Sam Craig

UPDATE: jANUARY 5, 2012 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR BRADEN AND MASEN. It is hard to realize that they are now 9 months old. I left all of the old updates for those of you who do not know their story. Masen is doing great and is crawling and pulling up to stand. Quiite a normal and smiley, happy baby. He is such a joy and really loves his baby brother Braden. The neurologists are now saying that they think that most of Braden’s problems are stroke related. He still suffers from seizures and we are working on getting the medication correct. He still takes medication to help his brain make dopamine also. He was in the hospital for several days a couple of months ago for his seizures and they did several brain tests which did not bode well for him. A lot of his white brain matter is simply not there. Was quite a blow to us but God knows his need. He is now able to turn over and laughs and is eating baby food. He has been accepted by Texas Children’s Hospital and will have his first appointment with a new neurologist in April. He is also going to have a new EEG soon to see if there has been any changes since his first seizures. KEEP PRAYING FOR IMPROVEMENT!
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As many of you have already heard, on March 4, 2011 baby twin boys, Braden and Masen were born to our oldest daughter, Kelley and her husband Billy Bouse.  Kelley has two girls, Hallie, 16, and Kylie,11 from a previous marriage.

The twins were sent home from the hospital after 3 days and on that day, Braden stopped breathing and suffered a stroke,  He was life-flighted to Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital where he remained for 26 days.  For at least a week or more upon arriving there the doctors could not figure out why he would stop breathing and his MRI showed white areas in his brain.  We shared his plight with hundreds of our friends, family and anybody else who would pray.  Finally the team of neurosurgeons, geneticists and other assorted doctors came up with his diagnosis.  TYROSINE HYDROXYLASE DEFICIENTCY  which is a very rare genetic/metabolic disorder which has only been diagnosed in 40 people worldwide.  The good thing is that it can be treated with medication.  The bad thing is that he is the first newborn to be diagnosed and the medication is designed for adult patients with parkinson’s disease (sooo, how much to you give, the side effects are the same for too much med as too little med!!!)  Also, how much damage did the stroke do and his case is severe with multitudes of symptoms that do not bode well for a little boy.

Genetic testing has confirmed this diagnosis for Braden while baby Masen has tested negative for the disease.  They are fraternal twins and not identical which is a blessing.  They could not be more different in personality and in looks but both are precious in God’s sight as in ours of course. 

On their two months pediatrician visit for shots, Braden now weighs over 10 lbs. while Masen weighs over 11lbs and is longer.  They are getting heavy for an old lady like me with a bad knee.  However, I so enjoy helping out several days a week with them in Winnie, Tx.  Not much sleep to be had however.

Please continue to pray that God will heal Braden completely and keep Masen in the palm of His hand as well as Kelley and family.  Somewhere, some one has the answers we need and research is being done.  At this point, the doctors are only guessing but it sure is hard on a little one and his family who wants him well.  Thank you for your calls, emails and especially your prayers.  Sam and Sharilyn

UPDATE:  jULY 17, 2011  Babies are now 3 months old.  Neurologist changed Braden’s meds drastically and found pharmacist in Beaumont that can compound meds into liquid form.  He now takes it in 2 oz. formula.  (It is a very strong mint flavor but he seems to like it mixed with the milk.  Fantastic for him and us!)  The amt. seems to be working better for him and he now has periods of just being able to “be” a baby instead of always crying or just sleeping.  He is even smiling some. 

The Houston Chronicle had an article about a set of twins who are now teens with this malady + a serotonin def. as well and Kelley contacted the mother and these twins doctor in California has requested his med records and would like to consult on his case.  Also sent med records to research group in Utah who are interested.  Maybe more answers can be found and help others like Braden.  Keep him and Masen in your prayers, we still don’t know reprocussions of having his stroke but so far God has answered your prayers and he is right on task with his skills and even ahead of Masen on a couple of things.  Praise the Lord for His goodness!

