London Update

London and Shanghai

London

Update

As the weather here in

London

has grown hot and sunny, so the heat of excitement is growing for the possibilities with the partnership we are building with Hillside church here in

London

.  Our relationship with

Hillside

has strengthened over the last couple years.  Craig is quite active in the speaking and in a close relationship with the pastor who is undergoing radiotherapy for thyroid cancer.  Amy is quite involved in teaching children’s Sunday school as well as the women at the church.  Craig has also been asked recently to take a role in teaching the young youth kids once a month.  This request was made by the children themselves.

This is our relationship with

Hillside

that has developed alongside of our outreach ministry for Christian Associates in which we’ve held ongoing housegroups, Bible studies, and miscellaneous outreach events and other activities.  Because of the need to associate ourselves to a local fellowship as well as

Hillside

’s desire to be more involved in their surrounding community with outreach, the partnership idea has become a mutual feeling.  We have done many events to move more in the direction of an outreach service at

Hillside

.  Momentum for this will heighten in September.  We have another American family with Christian Associates who will be a part, as well as a couple of English families and a few single ladies who are joining Christian Associates as well.  These will be joining us at our annual staff conference this year. 

A part of living in an international city is saying goodbye.  So many internationals are just here on a 2 – 3 year working time with their perspective businesses and government offices.  We’ve said goodbye to more than one close friend.  Last week we said goodbye again to very good Korean friends.  They are returning to

Korea

with his company.  Please pray for them as they make the transition back to

Korea

.  I had the opportunity of leading Sujin to the Lord several months ago.  We have met weekly for Bible study for almost 2 years now, and their family has enjoyed being a part of

Hillside

.  Sujin wanted to stay in

London

longer because she wanted to grow more spiritually before returning to

Korea

.  In

Korea

, culturally, the husband’s family has a lot of control over the family.  They will strongly urge Sujin and Hokyu to attend a Roman Catholic church as they have been unhappy that they have not been attending a Catholic church in

London

.  Also, Sujin says that the Christian churches are very hierarchial and legalistic.  “Christians” are very nosy and  judgmental she says.  Please pray they will find a good church and Christian friends, an environment for growth in the Lord.

Our family is doing well.  Haley will finish her first year in the English secondary school in a couple weeks.  She made the adjustment so well, much greater than our expectations.  She does hunger for more Christian friends, but realizes God can use her and is using her in the lives of her friends at

Coombe

Girls

School

.  She and her friends interact quite often outside of school and many times at our house.  We’ve been able to build relationships with their families.  Malarie is quite the charming personality these days.  She loves wee ones and captures the hearts of many adults with her interest and nurturing to wee ones.  She and Haley along with a couple friends from church formed a babysitting club that meets weekly.  She and Haley took the lead in planning themes and details for the meetings.  She is also doing quite well at her gymnastics.  Sophie is our full speed ahead kid.  Just yesterday, she went ice skating with the kids from

Hillside

.  This was her first time, but she doesn’t start slow and cautious.  She goes at it with all her gusto.  Apparently, she banged her head a couple times on the ice and came home with quite a swollen arm as well.  I’m surprised she was still walking and laughing.  She wants a skateboard for her birthday.  I think we’ll send her out on it with hockey pads.  She also can’t wait to start football (soccer) in the fall. 

Chandler

has hit a growth spurt.  Last years long shorts are showing full knees this year.  He’s taller and lanky for a 5 ½ year old.  He loves playing football and does very well at his Tai Kwon Do.  This Saturday he was in a parade on our high street with his Tai Kwon Do school.  He’s very clever at school.  He’s begun kindergarten work in homeschool this year because they start school younger here.  He loves to read and is a wiz at maths.  This has made teaching him easy.  He often sings praise songs and has many questions about heaven and when Jesus returns.  Alister is our little giggle box.  He can laugh about anything, and nothing, with a contagious laugh that has us all laughing.  He is also very chatty.  He loves climbing and has already sorted how to climb onto the roof of the shed in our back garden.  He also loves our dog Patches and will spend many an hour wrestling with her and giving her treats.  As for Craig and I, life is never a dull moment.  I do stay busy with the kids and homeschooling as well as socializing with their friends’ mums.  Craig has been partaking in a business course and has set his ministry heart as well as potential business interests toward the east.  As we stay busy with the

London

ministry and help build team for carrying it on, he is beginning to think into the future a bit as well.

