Pray for the Stauffers

In the small town of Edson, Alberta, Canada 14-year old Emily Stauffer was murdered as she walked along a partially wooded pathway near a quiet residential neighborhood on September 27, 2008. The beautiful, flaxen haired girl didn't stand a chance against her much larger attacker, an unknown assailant believed to be in his early thirties.

Although the attack happened in the late afternoon in broad daylight, the assailant managed to escape and vanish completely. Two young boys happened upon the scene and reported that a man jumped from the bushes and grabbed Stauffer by the throat and began choking her. The terrified boys ran to a nearby home to seek help. The stunned neighbor at first had difficulty believing the boys' story. After all, the town of 8,000 people rarely experiences violent crime. But the neighbor quickly became convinced the boys were telling the truth because she could see them "vibrating" with fear.

To date, the attack appears completely random and unprovoked. It is believed that Emily Stauffer was taken by surprise and was very quickly subdued and overwhelmed by her attacker.

It's always difficult to make sense of a seemingly senseless tragedy such as this. It becomes harder when there is a personal connection. Although we did not know the family well, my husband and I have had the privilege of working with Emily Stauffer's parents on a number of occasions. Dad Terry is the Pastor of Edson Baptist Church, a small and close-knit body of believers. Terry and his wife, Juanita work within the same organization of churches, the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Canada, that my husband and I work with. Terry, Juanita and family have spent years as Fellowship ministers in various churches throughout Western Canada.

Our connection to the family came when the Stauffers worked in Barriere, B.C. just a short drive from the city of Kamploops where my husband pastored for four years. The Stauffers remain connected to many people in both the Barriere and Kamloops area even though they've been away from that particular post for several years now.

The Stauffers were closely tied to Sunnybrae Bible Camp in Tappen, B.C. just west of Salmon Arm. Both Terry and Juanita served in various positions, both professional and volunteer, within the camp for many years. In fact they continued to return to Sunnybrae summer after summer even after they left B.C. for Alberta.

It is with great sadness that I write this post, in memory of Emily Stauffer and in condolence to Terry, Juanita, and their three remaining children. This news has left many communities, churches, and an entire camp in a state of shock and grief. It is with bittersweet sadness and hope that we cling to our faith in a God who chose to call His beautiful little girl Home to be with Him despite her desire to grow up, get married, have children, and pursue a degree in music. Heaven is surely a much brighter place with her shining smile casting a reflection upon the golden streets.

It is my desire that all who read this will take just a minute right now to stop and pray for the Stauffer family.

Read more about the Emily Stauffer murder.
Read Terry Stauffer's blog, including a tribute to his daughter.