Inspiration

Iris Grace Rajakumari Paul

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Iris Grace Rajakumari Paul

Birth: 1945
Native Place: Tamil Nadu
Country: India
Place of Vision: Orissa, India

Iris Grace Rajakumari Paul is a devoted Indian missionary known for her lifelong service among the Bondo tribes in Orissa (Odisha) through an organization called the Reaching Hand Society.

She was born in Tamil Nadu into a wealthy Christian family. Though she was strong-willed and often rebellious as a child, the deep faith and devotion of her parents had a great influence on her. Eventually, she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ.

Education and Calling

During her college years, Iris actively took part in the ministry of the Union of Evangelical Students of India (UESI). She later studied medicine in Tamil Nadu and graduated with a Gold Medal for academic excellence.

Inspired by the missionary Albert Schweitzer and his work in Africa, Iris also dreamed of serving God there. However, God had a different plan — to send her as a missionary to the tribal regions of her own country.

Missionary Work in Orissa

In 1972, Iris married Dr. R. A. C. Paul, a young missionary serving among the Bondo tribes of Orissa. At that time, the Bondo people were an isolated tribal group — poor, uneducated, and struggling with high death rates.

After their marriage, Iris moved with her husband to Malkangiri, Orissa, where she opened a medical clinic to help the tribal people. Together, they traveled to remote villages, conducted medical camps, and shared the good news of Jesus Christ. Over time, many Bondo people accepted Christ and experienced transformation in their lives.

Faith Through Trials

The early years of Iris’s ministry were filled with hardships — poor health, accidents, loneliness, and emotional struggles. But she and her husband continued to serve the Lord faithfully without giving up.

In 1986, her husband, Dr. R. A. C. Paul, passed away at a young age. Despite this painful loss, Iris chose to remain in Orissa and continued the mission work alone. She cared for orphans, helped young women escape abuse and exploitation, and became a mother figure to many.

Legacy and Ongoing Work

To continue her vision, Iris founded the Reaching Hand Society, an organization that works for the spiritual and social development of the tribal people. The mission provides education, healthcare, and opportunities for a better life while sharing the love of Christ.

Today, Iris continues her work with her son, Remo Paul, and his wife, Dr. Susan Remo Paul, tirelessly transforming lives — both physically and spiritually — among the tribal communities of Orissa.

Hudson Taylor

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Hudson Taylor Biography

Full Name: James Hudson Taylor
Birthplace: Barnsley, England
Parents: James Taylor and Amelia Taylor
Wife: Mary Dyer
Date of Birth: May 21, 1832
Date of Death: December 22, 1905
Salvation Experience: At the age of 14
Service Achievement: Founded the China Inland Mission and preached the gospel throughout China.

Personal Testimony

James Hudson Taylor was born on May 21, 1832, in Barnsley, England. His parents, James and Amelia Taylor, were devoted Christians who dedicated him to God’s service even before his birth, believing the words of the Lord: “The first fruits belong to Me.”

From childhood, Hudson was weak and often sick, so he stayed home instead of going to school. His father taught him to read, and by the age of four, he had already learned the Hebrew alphabet. His parents raised him in faith and prayer, and as a small boy, Hudson often said, “When I grow up, I want to be a missionary to China.”

One day, he read a book written by a man named Peter Parley, which described the great spiritual need in China. That book deeply touched his heart and strengthened his desire to go there. However, at the age of 14, while attending school, Hudson drifted away from his spiritual life.

During this time, his parents continued to pray earnestly for him. One day, Hudson picked up a small gospel tract titled “It Is Finished.” While reading it, he realized Christ’s love and sacrifice, repented of his sins, and accepted Jesus as his personal Savior.

Calling and Preparation

At the age of 17, Hudson prayed and asked God, “Lord, what do You want me to do with my life?” God clearly spoke to his heart, saying, “Go to China.” From that moment, Hudson began to prepare himself to serve as a missionary there.

He studied the Chinese language, often reading the Gospel of Luke in Chinese for hours each day. He trained himself to live a simple, disciplined life — avoiding comfort and learning to do every task himself. To prepare for missionary work, he also studied medicine at college.

Even while studying, Hudson gave one-third of his income to God, walked eight miles daily to college, and ate only a small piece of bread in the morning and evening. His hardships and humble lifestyle brought him closer to God.

Missionary Work in China

In 1853, at the age of 22, Hudson sailed to China, a journey that took more than five months by ship. Though he faced many difficulties — poor health, lack of food and shelter, and language barriers — he never stopped preaching the gospel.

To reach the Chinese people effectively, he learned their language, customs, and dress, becoming one of them in appearance and life. He later married Mary Dyer, a fellow missionary who worked as a teacher in China.

Because of the harsh conditions and illnesses, Hudson’s health suffered, and after seven years, he returned to England for recovery. Yet, even while in England, his heart remained with China. He hung a map of China on his wall and prayed daily for the nation and its people.

Hudson prayed that God would send 24 missionaries to China, and to fulfill this vision, he founded the China Inland Mission (now known as OMF International). He prayed earnestly for 11 provinces and 380 million people in China.

After months of prayer, God answered — and Hudson sailed again to China with 16 missionaries. Over time, God blessed his mission greatly. Within 20 years, more than 225 missionaries had gone to China through the China Inland Mission.

Trials and Legacy

Hudson faced many personal losses during his ministry. His beloved wife and three children died due to sickness and difficult conditions in China. Later, Hudson himself suffered a spinal injury and was bedridden for months. Even then, he continued to pray for China every day.

Despite all suffering, he served faithfully for many years, leading countless souls to Christ. On December 22, 1905, in China, Hudson Taylor completed his earthly journey and entered the presence of the Lord.

Famous Quote

“God used me to show how mighty He is and how weak I am. Through His grace alone, His great works were done.”

Evalyn M. Gordon

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Evalyn M. Gordon

Native Place: Calcutta
Country: India
Place of Vision: India
Home Calling: 1908

Evalyn M. Gordon was born into a family with a strong missionary background. His maternal grandfather had served alongside William Carey in Serampore, one of India’s early centers of missionary work. After completing his studies at Serampore College, Gordon began working for the Bombay Guardian newspaper. There, he met Morton Adams, an American missionary, who encouraged him to join the Disciples of Christ Mission in 1892.

Ministry in India

After joining the mission, Gordon was sent to Mungeli, where he traveled to many nearby villages, preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. He also wrote a short Life of Christ in the Chhattisgarhi dialect, which deeply touched the hearts of local readers.

Through his dedicated work, Gordon led his first convert, Hira Lal, to Christ. Hira Lal’s courage to follow Jesus despite family opposition inspired many others in the community to openly confess their faith.

Partnership in Ministry

During his growing ministry, Gordon met Anna Dunn, who later became his wife in 1896. Anna was trained in medical science and became a strong partner in his mission work at Mungeli. She cared for the sick with great love and patience, and through her medical service, many people experienced the compassion of Christ.

One remarkable story tells of a young woman with a serious tumor who was treated by Anna. The young woman’s mother was so moved by Anna’s care that she too accepted Christ. Anna also trained several young women to become nurses, ensuring that the gospel was shared every morning before beginning medical work.

Legacy of Service

During a severe famine, Gordon and Anna worked tirelessly to save the lives of hundreds of children. Together, they established orphanages, leper homes, training centers, and Sunday schools. Their ministry grew rapidly, touching many lives across the region.

After years of faithful service in India, the couple retired to the United States in 1908. Even after retirement, they continued to be active in church and missionary work, remaining true servants of God until the end of their lives.

Lulu E. Garton

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Lulu E. Garton

Homeland: United States of America
Place of Vision: India

Lulu E. Garton was a missionary from the Broadway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas, USA. She served in India from 1915 to 1921. Lulu was born to Christian parents, Alexander Hamilton and Mary Frances, who raised her in faith and the love of God.

As a child, Lulu enjoyed the mountains and loved nature. She once said, “I first breathed God’s air in the rare atmosphere of the Rockies, a mile or so higher than Denver, in a little mining center called Silver Plume, Colorado.” Her upbringing made her deeply spiritual, and at just thirteen years old, she decided to become a missionary. She felt that India was the place where help was most needed.

Missionary Journey

When Lulu finished high school and wanted to attend college, she had no money for her studies. She prayed and talked with her pastor, and soon a scholarship was provided. She graduated in 1907. Later, she continued studying at the University of Missouri, taught in a mountain mission school in Hazel Green, Kentucky, completed a nurse’s training course, and worked for three years as a private nurse.

To prepare for missionary work, she also attended the College of Missions for three semesters. In August 1915, Lulu sailed for India, where she spent six years joyfully serving God. She worked in Harda, Rath, Bina, Jhansi, and Kulpahar. Lulu gave her best to serve others, but the heavy workload weakened her health.

In 1921, she returned home for a break (furlough) and was unable to go back to India because of her health. Yet she continued to serve God faithfully in the United States. For eight years, she worked as secretary of the women’s missionary organizations in Southern California. Afterward, she cared for her elderly mother while staying active in her church and missionary programs.

Lulu E. Garton remained a dedicated and loving servant of God all her life, always committed to the mission she began in India.

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.