ELCA World Hunger

​Lisa Burns, ELCA World Hunger Fundraising Intern

My name is Lisa Burns, and I am a rising senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am studying global health with a focus on the regions of the Middle East and Latin America. As such, I have studied both Spanish and

Arabic and the university level. In the fall of 2014 I plan to further my knowledge of the Arabic language and culture through study abroad in Amman, Jordan. I am passionate about social justice and health issues, especially as they pertain to women and children. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in nonprofit work with an international focus. Therefore, I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with ELCA World Hunger this summer. I will be working on the fundraising side of the appeal and interacting with donors.  I expect that I will learn a lot from my colleagues and my experiences here!

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago and love the city. I have three sisters and a brother (who is getting married this summer!) In my free time, I enjoy reading and listening to and playing music. I play classical piano and a smattering of guitar. I like most music, especially when it’s live, and books about almost anything. In the past, I have done volunteer work at hospital emergency rooms throughout the state. I also spent several semesters volunteering with a program in Champaign that sends books to prisoners in Illinois state penitentiaries. These volunteer projects really helped to spark my interest in social justice. A fun fact about me is that I have two differently-sized pinky fingers!

Teri Mueller, ELCA World Hunger Education Intern

10 Facts about Me!

1. I am a senior at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa where I am double majoring in International Relations and Peace and Justice Studies with a minor in Spanish. I really love to learn!
2. I grew up in Manchester, Iowa and went to school at Maquoketa Valley in Delhi, Iowa.
3. Traveling is one of my passions. I recently returned from a European tour with the Wartburg Choir in which we visited eight countries and had 18 concerts in 28 days. I also spent a month studying Spanish in Costa Rica in May 2013.
4. Teasingly called the black sheep, I am the only one of my intermediate family to not be a music major.
5. I was elected Student Body Vice President for the 2014-2015 school year.
6. I work as a Resident Assistant at Wartburg and am responsible for planning monthly community programs based on the college’s pillars of leadership, service, faith, and learning.
7. I have a strong interest in human rights and social justice and have done research focused on restricted freedom of foreign movement, violence against women in Mexico, and various peace activists.
8. In my spare time I enjoy running, reading, volunteering, traveling, and spending time in the beauty of God’s natural creation.
9. I love volunteering and participating in service trips and hope to take time after I graduate to work with a service-oriented organization.
10. I am extremely excited to be the World Hunger Education Intern for summer 2014 and look forward to learning about and assisting with the work of ELCA World Hunger!

Megan Flowers, ELCA Malaria Campaign Intern

Howdy! My name is Megan Flowers and I am a senior community development major at Texas A&M University. This summer I am working as an intern with the ELCA Malaria Campaign. I am thrilled to take part in helping to eliminate preventable diseases. Lately I have learned a lot about caring for people with all you have, especially for those who are in the margins and vulnerable populations.

Through the ELCA campus ministry at Texas A&M, known as Treehouse Ministries, I have grown passions for poverty, hunger, homelessness, and health. As Team Leader and Office Assistant for Treehouse, I have had several extremely transformative years where I have grown in my faith, servant leadership, justice mindset, and meaningful relationships. This ministry has been a place I can call home, a community of the most loving people you could ever imagine. Yet, it is a group that continues to challenge each other to learn and change and grow. I am excited to take part in leading this ministry again as the fall approaches; for I know it will be another amazing adventure.

The last two summers I have worked at Ebert Ranch Camp, a part of Cross Trails Ministry, in Harper, Texas. As Adventure Coordinator I facilitated the high and low ropes courses, archery, and outcamp (outdoor cooking and camping). Camp was a bit of a scary adventure for me. Initially I had no idea what I was getting into. I had never even climbed a ropes course, and it was one of my first experiences with a ministry of the ELCA. And yet, I absolutely I fell in love with it. For the way camp impacts campers, staff, families, and all those involved, it will always have a special place in my heart.

This summer I hope to learn to love even more, to have a special place in my heart for the ELCA Malaria Campaign, the City of Chicago, and all the new relationships I will make on the way. I am overjoyed to see what the summer brings!