Meet the Team

Front Row:  Marti Hunsucker, Amy Zent, Linda Newsome
Back Row:  Sharon Puterbaugh, Lisa Ranck, John and Pat Macdonald

Sawyer Zent

Team Leader - Amy Zent...

Twice in the past two years I have traveled to Sierra Leone, W. Africa with teams to share with primary school teachers techniques I learned during 40 years as an educator. I expect to help the other team members conduct workshops in teaching language arts, math and science as well as organize a school library in two UMC Primary Schools, Makeni and Kenema. We will also orient the Head Teachers (Principals) to the workshops and survey their needs in administration. As in the past, I expect to be greatly impressed with the enthusiasm and excitement of the teachers and how effective they are with such minimal resources. We will treasure your prayers for our safety and success.  Amy

Sawyer Zent...

I have recently graduated from college with a degree in video production. I’m very excited that I was invited to participate in this year’s mission. I have done some traveling before, but never to a place that needed my help.  I look forward not only to helping school children in Sierra Leone, but also documenting the trip through the lens of a video camera. A short digital video I made using pictures from last year’s trip has already proven a success in raising awareness and funds. I am confident that filming the trip will go a long way in promoting the program and spreading the word!  Sawyer

Lisa Ranck...

I come to the Sierra Leone mission as a retired teacher with a thirty-plus year career.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my training and experience in elementary education teaching with the teachers of Sierra Leone, who perservere with extremely limited materials and training.  I am developing math and science components to add to the important language arts, literacy skills, and library lessons we provide.  What a blessing to be able to help both the teachers and the children of this developing country.  Lisa

Linda Newsome...

In May 2012, I retired from 36 years of teaching.  Soon after, I was given the incredible opportunity to continue sharing my love for education, but in a way that rewards my soul!  I am an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, where I have been able to participate in missionary trips to Haiti.  During these trips, my purpose was to develop the skills of teachers and provide them with the appropriate knowledge and tools needed to teach children in grade levels Pre-K through third.  Now I join this team to travel to Sierra Leone and teach teachers!  Linda

Sharon Puterbaugh...

Since retiring from teaching I have made several trips to South Africa where I have been involved in children's ministry and training Sunday school teachers.  I've also been involved in a ministry with senior ladies there.  Last summer God opened the doors for me to spend two weeks in Kenya where I worked with a baby rescue center and visited several orphanages. I am excited to travel to Sierra Leone with this team and look forward to the opportunities to be the "hands and feet of Jesus".  Thank you for your prayers!   Sharon

Pat Macdonald...

  My first opportunity to go to Sierra Leone came in 2008 and it has changed my world.   I had been involved as church and district coordinator for Operation Classroom, but this gave me the chance to experience firsthand the enormous challenges Sierra Leonean teachers face and a deep appreciation for the work these teachers do under seemingly impossible circumstances.  This will be my fifth trip to Sierra Leone and the third one focused on working with teachers in primary schools.  I feel blessed to have been given the privilege to be in relationship with so many wonderful people and to share some of what I have learned from 28 years of teaching.   I will again be working with the language arts, specifically vocabulary development, dictionary use, and writing skills.  I look forward to once more spending time among these teachers and children whose faith, commitment, and joy have and will continue to enrich my life.  I pray I can give back at least some measure of what they have given me. 

John Macdonald...

  When I retired after a 40-year career in electrical/electronic engineering, I asked God to show me a way to use that background in some kind of service for Him.  He answered that prayer in a way I could never have imagined when he opened the door for me to work with hospitals and schools in Sierra Leone.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to continue doing the work I enjoy while getting to travel, learn, and work with many new friends.   My love for the people of Sierra Leone continues to grow.  This trip will be a departure from the work I have done on previous trips, but I hope that I will be able to use my in-country experience to provide logistical, communications, and any other kind of support needed by the primary education team. 

Marti Hunsucker...

Marti Hunsucker (Margaret),Artist, Teacher and Christian Educator, is a member of the St. Luke UMC Congregation,.. Her teaching experience for Westfield-Washington schools included 11 years teaching Kindergarten, 12 years teaching first grade and 3 years teaching second grade gifted and talented classes. For 13 years Marti served the United Methodist Church as a Christian Educator which included experience in teaching and creating programs for people from the cradle to the grave.  After retiring, she came to St. Luke's UMC. and has continued to volunteer as a teacher for: VBS, Disciple, and Adult Classes.  She is active with Studio Three, St. Luke's Art Ministry and is a Stephen Minister.  Marti and her husband, Glenn, live on a small farm in Sheridan, IN, where she serves in the Kiwanis Club for community activities.  Glenn and Marti have two adult sons and four grandchildren. 

 Marti is excited about returning to Sierra Leone for she feels the church's mission to the UMC Primary Schools in Sierra Leone can make a huge difference for the teachers and children there.  On her first visit to Sierra Leone, she was deeply impressed by the long and faithful commitment the United Methodist Church has made to that country.  St. Luke's has been an integral part of that mission.  Seeing the work at Kissy Hospital in Freetown, the success of the goat project in Tiama and the success of the Nothing But Nets campaign was just a few examples of St. Luke's presence in mission.