Amy Carmichael, her mother, and siblings

1. Amy Carmichael, her mother, and siblings • Amy Carmichael was one of the best known and well-loved missionaries of the 20th century. • She was born on Dec. 16, 1867, in Ireland, and was the first of seven children. She was raised in a Christian home.

2. The Carmichael Home in Millisle, Ireland.Her parents, David and Catherine were the prosperous owners of Carmichael Flour Mills.

3. Amy Carmichael at age 24 • She committed her life to God as a child. • After her father died, Amy and her family moved to Belfast, Ireland, where she did missions work. • In 1886, she attended a spiritual life conference in England as part of the “Keswick Movement”, which stressed a deeper relationship with God.

4. Amy Carmichael at age 24 • After the Keswick meeting, her expensive tastes in food and clothing disappeared, and she saw the greater importance of living a life of service and devotion to God. • For many years, Amy cared for Robert Wilson, the chairman of the Keswick Conventions, who was like a father to her.

5. Amy as a Missionary in Japan • On January 13, 1892, Amy heard 2 words from the Lord, “Go, ye..” . • This missionary call moved her to action, and, supported by the Keswick Convention, she went as a missionary to Japan.

6. Amy as a Missionary in Japan • Amy stayed only 15 months in Japan due to hardships, the difficulty of the Japanese language, and serious anxiety, which was called “Japanese head”. • She sailed for China, then Ceylon (Sri Lanka), then returned to England to care for Mr. Wilson for about one year.

7. Amy as a Missionary to India • Amy was advised to go to Bangalore India for a change of climate. • In India, Amy began traveling from village to village with some Indian Christian ladies spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

8. Amy as a Missionary to India • In India, Amy was supported by the Zeanna Missionary Society of the Church of England. • She moved to Dohnavur, a village near the southern tip of India. • In 1901, Amy met Preena (“Pearl Eyes”), a sweet 7 year old girl who had escaped from a life of slavery in the Hindu temple. • Preena pleaded for Amy to help her.

9. The Precious Children of India • Amy started Dohnavur Fellowship in the state of Tamil Nadu, India in 1901, with the purpose of rescuing children from slavery and abuse in Hindu temples. • She called the children that she cared for her “Lotus Buds” (after the beautiful flowers).

10. Amy with one of her “Lotus Buds” at Dohnavur • Many Christians came to help Amy care for the children at Dohnavur, especially “house mothers” who looked after the children’s needs. • Many fellow missionaries rejected Amy for her determination to rescue children from the abuse of the Hindu temples because they did not think that such a horrible thing could happen.

11. Children in the Hindu Temples • Some children were given to the Hindu temples where they were “married to the gods” in religious ceremonies, then abused by Hindu priests and other men. Girls were especially mistreated. • Amy was often accused of kidnapping by angry Hindus when she took children away from the temples.

12. The Outside of a Hindu Temple • Amy spoke out against the evils of mistreating children in the Hindu temples. • Indians knew that the abuse of children in the temples was a “secret sin” of Hinduism. • Thanks to Amy and others, this abuse was made illegal in 1948.

13. The Scenery Surrounding Dohnavur in Tamil Nadu, India

14. The Cottage Nursery at Dohnavur • God provided for Amy and her workers at Dohnavur. Nurseries, a hospital, a school, and other facilities were built as God provided. • Amy started a Protestant religious order called “the sisters of the Common Life” for single women who wanted to enter missionary service.

15. One of Amy’s Beloved Workers with the Children at Dohnavur • Many children who grew up at Dohnavur stayed on to help. Amy’s “family” grew. • During her lifetime, over 1,000 children (both boys and girls) were saved from Hindu temples, housed, and educated.

16. A Grand Tour to Madras • Sometimes Amy, a select few of her children, and helpers would leave the compound at Dohnavur and go on an outing. • Once Amy took 14 children and 5 helpers on a train to Madras, India, where they visited the beach, many sights in the city, and saw a “movie” for the first time!

17. Amy Carmichael’s Writings • Amy always made time to write, no matter how busy she was. • Throughout her life she wrote 35 books and poems that continue to inspire Christians to fulfill God’s call on their life.

18. The House of Prayer • In the middle of the Dohnavur Fellowship compound, Amy built The House of Prayer at God’s direction with money that God provided. • Amy Carmichael was a woman who knew how to hear from God, and she spent many hours in prayer, knowing how important it is to talk to God daily.

19. Amy’s Last Days • Toward the end of her life, Amy suffered a broken leg and a twisted back due to an accidental fall. • For the last 20 years of her life, she was an invalid and stayed mostly in her room on the Dohnavur compound.

20. The Room of Peace • Amy’s room at Dohnavur Fellowship was called The Room of Peace. • Amy was surrounded by books, scripture phrases, and people that she loved. • She continued to write books and poems.

21. Amy Carmichael’s Homecoming • Amy Carmichael died at the age of 83 in 1951. After a simple service in The House of Prayer, her body was buried in “God’s Garden” on the Dohnavur grounds. • Her grave is marked with a simple stone table inscribed with the word, “Amma”, her Indian name, which means “Mother”.

22. Dohnavur Fellowship Today • Today, Dohnavur Fellowship is still a thriving ministry more than 50 years after Amy Carmichael’s death. • Dohnavur continues to accept children in danger from poverty, abuse, and neglect.

23. Dohnavur Fellowship Today • Set on 400 acres in Tamil Nadu, India, Dohnavur Fellowship includes a hospital, 16 nurseries, a school, and other facilities. • Many books and a movie have been produced about the inspiring life of Amy Carmichael.

24. Amy Carmichael, Inspiring Others to Become Missionaries • Elisabeth Elliot, a famous author, speaker, and missionary to tribal people drew her life’s inspiration from Amy Carmichael and has written a biography of Amy’s life.