Have you ever considered Jesus’ command to “Go ye into all the world” (Mark 16:15 KJV)? It’s a big thought to ponder.
When Amy Carmichael heard the call to “Go ye,” she knew her life was about to change.
What Did Amy Do?
Amy Carmichael was born on December 16, 1867, in the village of Millisle on the northern coast of Ireland.
The oldest of seven children, Amy was a born leader—often leading her younger siblings into mischief! Once, she squeezed herself and two of her brothers through the skylight and onto the roof—only to look down and see her parents staring up at them.
Still, she was raised to know the importance of obedience, not only to her earthly parents but to her heavenly Father as well.
A few interesting facts about Amy Carmichael:
- Amy and her family created a magazine for their little clan called Scraps, which she edited. Everyone contributed under a pen name. Amy went by “Nobody.”
- Amy practiced trusting God to provide for her needs from the time she was a young adult. She never asked for support. She simply left the matter in God’s hands and believed He would give exactly what she and those around her needed.
- In January 1892, at only twenty-four, Amy heard a clear call to “Go ye!” while listening to Hudson Taylor speak of the need for missionaries in China.
- Amy settled in India after moving through Japan and Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka). She began as an itinerant evangelist, but God eventually led her to rescue little girls and boys from dangerous situations where they had no advocate.
- Amy served in India for fifty-five years, never returning to her homeland and never taking a furlough. The work God had given her was too important.
Courageous Obedience
On a trip to spread the gospel, Amy and her coworkers came to a village. There was a temple nearby where girls were often sold to perform cultic duties. A little girl named Preena escaped, found Amy and her friends, and begged them to take her in.
This event shifted the focus of Amy’s ministry to rescuing young girls (and eventually boys) from horrific lives and bringing them up to know Jesus—all in spite of opposition from the families and neighboring people.
Amy founded the Dohnavur Fellowship, which became more like a family to these orphans. The fellowship still stands today.
Amy’s dedication to sharing the gospel of Christ gave her the courage to live the life He had laid out for her. She never married, believing God had called her to something different. Because of her consistent “yes” to the Lord, countless children were saved from danger and came to know their true Shepherd.
“Out of my vision swims the untracked star,
Thy counsels too are high and very far,
Only I know, God of the nebulae,
It is enough to hold me fast by Thee.”—Amy Carmichael
Want to Learn More?
You can learn more about Amy Carmichael in the book A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot.
