This interview is part of our Japan: Literary Adventure. See Part One for an introduction as well as links to the books we talk about today.
Yesterday I had the great pleasure of sitting down via Skype with Roger Lowther to ask him a few questions about Japanese literature. Roger and his wife Abi are both missionaries to Japan through Mission to the World, and along with their three young sons, they have been using their unique talents in music to minister in Tokyo and Northern Japan for several years.
What was a demanding schedule before the tsunami in 2011 quickly become overwhelming after it struck: they quickly began organizing relief efforts for affected areas, including food, water, and eventually music. Yet through the tragedy, the Lord has continued to open remarkable avenues for the gospel. You can read more about the Lowther’s work to meet those needs (and even donate to support them) on Roger’s blog, rogerlowther.blogspot.com. If you’d like to be added to Roger’s email newsletter list, send him a note at rogerlowther@gmail.com.
And just because I think it’s pretty amazing, here is a video of Roger and a few other musicians playing concerts in shelters just after the tsunami.
I was hoping today to list a number of resources I’ve collected about studying Japan with your kids–websites, books, toys, etc. But I think I’ll hold that for another post. I may be able to line up one more interview, and I’d like to take a little time to distill some of Roger’s insights into two or three points that children could really digest. So, for now, I hope you enjoy hearing from Roger as much as I did! And most of all, I’d like to ask you to pray with me for the Japanese people–to thank the Lord for uniquely gifting them in so many ways, and for the many ways they uniquely reflect His glory, but also to ask that He would bring the fullness of His truth to their nation, and give them life more abundantly in Christ.
[powerpress]
Any follow-up questions come to mind for you? I wished I had asked him about Buddhism and Shinto and how that is reflected in some of this literature….
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This is fascinating, Emily–thank you for setting it up. My son spent a year in Japan some time back and I had a priceless opportunity to spend almost two weeks there–not nearly enough but I acquired an appreciation for the people that was lacking before. There’s much to admire about the culture, but also a lot to mourn, and pray about. I’m thankful for Roger and those like him, to whom God has given a heart of compassion.
Very welcome. I feel very blessed to have snagged Roger for an interview. He and his wife are gifted in such unique ways.
It’s good to see two writers who extol the power of a story pay tribute to the power of music.
(It occurred to me I ought not speak of “the power of words” any more than I would speak of “the power of notes.”)
It’s good to see two writers who extol the power of a story pay tribute to the power of music.
(It occurred to me I ought not speak of “the power of words” any more than I would speak of “the power of notes.”)
I am new to your site. Was pointed to it by a friend. Love it! Very thought provoking etc. LOVED seeing Roger here- we use to be on the same team as their family in Japan- so it was super exciting to see him here!