China

Visit

China

has been an increasing visible nation in the last ten years in terms of its economic growth, potential and possibilities. I’ve been keen on following this trend with its possibilities for self supportive business which would thus allow for ministering to this lost nation.

China

has a population of 1.3 billion people and growing. 85% of these people are in the large urban cities and growing.

Shanghai

is one such city that is bursting the 20 million population mark. This city is also the burgeoning business city of

China

. I recently spent two weeks in this city as an investigation into future possibilities.

I got involved with a  business course that had its extension and focus on

China

in order to learn about future possibilities for self-supportive ministry. This organization held a business symposium in

China

that featured top industry leaders within Chinese operations ranging from financial markets to advertising. While undergoing this seminar I ventured into the city on a daily occasion to gain an understanding not only of the city but its culture and beat of spirituality. After many conversations in English and Mandarin (I’ve taken ten months of lessons), I realized that the spiritual pulse of this city beat very low. They claim to have 750K religious people in the city with the largest population being that of Buddhism and splinter groups comprising the remaining percentages.

After much travel and walking, I never heard or saw anything that resembled a religious fellowship other than a Buddhist temple. Obviously Christianity is not allowed in this country. I decided to visit the famous

Jade

Buddha

Temple

in

Shanghai

to gain some insight into the typical spiritual life of those Chinese that are religious.

First, you see the woman in the courtyard burning incense to those who had gone before her. This incense is actually in the form of money as there are many in Buddhist theology who are trapped in the other world and need monies in order to pass from one world to the next so that they can offer it to Buddha.

Then I had to cross the Spirit Wall, which is about 15 inches high, and guards access to the

Temple

. This wall blocks the evil spirits from entering into the holy place. I presumed that all spirits travel at that height, and I found that it wasn’t very handicap friendly.

Upon entering into the temple you will see very devout Chinese people (mostly women) praying to Buddha. They come in reverence and sincerity, yet sadly, with ignorance.

You see others making offerings in tangible forms of flowers, money and even food. It seemed very much like the Levitical system of the Old Testament in regards to the monks being the beneficiaries of these offerings. Buddha stands prominently in the center in three different forms. This is the highlight of the temple. The whole scene caused me to feel a great sadness for the people of

China

. There was no hope in the eyes of the people. In fact, the Chinese culture seemed in contra distinction to all of the other Asian countries. This country is the most populous by far and is built on a ‘dog eat dog’ mentality. It is a survival of the fittest mentality from the driver’s seat to fighting for space on the sidewalks. Business is done by the same manner. I spoke to many Asians in

Shanghai

who are from different countries (I have also done much research amongst Asians here in

London

). The consensus is that the Chinese are a different breed. They are forced to survive with many hundreds of thousands pouring into cities, where they continue to live on $2 a day or less. They’ve grown up in a culture that literally depends on surviving as the only way forward. The communist government is not a socialist government in which I have lived in before (

UK

and

Canada

). This government is focused on the masses but not the individual.

This realization creates a great sadness. All these people have ever known is survival. They’ve never known what it means to be loved or cared for by someone who is larger than themselves i.e. government, society or religion – God.

Shanghai

will continue to captivate my heart. The country is closed to missionaries, but it’s not closed to businessmen and entrepreneurial efforts. We would ask you to join us in the prayer of how WE could impact such a country. The very practical and realistic way is to create a movement amongst the business center of Pudong (financial capital of

China

– other side of the

river

of

Puxi

. Puxi and Pudong make up the area known as

Shanghai

).

