Shadrach- Babylonian Astrologers Ganged Up On Us

By Mary Vee
Daniel 3

From Shadrach's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Shadrach. My friends and I have lived in Babylon for a little while. We're not Babylonians. We are Hebrews who were born in the land of Judah. 

Meshach, Abednego and I stood while all the people of Babylon and most of the Hebrew slaves bowed to Nebuchadnezzar's statue. 

Off in the distance, a group of men dressed like the king's astrologers pushed their way through the crowd and up to the balcony where the king stood. 

Later, one of the Hebrew servants came to us. "You are in so much trouble, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Don't you realize what you've done?"

I closed my eyes for a quick second then looked at him. "Yes. We chose not to bow down to the king's statue. God said we are only to bow down to Him."

Meshach and Abednego nodded. We stood close together, ready for whatever might happen to us.

"I know that." The Hebrew looked behind him. No one stood near to hear what we said. "Your lives are at steak. The king's astrologers went to him a short time ago. 

Photo Courtesy

"They said, "O king live forever! You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kind of music must fall down and worship your image of gold. Whoever does not fall do this will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set in power over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These Jews pay no attention to you or your decree. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.

"I telling you the king was furious. He's sending his official to come and take you to his thrown room. Run. Get away before they see you."

I shook my head. "We can't do that. First the officials would track us down before we got very far. Second, we won't hide from the king. We want him to know that we choose to bow down only to God."

The Hebrew man turned and saw the officers coming. He slipped into the crowd to get away from us.

The officers stood in front of us wearing their full uniform and carrying their weapons. "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?"

The three of us answered. "We are the ones you want."

"The king has summoned you. Come with us immediately."

We followed the officer. Guards walked in front of us, behind us and to the sides. Babylonian men and women watch us walk through the streets. We had gained their respect before this as officials who were fair. Now they watched us and looked unsure if they should trust us.

What do you think will happen? Come next Saturday to read more of the story.

*********************************************************************************************

1. Why were the instruments played?
2. What did the people do when they heard the instruments?
3. Who didn't do this?
4. What did the king's astrologers do?
5. Why do you think they did this?
6. What did Nebuchadnezzar order the official to do?

Shadrach-We Won't Bow Down

By Mary Vee
Daniel 3

From Shadrach's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My friends and I have lived in Babylon for a little while. We're not Babylonians. We are Hebrews who were born in the land of Judah. 

Babylonian men and women had come to see the new statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. As they gathered around the statue a herald stood on the platform and shouted, 

Photo Courtesy

"This is what you are commanded to do. O peoples, nations, and men of every language. As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown int a blazing furnace."

 Meshach, Abednego, and I looked at each other. 

"We can't do that," said Abednego. "That would violate God's law."

"I know. I'm just not sure what we should do," said Meshach

"Well, we can't bow down," I said. None of us would bow down. 

When we first came to the king's court, we, and Daniel took a stand not to eat the king's special food. At first the guards were afraid we would get sick, but after awhile, he saw our Hebrew diet made us healthier than the other boys.

Meshach whispered "We need to take a stand for what we believe. No matter the cost."

Abednego and I nodded. 

Photo Courtesy

The horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music played loud enough for everyone to hear. As they played, the people, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up all except some Jews, including us.

We stood strong with each other and will wait to see what happens. Maybe the king will excuse us. We will see.

What do you think will happen? Come next Saturday to read more of the story.

*********************************************************************************************

1.  When the music played, what were the people supposed to do?
2.  Why did Shadrach and his friends say they couldn't do this?
3.  Had Shadrach and his friends ever chosen not to do what the king said before?
4.  What happened when they first came to Babylon?
5.  When the music played, what did the Babylonian people and other people of nations do?
6.  What did Shadrach, his friends, and some other Jews do?

Amy Carmichael-When the Sky Was Dark

By Mary Vee

Year: 1894 

Amy Carmichael: 27 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary helping Barclay Buxton and his family tell the people of Japan about the God who loves them.

I'd learned some basic Japanese. Not enough to tell a Bible story, but at least enough to survive. My interpreter, Misaki San and I became good friends. I'd learn to trust her with the words I wanted said in Japanese.

While I continued my studies, I tried to think of a way that I could meet with the people and share God's love. If only they knew that God provided a simple way for them to go to heaven. They didn't need to do all the things required for a Buddha god who wasn't even alive.

