“Amy Beatrice Carmichael,” her mother scolded. “I can't believe you led your brothers onto the roof.”

“I just wanted to look around,” Amy explained.

“A roof is not a place to walk around.” Amy's mother frowned. “Just like a sea wall is not a place to stand and get soaked by salt spray.”

Amy sighed. “Why do my adventures always end in trouble?”

“Think about that while you stand in the corner,” Mother said. Amy stared at the walls and remembered the view from the roof. Stone cottages lined the village streets of Millisle, and a creek led down to the Irish Sea. Along the creek were two mills that Amy's ancestor had bought in 1705, and in the millpond was a tiny island for which the town was named.

Amy also saw the church where she and her six siblings had to sit up straight and pay attention. Her parents wanted them to be obedient and educated.

Soon after Amy's roof walk, her parents surprised her. “It's time for you to go to boarding school in England.”

“You're sending me away?” Amy didn't want to leave her family.

“It's not a punishment,” Amy's dad said. “You will learn many important things.”

At the English school, Amy's classmates called her “Wild Irish.” They had never met anyone so daring. One day, Amy saw a mouse struggling in a water pail. She rescued it, but there was no time to set it free.

Amy hid the wet mouse under the folds of her skirt. But it kept squeaking and bit Amy's finger. Miss Kay, the school director, came to find out what was wrong. When she saw the mouse, she screamed and ran. Amy took the squirming animal outside and let it go.

Just before graduation, Amy welcomed Jesus into her heart. Then she imagined running into His arms.

During Amy's time at school, her family moved to Belfast, in Northern Ireland. When she returned to Ireland, Amy often sat on her bed and patted the space beside her. “Come talk with me, Jesus.” she invited. “Show me how to live for you.”

One day, she looked out her window and began to pray for the townspeople. Soon her brothers and sisters joined her “Morning Watch” of prayer and Bible reading.

On Saturdays, the Carmichaels invited neighbor children to join them. Amy's mother served tea, and Amy acted out Bible stories. So many children started coming that the pastor asked why.

“Amy's class is always fun!” they said.

The girl who once led children into danger now invited them into an exciting relationship with God.

Welcoming Children

On January 2, 1889, Amy opened a place for Belfast children called “The Welcome.” Many poor girls came to learn about the Bible, as well as sewing and manners. When she was 27, Amy went to India; she stayed for more than 55 years. The roof-walking girl became known as the “Jesus-Walking Woman.” She rescued more than a thousand hurting children and made a home for them.

Read Mark 10:13-16. Imagine being held in Jesus' arms and talking with Him. What would you say? How might you feel?