I made numerous contacts and business connections during the time I was there. The plan is to nurture these contacts within the next year and to see if there is a possibility of implementing strategies for Bible studies amongst the business community in the future. There needs to be a different strategy at targeting this vast city and country and this may just be the way forward. Pray with us about God’s direction!

Thank you for all of your support. Blessings,

Craig and Amy Hardy

April 2006

Hello from the Hardy’s

We have been busy for the last few months with life in general. Our family is keeping us very busy with their network of friends, school and extra activities. Alister has now turned three years old and is a great playmate for

Chandler

5 ½ .

All three of our girls have been busy with drama courses and their hosts of friends throughout the neighborhoods, not to mention their school studies. Our home often feels like Grand Central Station, actually we should probably compare that to Waterloo Station here in

London

.

(friends in London at a Local Park)

Ministry and Team

The

London

’s team has been growing as we seek to bring on new team member’s who have expertise in various fields. We have one team  couple from the States, the Meisel’s, who have been with us for six months now who have been a great benefit to our work. Jana Hyde is en route from the

USA

to help us in the areas of single women’s ministry and administration. She just recently

visited us here in

London

for a week, so we are cheering her on in her support raising pursuits back in

Texas

. Anne Salway is our first English recruit and works in a multitude of areas, especially that of Drama and Children’s ministries. She  is gifted and seasoned in ministry in the areas of

London

in which we are ministering and we believe she will be a great asset to our team. Another teammate that we are seeking to recruit is Bob Munns. He is a seasoned minister of the gospel who is very gifted with youth in the same area of

London

. He also leads in other pastoral areas, however, his last many years have seen a combination of creating café churches, youth work and drama. Our aim is to recruit those who are English and who are already proven in their gifts and talents, so that we can enable a strong and long-lasting team effect.

Ministry:

We have been in negotiations with a local church, Hillside Community Church, for six months now about creating a synergistic partnership between our project, London’s Bridge, and themselves. This would operate much as a church within a church type of project where we would have our own leadership and would create our own community (or church), however, we would overlap in areas of services and practical things like facility usage, pastoral helps, etc. For instance, our dear friend and minister of

Hillside

,

Richard Thomas

has just undergone surgery with thyroid cancer. We covet your prayers for God’s healing on this man and family. Our team has been very active in filling the pastoral duties that have been lacking here and plan on continuing to do so.

Our team is planning on launching more of a formal church service at the location of the above mentioned church in early September.

We  are actively in the process of building a community who is comprised of Christians and those who are curious about the Faith. We are just beginning a marriage course designed to strengthen the marriages but also to build further community between one another, especially as we approach September.

Ministry Snapshots:

Lance and Antoinette – We recently prayed at their home after hearing of their daughter’s extreme night terrors. She had a similar story as Craig in his childhood. We, along with another English couple in our fellowship, went and prayed for healing and cleansing of their home. God answered our prayers and swept the house clean! Pray for them as they consider attending the course above.

Mary & Joe – We have recently come to know this couple. They are an English couple who are seeking to turn their lives in the right direction. With three children, aligning well with our children’s ages, the family has merged well with ours. They are very curious about Faith in Jesus and are just beginning the journey with us. Please pray for the Incredible Journey that they are on!

Recent friends who visited through

London

!

                                                                                        

Amy’s friends in

Lisbon

,

Portugal

at a staff leadership meeting.

Thank you for your prayers and support. You are allowing us to shine a light in a dark world.

Blessings on you and your family,

Craig & Amy Hardy and family

Contact & Giving Information

Website & Blog: http://craighardy.typepad.com/london/; www.christianassociates.org

Email-Craig: hardy@caimail.net ; Amy: amyhardy@blueyonder.co.uk

Post: Craig & Amy Hardy,

23 Albany Rd.

, New

Malden

,

Surrey

,

KT3 3NY

,

U.K.

Phone: (From the States) 011 44 20 8241 1380

Giving:

Ovilla

Road

Baptist

Church

,

3251 Ovilla Rd.

,

Ovilla

,

Tx

,

75154

attn: Hardy

Mission

Christian Associates, 18950 Base Camp Road, Monument, CO 80132, attn: Hardy

Mission

 

Christmas 2005

Merry Christmas!!!

Family Highlights:

The Hardy household has been really quite busy as of late.

• Haley is doing well in school, made the B "football" team, chosen for a part in the school play and has made many new friends, not to mention celebrating her 12th birthday! 

   

•    Malarie & Sophie have been very busy with home - schooling and have been busy with drama rehearsal. They have plays this weekend in which they both have lead parts. They are both wonderful girls and they are a joy to be around for everyone involved (that is somewhat biased :)

• Chandler also celebrated his 5th birthday recently (Thanksgiving Day). He was soo excited and had a party dedicated all to himself!

   

•      Alister too has been plenty busy within the household. He is holding the family's newest addition. Without going into the detailed story our our "dog hunting", we have tried to acquire any type of dog since we arrived into the UK, yet to no avail. We planned on getting "Patches" for Christmas, however, most animal activists have not allowed dogs to be sold in December in order to prevent a "puppies for Christmas presents only" type of scenario. We therefore acquired Patches as an early Christmas present for the family.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Recruitment for London Team: Part of our responsibility is building a team of people who can join with us in accomplishing the Greater Mission of building faith communities here in southwest London. One way of doing this is finding faithful believers who are already pursuing this endeavor, yet lack leadership or an organization to help them. We have been focusing on two individuals that we would ask you to pray for.

       Jean Marie Peron. He is a scientist and PhD in biology. He has grown leaps and bounds within the last few years that he's been a Christian and has increasingly been searching how he can be developed into fuller Christian Ministry. He seems to align with our values and ministry approach. Pray that God will continue to direct.   

       Anne Salway. She is another local English Christian who has demonstrated a strong calling to reaching the lost through the arts and drama, especially to children and youth. She is just beginning the serious undertaking of starting to form with our present team. Please pray for this. We will keep you updated on these events.

    Luke & Kirsten Meisel and Family have been here with us for three months. As team leaders, we have had to really focus on helping this couple make home in a very strange place to them. Please continue to pray for them as they seek to make friends, learn how to live in this new culture and thrive generally.   

    There are a few others in the pipeline from the usa who are aiming to come and help the work here! Continue to pray for the London Team and its growth and for our leadership in training and inspiring the Vision Forward!   

TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS:

We've recently been teaching on the End Times. We've looked at popular and secular theories about the end of the world. We've looked at various religions and their beliefs. We've studied all of the catastrophic events that have been unfolding in the world around us for the last many years. In short, we've sought to "See the Signs" as Jesus told us to.

The question has been raised: Who do we believe in for our knowledge of the future?

                             

                                    

Nostradamus or

Jesus?

Christ will return someday soon!

The Apostle •Paul thought he would in his own lifetime

•Noah’s generation just didn’t see the truth

•The Bible says, when you see the signs, the next thing you’ll see is Him splitting the heavens!

Are you Ready?

Pray for the continued impact of this study.

Amy and I thank you for your love and prayer support. We pray the warmest wishes to you over this holiday season. We miss you all and will miss seeing you this Christmas. Thank you for your financial sacrifices in allowing us to serve in this capacity and at this time.

In Christ's Name,

Craig & Amy Hardy

Contact & Giving Information

Website & Blog: http://craighardy.typepad.com/london/; www.christianassociates.org

Email-Craig: craig@craighardy.co.uk; Amy: amyhardy@blueyonder.co.uk

Post: Craig & Amy Hardy, 23 Albany Rd., New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3NY, U.K.

Phone: (From the States) 011 44 20 8241 1380

Giving: Ovilla Road Baptist Church, 3251 Ovilla Rd., Ovilla, Tx, 75154 attn: Hardy Mission

Christian Associates, 18950 Base Camp Road, Monument, CO 80132, attn: Hardy Mission

Here Come the Boys!

Pray for Sujin's Salvation

The Hardy's in London

It’s been a whirlwind of a tour during the ten days of October that I have been traveling throughout the USA. The tour began in London which took me into New York City, Raleigh, North Carolina, Dallas, Texas and finally to LA, California and then back to London to reunite with my family.

Thank You!

  I really want to thank a few people who made this tour a success and a blessing. I want to thank Angela Mills, Geneva Holder and Doug & Becky Wood & Jeff Clark in Raleigh. I also want to thank Steve & Judy Hardy (my parents) in Dallas, Texas along with Phil & Linda Baker, Ken & Christi Wallander & Richard Stewart for their hospitality and generosity. I then want to thank Randy & Debbie Cantanese in LA for their hospitality and graciousness.

                              Support Need – Housing

    The purpose of the trip to the usa was to update many of you who so generously allow us to expand God’s Kingdom in London, England. We thank you for this partnership. Indeed it is a partnership, you are needed as much as we are needed and you help to make this possible. Amy & I thank you and we appreciate your faithfulness.

    We also came hoping to gain some new partners in ministry specifically to help us to upgrade our current living situation. We have been living in a terraced house which comprises a very small residence made up of a living area, dining area, small kitchen, one bathroom, two bedrooms and a boxroom (1/2 bedroom). This living space has been too small for our family of seven as you can imagine, but we also use our home as our place of ministry. Our home is where we host our Bible studies and various other church activities. In our limited space and rainy weather, we tend to overcrowd our premises quite quickly.

    We did gain a few people who wanted to help us with this specific need, but we are still short about $900 dollars per month, before we could make a commitment to a leasing company for a property that would allow us to accomplish the above ministry and give us more room as a family. Would you be open at this time to help us fill this specific need?

Why London, England? This city comprises 12 million people from 220 different nationalities. This city is LITERALLY where the East meets the West.  It is the cultural and economic center of the world, especially that of the East, Europe, UK, India, Africa & Australia. This city influences people and we as partners are seeking to influence this city!

   

Ministry Prayer Requests

·        Thirty-somethings group that we are seeking to mentor into an active ministry in Kingston Upon Thames

·        New ministry Life Group in our home with our new teammates, Luke & Kirstin Meisel and others we have been reaching out to for the past year.

·        New House Church that we are leading with two other British Christian families. Pray for this development and our leadership in coaching and serving alongside this new project.

·        Pray for our Family.

1.     Amy – strength as she homeschools the four, leads her ladies Bible Study and does all the other things she does!

2.     Haley – maturity in Christ and continued adjustment to her first year in ‘high school’.

3.     Malarie – growth and sensitivity in the Lord. That we can get her enrolled in gymnastics.

4.     Sophie – maturity as a young 7 year old and concentration in her studies.

5.     Chandler – maturity as a young growing 5 yr old and that he wouldn’t pester his brother and for his learning in his drama class.

6.     Alister – for his safety as a 2.5 yr old and for his maturity towards his brother.

7.     Craig – for all of our safety; for my leadership as the Team Leader in London for our organization and for our Home!

 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support. We hope that this letter finds you blessed in the Lord!

 

Craig & Amy Hardy and family

Contact & Giving Information

Website & Blog: http://craighardy.typepad.com/london/; www.christianassociates.org

Email-Craig: hardy@caimail.net ; Amy: amyhardy@blueyonder.co.uk

Post: Craig & Amy Hardy, 23 Albany Rd., New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3NY, U.K.

Phone: (From the States) 011 44 20 8241 1380

Giving: Ovilla Road Baptist Church, 3251 Ovilla Rd., Ovilla, Tx, 75154 attn: Hardy Mission

Christian Associates, 18950 Base Camp Road, Monument, CO 80132, attn: Hardy Mission