I remembered the days in England when Mother moved us to the city. I went to the sections where the poor people lived and invited the factory girls to a Bible study. That went really well. 

I suggested to Misaki San that we should do the same here. Many poor Japanese women worked in factories and lived in small housing. They had to be at work at five in the morning and didn't get off work until six at night. Maybe they would like to come to a Bible study.

I knew the girls would be tired and wasn't sure if they would come. They might have rules about going straight to their homes after work. I didn't know. Misaki San agreed to help me invite the girls. We went to the poor section of Matsuye after the normal work hours for several days and told every girl we saw about the Bible study. 

The boys watching us followed me and teased saying, "What is the foreign devil doing here?"

I wasn't sure if the mean words would keep the girls from coming. They didn't know me. I didn't look like them. I didn't speak their language very well. 

I prayed. God please bring the girls to the Bible study. Let them learn about you and your love for them. Amen.

The next night Misaki and I went to the room where we planned to have our meeting. I opened the door and, to my surprise, eighty girls sat there waiting for me! 

Apparently the girls were bored with the short free time after work when the sky was dark. They wanted something to do to fill the emptiness. I was so excited to tell them about Jesus, the Bible stories, and answer their questions.

They came back week after week. They told their friends who also came. What a great start to my missionary work in Japan. 

Every morning when I woke, I thanked God for giving me another day to tell someone about His love.

Come back next time. I have much more to share!


Resources used for this series:
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Shadrach-The Golden Statue that Amazed Babylon

By Mary Vee
Daniel 3

From Shadrach's Journal

My friends and I have lived in Babylon for a little while. We're not Babylonians. We are Hebrews who were born in the land of Judah. 

Daniel, Meshach, Abednego, and I, along with other kids from Hebrew royal and noble families, met the standard given by King Nebuchadnezzar. He said he wanted all the young boys who proved the smartest and had the physical looks best for his kingdom.

I guess you could say we were the lucky ones. We didn't have to suffer the cruelty given by the soldiers when they captured the rest of our people and dragged them here with chains. I should be thankful. Still, my friends and I often talk of home, our foods, our language, our way of doing things.

Daniel scored the highest of all of us and was given a job in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. He asked the king to give Meshach, Abednego, and me a good job as well. The king was so pleased with Daniel that he agreed. We don't see Daniel very often, but at least we have our friendship with each other.

Recently, workers began building something in the plain of Dura. We couldn't tell what is was for a long time. It was made of gold, only nine feet wide, but ninety feet high (taller than an eleven story building). The structure began to take shape after a while. Meshach figured out what it was suppose to be first. The structure was a statue of King Nebuchadnezzar.

When the workers finished the statue the Babylonians cheered. They gathered around it and admired the workmanship. 

The day to dedicate the image came. Men and women dressed in their best clothes. Their children came too, wearing their very best. 

Satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other provincial officials came together for the dedication of the statue. Every single Babylonian man who had any job with the king stood in the group.

The sun shone on the land. Not a cloud hung in the sky.

A herald stood on the platform and shouted, "This is what you are commanded to do. O peoples, nations, and men of every language." 

I had a feeling right then, that there would be trouble. Abednego looked at Meshach and me. "He said all peoples, nations, and men of every language. That includes us."

"Let's hear what else he says first," said Abednego.

"I agree," I said. "Maybe it won't be so bad."

"You really think so, Shadrach?" asked Meshach.

"No." I shook my head. "I can only hope."


What do you think will happen? Come next Wednesday to read more of the story.

*********************************************************************************************

1.  Why was Shadrach and his friends in Babylon?
2.  Who were Shadrach's friends?
3.  Why wasn't Daniel with them?
4.  Why did King Nebuchadnezzar choose them?
5.  What was being built in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon?

Ezekiel-God IS Just and Fair

By Mary Vee
Ezekiel 33

From Ezekiel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Ezekiel. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who were taken captive to Babylon.

God gave me an assignment, a very important one. He said, "I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel."

This is a big job.

Here is what God meant. A watchman is a person chosen by a nation to warn the people when danger comes. 

When the people hear the watchman blow the trumpet they are to protect themselves or hide. But if a person does not believe the warnings and ends up being harmed, it is that person's own fault.

