What do you think?
Rate this book
Mimosa: A True Story
The inspirational and dramatic story of a Hindu child who heard of God's love for her, and trusted in Him through years of persecution and adversity
147 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
About the author
Amy Carmichael
82 books309 followersAmy Wilson Carmichael was a Protestant Christian missionary in India, who opened an orphanage and founded a mission in Dohnavur. She served in India for 55 years without furlough and wrote many books about the missionary work there.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
November 20, 2009
This book was written by Amy Carmichael in 1924. Amy was a Christian missionary in India who established an orphanage and founded a mission on Dohnavur. More information about her can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Carm... .
The book is a true story, and all the more powerful because of that. Amy sought to rescue children and babies who were not wanted in their Hindu families for various reasons. A poor family with many daughters would often take the "extra" girls to a temple to be sold into temple prostitution to alleviate the need for providing a dowery for them when they married. Amy would take these young children when she could, and raise them and teach them. They referred to her as Amma, which means "mother" in the Tamil language.
The story of Mimosa is a story of two sisters. The father agrees to bring his oldest daughter, Star, to Dohnavur to live so she can be educated. At any time he can come to the mission and retrieve Star. A few years later, he comes to the mission with his younger daughter, Mimosa, who is about 6 or 7 at the time. He is thinking of leaving her there as well. While he discusses this with those at the mission, Amy speaks with both Star and Mimosa. In a brief half hour she teaches Mimosa of the God who loves her, who created the entire world, and who listens to her and cares for her. Mimosa begs to be allowed to stay and learn more, and even promises that she will willingly come home if only she can learn a little bit more. However, her father changes his mind and takes Mimosa away.
For twenty two years, Star lives and learns and teaches at Dohnavur. She learns to read, she reads the Bible, and she becomes a Christian. She in turn teaches other young children the truth that she has learned and come to live by. She never hears from her sister, although she writes to her. For twenty two years, Mimosa lives in her village without contact from one other Christian. She cannot read, and the caste system being such as it is she is not allowed contact with any in her village who are Christians, and she grows up totally untaught about the God of the Bible. Yet, Mimosa too has become a Christian and lives her life day by day in a way that honors the one true God. Mimosa hears and treasures the words of encouragement written to her by her sister, but never writes back because she cannot write. The two sisters live totally ignorant of each other in these years.
The brief 30 minute time that Amy had with Mimosa was so short that she could not even share the name of Jesus with her! Yet Mimosa had heard God's truth and believed. She then begins to live her life differently. She rejects participation in the Shiva cult, she withholds herself from the common rituals involved with the various Hindu gods. No one taught her to pray, yet she speaks with God often about the many things she needs help with. She grows up into a young woman, and is given in marriage. Her husband tolerates her "differentness" and her one God, yet he is not a good husband. She is deceived by him, by her husband's family, and betrayed even by her own mother. She bears sons and raises them up to follow the one true God. She endures humiliation, ostracism, unceasing criticism, and daily hard labor. When one of her young sons becomes ill, she is urged to offer sacrifices to the gods for him. When he dies, her family and neighbors all accuse her of not appeasing the Hindu gods and thus causing his death. All this she endures with patience, with hours spent in her private "prayer" room in the inner part of the house.
When confronted with difficulty, she prays, "O God, my husband has deceived me, his brother has deceived me, even my mother has deceived me, but You will not deceive me. Yes, they have all deceived me. But I am not offended with You. Whatever You do is good. What should I do without You? You are the Giver of health and strength and will to work. Are not these things better than riches or people's help?" Not one scripture did she know. But she reported being filled with a peace that passed her own understanding. Yet God provides for her time after time, bringing her the help she needs exactly at the right time. She clings to Him as he faithfully hears her prayers, and comforts and teaches her in the ways of God's truth.
