A Miracle Observed, Pt. 1
Published June 26, 2012 | 
Cover of “Terror by Night”
by James H. Pence
How do you tell your daughter that her best friend’s family has been murdered?
My cell phone buzzed about halfway through the church service on Sunday morning, March 2, 2008. I recognized the number, a friend from Emory, Texas, but couldn’t understand why he would be calling me on Sunday. I taught a class of homeschoolers at his karate school and assumed that the call had something to do with my class.
Since my homeschool class wouldn’t meet till Tuesday, I decided to return his call later. By the end of the service, my phone showed two more missed calls, both from my friend. I knew that something had to be wrong, so when I had a chance I went out to the foyer and called him back.
“Somebody attacked the Caffey family and burned their house down,” his wife said. “We don’t know the details yet, but some of them were killed.”
I couldn’t process what I was hearing.
Terry Caffey, his wife Penny, and their children were friends of ours. We met when Penny enrolled their daughter, Erin, and their youngest son Tyler in my karate for homeschoolers class. Tyler quit the class after several months, but Erin continued for quite a while and became close friends with my daughter, Charlene.
Charlene spent a lot of time at the Caffeys’ home, and it was one of her favorite places to go. I do a fair amount of speaking, and she was at that age where traveling with Mom and Dad wasn’t the most exciting thing in the world. So whenever my wife, Laurel, and I were on the road, Charlene would stay at the Caffeys.
And even though we lived in Greenville, Texas, about 45 minutes away from their home in Alba, Erin spent quite a few weekends at our place, too. The girls were so close that we invited Erin to go to church camp with us in the summer of 2007.
When we came back from camp, we dropped Erin off at the Caffeys’ home. It was a beautiful little house tucked away in the woods. Laurel and I drank coffee and visited with Terry and Penny for a while before we continued on to our home near Greenville.
That was the last time I was ever in the Caffeys’ house.
Now, less than a year later, as we were driving home from church, Laurel called our friends again to see if they knew any more details. At that point, we didn’t know if anybody had survived.
We wanted to get home before we told Charlene, so Laurel didn’t speak out loud as she relayed the horrible news. As we drove from our church in Rowlett back to Greenville, Laurel wrote down on a church bulletin the names of the family members: Terry, Penny, Erin, Bubba, Tyler.
And then, as our friend relayed the news, Laurel quietly marked an X over Penny’s, Bubba’s and Tyler’s names.
I can’t even begin to describe how I felt as I saw her mark out those names.
We drove the rest of the way home in silence, as I desperately prayed for wisdom.
How was I going to tell Charlene that someone had murdered her best friend’s family?
James H. Pence co-authored the book “Terror by Night” with Terry Caffey. This series of guest blog posts recounts Terry’s story from James’s point of view.
I just finished reading your book, which I read in an afternoon. I cried and felt so much. I could relate to some of those feelings you had about “why”. I understood how God does what he does and we don’t have to understand it but to just allow him to work. So many things I would like to say but just don’t know how. I am thankful for choosing your book to read it gives me hope for my own life. Thank you for writing it for me to read.
I just finish reading terror by night. I love this book. it made me cry and think a lot about my life and every thing. I love the fact that you share your store to try to help others. you are a grate man for doing that and i am so sorry about every thing that you had to go through. I think you should try and make a movie out of this book because these days a lot of people don’t read and that way you could help even more people. so think you for sharing your store and i don’t think my life will be the same scene i read your story. so thinks again….
Dear Mr. Caffey, I have been watching the add on TV all week, I could not wait to watch the program today! What terrifying moment and life. I paused the program and rewind over and over to catch every moment of you have been through. God if good, who gave you the courage and strength to keep moving, and to forgive. I know it is not easy.My husband and many relatives died in 1994 Rwanda genocide, but til today I see him everyday and sometimes I denied that it did happen. I pray God everyday to give me strength to forgive. But you Mr. Caffey you are example of forgiveness. May God continue to protect you and your family from sad and haunting experiences. All my thoughts and prayer went to you and your family tonight.
