Amy Carmichael-It's Hard to Keep Peace With Those Not Here

By Mary Vee

Year: July-November, 1894 

Amy Carmichael: 27 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary currently in Ceylon. I arrived in August. I can't believe how much can happen in four short months.

To my great surprise the language spoken by the people here, Sinhalese, is easy for me to learn. I understand more of this language than I did studying the Japanese language in the fifteen months I spent there. 

And--quite to my surprise--I am feeling better. I don't have to spend weeks resting in a bed not working. The weather and climate here seems to agree with my health. I wake in the morning, take a deep breath and pop out of bed ready to serve God.

That's the good news. Life, I've already learned can't be all chocolate cake. Since I've been here I've received some disturbing news. 

My dearest friend and translator from Japan wrote me. I could see her tears on the stationery telling how much she's missed me and wants me to come back. A second letter came from Mr. Barclay Buxton, the man in charge of our mission in Japan. His letter says, "What a void you left!" Which meant I left an empty space. No one is doing what I had done.

While I like feeling important, I know I can't go back to Japan. My doctor says, "Under no circumstances should you try to go back to Japan. Your health will turn for the worse, and who knows, you could die." 

My heart is broken as I picture Misaki San reading my letter that would tell her I can't come back and could she please send the rest of my belongings here to India. We are such close friends.

To make matters worse, a letter from Robert Wilson in England arrives. "You are a missionary of the Keswick Mission Committee. We are the ones supporting you and we are the ones who must approve where you go. Do not officially join any mission house without our permission."

This letter upsets me even more than Misaki San's. I couldn't wait even a day before sitting down and writing him and my mother. I explain to both of them the importance of the work here in Ceylon. That God clearly has called me to serve here and I am following His calling. I have a doctor's letter. I am learning the language quickly and my health is better. Surely, God wants me to serve here.

Wow! Being a missionary involves keeping the peace with people who don't even live in the same country where I work.

Sadly another letter arrives on November 27, 1894. It is from Robert Wilson's son. Do you remember that my father died and Robert Wilson gave me a home and a job as his secretary, then helped me prepare for the mission field and even has supported me? Yes, this Robert Wilson has suffered a stroke and is terribly ill.

I have to go home to England. Sigh.

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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