The U2 360 Tour rolled into California last week and an awesome group of volunteers from the Bay Area came out to Oakland in support of ONE. Nearly 3,000 new ONE members joined the fight against extreme poverty. Here’s what a ONE volunteers Mike and Brian had to say….
ONE volunteer Brian says “we are just going crazy out here.”
Four ONE volunteers share what it felt like to sign up new members at U2′s show in Oakland.
So amazing, so meaningful, so sensational
“Day in and day out, we walk ourselves to and from what many would call the mundane, tedious pathways of our lives. Occasionally we stir out of our restlessness, seeking to be a part of something that feels like it matters — something that truly makes a difference in this world.
Last Saturday, two ONE members joined me at a town hall meeting hosted by Congressman Ed Royce at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, CA. This was the first time I have even attended a town hall and WOW — what an impact we can make with our representatives!
Topics ranged from national security to the budget. After the town hall, we got to meet the congressman and his district director to share with them the concerns of 17,000 Californians who signed the ONE petition to “Stop the Cuts that Could Kill.”
The petition has a vital goal to to protect funding for smart US investments that address HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, child vaccines and agriculture from the recent devastating cuts in the House 2011 funding bill. Under the currents cuts to the Global Fund, more than 400,000 AIDS patients will not receive antiretroviral treatment, leaving them on the path to illness and death.
Helping the world’s poorest people is not only an important American legacy, it also strengthens our national security, as stated on several occasions by military leaders such as General Petraeus and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Congressman Royce, who has traveled widely on the African continent, was very approachable and attentive to our group. When we offered him a wristband, he immediately rolled up his sleeve and put it on. His district director kindly gave us the congressman’s card along with more information on how we could follow him online.
We will keep the conversation going with the congressman to urge his support for critical life-saving programs, which win us allies overseas and promote our national security.
-Sue Lowe, ONE Congressional District leader, California
If you’ve ever had a chance to meet Pastor Rick Warren, I’m sure you’ve familiar with his legendary bear hugs. Well, Ryan and I got ours — along with a full dose of encouragement yesterday during Catalyst West. Catalyst West is a gathering of young West Coast leaders who seek to learn, worship and create together with a momentous energy to passionately pursue God. Last year, Eugene Cho, founder of One Day’s Wages, a ONE partner, spoke at this incredible event.
This year’s speakers, with the theme “Take Courage,” have so far included civil rights leader John M. Perkins and CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien. Pastor Rick was excited to see us with ONE gear and said he loved and appreciated our work. We thanked Pastor Rick Warren for his longtime support for ONE Sabbath and we encouraged people of faith to help raise awareness. Churches have been incredible ONE partners over the years, and this coming April 10th they will once again demonstrate the power of their voice on Lazarus Sunday. More to come at Catalyst West in Southern California…
Paul Turner, Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr, Evelyn Komutale, Roscoe Mapps
It was an honor to observe World AIDS Day in Los Angeles with Save Africa’s Children (SAC) at West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Save Africa’s Children is an extraordinary ministry, started by Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr, providing direct support and care to orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS, poverty and war throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean.
Since 2001, SAC has assisted more than 400 orphan care programs in 21 African nations, reaching more than 200,000 AIDS-affected children. SAC is among the first and largest African-American founded organizations meeting the needs of vulnerable children in Africa. Joining us in observation was SAC President Paul Turner, gospel singer Ami Rushes, and Outreach To Africa Founder Evelyn Komuntale. Our wonderful evening was touched with inspiration through praise and worship, video, education, tribute and a call to action.
On World AIDS Day, we had the privilege of hosting a documentary screening of “The Lazarus Effect” at Northpark Community Church in Santa Clarita, California. We combined the event with a special prayer service based around World Vision Acts: “Lives on the Line” campaign against HIV/AIDS.
One thing that I appreciated about the film is that it explains the progress that patients on ARVs experience in vivid detail. Those of us who are activists know that it can be hard to explain to people why we are constantly lobbying for more money to be allocated to the Global Fund or PEPFAR.
“The Lazarus Effect” is a great resource that movingly depicts the living proof that the medicine saves lives! Everyone who attended left with renewed enthusiasm to continue the fight for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. One mom in our group said that the film has inspired her to share the success stories with people in her small group the following night!
-Ryan Townsend, young adults pastor and ONE member
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food.
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS.
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
