"It's a very ancient saying,
But a true and honest thought,
That if you become a teacher,
By your pupils you'll be taught.
As a teacher (person) I've been learning,
You'll forgive me if I boast,
And I've now become an expert
On the subject I like most,
Getting to know you."
(The above lyrics are from the song "Getting to Know You" in the movie The King and I.)
The pictures flashed before me. I found the storyline of the movie very interesting. Subsequent visits to the movie has reinforced my first opinion. The king of an Asian country hired an American teacher to tutor his wives and children. She was not hired to educate her new students in their own culture and language. She was to educate them in her own culture and language.
In the story the teacher wanted a house within the palace grounds to live. But the king relegated her to a room within the palace. This, along with a few other points of conflict, was the theme of contention between the king and his hired foreign educator.
He was a tyrant. Throughout the movie she tried to educate him in the theory of democracy. It was a difficult task, and in the end there was a sort of reconciliation.
What I remembered most was the king’s desire to learn. He wanted to know how the world interacted outside his limited circle of knowledge. The king knew of a need to become enlighten even though he would not accept any changes in his policy. He was king, but still he wanted to know of the nations and countries that did not border his own country.
To bring someone from a foreign country to educate would influence in knowledge, customs and understandings his own culture. This was a very bold act: education to gain understanding. It was a good thing it was just a movie. But still, the thought of learning about others transfixed my mind.
This principle of learning about others is the primary idea behind the formation of the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship (PVIF) in Pocatello, Idaho. It was started to gain an understanding of faith denominations beliefs in the Pocatello area. It was designed as a forum in which each denomination can present in an amicable atmosphere their doctrinal understandings — in other words, a medium through which all can be "Getting to Know You."
One hour out of every month the PVIF members and guests meet for lunch. One particular faith will serve as the host church and provide lunch. At the meeting the host church members present some or all their faiths beliefs as we break bread together. For 15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting, the hosts offer prayer or a meditation period then present their beliefs. Questions are encouraged. Questions are to build understanding and are not contentious.
The lunch allows for members to mention their various projects. Special events such as Vacation Bible School or the celebration of Ramadan are announced.
There are two other programs associated with the PVIF. First is the local food bank and Feeding of the Five Thousand (FFT) project. The FFT is the longest, in years of service, of an interfaith food drive program in the United States. Another program honors a person of the local community.
I admit my education of other religions is very limited. Having this format has been surprisingly enlightening. My understanding of some beliefs presented has been eye-opening. Some of my understanding of other religions have been transformed. I hope that some members of PVIF have had their opinion of Adventism transformed, too.
When the Pocatello Seventh-day Adventist Church was the host church, we presented our 28 Fundamental Beliefs. At the lunch we introduced vegetarianism along with vegan foods. We presented an understanding of God's love by handing out copies of Surprised by Love and an abridged edition of The Great Controversy.
I would love to tell you about my newfound friends: the "sons of Islam" and the mosque where they worship, the joy of life I found with the Presbyterians members, the humbleness of the Buddhists who grace each meeting. I could go on for another page about the other member religions that make up PVIF and how getting to know them has blessed my life.
What has developed with our involvement with the PVIF organization? What have been the effects?
Only our Lord knows the spiritual effects. One comment was made that we are a small but very friendly church. One other is "I didn't know about haystacks and that they taste so good." I didn't have the heart to tell the person haystacks are an Adventist comfort food.
We are looking for Jesus to return soon. Every day we ask for Him to cut the time short, but also we ask if there someone else we can talk to about Him. Is there someone else who needs more understanding? I feel that PVIF has opened doors where the Holy Spirit can work, doors that allow for more biblical understandings and for the other PVIF members to witness our admiration of Jesus and His great love.
In Luke 6:40 reads, "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher" (NASB). Maybe in the end we will be an influence of God's love to the members of PVIF — teachers who display to everyone God's great love. That, in the end, will be the best of "Getting to Know You."
David Woodbury
