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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #4
Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems
Amy's life was marked by a simple, determined obedience to God, regardless of circumstances or consequences. Her story and legacy are stunning reminders of the impact of one person who will fear God and nothing else. Driven by love and compassion, and sustained by faith and determination, Amy Carmichael defied the cruel barriers of India's caste system. The story of this young woman from Northern Ireland is a brilliant, sparkling example of God's love generously poured out to "the least of these among us." (1867-1951).
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
About the author
Janet Benge
144 books267 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
July 23, 2018
Amy Carmichael was born in N. Ireland to a wealthy family in the mid 1800's. Her family lived very humbly despite their wealth and hard times hit and a financial struggle resulted. The stress of the enterprise resulted in a heart attack that killed Amy's father. Amy was the oldest but in her early teens, she was responsible for a half-dozen siblings. Her mother, Amy and several sisters went to England to live with some siblings remaining in Ireland and at least one brother going to America when he came of age.
Amy took a job working for Robert Wilson as his personal assistant. Amy had been very involved in her spiritual life back in Ireland even starting a Sunday program for the poor children that became quite popular. She and Mr. Wilson shared their spiritual views and encouraged one another. Amy felt called to missionary work at a young age and in her early 20's went to Japan. Soon she was called to China but shortly after her arrival, tensions between Japan and China and Britain? made her stay dangerous. She had health issues that seemed to worsen in cold weather so she was sent to the S. of India (Still full of colonialists).
Amy flourished in India, people always sensed her kindness and soon it was apparent in her new homeland. Not long after coming to the mission station in a place east of the Ghats, an older, very attractive woman visited Amy and they talked for hours. It wasn't until the woman left, that one of the other missionaries told her that she was talking to a temple prostitute (it didn't shock Amy, she was not one to judge). She was appalled to learn that many baby girls were given as gifts to a temple, so that the god would show the family favor. Girls were not held in esteem because they required a dowry that many parents found onerous, so giving their daughter away was not a tough decision for many. Amy was appalled by the caste system and immediately demonstrated that attitude by wearing white cloth, a color (lack thereof) of the untouchables as a way of communicating that she did not esteem people based on the caste system. Some adult temple prostitutes ran away. One story was a young girl around 12 (marriageable) she wanted to be a Christian but by choosing Christianity she would be dishonoring her family and they would kill her. Amy helped her escape to another place, thereby she was safe and her community didn't know she had dishonored her family.
Sometimes the parents could afford an extra mouth to feed so giving a girl to be raised in a temple insured that she would be fed and cared for even though she would be used for a very young girl sought solace because she was raised as a temple prostitute. Soon people were giving their young daughters to Amy to raise and she started an orphanage in a nearby area of Dohnavr in the State of Tamil Nadu India.
Amy sent letters to her friends and those interested in her work, this correspondence covers the 50 years of service in India; she also wrote 13 other books. While in ministry, she never once asked for money. She prayed and waited until the money arrived and it always arrived, when needed and in the amount she needed. She raised many children and people started bringing her boys as well so she had a separate home for them on the property. She built a prayer house and then a Hospital. She built a dispensary at a town nearby for basic medical care.
When she was 63 she had gone with some of her workers (some were women who had been raised in her orphanage and remained loyal) to see a home they wanted to use, it was considered haunted so though the people in the region didn't care for Christians, the owner was motivated to rent it out, she fell in a hole (it was night time). She had a severe break in her leg and a twisted ankle and had to be taken to the hospital. She never recovered though she had a nice healing of her leg and ankle. Doctors realized that something occurred within her spine and she was bedridden for nearly 20 more years. She still maintained close to those running the various services and changed many lives for the better. She died in her early 80's and said that she wanted no coffin or stone marker. So, her friends put a birdbath to mark her remains as she loved the birds of that area so much that she would let them fly into her room despite the mess.
This book was written on the fourth grade reading level so it can be enjoyed by people, young and old.
