Amy Carmichael-Oh How I Wish I Could Serve God

By Mary Vee

Year: December, 1894 

Amy Carmichael: 27 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary. I am a missionary in--well, it's difficult to say where at this time. Here, I'll tell you what happened.

I went to Ceylon and served in a mission there for about four months before receiving a letter from the man who had cared for my family since my father died. Poor Robert Wilson had suffered a stroke.

I booked a passage to Italy then took a train across land toward England because it was faster than the ship. I was afraid I would miss speaking with Mr. Wilson before he went on to glory. 

The trip, though, wore me down terribly and by the time I reached London and saw my mother. I collapsed in her arms. It was the day before my birthday, December 15th . Once again, I ended up in bed for several days. By December 21st, I had gained enough strength to visit Mr. Wilson.

Imagine my joy when I head he was recovering! We went to the library in his home and had tea. There, I told him all about my time in Japan and Ceylon. His face brightened with each story. 

When I finished, he clapped his hands together and said, "You must write this down in a book. The words would inspire so many people and cause them to pray and support missionaries there."

I hadn't thought about it. What a great idea. It gave me something to do while I cared for Mr. Wilson and it would help me to remember what God has done in those lands. "Yes, I'll do it."

He sipped his tea. "I've just had a marvelous idea. My son William has quite an artistic gift. Let's ask him to draw some pictures to go with your book."

I thought for sure William would say no. We never really did get along. But, to my surprise, he agreed, and he smiled! 

Several months later, the Marshall Brothers of London agreed to publish the book. They titled it, "From Sunrise Land," a book to pray for those in Japan who do not know God loves them.

For the rest of my winter in England I hardly knew what to do with myself other than to care for Mr. Wilson. I thought about how I'd failed as a missionary. My health did not let me work well in Japan and I struggled so much to learn the Japanese language.

I tried to think about good things to lift my spirits. Like, while I worked in Ceylon I felt better and I learned the language in a short time. Maybe I could be a valuable missionary in some place after all.

I didn't know where or when, but I knew God wanted me to serve Him. The wait, though was very difficult. Oh, God, I would love to serve you, please show me where I can.


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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