Twenty two years later, Mimosa arrives at Dohnavur with her own son to leave there to be educated. It is only at this time when Sister and Sister meet again, that both realize they each have believed the truth and lived it out in their lives. Star has enjoyed being fed through scripture and the encouragement of fellow believers. Mimosa has been fed from the Holy Spirit ministering directly to her spirit through the suffering she has endured. Mimosa says to Star, "You know Him by learning, I know Him by suffering." Eventually through the constant witness of kindness and love that Mimosa demonstrates over decades, her own husband comes to believe in Jesus. Her sons are taught at Dohnavur and her entire family is transformed as they become Christians also. She learns to read herself, and is able to read the Bible and call Jesus by name in her prayers.
What a wonderful story of God's miraculous love and care. Who are we to believe God can be hindered in any measure when He calls someone to salvation? Being taught from scripture and living in Christian community are so important, tradition and church family and the support from other believers is important too, but more important than even that is the transformation of the heart who believes in Jesus. That heart can live for Jesus when no other support is visible -- no family, no scriptures available to read, no church, no sacraments, nothing but the unshakable understanding that the one true God is indeed the mighty God who created all things and loves us! THAT is a story worth telling!!
The book is a true story, and all the more powerful because of that. Amy sought to rescue children and babies who were not wanted in their Hindu families for various reasons. A poor family with many daughters would often take the "extra" girls to a temple to be sold into temple prostitution to alleviate the need for providing a dowery for them when they married. Amy would take these young children when she could, and raise them and teach them. They referred to her as Amma, which means "mother" in the Tamil language.
The story of Mimosa is a story of two sisters. The father agrees to bring his oldest daughter, Star, to Dohnavur to live so she can be educated. At any time he can come to the mission and retrieve Star. A few years later, he comes to the mission with his younger daughter, Mimosa, who is about 6 or 7 at the time. He is thinking of leaving her there as well. While he discusses this with those at the mission, Amy speaks with both Star and Mimosa. In a brief half hour she teaches Mimosa of the God who loves her, who created the entire world, and who listens to her and cares for her. Mimosa begs to be allowed to stay and learn more, and even promises that she will willingly come home if only she can learn a little bit more. However, her father changes his mind and takes Mimosa away.
For twenty two years, Star lives and learns and teaches at Dohnavur. She learns to read, she reads the Bible, and she becomes a Christian. She in turn teaches other young children the truth that she has learned and come to live by. She never hears from her sister, although she writes to her. For twenty two years, Mimosa lives in her village without contact from one other Christian. She cannot read, and the caste system being such as it is she is not allowed contact with any in her village who are Christians, and she grows up totally untaught about the God of the Bible. Yet, Mimosa too has become a Christian and lives her life day by day in a way that honors the one true God. Mimosa hears and treasures the words of encouragement written to her by her sister, but never writes back because she cannot write. The two sisters live totally ignorant of each other in these years.
The brief 30 minute time that Amy had with Mimosa was so short that she could not even share the name of Jesus with her! Yet Mimosa had heard God's truth and believed. She then begins to live her life differently. She rejects participation in the Shiva cult, she withholds herself from the common rituals involved with the various Hindu gods. No one taught her to pray, yet she speaks with God often about the many things she needs help with. She grows up into a young woman, and is given in marriage. Her husband tolerates her "differentness" and her one God, yet he is not a good husband. She is deceived by him, by her husband's family, and betrayed even by her own mother. She bears sons and raises them up to follow the one true God. She endures humiliation, ostracism, unceasing criticism, and daily hard labor. When one of her young sons becomes ill, she is urged to offer sacrifices to the gods for him. When he dies, her family and neighbors all accuse her of not appeasing the Hindu gods and thus causing his death. All this she endures with patience, with hours spent in her private "prayer" room in the inner part of the house.
When confronted with difficulty, she prays, "O God, my husband has deceived me, his brother has deceived me, even my mother has deceived me, but You will not deceive me. Yes, they have all deceived me. But I am not offended with You. Whatever You do is good. What should I do without You? You are the Giver of health and strength and will to work. Are not these things better than riches or people's help?" Not one scripture did she know. But she reported being filled with a peace that passed her own understanding. Yet God provides for her time after time, bringing her the help she needs exactly at the right time. She clings to Him as he faithfully hears her prayers, and comforts and teaches her in the ways of God's truth.