M Jeanne
I had not heard your story before. I also did not see the ABC special, but just reading what happened has so touched me. Praise God that you were able to forgive and go forth with ministry. May God richly bless you for being His obedient servant..
God has moved me… because of your story, He has moved me to believe in His grace.
Sweet man, you are an inspiration as I’m sure you’ve been told multiple times. I saw “Final Witness” last night and my husband and I were speechless. Now, after having read your story of grace and forgiveness, I feel as if I have a new grasp on the concept.
Thank you for being true to your faith and honest with your desire that Jesus be glorified!
I have struggled with grace myself and have been finding it difficult to break through the clouds of judgment. Your story has brought fresh perspective to my journey. I’m so thankful for you. I will never cease to pray for you and yours.
Thank you for being a witness of the power of God..
Sincerely,
Jamie
I am truly blessed of hearing your story on ABC tonight. I haven’t heard of the story as my husband and I have just moved here to Emory a year ago with our three boys. My heart aches for you as we have had loss before but I am so truly sorry for your losses. This is so much to bear but as we look to God to see the Cross that He decided to bear for us we can only look to Him for all the answers. I understand your forgiving of these people and your daughter still doesn’t make it right what they did, however, forgiving them will release the madness in you. That I do understand. I pray for you and I thank you for sharing your story, I know that part is hard to relive yet it is good therapy I’m sure to talk about it, not forgetting them is an awesome feeling to relive though…the good memories!! The show said that you have moved on and are remarried with two boys I am so happy for you in so many ways. I pray for peace and much healing. God Bless,
Kyle, Tara, and our three boys-Emory Texas
Hola Sr. Caffey, hoy mire por la television su historia y me impacto muchisimo, me da una enseñanza de usted el ver como salio adelante apesar de lo que le paso a su familia, dios es una persona muy grande y justa y usted es un ejemplo para muchas personas de que dios existe, y como usted lo dijo el television si dios quiso que usted no muriera fue para que compariera con todos nosotros su testiminio, es admirable saber la fuerza que usted tiene. Le doy mi mas cinsero agradecimiento por compartir con la gente lo que le paso, y esto nos sirve a nosotros para valorar lo que tenemos y saber que de las malas compañias debemos de alejarnos. Ahora usted tiene 3 angelitos que desde el cielo lo cuidan y lo protejen, le deseo de todo corazon que dios lo siga llenando con su amor. Dios le bendiga Sr.
Hey Bro. Terry,
I am thankful the Lord crossed our paths several months ago. God is truly using you in a mighty way. I have been blessed by your ministry and am proud to call you my friend. I am thankful for how the Lord used you in our Revival meeting at Immanuel Baptist Church in November 2011. It will always be a special memory for me because on that Wednesday Night my son prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior and Lord. Our family loves and appreciates you very much. We pray God will continue to use you and bless this ministry. God Bless!
Dear Mr. Caffey~ I have just finished the story about your family tragedy and I wanted to tell youo what an inspiration I feel that you are. To come through such a horrific ordeal with the continued faith that you have is remarkable. It is wonderful that you are preaching and sharing your story with many teens across America. I am sure you have saved lives just with your words and compassion. You are truly Gods gift to us all….thank you for sharing your story.
Many, many blessings to you and your new family
Terry – I was not familiar with your story previously. I have read your book and find incredible inspiration in your words. First, let me say that I am very sorry for your loss. God certainly used this tragedy for good. You should be proud of how far you have come. I can certainly see how God has used you to help others. It is incredibly moving how God’s grace shines like a bright light around this story. I appreciate you sharing your story. I am glad you have found a peace and happiness in your life. Best of luck to you in the future. May God bless you and you family!
Mr. Caffey:
You are truly a man of God. Thank you for allowing me, and others into your life, and showing us the awesome power of our Wonderful, Blessed, Redeemer! Your tragedy demonstrates the grace of God.
