Index Contributions to the Ministry Applying Missionary Principles Virtues I Emulate Personal Spiritual Challenge Amy Carmichael was born in Northern Ireland in 1867 to David and Catherine Jane Carmichael. As she was the direct descendant of both Jane Dalziel and the Scottish Covenanters, Amy was born into a wealthy family and found her spiritual heritage important later in life, while on the mission field in various countries. Amy had a wonderfully happy childhood, full of exploring the coasts of Ireland, using her imagination to entertain her and her siblings, and had many escapades in the family garden. However, when Amy was twelve, she was sent to a Wesleyan Methodist boarding school for girls in Harrogate, Yorkshire. After attending this boarding school for three consecutive years, Amy made Christ her personal Lord and Savior at the age of fifteen. Then, when Amy was eighteen, on April 12, 1885, her father contracted double pneumonia and died. During this difficult time Amy's faith was not shaken, she ran to her Heavenly Father and sought His comfort. Even after the loss of her earthly father, Amy was not angry. Nor did he express his pain, his anger or his bewilderment. Instead he dedicated himself to serving others for the Lord. Attending to others who were ill or needed care. How different his reaction is from the normal reactions of nominal Christians today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay In 1889 Amy was asked to move to Manchester, England to start a “welcome.” A place where locals could go to receive physical healing and hear the gospel readily offered. Then in 1890 Amy was asked to come to Broughton Grange School in the Lake District of England. While there she stayed with Mr Wilson, a friend she had met at a Belfast convention in 1887. Mr Wilson was later to become Amy's 'Fatherie' and in her writings she referred to DOM, the dear old man. It was during her time with Mr. Wilson that Amy experienced the missionary calling on January 13, 1892. The next few days were vital for Amy, she felt many mixed emotions. If she left, it would not only break the hearts of her mother and siblings, but she knew it would cause great pain to the DOM, because he had considered her a daughter. In one of her letters to her mother Amy asks, “My precious mother, have you given your son unreservedly to the Lord for whatever He wants? Oh, you strengthen yourself to say YES if he asks you for something that costs you.” Her mother had the correct answer “Yes, dearest Amy, she has lent me all these years. He alone knows what a strength, comfort and joy you have been to me.” How different our perspective can be sometimes. By August 10, 1892, Amy and Mr. Wilson had traveled to Miss Soltau's home in London to be interviewed as a potential candidate for Hudson Taylor's Inland Missions organization. Amy was immediately deemed unfit to go to the mission field in China. This was a devastating blow to the young missionary, but she did not let herself be discouraged. On January 13, 1893, Amy planned to go to Japan to begin her missionary career. On March 3, Amy separated from everyone she knew to go to a foreign land where she knew no one. Amy spent more than a year living in Japan, learning the language, teaching English to children, sharing the gospel to anyone who would listen, and even chasing away “fox spirits,” demons, from a middle-aged man who later accepted Christ. But on July 10, 1894, Amy contracted what was known as “Japanese head,” a flu-like virus that manyforeigners seemed to succumb after a long period spent in Japan. Then Amy was whisked away to Shanghai, China. Only eight days later Amy decided she would go to Ceylon, China. So on July 28 he sailed for Ceylon. However, before he could reach Ceylon, he fell ill and had to interrupt his journey first in Hong Kong and then in Colombo. She arrived in Ceylon but could only stay in Ceylon until 27 November when she received news that DOM had suffered a stroke. Amy arrived in London on 15 December and spent ten months recovering. Later that spring a letter arrived from Bangalore, India, from a friend informing Amy not only of the pleasant climate but also of the desperate need for missionaries. So Amy Carmichael sailed for India on October 11, 1895. There in India Amy spent the rest of her life performing a multitude of tasks. For the locals she was a nurse and doctor for both those in physical and spiritual needs. To those who collaborated with her in her ministry she was “Amma” or mother. He led a “band” of believers around India and proclaimed the Gospel wherever he went. He later abandoned his nomadic lifestyle to care for Indian children who needed shelter and a home. But no matter where he was, he preached the word of the Lord and showed His love to all who crossed his path. Amy Carmichael's ministry on earth ended on January 18, 1951 after a long and painful illness. Contributions to the Ministry Amy Carmichael has made many contributions to the ministry during her time in earthly service. First of all Amy initiated many “Welcomes” during her early adulthood in Ireland and England. These were a great blessing to the locals who were able to participate. The meetings at these Welcomes were at least weekly and in most weeks they were in the evening. Different groups of people were invited on different evenings. For example, there was a children's evening, a young women's evening, an older women's evening, junior sessions and men's sessions. Amy ultimately left these welcomes in the care and custody of local believers while she moved to the foreign mission field. During her stay in Japan, Amy not only quickly learned the language, but also helped organize welcomes to the villages. During her time in Japan she was tested and tested by the Lord and He increased her faith and trust by allowing her to testify that the pagan Japanese came to know the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior. Years later, other missionaries would travel to Japan and meet the people saved during Amy's stay or the relatives of those who had professed the faith. Amy also spent some time in China ministering to the locals and spreading the gospel wherever she went. However her time in China did not last long as she was recalled to England when DOM suffered a stroke. The rest of Amy's missionary career was spent ministering in India and this is what she is remembered for. As soon as Amy set foot on Indian soil, she refused to become a nominal Christian like so many others who had gone in name only simply to live in their newly discovered paradise. Amy went to live as the lowest of the lowly, among the locals. He gathered a small group of believers and traveled with them throughout India sharing the word of the Lord and teaching His gospel. From the first time she was able to share the gospel, Amy has fought against the Indian caste system. The locals were afraid of what the rest of the caste would do to them if they converted to Christianity. Many souls have chosen caste over Christ. But for.