Amy took a job working for Robert Wilson as his personal assistant. Amy had been very involved in her spiritual life back in Ireland even starting a Sunday program for the poor children that became quite popular. She and Mr. Wilson shared their spiritual views and encouraged one another. Amy felt called to missionary work at a young age and in her early 20's went to Japan. Soon she was called to China but shortly after her arrival, tensions between Japan and China and Britain? made her stay dangerous. She had health issues that seemed to worsen in cold weather so she was sent to the S. of India (Still full of colonialists).
Amy flourished in India, people always sensed her kindness and soon it was apparent in her new homeland. Not long after coming to the mission station in a place east of the Ghats, an older, very attractive woman visited Amy and they talked for hours. It wasn't until the woman left, that one of the other missionaries told her that she was talking to a temple prostitute (it didn't shock Amy, she was not one to judge). She was appalled to learn that many baby girls were given as gifts to a temple, so that the god would show the family favor. Girls were not held in esteem because they required a dowry that many parents found onerous, so giving their daughter away was not a tough decision for many. Amy was appalled by the caste system and immediately demonstrated that attitude by wearing white cloth, a color (lack thereof) of the untouchables as a way of communicating that she did not esteem people based on the caste system. Some adult temple prostitutes ran away. One story was a young girl around 12 (marriageable) she wanted to be a Christian but by choosing Christianity she would be dishonoring her family and they would kill her. Amy helped her escape to another place, thereby she was safe and her community didn't know she had dishonored her family.
Sometimes the parents could afford an extra mouth to feed so giving a girl to be raised in a temple insured that she would be fed and cared for even though she would be used for a very young girl sought solace because she was raised as a temple prostitute. Soon people were giving their young daughters to Amy to raise and she started an orphanage in a nearby area of Dohnavr in the State of Tamil Nadu India.
Amy sent letters to her friends and those interested in her work, this correspondence covers the 50 years of service in India; she also wrote 13 other books. While in ministry, she never once asked for money. She prayed and waited until the money arrived and it always arrived, when needed and in the amount she needed. She raised many children and people started bringing her boys as well so she had a separate home for them on the property. She built a prayer house and then a Hospital. She built a dispensary at a town nearby for basic medical care.
When she was 63 she had gone with some of her workers (some were women who had been raised in her orphanage and remained loyal) to see a home they wanted to use, it was considered haunted so though the people in the region didn't care for Christians, the owner was motivated to rent it out, she fell in a hole (it was night time). She had a severe break in her leg and a twisted ankle and had to be taken to the hospital. She never recovered though she had a nice healing of her leg and ankle. Doctors realized that something occurred within her spine and she was bedridden for nearly 20 more years. She still maintained close to those running the various services and changed many lives for the better. She died in her early 80's and said that she wanted no coffin or stone marker. So, her friends put a birdbath to mark her remains as she loved the birds of that area so much that she would let them fly into her room despite the mess.
This book was written on the fourth grade reading level so it can be enjoyed by people, young and old.
August 23, 2018
As always, this book was very inspiring. recommended for ages 10 and up.
February 9, 2021
Not a bad little intro biography for kids. I read this to my children to help introduce them to missions which I think the book accomplishes. It does a decent job of showing not only the joyful moments of Amy’s missionary work but also the trials, tribulations, and deep sorrows she had to endure.
April 5, 2023
This was one of my favorites of the Christian Heroes stories. Some of the others were bogged down with needless details, maybe as a filler, but this biography was beautifully written and each chapter filled with rescuing love. Amy Carmichael is the Amma of anti-trafficking work and rehabilitation. I wish everyone could hear her story. I suggest this to kids and adults alike
October 18, 2024
School carpool audiobook. Kids were inspired by her story and it spurred good discussion.
