Book Review- Mountain Breezes

I enjoy poetry, and I am grateful when a faithful saint can put into poetic words what I may struggle to articulate in comprehensible sentences. I first came across the compilation of Amy Carmichael's works at a conference several years ago. I took a picture of the book to look up at a different time. Several years past and it was not until this past fall that I obtained my own copy of this work and what a blessing it has been to my heart! 

"Mountain Breezes" is the collection of poems written by Amy Carmichael. Born in 1867 in Ireland and the oldest of 7 children, Amy grew up in a loving, Christian home. She spent time as a missionary in Japan before finding it necessary to leave due to the strain of the climate on her health. She landed in India in 1895, where she organized a traveling band of Christian women who wanted to reach other women and children. When made aware of the horrific and demonic trafficking of young children to be "married" to the Hindu gods and used to "religious" prostitution, Amy gave her heart and soul into rescuing those precious young souls. The Dohnavur Fellowship of South India was founded, and due to the faithful efforts and countless prayers of Amy and her helpers, child after child was rescued from the horrors of the life destined for them and lived to see the heinous custom of temple prostitution become outlawed in 1948. Though never marrying, Amy became "Amma" (mother) to many children who would have been lost to the evils of the world had it not been for her faithful obedience and willingness to lay it all on the line. She never had a furlough and spent the last years of her life as an invalid, but maintained a steady and fervent trust in the Lord in whom she had looked to for all those years. Amy Carmichael passed away in 1951. Her legacy continues in Dohnavur today.

The poems of "Mountain Breezes" are divided into several sections and touch a variety of heart cries, including poems for worship, surrender, ministry, encouragement, and more. There is a "rawness" to the verses that help me feel like my heart position, struggles or fears are articulated for me when I do not feel I have the ability to articulate. I highly recommend and encourage obtaining your own copy and I am thankful for how the Lord has used it in my life.  

"Missionary life is simply a chance to die." ~Amy Carmichael