On my first trip to Asia, I got to visit Singapore while enjoying the company of 250 people from 52 nations at LittWorld, the triennial gathering of Christian writers and publishers hosted by Media Associates International (MAI). Having traveled some twelve hours to Singapore, and only sleeping an hour of it, I was feeling a bit ill and sick when I got on the elevator to go up to my room – that is, my new room, as the hotel had given me a smoking room the first time round, making me feel even more queasy. On the lift I joined Dan Elliott, publishing doyen from Tyndale House, who uttered, “These are some of my favorite people.” I knew I was in for a treat.
Now that I’ve been home over a week from Singapore, what stands out in my memory is the gift of seeing the worldwide church in action. I’m aware that sounds vague; when I say the “worldwide church,” I mean its people. For when I think of LittWorld, a host of smiling faces appear before me. Here are a few (and see the photo gallery at the end):
- The publisher I enjoyed lunch with from Burkina Faso, who earned his MBA from a Chicago university and returned home to apply his financial prowess to the family business.
- A lovely lady from the Philippines who became an instant soul friend, a marketing genius who adds her touches of grace to the work she does for a well-known Christian publisher.
- The teacher from a country where being a Christian is difficult, who is writing a novel of hope about mothers and daughters, borne out of her own experience.
- The publisher from Turkey who endured a horrendous experience of extremist abuse, but who remains committed to working in his country, for “these are my people.”
Perhaps the best way to highlight some of the richness of this conference is to share a few gems from the speakers.
Pusonnam Yiri, Nigeria, “Thinking Locally, Writing Globally”
Pusonnam spoke on one of the defining themes of MAI, the desire to empower local writers around the world for global impact. I love this emphasis, for it’s so rooted in God’s love for all people, and how we’re made in his image and have something to share. And although those writing within their culture will speak powerfully to their own contexts, as Pusonnam said:
“Ideas are travelers… they can’t be caged.” (Pusonnam Yiri) Share on X
Great ideas will travel; they aren’t limited to one culture or one land. They are for global sharing – yes, please!
I love, in today’s climate of suspicion, his next point:
“Ideas are criminals… they break immigration laws.” (Pusonnam Yiri) Share on X
No walls can contain them. And, he continued, who knows where the next great idea will come from? As we cannot see into the future, we should foster an openness to welcoming great ideas from anywhere.
And finally:
“Ideas are visitors. Welcome one, and others will come.” (Pusonnam Yiri) Share on X
Simon David Hunter, Australia, “Screenwriting”
I loved Simon’s sessions on screenwriting. I’ll probably never write a screenplay, nor will I ever direct a film, but I gained so much from his talks. How do we write content – not only fiction, but I apply this to nonfiction as well – that will reach audiences? How do we tell the grand story of faith in ways that touch hearts and minds?
In terms of films, he contends that audiences want a good story, well told, that engages the emotions. And good stories are all about one thing – character. Where do we get good characters? We observe. We note from real life. Some might even call this stealing…
Bishop Robert Solomon, Singapore, “Words for the Wounded”
How can our writing be a means of extending God’s grace? I appreciated Bishop Robert Solomon’s talk, for he exuded grace and hope as he spoke. A medical doctor as well as an ordained minister, he told of the power of the scalpel to bring healing – yes, pain, too, but it cuts out the infection that would spread and eventually kill. And as he said, Jesus heals through words. We aren’t Jesus, of course, but God can bring about his healing even through our words.
I also loved his point about tsundoku, the Japanese word for the piling up of books to read. I know many of us can relate! I certainly can with my heaving shelves. What he observed about tsundoku is that the keeping of many books keeps us humble, for we know that we don’t know everything.
I left Singapore profoundly grateful to have met so many fascinating people, humbled by the way God is using them around the world.
The next gathering is LittWorld 2021 – might you join fellow writers and publishers from so many different countries to be encouraged in your faith?
To find out more about MAI, click here. To watch the video about LittWorld and learn more about the conference, it’s here.
I closed the door quietly, not wanting to wake my parents as I knew they’d be asleep. As I walked toward the basement door I thought it was odd that the light was on – my parents were so good at turning off lights when not needed. I headed down the stairs and looked up with a start at the tear-stained face of my mother. My stomach dropped.