May 28, 2011
'Amy Carmichael stood on the deck of the steamer, waving goodbye once again to her old friend Robert Wilson. How could she have known she would never see him or the British Isles again? Amy was certain God called her to India. Indeed! India would be her home for the rest of her life.' Amy Carmichael-a bright light for God, her love for the unwanted and outcast in India makes her quite an example for me. This book is very well written, starting in Amy's childhood all the way to her death. The author didn't have much dialogue in it to my disappointment. As I stopped after a few chapters, it turned the gears in my mind about questions concerning God. Even what the world thinks of us- should we care? Even though boys might consider this a 'girly book', I would recommend this book to everyone of all ages.
September 20, 2012
This is a wonderful book. Amy Carmichael is a wonderful example to all women of what true faith looks like. I read this story with my 12 year old and she loved her also and talks about her like she is an old friend. Recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
July 11, 2023
I love reading biographies, and having heard snippets of Amy Carmichael’s story for years, I was keen to read more about her life. There’s no doubt she was an incredibly hard-working, faithful and dedicated woman, and I loved hearing accounts of how God led her and used her in many different circumstances. There’s a kind of honesty here, but I think I would love to have read more of her struggles and challenges than this kind of biography allows for. I’m aware of the tendency for Christians to want our heroes to be far more perfect that they would ever claim to be themselves. It’s such a shame as I am often more encouraged by humble reliance in the face of failure, than by only hearing about the victories and successes.
That said, it was an easy-to-listen-to account of an admirable and inspiring woman, and I suspect I’ll end up seeking our some of the books Amy wrote herself.
That said, it was an easy-to-listen-to account of an admirable and inspiring woman, and I suspect I’ll end up seeking our some of the books Amy wrote herself.
April 26, 2024
We read this as part of my daughter's homeschooling and it was fascinating learning about another early missionary and the cultures that she dove into trying to share Jesus and His love with them. I got to share with my daughter the Japanese and Indian native dress that Amy decided to embrace as a missionary. I loved how she did her best to be a part of the culture while still being set apart. It was a challenge for her, especially when dealing with the Indian caste system, which was mind boggling. I really enjoy this book series and the history it is teaching that I never knew about.
September 3, 2021
This book is full of amazing, true miracles that happened in the life of Amy Carmichael. An Irish woman goes to India to be like a mother to many, many people. One of the things to remember from this book is even when times are hard, or sad, or things don't go your way, God is in control. He has the power to change lives and do the impossible! I highly recommended this book.
June 22, 2017
Beautiful story of a woman who followed God and gave her trust to Him in the most uncertain of times. Her work was truly inspiring and a testament of God's providence in the christian life.
March 6, 2020
Simple book, but enjoyable. The Benges give us access to missionaries/Christian workers we might not otherwise know.
July 23, 2020
Inspiring!
January 28, 2021
Another amazing book about a missionary, my boys and I loved this as a read aloud for homeschool. Amy lived such a sacrificial life serving the people of India, this book is so inspiring!
December 17, 2021
Very interesting learning and reading about all the wonderful work Miss Carmichael did for the Lord. It is quite humbling and sad reading about the pain and sorrow so many young women experienced in those repressive life environments. Thank you for giving your life to bring the Truth and Hope to those women, Miss Carmichael.
February 16, 2024
Absolutely beautiful story.
September 14, 2017
A very good book about a very awesome lady.
January 22, 2023
A captivating, quick read that will encourage you in boldness and taking God at His Word.
September 7, 2019
I never knew about her ministry. Amazing story.
May 21, 2024
A good story of Amy Carmichael‘s life. Her life is very interesting and inspirational.
November 16, 2024
Loved reading about the life of Amy Carmichael. She was such an amazing example and humble servant of the Lord.
August 16, 2022
A good introduction to the life of a famous, Christian missionary who worked mostly in India. I'd give it 3.5 stars overall.
July 10, 2024
Honestly, this book was amazing. Inspiring, well written content that told the story of a faithful missionary Amy Carmichael highlighting how she preserved through hardships by including event details and exact Bible verses or incidents that the missionary clung to for encouragement. This book helped rekindle an urgency in my heart for sharing the gospel to those who have limited access and daunting life circumstances that could only be restored through the hope of the gospel.
