faith

Amy Carmichael 

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Amy Beatrice Carmichael

Amy Beatrice Carmichael was born into a rich family in County Down, Ireland, on December 16, 1867. At the age of fifteen, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. After her father’s death, Amy, being the eldest child, worked hard to care for her family. From a young age, she was eager to share the gospel and showed kindness toward the poor.

She started her ministry by helping the Shawlies, poor mill girls who wore cheap shawls and were not welcomed in churches. Amy rented simple tin buildings to hold Sunday services for them. During this time, she heard Hudson Taylor speak, which strengthened her desire to become a missionary. She applied to the China Inland Mission, but poor health stopped her from going to China.

Missionary Work in India

In 1893, Amy went to Japan for missionary work but had to return after fifteen months because of health issues. Still determined, she joined the Zenana Missionary Society in 1894. A year later, in 1895, she arrived in India, where she first worked with Thomas Walker in Tinnevelly (Tirunelveli).

Amy learned Tamil and chose to live like the local people. She focused on sharing the gospel with women and led many to Christ. She also formed a team of women to help spread the good news to others.

In 1900, Amy moved to Dohnavur, where she saw the sad condition of young girls, called devadasis, who were dedicated to temples and forced into prostitution. Amy began rescuing these girls, caring for them like her own children. She opened orphanages to give them love, safety, and education.

To continue this mission, she started the Dohnavur Fellowship, which helped many children grow in faith and hope. Amy also wrote and published more than 40 books.

People lovingly called her “Ammai,” which means Mother in Tamil. After a lifetime of faithful service, Amy Carmichael went to be with the Lord on January 18, 1951.

David Brainerd

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Biography

David Brainerd was a brave missionary from America who dedicated his short life to bringing the message of Christ to the Native Americans, known as the Red Indians.

Full Name: David Brainerd
Birth: April 20, 1718
Place of Birth: Haddam, Connecticut, United States
Parents: Hezekiah and Dorothy Brainerd
Salvation Experience: At the age of 21
Death: October 9, 1747

David Brainerd was born in a Christian family. From his childhood, he often thought deeply about the soul, heaven, and eternal life. He desired to live a pure life and wanted to reach heaven when he died. He lost his father when he was nine and his mother when he was fourteen, which made his early life full of sorrow. Yet, he stayed away from bad friendships and spent much of his time in secret prayer and Bible reading.

At the age of 21, he experienced true repentance and declared that he was saved — not by his own works, but only by the grace of God.

David was a man of prayer and great spiritual zeal. Many churches invited him to become their pastor, but he refused because he had a burden to preach the Gospel to the Native Americans. With strong determination, he entered the dense forests of America (the wilderness of Kaika) to share the love of Jesus with the Red Indians, even though they were known as fierce and wild people.

Although he didn’t know their language, and they didn’t know his, he kept praying with tears. God provided him with a translator — a drunkard and idol worshipper. As Brainerd preached, that man was soon touched by God, repented of his sins, and was transformed. Later, many others in that tribe accepted Christ, leaving behind their cruel habits and sinful ways.

Brainerd’s life in the forest was extremely difficult. Often, he had to travel 10 to 15 miles on horseback just to get a piece of bread. Sometimes, the bread was old and hard, yet he thanked God and ate it. He drank dirty water from pits, slept on grass laid over wooden boards, and had no friends or comforters. Many nights he spent weeping and praying alone in the presence of God.

Despite all these hardships, his ministry bore great fruit — many souls were saved. In his personal diary, he recorded his struggles, prayers, and the miracles God performed through him. That diary later inspired countless missionaries, including Jonathan Edwards, who said:

“For anyone desiring to serve God successfully, David Brainerd is a perfect example.”

David’s mission was like a spiritual battle. He fought against sin and darkness like a soldier, determined to win souls for Christ. He never gave up, even when he was weak, hungry, or sick. He often said,

“If I can bring even one soul to the Lord before I die, that will be worth ten thousand worlds to me.”

Because of his continuous hardships and lack of rest, he fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. Yet, even in weakness, he continued his ministry, praying for the salvation of others. He once wrote in his diary,

“If I had a thousand lives, I would gladly give them all for God.”

Finally, on October 9, 1747, at the age of 29, David Brainerd passed away peacefully. His last words were:

“Jesus has come; He will not delay. I shall soon be in glory, praising God with His angels.”

Though he lived only 29 years and served as a missionary for just 4 years, his impact was far greater than that of many who served for a lifetime. David Brainerd remains an inspiring example of dedication, prayer, and love for lost souls.

Legacy:

  • A man of deep prayer and faith
  • Missionary to Native Americans
  • Wrote a life-changing diary that inspired generations
  • A model of sacrifice, humility, and love for Christ