Dave Ogilvie
Facing the loss of a home due to fire, and the prospect of rebuilding, can be a daunting task. Most people tend to feel a bit lost and overwhelmed by the myriad of decisions that must be made.
This, however, was not the case for Pastor Conrad Dueck and his family in Emo.
From the moment they called 9-1-1 during the sub-zero weather of Jan. 27 to the day (Dec. 10) that they moved into their new home, the Duecks have experienced all kinds of support from people across the district.
People they didn’t even know dropped off more than 50 bags of clothes, food, furniture, and toys for each of the children.
“The generosity of the area has been overwhelming,” Pastor Dueck wrote in his blog just three weeks after the fire.”
Within a short period of time, the family was back in the parsonage (the house owned by the Calvary Baptist Church) celebrating the fact that despite frostbite to their feet, they had all, through the grace of God, survived the fire.
But the blessings did not stop there. More than 100 people showed their concern and support for the Duecks by attending a fundraising tea at the Emo Legion.
Money from the tea, donations in cards, and money collected in glass jars at businesses around Emo was presented to the family.
That afternoon, more than $3,500 was given the family to help them in their efforts to rebuild their home.
“While that is astounding,” Pastor Dueck wrote in the family blog, “what is even more astounding is that in the 19 days from the fire to the tea, we received money every single day in amounts ranging from $2 to over $2,000.”
When spring arrived, it was time to put that money to use.
Having never built a house before, the Duecks were warned to be patient. The process takes a long time, they were told, and there will be many obstacles to overcome.
But on Dec. 10, just 10 months and 13 days after their house had burned to the ground, the Duecks moved into their brand new home on George Road in Emo very tired but very, very thankful for all the help they’d received from people all over the district.
“While there is still work to be done [in the form of unpacking and setting up], and the effects of the fire still linger, we praise God that we are back in the country and living in a beautiful new home,” Pastor Dueck explained in his recent blog entry.
Pastor Dueck, his wife, Lois, and their children, Lorianne, Joseph, Stephen, and Caleb, would like to thank the many people who helped at each and every step of the building process.
Family, friends, members of their church, and people from one end of the district to the other contributed their time and expertise to assist in the planning and construction of their new home.
Dan and Elaine Mack and Phil Whatley, for example, saved the family hours of decision-making by providing ideas and suggestions about the design, functionality, and layout of the new building.
Local contractor Gerald Wieringa, electrician Jack Wielinga, and Jon Hettinga, who did the plumbing and most of the heating, added their expertise to the project—spending countless hours making sure the family could be back in their home by Christmas.
The family also wanted to express their thanks to Keith Knapp from North Country Adjusters in Fort Frances, who did everything within his power to make sure the Duecks received a fair and quick settlement.
“I would also like to thank George and Jerry, two of Tompkins Hardware’s finest, for their valuable advice and for keeping us within our budget,” Pastor Dueck enthused.
Building a house is a huge job, and the “Dueck 6” (as they call themselves) are thankful for everyone who helped them over the past 10 months.
“In a sense, it was a whole community effort,” said Lois Dueck. “The whole town was giving us advice and cheering us on, and many people in the community and from our church worked on it to make it happen.”
“God brought so many wonderful, helpful people into our lives this past year, and He has answered the prayers of many who couldn’t be here to help,” echoed Pastor Dueck.
To thank everyone and to celebrate what God has done in their lives, the Duecks will be holding a “come-and-go” open house in their new home at 583 George Rd., south of Emo, on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 4-7 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to drop by!
