Preservings 11 (1997) - Plett Foundation

North Americans are almost immune to
the horrors of modern crime. They are fed
a daily diet of murders, rapes and other
violent crimes every time they open a
newspaper or switch on their Television
set. But when a brutal murder occurs in a
peaceful, pacifist community in the jungles
of Belize, the experience is traumatizing
and life shattering in the most horrible and
devastating way.
On January 24, 1997, Denver P. Dueck,
Spanish Lookout, Belize, became the victim
of a brutal act of violence. He was 23
years old at the time and in partnership in
his father’s land clearing business. Denver
was a cat operator and mechanic by
occupation.
Denver had accepted Christ as his Saviour
and was baptised in the Kleine
Gemeinde church at Spanish Lookout,
Belize, upon the confession of his faith in
early 1996. During the summer he had
some spiritual struggles and was targeted
by the Rudnerweider Church to lure him
into the religious culture of American Fundamentalism
and away from his parental
church and community (Note One).
Through the leading of the Holy Spirit
Denver came to victory over these temptations
committing himself to a genuine discipleship
in Christ.
On January 24, 1997, Denver was delivering
a load of diesel fuel to one of the
firm’s Caterpillars working at Banana
Bank. He was good-hearted person and had
stopped to pick up two hitch hikers as was
also recommended by the Gemeinde to
show love and compassion to neighbours
living outside the Colony many of whom
are desperately poor.
The hitchhikers climbed unto the back
of the pick-up but some time later indicated
that they wanted Denver to stop. But
instead of getting off, the hitchhikers
jumped into the cab of the truck.
A short time later the hitchhikers pulled
out their guns and forced Denver to pull
off on a side bush road. They tied him to a
tree and pointed their guns at him. At this
time, Denver had said, “I know what you
want to do to me, but I love you anyway. I
forgive you, for what you are doing.
Whether you shoot me or not I will not do
anything to you.” Then Denver prayed out
loud.
One of bandits fired his gun, mortally
wounding Denver. But he was not dead,
and so the other bandit told him to shoot
again. The first one said, “I can’t do it.”
The other bandit shot the second bullet.
They took his clothes and robbed him.
Denver died later in the day at the
Belmopan Hospital.
The culprits were caught and confessed
No. 11, December, 1997
Murder in the Jungle
As told by uncle, Peter P. Plett, Box 886, Arborg, Manitoba, R0C 0A0
to the brutal crime. It was a gang related
murder, and the perpetrators were following
orders to obtain a new model half-ton of
a certain description.
Denver is the son of Margaret Plett and
Abram L. Dueck, Rosenort, Spanish Lookout,
Belize. He is survived by 11 brothers
and 2 sisters.
His violent death shocked the entire community.
The funeral was held on Monday,
January 27, 1997. Almost 2,000 people attended
and filed by the casket.
Denver’s mother has written an account
of the tragic events in which she also described
the funeral service. “Son Ben
Denver P. Dueck (1973-97), with nephew Marlin
Dueck in Christmas, 1996. Photos courtesy of brother
Jacob Dueck, Box 4119, Arborg, Manitoba, R0C 0A0.
brought a message in Spanish. Klaas Friesen
spoke in English and some Plaut-Dietsch.
... Finally the family said their last `Goodbyes’.
The coffin was closed and carried out
at about 6:20 P.M. It was dark already and
lights had been set up in the graveyard.”
After Denver’s interment, lunch was served
for all the mourners.
The tragedy for the Spanish Lookout
community was magnified by the deaths of
two girls, Norma Reimer and Emily Braun,
who had drowned in the Belize River and
whose funerals were held earlier the same
day.
A macabre element was added to these
events when Denver’s oldest brother Ben noticed
“a dark man standing under a tree
across from the store. He looked suspicious,
so Ben stopped to ask what he was doing.
19
The man asked if we would be having a
funeral?” Later the police identified the
man as Harry Trapp, one of the murderers.
Denver’s brutal death was front page
news in the national newspapers of Belize.
Although the murderer’s attorney alleged
that a confession had been obtained by torture,
the Prime Minister of Belize congratulated
the police for their efficiency
in solving the brutal crime. See The Reporter,
Sunday, February 9, 1997, Volume
30, No. 6.; The Cayo Trader, February 2,
1997, Vol. 4, No. 4.; The Belize Times,
Sunday February 9, 1997, Volume 4040;
and Amandala, February 9, 1997, No.
1430.
The story of Denver P. Dueck is of interest
to the people of the Hanover Steinbach
area as he had thousands of relatives
here who share the grief of the bereaved
family and who are proud of the noble and
Christlike way he faced death.
Endnote:
Note One: The Rudnerweider Church from
Canada has recently targeted the Kleine
Gemeinde community in Spanish Lookout,
Belize, for proselytizing. They are actively
seeking to alienate the marginal members
of the Kleine Gemeinde and to convert
them to the religious culture and language
of American Fundamentalism (Matthew
18:6). The religious dogma of American
Fundamentalism is generally characterized
by “legalistic” salvations plans, deferral
of the reign of Christ and the gospels
(dispensationalism), “fabled” endtimes
teachings (premillennialism), and the belief
that they are the only true Christians.
Happier Days. Denver with his brothers and father
in 1992. Back row, l. to r. Cornie, Clarence, Norman,
Ben, Werner. Middle row, Abe, Jacob, father Abram
L. Dueck, Edward and brother-in-law Henry Reimer.
Front row kneeling, Milton, Otto and Denver. Photos
courtesy of brother Jacob Dueck, Box 4119,
Arborg, Manitoba, R0C 0A0.