Amy Carmichael-One Letter Opened A Barricaded Door

By Mary Vee

Year: July, 1895 

Amy Carmichael: 27 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary. At least I know I am called to be one by God. Here, I'll tell you what happened.

Robert Wilson is the man who who helped my mother after my father died. I don't mind helping him, after all he has done for us. The poor man suffered a stroke and asked me to come take care of him. I sailed home from India as soon as I could.

Days, weeks, months have gone by. The work is mostly satisfying, but I really, really longed to go back to the mission field.

How can I explain the tugging of my soul to you? Try to image doing the one activity or going to the one place you enjoy the most. Each time you go you don't want to leave. Yep, that is how I feel.

After I finished my book and saw it published, I set up an appointment to meet with the doctor. I hope he says I am healthy enough to go back to the mission field. "No, Amy. I'm afraid your health is too delicate."

I try to fill the hours, but can't. 

One day, a letter comes for me from a missionary in Bangalore, India. She seems to know all about me. 

Dearest Amy,
I am writing to you because of our great need for workers. As the Bible says, The harvest is plenty but workers are few.

I understand your health has prevented you from returning to the mission field. I am so sorry. Your heart must ache. 

Perhaps the news I share in this letter will help you. I am a nurse, in charge of a hospital. The climate in the mountains here is very pleasant and healthy. Not too hot and not too cold with none of the extreme climates China and Japan experiences.

Pray about this opportunity, my dear Amy. The news of your heart for missions has reached me. We could use your help.

I didn't know what to say. Wouldn't this be too easy? If everything is easy for me, how would this be a sacrifice? On the other hand, if I ask permission to go to a place where the climate creates problems for my health, the doctor will say no. I'd have to live the rest of my days here in England.

I pray for most of the night. In the morning I know what to do. If the mission in Bangalore, India wants me to come--even knowing my health problems and my belonging to a different mission board, I would apply to the mission society. 

Mr. Wilson was happy for me when he read the letter. He arranged for my interviews with our mission society. The men on the board had so many questions. Once they approved my going to India, I had to meet with the missionary group for the nurse. On July 26th, the second board said, yes!

Can you believe it!!!

I am going to the mission field again!!


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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