Twenty two years later, Mimosa arrives at Dohnavur with her own son to leave there to be educated. It is only at this time when Sister and Sister meet again, that both realize they each have believed the truth and lived it out in their lives. Star has enjoyed being fed through scripture and the encouragement of fellow believers. Mimosa has been fed from the Holy Spirit ministering directly to her spirit through the suffering she has endured. Mimosa says to Star, "You know Him by learning, I know Him by suffering." Eventually through the constant witness of kindness and love that Mimosa demonstrates over decades, her own husband comes to believe in Jesus. Her sons are taught at Dohnavur and her entire family is transformed as they become Christians also. She learns to read herself, and is able to read the Bible and call Jesus by name in her prayers.
What a wonderful story of God's miraculous love and care. Who are we to believe God can be hindered in any measure when He calls someone to salvation? Being taught from scripture and living in Christian community are so important, tradition and church family and the support from other believers is important too, but more important than even that is the transformation of the heart who believes in Jesus. That heart can live for Jesus when no other support is visible -- no family, no scriptures available to read, no church, no sacraments, nothing but the unshakable understanding that the one true God is indeed the mighty God who created all things and loves us! THAT is a story worth telling!!
April 10, 2014
One of the most powerful non-fiction stories I have ever read, very moving and compelling testimony of the transforming love and power of God.
November 2, 2013
The reason for reading this book is the author, Amy Carmichael. Amy Carmichael was an Irish protestant missionary who worked near to my native place in Tamil Nadu for many years. And I, being a Christian and the one interested in the history of Christianity of my region, always wanted to read her books. They were mostly out of print. Recently I got hold of few of the books, thanks to the reprints.
About this book: This is a real story of a Hindu girl who stood firm in her Christian faith in spite of the many hardships that she had to undergo for going against one's custom/caste/religion/beliefs. There were times when conversion to Christianity meant a break up from your own cultural set up and the ethnic group. This cultural barrier and the fear of being an outcast in one's own place and among one's own people is well documented in this book. Other than this, this book can also serve as an inspiration story for the new believer or the one struggling with belief because of the surrounding difficulties.
About this book: This is a real story of a Hindu girl who stood firm in her Christian faith in spite of the many hardships that she had to undergo for going against one's custom/caste/religion/beliefs. There were times when conversion to Christianity meant a break up from your own cultural set up and the ethnic group. This cultural barrier and the fear of being an outcast in one's own place and among one's own people is well documented in this book. Other than this, this book can also serve as an inspiration story for the new believer or the one struggling with belief because of the surrounding difficulties.
May 31, 2020
I loved this book, could not put it down.
October 24, 2018
This was a wonderful true testimony of God's incredible power to use the very smallest of seeds to grow His kingdom and to keep His own through unimaginable difficulties. As Amy Carmichael points out again and again in her narrative, there is no human explanation for how Mimosa could have kept her faith for so many years, against so many overwhelming circumstances, and with only the tiniest hints of the gospel to give her a foundation. In our eyes, it is impossible. And yet God in His love drew this sister, who had never heard any more than that there was a God who loved her, to a sweet and beautiful relationship with Him that puts to shame the faith of many Christians with much more access to and knowledge of the truth.
My only small trouble with the story (likely a result of the style of Mimosa's own narrative) was that it was hard to get a feel for the timing within and between the different stories. Most of them were in chronological order, but for example, I had a hard time estimating the ages of her "little sons," until we find out near the end of the story that the oldest is now nearly fourteen. But I really loved the included prefaces to different editions, which give an update on some issues left unresolved at the time the book went to print. Praise God for His faithfulness!
The style can be a bit flowery at times, but the story has a beauty that the best words in the world couldn't do justice to. Highly recommended!