Now, if the watchman sees danger coming and doesn't blow the trumpet to warn the people--and if one or more of the people dies as a result, the watchman will be held responsible.

See what I mean? This is a difficult job that God has asked me to do. I am honored that He trusts me to do the work, and will try my best to do all that God asks.

God then said, "Since I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel, give the people this warning form me. When I say to the ones who have done evil, 'You will be punished', you need to tell the person my message. If you do not, the person will still be punished for what they have done, AND I will hold you accountable for his punishment. 

"If you obey me and warn a person that they are sinning--so they have a chance to stop, but the person chooses to keep doing wrong, he will be punished, but you will be saved."

God then told me my first warning to give, "Our sins are weighing us down and we are wasting away because of the bad things we do. How can we live? As sure as the Sovereign Lord lives, He doesn't like punishing those who sin. God would rather see that person turn from their ways and chooses to live. Turn! Turn away from doing wrong. Please don't choose to die."

When I said these things to the people they shouted that God isn't fair. But God is fair and just.

If a good person chooses to do wrong things then he will be punished.

If a person who used to do wrong things stops and become good, he will not be punished. 

This is just and fair.

God judges each one of us according to what we alone have done. 

This is just and fair.

And now it is our job, and yours too, to warn people. Do you know someone who is choosing to do bad things? Should you say something to help them choose to stop doing bad and start doing good?

*********************************************************************************************

1.  What job did God give to Ezekiel?
2.  What does a person with this job do?
3.  What did God tell Ezekiel to tell the people
4.  God IS __________ and __________

Amy Carmichael-My First Lesson in Japanese

By Mary Vee

Year: 1893 

Amy Carmichael: 26 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy - Japan

My name is Amy Carmichael.

Learning to speak and read Japanese didn't come easy for me. While I worked on learning the language, several people taught me about the Japanese culture.

See, if a missionary doesn't understand the way people from different countries act then those people will never want to listen or speak with the missionaries.

I first learned that the Japanese people take their shoes off when entering a building, even a church. 

Some men and women in Japan worship more than one god. Some worship eight million gods. These people are very concerned that they do what the gods want. The god worshiped by most of these people is the man-god called Buddha. 

Since I've only been here a short time, I don't understand everything about the Buddhist, but I do understand some.

The Buddhist believe Buddha knew how to find eternal happiness. 
They also believe in a circle of birth, death, and rebirth that continues forever and everything they do in one life will show what their next life will be. If a person isn't good, they believe he will come back as something like an animal or a beggar.

This is very sad for me. God made all of us. He loves us all so much that He sent His Son to take the punishment for our sins. He did that so there would be a way for us to go to heaven. And we each have only one life. 

I wanted so badly to start telling the people about the God who loves them even if they make mistakes. I woke each morning excited to go to the city streets with my interpreter and tell the people about the one God who loves them so very much.

I worked out a schedule, time to study Japanese, time to go out and learn about the people, and time to tell people about Jesus.

Come back next time. I have much more to share!


Resources used for this series:
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Ezekiel-The Story of Two Sticks

By Mary Vee
Ezekiel 37

From Ezekiel's Journal

Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Ezekiel. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who were taken captive to Babylon.

I told the people about the dry bones I saw in a valley. God had given me the vision to help them understand they would one day be restored to their homeland and have a new life.

God then gave me a sign to show the people. 

He asked me to take two sticks. On one stick, God told me to write the words Belonging to Judah and the Israelites with them. On the other stick I was to write Ephraim's stick, belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel with them.

I found two sticks big enough to write the words.

Next, God asked me to put the sticks together so they become one in my hand.

I put the sticks together and showed the people. 

They asked me, "What does this mean?"

I answered with the words God gave me. "God says that He will bring us together with all our brothers who have been scattered away from our home and bring us back to our land. We will become one nation. We will have one king over all of us and we will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. 

"With God's help we will not worship idols any longer. He will save us from all our sins and will cleanse us. We will be His people, and He will be our God.

"We will have one king over us who will be like a shepherd. In our homeland, God will help us follow His laws. We will live in a land He gave to Jacob, the land where our fathers lived. We and our children and our children's children will live there forever.

"God will make a promise of peace with us, one that lasts forever. God says He will live with us. He will be our God and we will be His people. That is when all the nations will know that God made Israel holy--when they see His sanctuary is with us forever."

