Setting Captives Free

MENDING BROKEN CORDS
"Rescue the perishing, care for the dying. Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave. Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen. Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save. Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness, cords that are broken will vibrate once more. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it - strength for your labor the Lord will provide; back to the narrow way patiently win them, tell the poor wand'rer a Savior has died." Fanny J. Crosby

THE KING'S CUPbearers
Welcome to CUPbearer's Blog. If you are new to this outreach we are glad you found us. The KING'S CUPbearers has been born out of a concern for exploited children in three areas of the world - Cambodia, where young girls are bought, sold, and abused; Uganda, where the appalling story of child soldiers is still being written, and Peru, where in Lima there are too many "street boys" who live and die without hope. The first letter of each country spells CUP and it has led us to call our outreach THE KING'S CUPBEARER'S. This name has been taken after Nehemiah, the involved Old Testament servant of God who said of himself, "I was the King's cupbearer." Our new outreach is a ministry of involvement - reaching out in a tangible way to help heal these "open sores of the world."

"WHAT CAN'T YOU STAND?"
Recently I listened to Bill Hybels, Pastor of Willow Creek Church, one of the largest evangelical churches in America, bring a message as a guest speaker at the Crystal Cathedral in southern California. In the middle of his message he asked a question. He said, "What can't you stand?" I guess for some people it's waiting in line to get a seat in a restaurant or being cut off by some reckless driver. But for others, whose lives are lived at a deeper level, it's seeing children go to bed at night aching with hunger that will soon bring their young lives to a sad and tragic end. Or envisioning scores of young girls being bought and sold like cattle to predators in southeast Asia for the sole purpose of sexual exploitation.

CONDITIONS IN CAMBODIA

Stephanie Freed, Director of Rapha House in Cambodia, tells a sad story of a 15-year-old Cambodian girl who was sold in Phnom Penh by her mother to a Korean man for $500. She goes into great detail to describe how he used and abused her. She concludes by saying, "Everthing about this story sickens me. Then I realize that nobody is helped by my disgust, indignation or outrage. So I will channel my energies more productively. I will give, I will serve, I will write, I will pray, I will speak up and speak out, I will do whatever I can to relieve the suffering of survivors of trafficking and abuse and prevent other girls from becoming victims, too."

CONTINUING CRISES IN AFRICA
In our new book, "Habitations Of Cruelty" we mention that some feel the end of the dreaded antics of the LRA of Northern Uganda is about to take place...that the 20-year reign of terror that has gripped that section of the country will soon cease. Peace treaties were about to be signed by Joseph Kony, the unscrupulous, demon-possessed leader of this fanatical movement that kidnaps children, teaches them to hate and kill, and molds them into professional killers. But such has not been the case.

Since Christmas Eve, the western region of the Sudan adjacent to Uganda has fallen victim to systematic attacks by the LRA. On Christmas Day LRA fighters killed 418 innocent victims in a town called Tabiapai and abducted 57 children. Some 6,000 of the townspeople fled for their lives. The LRA pursued them and carried out further attacks. Between then and the 11th of January the LRA has massacred another 64 people (including infants) and abducted 36 more children. From all these raids it is estimated that 16,000 have been left homeless.

One minister in the area pleads for western coverage of these atrocities. He said, "I urge more thorough coverage of these events - to prevent it being forgotten once again. But more indirectly in the hope of averting a catastrophe which will make Darfur pale into insignificance."

Presently our financial gifts are being channeled into Every Child Ministries which is endeavoring to undergird an IDP camp in an out-of-the-way place near Gulu, Uganda. This is where refugees usually end up, looking for shelter, food, and safety. The camp is so rundown that it is in desperate need of attention. Our gifts are designed to bring both the Gospel of Christ and physical relief to those in such dire straits.

PLEA FOR AID IN PERU

Frances Davinson is both founder and director of Shama Centro in the city of Lima. Shama, in Hebrew, means "God is here." She and her scant staff of workers minister to the street children around the Center. These boys are homeless, hungry, unwanted, outcasts, and (for the most part) homosexual, due to the abuses they have had inflicted upon them by those that are older. Despite so many negatives, Frances reminds those to whom she speaks that these boys are "treasures in rags." Dependent upon God and those who will give of their resources, Frances has founded this oasis and struggles each month to meet the many expenses.

We have informed Frances that we will begin supporting her at the beginning of this year with both our finances and our prayers. The first check will go out this week.

OUR COMMITMENT
We have sought to raise up an army of cupbearers to undergird these needy ministries. By the end of 2008 almost 90 have responded to give $3 a month and pray 3 minutes a week for this endeavor. One dollar a week for each ministry along with one minute of prayer. Does that sound like too much? As a result we have committed ourselves to $1,000 a month to encourage and support those who are engaged in these important tasks.

YOUR SHARE

If you have not received a copy of my book HABITATIONS OF CRUELTY please let us know. We will send you one, free of charge, immediately. Our only stipulation is that you promise to read it. We feel, should you do so, that God will burden your heart to partner with us in this outreach.

"LABORERS TOGETHER"

Please understand that we do not profit from this endeavor nor do we seek any prominence from our involvement. We only seek to help "lift these burdens and set these captives free." We sought out these ministries and, after much research, contacted them and told them of our burden to be of help - much to their surprise. All three ministries are Christ-centered and deeply committed to doing the will of God. We are humbled that God led us to them and that we can have a share in their endeavor.

Let us know your thoughts by contacting us at chapelonthehill@juno.com. May God help us to make a difference in these out-of-the-way places in this new year of 2009.

For the Glory of God,
Paul F. Anderson
Director