Year: 1893
Amy Carmichael: 26 years old
From Amy's Journal
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| Photo Courtesy |
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.
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Let Amy hear from you!
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