Amy Carmichael--The Great Need

By Mary Vee

Year: January, 1925

Amy Carmichael: 58 years old

From Amy's Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Amy Carmichael. I am a missionary in India. The work here in Dohnavur has become everything I'd ever dreamed.

We who work here have named this place the Dohnavur Fellowship and have become a strong family of workers caring for abandoned Indian children and telling people in neighboring villages about the living God who loves them.

My heart is full. So much to do everyday. I couldn't be any happier.

During my daily prayer times, I asked God to send more workers to help when sickness strikes, or when helpers leave the fellowship. I've also prayed daily, asking God to send a doctor. We could really use a hospital. And, while I was asking, I also asked God to send a man who could be in charge of the abandoned boys that we've taken in to love, feed and house.

Several times the prayer seemed to be answered. Men and women would hear about the need, feel God calling them to serve, come to Dohnavur for a short time then leave. I tried to welcome them into our family and do whatever was needed to help them adjust. Some said India was too hot. They couldn't handle the high, humid temperatures. Some said the work was boring. They couldn't see the daily work in raising these abandoned children would help spread the word of the Living God in the future. Some said the Hindus were so strong in their idol worship that they would never be willing to listen about the living God. Then they gave up and left.

So many missionaries came and left. I was getting older and the illness that has plagued me ever since I started missionary work has made me tired and unable to do as much as is needed. Lord, we need workers.

One day a new missionary stopped in to see us. His name was Godfrey Webb-Peploe. He said he was on his way to China and wanted a break from the long voyage. The little boys immediately played with him. They laughed and hung on him like monkeys. 

I prayed, please Lord. He gets along so well with the boys and they need a leader so badly. And then I remembered he said God had called him to work in China.

Sigh. Will you pray with me? Ask God to send workers to our fellowship?


Come back next week to read more of Amy Carmichael.



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.

Don't forget to comment! 
Let Amy hear from you!