cultural differences

Dear Friends,
Greetings! I am writing early Tuesday morning before heading off to class for the day. One of the issues I am having to adjust to is that of "titles". In the United States I am used to the informality of simply being called Debbie, even in a church setting -- at least most of the time.

Here in Sudan it is really necessary to be known as Reverend Debbie because there is a certain respect that comes with a person being ordained. It is a bit odd of a twist as the churches in Sudan do not at this time ordain women to the ministry. Outside of my physical appearance clearly not being African or Arabic this sets me aside even more. However, my hope is that being Reverend Debbie from a country in which the Presbyterian Church (USA) does ordain women will make a difference for the women here in Sudan.

In my concentrated course this past two weeks as we are studying the New Testament Background we are as teacher and students understanding that in Jesus Christ there is no East nor West, no male or female, no Jew or Gentile, at much deeper level. As we study how the Jewish Christian church became the Gentile Christian church the understanding that God's plans for humanity transcends all barriers and the foolish wisdom of humans has become much more clear. I think that the class I am teaching is comprehending more fully that God's plan is not only for the church as a whole, but for the women and men within the church. The call to ordained leadership is not based on gender -- but instead on God's plans and wisdom for the very church in which that leadership serves. God wastes nothing. This means that the gifts of male and female are to be utilized to the fullest in the service of our God and of the church of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Debbie