We understood that these words from God talked about the future. God already told us we would be in captivity for seventy years. After hearing these words from God today, we are excited to see our brothers come together to live as one nation. 

*********************************************************************************************

1.  What did God ask Ezekiel to get?
2.  What did God ask Ezekiel to write on them?
3.  What did God ask Ezekiel to do next with them?
4.  What was the special meaning for these objects?

Ezekiel-Rattling Bones That Came To Life

By Mary Vee
Ezekiel 37

From Ezekiel's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Ezekiel. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who were taken captive to Babylon.

A man from Jerusalem found me. He had escaped from the fighting in Jerusalem. I gave him food and drink and asked him to tell me what had happened back home.

He said Jeremiah warned the people, even king Zedekiah to stop worshiping idols. Jeremiah told the people about the punishment God said He would bring. The people didn't listen. 

Nebuchadnezzar brought his army, just like Jeremiah said, and destroyed Jerusalem. O Jerusalem, the city of David. How terrible.

The messenger left and I sat down to think about what had happened. God spoke to me as I sat and said, Those who led the people away from worshiping Him would be punished. One day, though, after the people repent, they will be able to go back to their homeland.

Photo Courtesy

As I sat looking at the valley in Babylon, God placed his hand upon me and showed me a vision. It was as though I walked away and followed Him to the middle of a valley. 

The whole valley was full of bones. We walked through the valley among all those bones. There were so many bones and they were dry. Brittle.

The Lord said to me, "Can these bones live?"

I didn't know what to say because God could do anything. I answered, "O Sovereign Lord, only you could know."

Photo Courtesy

He said to me, "Say to the bones, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. He says, 'I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and put skin on you. I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.'

I did as the Lord said. And as I spoke there was a noise, a rattling sound. The bones came together, bone to bone. Tendons and skin appeared on them and covered the bones, but they did not breathe.

Photo Courtesy

The Lord said, "Speak to the breath. Prophesy, and say to it, 'this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these who are slain that they may live.'"

I did as the Lord said. Before my eyes, breath came into those who laid on the ground. they came to life and stood up on their feet. It was a huge army. 

The Lord said to me, "These are the bones of the whole house of Israel. I have heard them say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone. We are cut off.' Tell them I will open your graves and bring you up. I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live and I will settle you in your own land.

"Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken and I have don all of this."

The Lord walked me back to where I sat. The men sitting around me asked, "What happened?"

I told them about the bones the dry bones that came to life..

Come back to see what happened next.
*********************************************************************************************

1.  What did the messenger tell Ezekiel about Jerusalem?
2.  Who visited Ezekiel?
3.  Where did the visitor take Ezekiel?
4.  What did Ezekiel see?
5.  What did the visitor do?
6.  Why did the visitor do this? What was the message?

Amy Carmichael-A Beautiful Kimono

By Mary Vee

Year: 1893 

Amy Carmichael: 26 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael.

I hadn't arrived at the missionary's home in Japan yet, but could see how God proved His power and love to me.

The typhoon still poured water outside. My clothes were so wet, they stuck to me. I didn't bother with my drenched hat. I told the American about my trip from England so far. He laughed so hard he could barely drink his tea. 

That's when I realized the kind Japanese men who brought me away from the docks to the dry building must have paid for my ride. They'd told the driver to take me to this American's house. 

The American was a trader, not a missionary, yet he kindly gave me tea, listened to my stories then hired another rickshaw to take me to a missionary's house. 

There I was, in a country where I couldn't speak the language in need of help. God, who could speak all languages let the right people know my need. I am so thankful and now can't wait to get into dry clothes.

The American sent me to a missionary's home, but this was not the Buxton's. These missionaries did expect me and made arrangements for me to go farther into Japan to the city of Matsuye where the Buxton's lived. Several hours later, I stepped inside there home and immediately felt like I stood in England.

The three Buxton boys were given all the privileges and training of English children. They had a governess who schooled them in the English ways, wore English clothes, had a schedule like English children, spoke English in the house, and ate English food that Mr. Buxton had shipped here. 

At first I enjoyed this taste of English home. After a few days, though, something seemed wrong. I struggled to learn Japanese, it didn't help that I rarely heard the language spoken. More than anything I wanted to start telling the people about God's love but couldn't speak the language well enough.

I walked outside, in this beautiful land where people stared at my English clothes, English ways, and English language and knew I had to change.

