Year: November 8 1895
Amy Carmichael: 27 years old
From Amy's Journal
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| Photo Courtesy |
The Keswick Society agreed to sponsor and support my work as a missionary, once again.
Before I could leave, the board insisted I received training in the ways of India to prepare me for my journey. I really wanted to leave right away, but after the fiasco in Japan, (arriving in the cyclone and no one there to show me the way) I saw the benefits to being prepared.
India belongs to Britain at this time. I know, India has since gained it's independence for you readers. India is twenty times bigger than the British Isles. I've been told the land overflows with mountains, jungles, plateaus, rivers, and deserts.
There are many more people living in India than in Britain. My tutors say nearly three hundred million people live there. At least ten times more people than in Britain.
When one of the instructors said there are many languages spoken and many religions, I wasn't worried. My short stay in Ceylon convinced me I could learn the Indian language I needed.
Poverty is a big issue in India. There are so many poor people it is difficult to care for all of them. I will work to help those in need near where I live.
The tutors also taught me about the politics between India and Britain. But I won't bore you with those details. What I do want to tell you is I stepped onto my ship bound for India on October 11, 1895 and put my things in my second class cabin.
A British man, whom I didn't know, told me I was going to India at the best time. "This," he said, "is the cold season. Quite perfect for drinking and parties."
I had no intention of going to any of these parties and hoped there wouldn't be any drinking where I would live.
Several other men bragged about the parties they planned to attend. I began to wonder just who the heathen actually were in India.
On November 8, my ship docked at the port of Madras. I was surprised at what I saw.
Families lived on the streets. Those who owned anything had a mat of palm leaves to sit or lay on instead of just the dirt. These poor didn't wear any clothes but had bracelets and anklets with rings piercing their ears and noses. The sight disgusted me. India was a crown jewel of Britain. How did this happen?
A British man stood near me. He saw the look on my face and explained. "The poor come from the mountains and countrysides to try to make a life for themselves. Many of them die in the streets."
"Oh how terrible. We should be doing something to help them."
He said, "I dare say, madam. You speak harshly and ignorantly. We have built these amazing buildings all around you. Take a look at the British prestige demonstrating our better way of life."
The buildings surrounding the very poor were amazing--I'd much rather help feed the poor then step inside any of those buildings.
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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