Twenty-one years ago, I received a phone call from a lady that I had never met, but knew to be the forwarding agent for Kritsana Udomsrirat, a missionary to Thailand that the church we were members of supported. After she identified herself, her first words were, “I believe that God wants you to become Kritsana’s new forwarding agent”. Well, my initial (unspoken) response was, ‘that’s funny, because He sure hasn’t told me that!’ However, I kept that thought to myself and listened as she continued. It seems that she had put out a request to supporters of Kritsana’s work, (Asian Women & Children’s Ministry) to pray for another person to take over her responsibilities of Forwarding Agent/Treasurer. All the time she is explaining herself, I am thinking, ‘well, why me? I hardly know you. How in the world did you arrive at this conclusion? And besides that, though I have met Kritsana briefly, when she spoke at our church, she really doesn’t know me either!‘
So, I was preparing to say ‘no‘, that is, until I heard the answer to my unspoken questions. Within a couple of weeks of her request, three different individuals, who had known me at some time, had either called or sent her a note with my name! I was astounded, especially by one person whom I hadn’t seen for several years and who lived in another state! Suddenly, I felt so humbled and even fearful! After all, as a Christian, how could I deny that this was not God’s hand at work?
Now, today, as I think back on the past 20+ years that my husband, Mel, and I have had, serving in this capacity for and with Kritsana, we can only praise God for what this awesome experience and absolute joy have brought into our lives, and even the lives of our children and grandchildren.
As a young wife and mother, Kritsana’s life was shaken to the very core when she witnessed the tragic murder of her husband in front of her and their children. For months, she was consumed with anger and hatred. It was only through a neighbor, a Christian missionary who came to help her, that she was taught of a Savior, and suddenly remembered that as a young girl she was also taught of a man named Jesus, the One who would carry her sorrow and burdens, if she would turn to Him in trust. With joy, she gave her heart and life to Christ and was baptized into her new life.
Seeking to learn more about Christ, Kritsana came to the United States with her sons and enrolled at Ozark Christian College, graduating in four years. God’s calling on her heart was that she return to Thailand and begin the work He had planned for her.
Thirty-five years have passed since that time, and hundreds, if not thousands, of Thai, Chinese, Burmese, and a host of tribal groups have been led to find new life at the foot of the cross of Christ. Some of her former students have now joined Kritsana in ministry and serve in these village churches in MaeAw, NaiSoi, HuiZhiTal, Jopaka, and many other remote tribal villages.
Christ’s Church has partnered with Kritsana from the beginning, and we are witnesses to the unstoppable hand of God as he has worked through her. She unreservedly gives the glory to the One who changed her life; how can we not praise Him too!
Written by Jeanie Andrews
Kritsana Udomsrirat
Kritsana lives in the village of MaeHongSon and leads a ministry called Asian Women and Children. Her ministry provides God’s message, a home, and education for children who have little hope for a bright future. Many of these children come from the mountain village of MaeAw, where Kritsana started and oversees a Chinese school for over 100 refugee children up through the 6th grade. Kritsana continues to spread the Good News wherever God leads.
