't already found a church where you feel comfortable, do so! Get in and become aggressive in meeting people. If they do not pursue you, pursue them! Invite them over for coffee etc. Don't lose yourself in TV, videos, or the Web. Do lose yourself in things of the Spirit. Get some good books and read them for fun. Don't brood over what you are feeling. When the feelings come and seem to be overwhelming just tell the Lord what is happening and then consciously focus your mind on positive things. Read a book, listen to a tape, go for a walk.

Gena obviously fulfilled her calling and learned to deal with the not-so-pleasant aspects of that calling. But what would she say to someone who has wasted many years and feared they had missed the train of God's will for their life? Here is her response to a 40-year-old woman who wanted to serve the Lord, but was afraid she was too late:

Hi! I downloaded your question when I was in town earlier this week and at that time there were no responses. However, by the time I upload this when I go into town again you will probably have had lots of good advice and mine will be a day late and a dollar short! But, just in case, here it is.

My answers to two of your questions, "is it possible to miss your calling, and, is it too late to fulfill it?" are yes and no. Yes I do believe it is possible to miss one's calling through disobedience and no I don't think it is ever too late to fulfill it.

With respect to missing one's calling through disobedience we have only to look at the example of King Saul in the Old Testament. 1 Samuel 10:1 says in part, ". . .Has not the Lord anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?" Samuel was speaking to Saul the "calling" of God that had been placed upon his life. Later, through his disobedience, Saul was rejected by the Lord.

Now, I recognize that Saul lost, as opposed to missed, his calling but I believe the principal is the same in each case. God may call us to do something, He may gift us to do that very thing, He may even make provision for that calling but unless we yield to it and fulfill our part as outlined by the Lord it will not come to pass. I think it all hinges on obedience. Had Saul been obedient he would have continued on as king of Israel.

But, God is a god of Hope. I know that the parable of the Good Shepherd and the ninety and nine sheep is often used for salvation but I believe it also has another application. Remember, these were all sheep, they were not goats (unbelievers). One of God's "sheep" had wandered off, gotten off track. Did He say, "Well, that's that. When he finally manages to wander back again then he'll be part of the flock"? No! He went out looking for that sheep. I believe the same is true when we have missed God's will. He will come after us. He will look for us. He will woo us by His Spirit and, failing all else, He will allow circumstances to arise in our lives that bring us back into line with His plan.

Dear sister, I don't think it is mere coincidence that you are/have been thinking on this. I think it is most likely the Spirit of God speaking to you. Calling to you. Bidding you to come up higher. It is never too late! Godly regret will govern our future actions; human regret will just make us feel bad. You cannot replace the years which have already passed but you can change your future.

Missing the train, hmmmmm. Maybe you missed the "express" but, hey, the local is coming through, sister. Get on board! Instead of thinking about what you may have missed, think about the exciting things ahead for you in God.

It sounds to me like you are well down the road of spiritual maturity or you wouldn't even be concerned about this. Just press into God and let the rest take care of itself. All things in His time.

Well, I guess I had better step down from the pulpit now. Peace and blessings be upon you.

Gena L

P.S. I got into town a few days earlier than I thought so this might not be as untimely as I thought when I wrote it at home. I had to come into town because I am getting a washing machine! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

We print these samplings of the many messages that Gena shared with us over the past four years, not to bring glory to her nor to be morbid about her short life, but to be challenged and inspired by her testimony. It's easy to live life in limbo, waiting for "something" to happen before we truly jump in with both feet and serve the Lord with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds. God has called us to far more.

In many ways it is sad to think that at just 43 years, Gena's earthly life is over. But it's comforting to know that because she did jump into life with both feet, Gena touched far more lives in that time than many do who live twice as long. For that reason we can rejoice in her 43 years, thankful that God gave her that many to serve Him. And we must remember that Jesus accomplished God's purpose for Him on this earth in just 33.

It really doesn't matter how many years you and I have left. What matters is that we use the life God has given us fully for His purposes.

And remember, it's never too late to have a life!