Content--mentions of Hindu religious practices and customs, magicians, etc.; mentions of deaths; mentions of physical punishment and cruelty
My only small trouble with the story (likely a result of the style of Mimosa's own narrative) was that it was hard to get a feel for the timing within and between the different stories. Most of them were in chronological order, but for example, I had a hard time estimating the ages of her "little sons," until we find out near the end of the story that the oldest is now nearly fourteen. But I really loved the included prefaces to different editions, which give an update on some issues left unresolved at the time the book went to print. Praise God for His faithfulness!
The style can be a bit flowery at times, but the story has a beauty that the best words in the world couldn't do justice to. Highly recommended!
Content--mentions of Hindu religious practices and customs, magicians, etc.; mentions of deaths; mentions of physical punishment and cruelty
July 3, 2010
Profoundly moving book about pure faith, but warning - it is difficult to read, due to the prose and author's story telling style. If one can get though it, it's a charming little book that really illustrates blind faith. Fascinating
December 27, 2013
Very hard book to read. I forced myself to finish it. The ending was very good and I am sure the story is amazing but the writing was difficult to understand
October 4, 2019
This is an amazing true story of one little Hindu girl who heard the gospel during one short afternoon when she was five years old. This is the story of the amazing transformation God caused in her heart as she began serving him even though she didn't know His name! At that young age, she refused to participate in the traditional Hindu rites in spite of the punishments she received. As she grew up, she remained faithful to the one true God. Mimosa married a Hindu man but still refused to participate in the normal Hindu rituals. She could not read or write. She didn't even own a Bible and couldn't read it if she did. Somehow she just knew that some things were wrong (including going into debt!). This poor young woman received much persecution because of her faith but she persevered. Eventually she was able to take two of her sons to Dohnavur, where she had first heard the gospel. I was continually amazed while reading this story to see how God is able to work in the heart of a small child. A truly inspiring story!!!
March 20, 2018
Incredible story of how much God can do with our "widow's mite". No matter the size of the seed that is sown, God is gonna do what He wants to do, not what we think is possible.
And Mimosa! What an incredible witness of faith and boldness through trials unimaginable to us in our comfy, modern America. Her God-given faith is just... wow.
My only complaint, I'd say, is more of a publishing thing: I don't love the pulling out of quotes and "framing" them in story settings. It can work in teaching-style books. But for me in this case, it just messes with the chronology of the story.
But that has nothing to do with the writing itself. There were some wonderful phrases and beautiful words in here, in addition to being just a crazy amazing story.
And Mimosa! What an incredible witness of faith and boldness through trials unimaginable to us in our comfy, modern America. Her God-given faith is just... wow.
My only complaint, I'd say, is more of a publishing thing: I don't love the pulling out of quotes and "framing" them in story settings. It can work in teaching-style books. But for me in this case, it just messes with the chronology of the story.
But that has nothing to do with the writing itself. There were some wonderful phrases and beautiful words in here, in addition to being just a crazy amazing story.
October 19, 2018
I first read this little book several years ago, and the thought of this woman’s story has stayed with me. It is still just as moving the second time, a reminder of the faithfulness of God.
July 25, 2022
A fascinating introduction to the caste system and Hindu life of females in India and conversion to Christianity of one, Mimosa. Absolutely worth the read for those who have the gift of Christianity to see the hardships and fierceness which some must exhibit daily to live a life for Christ.
November 29, 2011
When Mimosa was a little girl, she went to Dohnavor with her father to visit her sister. In the brief time she was there, she heard about a God who is a loving Father: that knowledge changed her life. For years she held to that truth, praying to the God she had heard of, recognizing that all that He did was good even through great hardship, and trusting Him to provide her needs. Her knowledge was extremely limited--she didn't even know of Christ and the cross--but God's love kept her and brought her after many years back to Dohnavor. This is an amazing story; it is greatly encouraging to see God's extreme love in action. He cares more about people than we do, and He is capable of keeping them close to Him.
October 22, 2013
I needed to hear the encouraging message that runs through the book...that Jesus is real and oh so personal. He will take care of all my needs and I need not tell a soul.
Pg. 135 Mimosa sold her brass vessels, an Indian woman's most precious necessities. They had been her father's gift to her, part of her dowry, and she could never buy such again. Hereafter she must use cheap earthen pots.
