A Profound Calling
In the late 1800s, Amy Carmichael felt a profound calling to serve as a missionary. Born in Northern Ireland, she initially ministered to impoverished mill girls before feeling pulled toward international missions. Rejected by the China Inland Mission due to health concerns, Amy eventually found her way to India in 1895, with the Church of England Zenana Missionary Society. There, she discovered a horrifying reality: children dedicated to Hindu temples, particularly young girls forced into prostitution. This revelation ignited a fire within her, compelling her to action.
The Dohnavur Fellowship
In 1901, Amy founded the Dohnavur Fellowship in Tamil Nadu, creating a sanctuary for these children. The rescue of a young girl named Preena marked the beginning of this transformative mission. Preena, sold into temple slavery by her mother, had attempted to escape, only to be recaptured and branded with a hot poker. When she found her way to Amy, a new chapter began. Amy sheltered her, and soon, many others followed. By 1913, the Dohnavur Fellowship was home to 130 girls, and a few years later, a home for boys was established.
A Thriving Community
Amy's approach was both culturally sensitive and deeply compassionate. She and her team dressed in Indian attire, and the children received Indian names. Under Amy's leadership, Dohnavur became a thriving community complete with schools, a hospital, and various self-sustaining enterprises. Despite facing legal accusations of kidnapping, Amy trusted in divine provision and never sought direct funding. Her faith was unwavering, believing, as she said, 'If the love of God has set your heart on fire you cannot stay still.'
An Enduring Legacy
In 1931, Amy's life took a challenging turn when a fall left her bedridden. Yet, her influence only grew as she continued to write and guide the Fellowship. Her legacy, marked by the eventual outlawing of temple prostitution in 1948, continues through the ongoing work of the Dohnavur Fellowship. Amy Carmichael passed away in 1951, leaving behind a powerful testament to the impact one life, dedicated to service and guided by faith, can have.