For Girls camps contact  Mary Mize Hellums for all information about camper space avalible, theme and cost.    marymizehellums@att.net     210 651 4696

Our theme for Boys camp is built around praying for the battles we face and becoming a bold witness.               One Cross, Three Nails = 4 Given
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Camp is for 6th grade through 12th grade youth. Most come from single parent homes. Our boys camp cost us $3500 to run each camp or $125 per camper.  We do not charge, most campers can give a portion of this but others cannot.  Your donations toward  camp scholarships  will build a future in these young lives.

Camp Dates:
Boy’s camp June 5 pm – 11,  Medina, Tx. (30 attended, 3 boys saved, 9 boys baptized)
Girls camp June 12 – 18,  Medina, Tx. (33 girls attended,  decision report  pending)
Girls camp June 26 – July 2,  Medina, Tx.(32 attended, 3 girls saved)
Boy’s camp July 10 – 16,  Medina, Tx.(34 attended, 5 saved, several baptized)

***We need 15 volunteers to help us with each Boy’s camps: activities include wood shop, welding, archery, using black powder guns, swimming and sports but most of all, showing them God’s Love through His Word and the example of Godly men.   *** When I was with the Kickapoo Indians at Christmas they ask if we would have a camp for them. I said yes, pray for a place for us to conduct the camp and for volunteers to help. This is the first time in 6 yrs they have indicated they would let their youth come.  We’ve had one  camp for them, 16 came and 4 boys prayed for salvation.  At the Christmas part the director of youth asked the Lord into her heart, this is the first adult we’ve seen excpt the Lord. We would like for the camp to be held in the hill country. They live on a reservation next to Eagle Pass, Tx.      TO REGISTER FOR CAMP PRINT FORMS FROM THIS WEB SIGHT AND MAIL THEM TO SAM CRAIG MINISTRIES 1606 Lehman Houston, Tx. 77018       **** IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP OR GIVE CONTACT US AT 713 957 8069 OR 281 797 3176  

UPDATE:   This is just a few comments by Mary Mize Hellums, our girl’s camp director.  She and her husband, Jesse own Cripple Creek Ranch in Medina. Tx. where we hold our camps.  This is a praise report for all that God did at camp this summer  The supernatural work of God is always more abundant than we could ever think or ask.  To me, the two boys camps were completely different with more returning youth coupled with more college age leaders and older men counselors.  This provided a perfect balance of energy and wisdom.  God made it into a training ground for leadership and He showed us what He could do with a “few good men.”  Our second boys camp had more new boys and God showed Himself strong with a week of about 35 boys doing almost everything outdoors.  There was not one sick or injured boy or leader.  Boys who had never shot a gun won the skeet shoot, boys who never caught a fish caught fish in an almost dry mud hole, boys who never welded made coat racks out of horse shoes and worship was a sight to behold as boys clapped and signed and sang like they never had before.

The girls are such a welcome relief from all the guy things.  However, since we are females, there is always lots of drama but by a couple of days all that is resolved and we can get down the to the business of being one big happy family.  Some of the girls have been coming to camp for over 7 years and they sat out by the creek sharing their favorite camp stories.  The themes for the boys and girls camps were very similar, focusing on what we are to do with what God has gifted each one of us for.  We learned how to be disciples and make disciples for Jesus as we witness to others.  One of my favorite things during the week was when we went up Mt. Moriah where we have morning devotionals blindfolded with only a leader telling us how to move.  Obedience was key.  The boys have been doing this for years but it was the first time for the girls.  They had to overcome their fears and put their trust in the leader.  Just like we have to put our trust in God although we cannot see the end or know where He is taking us until we arrive at our destination.

We wish to thank all the workers. leaders, counselors and prayer warriors for their time and loving attitudes during camp time.  Also, we want to thank all of you who gave of your finances to send a kid to camp.  Believe it will be worth it as boys and girls continue to grow in the Lord.