Amy Carmichael Helped the Helpless

The Shawlies
Amy became very excited about doing what God wanted her to do. On Saturday evenings, she would go with her pastor to the poor neighborhoods to hand out tracts and food to the poor people known as Shawlies. The Shawlies made so little money that they could not afford hats so they used their shawls to protect their heads from the cold. They were eager to learn about God. Amy's heart went out to them. She moved into their neighborhood and slept in bug-infested beds to be closer to the people. She prayed about building a church for them to attend but didn't know where she would get money for such a large job. She did not want to ask the rich people in her old church who didn't seem to care about the Shawlies. Instead she and the Shawlies asked God to provide it. God answered their prayers and a new church was built.

Time to Move On
Amy began to sense that God wanted her to tell people in other countries about him. There was one problem though. Amy had an illness that made her so sick she had to stay in bed days at a time. Despite her health, she knew she must obey God.

Life In India
Amy traveled the India countryside telling anyone who would listen about Christ.

One day Preena, a little Indian girl, was collecting water for the temple near where Amy was speaking. Preena stopped to listen as Amy told the ladies about her God who loved everybody the same. He did not put people in different classes as the Indian caste system did. Preena was very interested in what Amy was saying but knew she must not be seen listening to the stranger. She tucked Amy's words into her memory and hurried back to the temple.

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Indian girls were often unwanted and were given to the temple to serve as prostitutes. Because of this, when Preena arrived at Amy's door, Amy knew she could not send her back. The little girl would be beaten, even killed, if she were returned. Amy could have been charged with kidnapping and thrown into prison. But it was a chance she was willing to take.

Over the 50 years she spent in India, Amy took in hundreds of unwanted children. She became known as "Amma" or mother to them.

• Suggested reading:
  • Amy Carmichael: Rescuer of Precious Gems by Janet & Geoff Benge (Christian Heroes: Then and Now series).
  • Amy Carmichael: The Hidden Jewel by Dave & Neta Jackson (Trailblazer Books series).
  • Amy Carmichael by Kathleen White (Women of Faith series).
• Website:
  • Intouch Portrait of Amy
• Activities:
  • Amy Carmichael word search.
  • Amy Carmichael quiz.