Meet the team!

From left to right -- Matt, Steve, Lisa, Marsha, Marianne, Michele, Kate, Kelly.

Lisa Backus, (our fearless leader), taught chemistry and physical science for 2 years at Palatine High School (back in the 70's!) Lisa says, “When my first daughter was born, I ‘retired’ from teaching and worked in industry (20 years) as a chemist. When my four daughters were older, I returned to teaching and have been at Deerfield High School for the last 8 years. I am now also a grandmother of two (soon to be three) grandchildren. This will be my third trip to Samfya. Some of my favorite moments in Zambia were watching the teachers and their excitement with the new techniques we were sharing with them. Education in Samfya primarily involved the teacher writing information on the chalkboard while the students copied it down. During my first trip, we shared many additional teaching strategies that the teachers could use that would not require many resources (the chalk, chalkboard, pencils and paper were all they typically had). After we trained the Samfyan teachers, they developed creative ideas to practice and used them to teach us about Zambia. One group used the body-kinesthetic technique of dancing to teach us about tribal customs. They made hats and costumes with paper and danced for us. They even made me dance! Unfortunately there is footage to embarrass me about my dancing abilities! On the second trip we got to visit the classrooms. There again I got to see the teachers use what we had shared with them. I visited the class of one of the most joyful science teachers, Moses. He taught his students all the things that he had learned in our workshops! It was amazing. I am so excited to return and continue the work we started.”


This is Marianne Frederick’s second trip to Samfya. Marianne says, “About five years ago God laid on my heart the plight of the people of Africa. I prayed for an opportunity to somehow make a difference besides contributing during the Celebration of Hope. My husband brought to my attention a very brief announcement of a possibility of a teacher team going to Samfya in Zambia.” She began her teaching career in the early seventies when she taught early elementary school in the Chicago Public schools. After raising her children, she returned to teaching 14 years ago and continues to teach second grade in Palatine District 15. “I love being a part of children's learning! I especially enjoy building their literacy and helping them to fall in love with reading…This year I am excited by the opportunity to be in classrooms and to provide ideas and strategies to teachers as I actually attempt to provide instruction to the children. Once again I hope that I can provide hope to teachers that face incredible obstacles as they attempt to teach the children of Africa. One of the most important things I feel our teams do is to give credibility and encouragement to the Samfyan teachers as they continue the challenge of educating the children in Samfya.“


Kate Smith teaches AP Psychology and 
Human Geography at Buffalo Grove High School. She lives in Carpentersville
with her “amazing husband, Matt, and loving golden retriever, Mia. 

I have always had love and compassion for Africa; I dreamt of one day 
traveling to Africa to serve God's people. When my husband, Matt, read A 
Hole in the Gospel he received a whisper from God suggesting we serve
 people in less developed countries. I searched Willow's website for 
serving opportunities and came across the Zambia Teachers Team. This was
 the perfect serving opportunity for Matt and I since we are both teachers.
 My dream was coming true! We traveled with the 2009 Teachers Team to 
Samfya, Zambia. The trip changed my life! With Samfya constantly on my 
mind and in my prayers, I am so excited to return to Samfya this summer.
 My dream continues...”


Matt Smith has been teaching/coaching at Jacobs High School in Algonquin for the past 5 years. Mat says, “I have a beautiful wife (almost 2 years) and the best dog in the world (Mia)…The book The Hole in the Gospel opened my eyes to the hardships that many people in the world face day to day. I got whispers from God that said it's time to be unselfish for once in your life and we'll go on an amazing journey. Boy was he right. Last year it was such a blessing to see the work that Mark and Carmen (Brubacher) have done to help the people of Samfya. It is so inspirational that 2 people can make such a big difference in people’s lives. It was also amazing to see the passion and faith that our friends (in Samfya) had when we as Americans would think that they have so little. They have the things that are truly important in life-God, family, friends, cultures, traditions, no sense of time...etc. I look forward to another amazing journey with God and with another Great group of teachers with the same passions.” (author’s note – Matt and Kate will be celebrating their wedding anniversary in Samfya again this year, as they did last year.)


Dr. Steven Lake is a former educator with over 30 years experience in the public schools. He has been a teacher, elementary and junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, and Superintendent of Schools. He is the author of several publications, including a bestselling social studies curriculum, a text on leadership used in Christian middle and high schools, and Life Compass, a comprehensive curriculum to help Christians identify and live out their life purpose. He is co-creator of Connections, a curriculum that helps church members identify ministry opportunities aligned with their spiritual gifts and areas of interest. Since 1994 Steve has taught in the U.S. and Africa about God's calling. He has additional ministry experience in Germany and Honduras. He is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a 501(c)(3) Christian non-profit ministry. Its purpose is to equip Christians to live out their unique, God-given purpose. It provides curriculum, seminars, and training to churches and Christian organizations.


Kelly Brittan is currently a Dean at a middle school in Wheeling, IL. Prior to her 4 years as a dean, she was a social worker at an alternative high school for 9 years. She also serves regularly in Promiseland at Willow Creek Church with the 2 year olds and the 4th/5th grade ministry. She has been on mission trips to Costa Rica the past 2 summers focused on building projects within a church community there. Kelly says, “While on these trips, I was always drawn to the children in the community, interacting with them at times more then working. Then I became aware last fall of the opportunity to serve in Zambia, where my interactions would revolve around children. I knew this was the serving opportunity for me. In preparation for this trip, I really had to consider what I could do without. This is truly my first experience traveling somewhere with a limited water supply and limited electricity. It really helps lighten the load when you pack without a hairdryer and the extensive toiletries that most of us ladies tend to travel with. It definitely humbles you a bit.” ☺

Michele Scott is a special education teacher for CCSD #15 in Palatine and teaches at Winston Campus Elementary. She is also the Director of Youth Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Palatine. She has been teaching for 18 years and working with the youth of her church for 10 years. Michele says, “Though I have been on local missions trips, this trip to Zambia will be my first overseas mission trip. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to share my 2 passions, my faith and teaching! The people of Africa have been on my heart for many years and God has answered my prayer of how I can be in service to them. I give thanks to God and all of my friends and family who are supporting me on this trip. ‘God has beckoned… there are things to do and places to go.’ (Romans 8:14)”


Dr. Marsha Vaughn is the “voice” of this blog and resident “arachnophobe” (and yes, I realize that could be a problem). I will begin my 10th year as a professor of psychology and sociology at Judson University in Elgin. I am still a southern gal at heart, born and raised in Tennessee and grad-school-educated (in Marriage and Family Therapy) in Texas. Before moving to Illinois, I worked as a family therapist and hospital chaplain. My “prompting” to pursue going to Africa came after seeing the incredible changes that have happened in Samfya thus far as a result of the work of the Brubachers (and Bright Hope International) and the investment of Willow Creek. While there is still much progress to be made, a holistic approach that addresses education, health care, and income-generating opportunities while strengthening the local church makes my heart skip a beat. I have to see this for myself, and I want to be a part of this.


Our team of 6 teachers and 2 mental health professionals will leave mid-June. The teachers will focus on training teachers in literacy, while Kelly and I will spend time training and encouraging the “community of care providers” (think home health aide + tutor + mentor+ case manager).

We are SO excited at joining in God’s work. We covet your continued prayers and support.