I asked Mr. Buxton for help. He made arrangements for me to have an interpreter. I was so excited! Now I could go out to the people and tell them about Jesus. Misaki translated my words to a woman, At first the woman listened, but then she touched my gloves. She pulled them off of my hands and put them on hers. She looked at her hands and stopped listening to my words. I felt terrible and knew I had to change more.

I returned to the Buxton's home. Since he was in charge of the mission and the one who asked for me to come, I asked his permission to dress like the Japanese.

To my delight, he gave me permission to buy a kimono. A beautiful blue kimono. The next morning, I pulled my hair back in a bun like the Japanese women and walked to the city. No one stared at my clothes this time. 

At last. Now I could tell people about Jesus.

Come back next time. I have much more to share!


Resources used for this series:
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!

Jeremiah-The People's Choice

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 43

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy- On the way to Egypt

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who still live in Jerusalem.

The evil Ishmael had take us as prisoners and we were marching toward Egypt. Johanan and his army heard what had happened and rushed to save us. Once Ishmael left, the people requested I ask God what He wanted them to do.

God told me to tell the people they needed to go back to Judah. And although they would be under the power of Babylon there, He would keep them safe.

Johanan, the man who saved us, was willing to do whatever the people wanted. The men discussed my words among themselves. I could hear their thoughts about going to Egypt. They wouldn't have to be under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. They could have their own gardens and live in peace.

The problem was, God said they should stay in Judah and take care of the land until the other prisoners returned from Babylon in seventy years.

Several men shouted at me. "You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say we must not go to Egypt and settle there. Baruch, your scribe is causing you to say these things against us. You both want us to serve the Babylonians."

Photo Courtesy

When will they ever learn? These Jews have a chance to live in their own homes. They can farm all the land and reap the crops. They had everything they needed and more. I don't understand why they would choose Egypt over their homeland.

But they did.

Johanan and his officials did what the people asked. He led us to Egypt. We enter the country in disobedience to the Lord and went as far as Tahpanhes

The men and women made homes in Tahpanhes. They didn't care at all that they were not obeying God.

One day, God gave me another message for the people. "While the people are watching you, take some large stones and bury them in clay in the brick pavement at the 

Photo Courtesy

entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes. Say to the Jews, "The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says 'I will send for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon to come and attack. He will set his royal canopy over these stones. He will attack Egypt. He will set fire to the Egyptian temples. He will come and destroy the land then leave without having any injuries.

"As for the Jews living in Tahpanhes, who have left Jerusalem without anyone to take care of the city and are busy offering sacrifices to the Egyptian gods, you will be punished and Judah will be destroyed. You have chosen to not listen to my warnings. Now the punishment will come. The men and women from Judah who went to live in Egypt will not escape or survive to return to the land of Judah. Only a few fugitives will escape to return to Jerusalem and care for the land."

My heart broke. It broke not so much because of the punishment, but because the people still did not care. No one said they were sorry.

Come back to see what happened next.
*********************************************************************************************

1.  Where did the people ask Johanan to take them?
2.  Did this please God? Why?
3.  Where was Jeremiah?
4.  What did the people do in the new place?
5.  What new message did God tell Jeremiah to give the people?

Jeremiah- Tired and Proud of the People's Request

By Mary Vee
Jeremiah 40, II Kings 25

From Jeremiah's Journal

Photo Courtesy - Egypt

My name is Jeremiah. I am a prophet, a person sent from God to give messages to the Israelites who still live in Jerusalem.

I am tired. And so are all the people walking as prisoners with me. 

The evil Ishmael and his army took us all as captives. He first killed the kind governor who was in charge over us and thousands of others. Then, because he was afraid Nebuchadnezzar's army would capture him and kill him for what he did, he escaped and took us as prisoners with him.

Guess where he wanted to take us. He wanted to take us to Egypt of all places!

God sent Johanan and his army to come rescue us. He had to chase us all the way to the great pool in Gibeon before he caught up. We all cheered when we saw him and ran to Johanan's side. 

Ismael, though, turned and ran away before Johanan captured him. Hah!

Johanan removed all our chains and said he would help us to return home. After we rested, the people came to me and said, "Jeremiah, please hear our request and pray to the Lord your God for us. You can see we were once many and now are only a few. Please pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do."