January 12, 2013
Soon after I started reading this I saw that it was a YWAM Publishing book, which is awesome and I didn't know even existed. Also, the writing is VERY simple and basic, but serves to tell the story very well. The story of Amy Carmichael is another amazing testament of faith and God's provisions. So inspiring and beautiful. It stuns me in a way (but also is not really surprising at all) what Amy had to go through when she first arrived in India as a missionary -- that even the other Christians, the English, would still abide by England's Victorian practices, drinking tea in the highest comfort with Indian servants and adhering to the caste system themselves. Unbelievable, and yet this is exactly what happens in our world today, living under the standards of Man instead of seeing all people as God sees them. Also tragic what people living in India had to live with in regards to the strict caste system and still have to live with in regards to societal ideas and the fact that girls are nearly worthless. It's heartbreaking. This book gave me an even bigger heart for India, a place that has always been in the forefront for me. All followers of Christ should read stories like this lest we limit God on what He is capable of in our lives.
August 29, 2015
I loved Amy Carmichael’s story! I knew she was from Ireland, but hearing the different little tidbits of her early life—first, the family went from a life of upper-class richness to being too poor to go to finishing school. Then she had a call to do work for the Lord, and began working with the “shawlies”—young women who worked long hours in the factories. Later, she went for a brief stint of missionary work in Japan, and then became too sick to continue there. After that, she had to return to England to help an old friend, and had to recuperate from sickness herself. I never realized before how much sickness hindered her work—but despite that disability, she had an amazing drive and a beautiful vision to bless all those she met with Jesus’ love.
There was a lot about her early life in this book, which I enjoyed immensely—often, we tend to hear the most about her time in India, and little about the rest of her life. I hadn’t realized before that she spent a while working in Japan before eventually being called to India, so that—along with the legacy she led and left behind her—was very encouraging for me. Highly recommend this biography.
There was a lot about her early life in this book, which I enjoyed immensely—often, we tend to hear the most about her time in India, and little about the rest of her life. I hadn’t realized before that she spent a while working in Japan before eventually being called to India, so that—along with the legacy she led and left behind her—was very encouraging for me. Highly recommend this biography.
November 22, 2015
I reluctantly started to read this book as part of school... and found myself enjoying it from time to time. I had heard of Amy Carmichael before, but had never really went into her story. It was interesting to be sure, lovely too, :)
The beginning of this book had a slow start, but did liven up at some point. Amy's times in India were pretty amazing, the children she took in so sweet, even with their sad stories! I'm happy I read this book after all, :) A great testimony.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Amy Carmichael, missionaries, or Christian heroines, :)
The beginning of this book had a slow start, but did liven up at some point. Amy's times in India were pretty amazing, the children she took in so sweet, even with their sad stories! I'm happy I read this book after all, :) A great testimony.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Amy Carmichael, missionaries, or Christian heroines, :)
June 9, 2024
What an Incredible woman. Her story is truly inspiring. To live a life of such faith and service.
It's also interesting to learn about the negative parts of Indian history, and it's quite horrifying how much the caste system seperated people. Specifically when a mother refused to take her dying son to the hospital as she didn't want to 'break caste'. This book opened my eyes up to a whole bew world.
It's also interesting to learn about the negative parts of Indian history, and it's quite horrifying how much the caste system seperated people. Specifically when a mother refused to take her dying son to the hospital as she didn't want to 'break caste'. This book opened my eyes up to a whole bew world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2022
Another great biography of the life of a missionary. I loved the metaphor of Precious Gems. I have heard of her almost exhaustively listening to Elizabeth Eliot's podcast, so I thought I better learn more about her. She had tenacity that many of us would hope to incorporate in our lives when serving God. She was a great woman, I will enjoy reading of her further.
June 13, 2010
It has been a while...and even now no matter how hard I look I can't find this book...but of all of the Benge missionary books, this one was my favorite. Amy's life is a testimony that continues to live on
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews