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.