Their request touched my heart, and I'm sure it touched God's as well. I said, "I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested. I will tell you everything the Lord says and won't keep any part of His message back from you."

The people said, "We want to act as the Lord says. May He judge us if we don't. No matter what the Lord says, we will obey Him, so that it will go well with us. We will obey the Lord our God."

So I prayed to the Lord as the people asked. Here is what the Lord said, "If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down. I will make sure you can stay in your homes. Don't be afraid of the king of Babylon. I know he scares you, but I am with you and will save you. I will deliver you from his hands. I will show you compassion by causing him to have compassion on you and will restore you to your land."

"If you disobey me and choose to live in Egypt, then you will be overtaken. Famine and the sword will overtake you in Egypt and there you will die.

And now I will wait to see what the people will decide.

Come back to see what happened next.
*********************************************************************************************

1.  Why was Jeremiah and the people traveling with him tired?
2.  Why did Ishmael want to go to Egypt?
3.  Who saved the people?
4.  What did the people ask Jeremiah to do?
5.  What instruction did God give?

Amy Carmichael-Soaking Wet

By Mary Vee

Year: 1893 

Amy Carmichael: 26 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

"Can anyone help me?" I shouted. "Anyone? My name is Amy Carmichael," I shouted again. No one even looked at me.

The rain poured. I had no idea where to go to get out of the typhoon tossing buckets of water on me. It seemed the missionary who agreed to pick me up from the dock hadn't arrive. 

I looked at the Japanese men and women walking in the street. None of them seemed to understand me. I sat a little longer, and prayed for God to send someone to help me.

Two men stopped in front of me. I couldn't understand a thing they said. They waved their arms. I think they wanted me to stand up. I did. One of the men hooked a rope in the handle of my suitcase and tied it to bamboo poles. They set the poles on their shoulders and motioned for me to follow them.

I didn't know where they were going. Who they were. Or if I could trust them. But what was my choice? I could either go with my suitcase or stand in the pouring rain with nothing. I chose to follow them.

They walked ahead of me and chattered on in what I assume was Japanese. We walked along the dock and around a corner to the next street. I couldn't see hardly a thing for all the rain. Huge, deep puddles made it difficult for me to keep up with them. And then there were ruts in the road. Walking like a proper English woman was an impossibility on this journey.

The two men led me another block then stopped at a building. They opened the door and carried my suitcase inside. I followed them, hoping I would be safe.

One of the men showed me to a grass mat laying on the floor in a small room. He said something, which I assume meant I should sit and wait. I did as he asked. Then the two men left me alone. 

The grass mat was the only piece of furniture in the room. No table, no chairs, nothing. And the walls were made of panels of very thin paper.

Rain water dripped from my clothes onto the mat. I felt bad because someone would have to dry it. I didn't mean to be a bother. I sat there, bored for about a half hour before the two men came back to the room.

One of the men motioned for me to follow him outside then pointed to a kuruma, which is what the Japanese call a rickshaw. I climbed up to the seat. The wind from the storm whipped at my skirt and made me feel cold. I tried to pull my shawl closer around me, but thanks to my wet clothes, it didn't really help. 

I rode in the kuruma for a very long time. Finally, the driver stopped in front of a house. He lowered my trunk down to the ground then left. 

There I stood, again, all by myself. I looked at the house before me and took a chance by walking to the door and knocking. 

The door opened and an Englishman stood there staring at me as if wondering why this short, drenched English woman stood in a typhoon on his stoop. "Come in out of the rain. Come in."

He led the way to a dining room. "Would you like some tea to warm yourself? You can tell me your story." He looked English but spoke with an American accent. It sounded funny to me.

"Yes, please."

I sipped my tea and thanked God for taking care of me.

Come back next time. I have much more to share!


Resources used for this series:
Benge, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 1998. Print.
Davis, Rebecca Henry. With Daring Faith: A Biography of Amy Carmichael. Greenville, SC: Bob Jones UP, 1987. Print.
Dick, Lois Hoadley. Amy Carmichael: Let the Children Come. Chicago: Moody, 1984. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Amy Carmichael: Rescuing the Children. Seattle, WA: YWAM Pub., 2002. Print.
Wellman, Sam. Amy Carmichael: A Life Abandoned to God. Uhrichville, OH: Barbour Pub., 1998. Print.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!