There are so many that are touched by your ministry, and your story. God bless you and your new family.
Praying for you,
Bob M.
Terry,
I came across your website today and oh how my life has changed. This hits home. You were my childhood friend we lived on the same street and hung out together. I knew you and your family personally. Oh how my heart hurts to know you suffered such a horrible tragedy! I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You are an amazing person! Wow! What a testament to faith, to love, to GOD! What a beautiful relationship you have with GOD! Thank you for sharing your faith and your story with us.
Terry
I saw you speak on daystar, i was moved by you forgivenes toward those who killed your family. Truly you show Gods unconditional love toward a sinful people. God bless you as you continue to share the love of our Heavenly father
Herbert
Terry i am so glad that i had the pleasure of meting you and hearing you speak on the life changing events that has happen in your life. I admire you for what you are doing by the massage that you are carrying with you. I know that it is God that is moving you in every direction that you are going.I started reading your book but i can only read a few pages at a time because it is just so moving. I will tell everyone that i caome in contact with about youand what you are doing. I look forward to staying in touch. May God always bless you,family and the wonderful ministries that you are doing.
Mr.caffey just wanted to let you know my heart goes out to you.. I’m sorry about the tragedy that happened to your family. I went to school with your son bubba at Celeste. He is dearly missed and often talked about.. You are in gods hands and i think it is so great and kind of you to put this behind you and find forgiveness and faith in your heart for your daughter and the killers. Let god take care of the rest and stay a strong willed man. I would like to join your church soon but I’m not sure where it’s located? Keep living for god and know we all love you! Your a great person and we can only imagine what you went through. Sending our love your way,
-Ashley Creed
Your story of loss and forgiveness has changed my life. I too, am a survivor of homicide. Your ministry is changing lives and healing hearts that have been broken by profound loss. I thank you with all my heart for caring.
I am so touched and moved over this chain of events and your faith thru it all. I am from another small East Texas town that is not very far from Emory, TX so this really hit home with how close it happened. in watching the ABC special the other night i got chill bumps from it and how close it hit home to me. I dated a guy in high school that my parents did not like. we married right after high school and 2 years of marriage and a son later my parents insite really showed thru. we divorced after a short marriage and prayer was my saving grace thru it all. while our relationship never took the drastic chain of events i think i know some of what your daughter must have felt at times. As i said i do have a son and have re-married to a wonderful guy so i can also imagine the parents side of this as well. I do admire your strength and want you to know that out of all of this I have sat back and looked at my life and my faith. I was reminded of my blessings and it brought me closer to God. You are in my prayers and are truely an angel. If you ever wonder if your story has touched anyone please know that it did me.
Mister Caffey,
I just saw your story on tv, and my heart immediately went out you, because I have had those same feelings,just a different story, and you are so right about hatred and bitterness will destroy you, because those you despise could care less how you feel about them but forgiveness seems to reach them when nothing else will. And as for your daughter all you can do is love her, and one day she will truly understand and accept her actions full but that wil come age, Our hearts and prayers are with you, as we hope you pray for our loss as well.
With love in Christ
Kyle and Stephanie, Ethan(1) year and our dearly departed Gracie(Deceased july 13,2008)
The Weavers
Dear Terry, I listened to you speak at Elam Baptist Church today. THANK YOU. I have not been able to get your story off of my mind. I just want to say you are brave and only few can understand what it takes to rehearse publicly a trauma like you have endured. I was led by the Lord to give my “storm” testimony, like yours one of loss & hurt. At the first church service where I was to speak, I became physically ill and threw up before the meeting. But, I still knew God wanted me there and of course, He provided the way.
I know God ordained me to carry through & I am sure He must be doing the same for you. I just want to THANK YOU and say I pray God uses you according to His perfect plan. And please, do not allow yourself to become too tired. From a medical doctor’s standpoint, I can tell you that the sort of thing you are doing is very physically & emotionally exhausting… but equally, and actually exponentially, rewarding.