This passage touched me deeply because I too sold my precious necessities to come to Honduras to do the Lord's work.
Pg. 135 Mimosa sold her brass vessels, an Indian woman's most precious necessities. They had been her father's gift to her, part of her dowry, and she could never buy such again. Hereafter she must use cheap earthen pots.
This passage touched me deeply because I too sold my precious necessities to come to Honduras to do the Lord's work.
May 15, 2016
This book is great! It's a true story about an Indian woman, who didn't know Christ at all and didn't had the chance to read or to be taught out of the Bible and had no education (she couldn't even read or write). She only knew that there is a God who loves her. She felt His presence and gave up the gods she had and went through very taugh situations. She was persecuted and had to raise up 4 children alone in a very harsh situation...poverty, sickness, loneliness...but even through all these, the Lord taught and cared for her.
June 20, 2014
This is a short biography, written by Amy Carmichael, about a Tamil Indian woman named Mimosa and her life as a Christ-follower after a very brief encounter with the living God. Mimosa's enduring faith in the face of enormous opposition is a powerful testimony to the workings of the Holy Spirit. In the life of a woman with no spiritual education, training, or even scriptural knowledge, God is still faithful to his children.
August 11, 2013
Although Amy Charmichael's writing style is archaic, the beauty of this true story still rings true today. This little book was such an encouragement to me. Who would think that an uneducated, outcast, impoverished Indian woman from 100 years ago would be able to minister to me? What an amazing legacy of faith!
February 4, 2016
Nice, quick read. Encouraging story of an Indian woman pursued by God even when she didn't understand it. She couldn't read and wasn't exposed to scripture until years after she encountered Christ. It Is a great reminder to those in ministry that He does the work and we get to be involved. He is not dependent on us but invites us to be a part.
August 10, 2008
This was a beautiful story of an Indian girl who goes against her in-bred Hindu beliefs to seek Jesus Christ.
It is a story of suffering and her strength to find great courage to stand up for what she believes in despite much opposition from her family and Hindu community.
It is a story of suffering and her strength to find great courage to stand up for what she believes in despite much opposition from her family and Hindu community.
October 11, 2008
True story about a woman from India. I learned from this book that God can take one moment in a persons life to change the course of that life and future generations. And, that His Holy Spirit does teach and lead when there is no other teacher.
November 16, 2009
This was a most amazing story of living the light you have received. An Indian woman who had very little knowledge of God and the Bible was so profoundly moved to follow God with perfect faith that it puts those of us with the entire Bible at our fingertips to shame.
May 25, 2010
June book club choice
Delightful peek at the hard overcomer's life of an Indian woman and how God met her right where she was without any education [no ability to read:], fellowship, or church training.
Delightful peek at the hard overcomer's life of an Indian woman and how God met her right where she was without any education [no ability to read:], fellowship, or church training.
March 16, 2011
The language in this, after all of my light reading of late, made this a more challenging read for me. It's an amazing story, but at times I had trouble following it. It's a short book, and I think I made it more difficult to read then it should have been?
May 23, 2012
I read this many years ago but had forgotten all of it except the trust in God that this child, then woman, had. I am so glad to read it again! It is an amazing true story of faith and of God's care for even one lone person.
December 9, 2014
This is Amy Carmichael's true account of a young Indian woman who came to hear of Christ. Mimosa became a believer in Christ and endured years of opposition from her family and caste. A remarkable tale of how God can sustain one's faith in the most difficult of circumstances.
September 11, 2007
I absolutely loved this book
February 10, 2008
What an absolutly amazing display of the power of God to draw man to himself!
September 5, 2008
Amazing story about the power of God to hold His children firmly in His hand! I gave away my copy, but I need to get another!
November 25, 2008
What an awesome story of God's faithfulness to the smallest response to His love. God himself taught, guided and preserved Mimosa.
Read
March 8, 2010this book is amazing
June 3, 2010
Amazing, beautiful, gives-you-chills personal account of a Hindu girl's developing faith in isolation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews