OUR CHARLIE CRAIG

Charles Ross Craig, Jr. 68 of Mt. Holly, NC passed away Saturday April 21, 2018 at the Robin Johnson Hospice House in Dallas, NC. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be Thursday April 26 at 2 PM in Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC with Rev. Tom Kinman officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center.

Born March 19, 1950 in Mecklenburg County, he was the son of Charles R. Craig, Sr. and Lillian Frye Craig. He was a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church. Charles retired in 2017 from Roadrunner Transportation Service as an account executive working in the Trucking industry for 50 years. He loved sports, was an avid golfer, and cherished every moment spent with his family he loved so dearly.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Rhyne Craig, daughter, Amanda, sons, Josh (Lisa) of Gastonia, and Nathan Craig (Keri) of Oakboro, sister, Toni Grant (Raymond) of Mt. Holly and Denise Williams (Roger) of Oak Island, brother, Danny of Mt. Holly, and sister Dana Craig of Burgaw, and grandchildren, Laney, Lillian, Maverick, Logan, Alec, and Haley.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to HGBC Family Life Center 3717 Hickory Grove Rd. Gastonia, NC 28056 or Live Simply for Orphans PERU P.O. Box 254 Monroe, NC 28111.

 

31206305_747369314497_2455956106233511936_n.jpg

MY MENTOR, MY BROTHER and MY BEST PAL CHARLIE CRAIG

Update on Dad (Charlie Craig from son Josh Craig)
4/21/2018

At 9:04 this morning, our Charlie was called up to a magnificent Tee Box on the most beautiful Golf Course he has ever played! Trumpets sounded and Angels rejoiced as he made his way down the fairway towards those Gates of Pearl where he met his beloved Roxy. 

Mom, Nate and Myself stayed up most of the night sharing stories and laughing. We tired down early this morning by the calming rhythm of Dads breathing. There is a great peace within us now.

Thank you all for the prayers, words and thoughts. Our Charlie was your Charlie, and more so than we ever thought before. 

 

Much Love!! 

The Craig’s (Mom Kathy, Josh, Nate and Amanda the Artist)

charliejunglekids.jpg

OUR SIX REASONS WE SERVE AS MISSIONARIES

 

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. We want our grandchildren to grow up with the heart and mindset of serving in the mission field as Christ commands. We miss so many life moments, our hearts are torn but we are confident an Eternity in Heaven is a sacrifice worth living for them. We love you! Mima and Poppy

www.livesimplyfororphans.org 
#livesimply4peru
#livesimplywefeedourselvesgardenproject 
#livesimplyspecialneedsorphanage
#specialneedsorphanange
#perumissions 
#peru
#livesimplysinglemomministry

IMG_6880.jpg

MEET MISSIONARY STEELE SANDRO MENDOZA

Steele, today you are 5 days old and your Daddy and I are still amazed that God chose us to be your parents. You were born a month early so you had to stay in the special care unit for a couple of days hooked up to so many monitors. Your little hands and feet are still bruised from where they had to run so many tests and from the IV. These have been the hardest days of my life but I now truly understand a mother's love. We know God has great plans for you and though this road has been hard we know God is faithful. We love you Steele Sandro Mendoza and are so thankful for you.

29683338_10214269280299482_6914738702539519863_n.jpg

Beloved MYCOL in HEAVEN

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15
Jesus reached out and took 11 year old Mycol home. He lost his fight against cancer but Mycol now shares an eternity in Heaven with Jesus Christ.

#livesimplyhospitalministry
www.livesimplyfororphans.org

  We were incredibly blessed to meet an incredible kid named Mycol. Our relation spanned over the course of the past year as he began his fight against cancer. Mycol’s single mom was the only caretaker for him and his younger brother living in an area of extreme poverty. His mother worked and visited the hospital as often as she could.

 

   We spent many days drawing pictures with him, talking about HEAVEN and hanging out like family. Mycol was a quiet and humble kid. It’s hard to describe but in some ways he was mature in his demeanor almost sensing his brevity here on earth. Our kid conversations quickly were overtaken with questions about HEAVEN, and about GOD.  After sharing scripture, Mycol accepted CHRIST as his personal Savior.  

  

    We spent the last several months with the reality that his chemo treatments were failing. While his Mom worked, we spent nights with Mycol. We talked more and more about HEAVEN. He really enjoyed hearing about the promises of GOD. We promised him we will be together again in HEAVEN. His walls were covered with our cartoon drawings we did together. Every time we left his room, we would all walk down the hall in tears fearing it would be our last time with Mycol this side of HEAVEN. He was quickly failing, his body was bloating as his organs were failing. Mycol just seemed to have a real peace. 

 

     Mycol asked me to draw a giant KUNG FU PANDA. I drew a gigantic wall size KUNG FU PANDA for our beloved Mycol. The next morning, I opened his door with excitement and his bed was empty. As tears poured down, I raised my hands and praised our LORD. We were all praying for a miracle, but GOD had a better plan reaching down in a loving Fatherly way taking Mycol home for eternity.

Downs Syndrome Baby Loving the 8%

     In an area with little education about special needs, we share with Down syndrome family’s the incredible potential and capacity their child has... 
In the United States, would you believe ninety-two percent of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted before they get a chance to take a breath? This made me sick. 

Maybe we all need to educate the value of life? 

22 mo Old Baby Victor needs your prayers as he has been in an out of the hospital with organ issues. We love on him and help his Mom with your support. 

www.livesimplyfororphans.org
#theluckyfew
#livesimply4peru
#livesimplyspecialneedsorphanage
#specialneedsorphanange
#livesimplywefeedourselvesgardenproject
#peru missions
#livesimplysinglemomministry
#downsyndrome 
#downs
#nighttoshine everyday

March 7, 2018

Our Single Moms' Reality

      Many Mom’s work in the fields 10 hours a day 6 days a week earning less than $2 per day. We were providing for  severely distressed/poor kids in the Live Simply community. We continually seek ways to prevent child abandonment allowing kids to be fully fed both spiritually and physically!  Our desire is to ease the burden to the family keeping kids at home rather than the streets at night.

Just the Facts

      Chronic child malnutrition affects 35 percent of children. Anemia affects over 46 percent of children under the age of three. Insufficient access to food, poor consumption patterns, inadequate childcare, poor nutrition practices and low educational levels are the main drivers of chronic child malnutrition and anemia in Peru. 

     On empty stomachs, kids don’t have the energy to focus, engage, learn and grow. Children struggling with hunger may be more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school, experience developmental impairments in language/motor skills and have more social and behavioral problems.

 

     We appreciate your continued love and support.

IMG_5775.JPG