Mennonites in Belize

       As doomsday approaches (Oct. 1st, the day of the vaccine mandate), the government has clarified that it will no longer require proof of vaccination to enter  all  public and private buildings and transportation. Instead the regulation has been rolled back to a certain extent due to economic pressure. Only government-run offices and statutory buildings will require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test: immigration office, transport department, Social Security, police stations, courtrooms, tax offices, land office, and of course government hospitals except in the case of a medical emergency. The rest of public buildings such as supermarkets, restaurants, hardware stores and public transportation such as taxis and buses do not need to ask for proof of vaccination or negative Covid test but they would have the full right if they wished to do so. We will see tomorrow what will be the results and reactions when the dreaded vaccine mandate comes in...

  Apparently Spanish Lookout is now the perfect training camp for government police recruits. A squad of veterans and recruits descended on the colony of Spanish Lookout on Friday the 24th and began a merciless campaign of confronting mask-violators. Mennonites and non-Mennonites alike were sternly reprimanded and issued ticket fines of USD$250. A young lady inside an office whose mask had slipped under her nose was fined. A young mother who had accidentally lowered her mask and was attending her newborn was also given a ticket. And so on, from business to business throughout the colony. Although lacking air defense and naval support, the overzealous infantry still managed to carry out a thorough job of ambushing the enemy. In fact, in several places they even entered the warehouses and targeted employees(a move seriously questioned by many in Spanish Lookout). By noontime, Operation Put-on-Your-Mask had swept most of the commercial district of Spanish Lookout and significantly bo...

    The following article is an approximate 5-minute read; all Scriptures quoted are from the KJV. A cool wind blew across the valley as a friend and I stood at the crossroads last week Saturday morning and watched vehicles bearing black flags with the words “Free Belize” line up for the motorcade on Center Road, Spanish Lookout. A huge rally was planned for that day in Belize City. People from across the country would unite and drive around the city to show the government that they are against mandatory vaccines, scheduled to begin the 1 st of October. Although a small group of modern/liberal Mennonites who have left the traditional and conservative churches initially started the "Free Belize" movement, it has now grown to include other cultures and religious groups as well.   The motorcade left Spanish lookout at 8:00AM, was joined by other vehicles on the way, and travelled to Belize City where they were joined by another motorcade from Blue Creek, Orange Walk....

   Harvest for Kids, a fundraising program  started 10 years ago   Belize Camping Experience is a Christian ministry that focuses on getting local children involved in fun, educational and innovative activities throughout the country with the goal of instilling self-confidence, Biblical principles, and a positive outlook on life in their hearts and minds. About 10 years ago they teamed up with Mennonite crop farmers in Blue Creek and Spanish Lookout in a program called Harvest for Kids , which is a fundraising branch of the organization. Funds are generated from the crops which are donated, planted, cared for and then harvested by the farmers. New Holland, John Deere, Case IH combines participate in the Harvest for Kids program. Corn harvest is currently taking place in Spanish Lookout.  Below are some links that give you a better look at the projects carried out by this organization. I encourage my readers to read and think and hopefully, to make a donation sin...

  Beginning tomorrow at midnight, new and stringent regulations will take effect in Belize due to the rising number of Covid cases and deaths. The nighttime curfew has been moved down to 7PM. Restaurants will only be open for takeout food. Certain sports are forbidden due to physical contact. Some public buildings deemed inessential will close down. On Sundays, the streets are expected to be empty except for emergencies. And the one that has caused controversy: churches have been ordered to close down.   The US military has donated a field hospital with equipment to assist with the Covid situation. Several countries and international travel agencies have posted red-level flags on Belize, warning their citizens about visiting here and restricting entry to those traveling from here.   The "Free Belize" movement protesting the mandatory vaccine which was started last week by a group of modern Mennonites who have left the traditional churches has caused consternation among th...

    This video has been removed due to YouTube's anti-vaccine policy.   For the first time in the history of Belize, the different branches of the Mennonite religion have laid aside their doctrinal and spiritual differences and united in one common goal: resisting the new regulation t hat will begin on Oct 1st, which will require all persons to show proof of vaccination to enter public buildings and to ride on public transportation. From the rich Mennonite with several luxury vehicles in his garage to the poor one struggling to feed his family. From the most modern, open-minded to the most traditional and conservative. From the one adjusting his suspenders and straw hat to the one with leather jacket and name-brand sunglasses. While the response of each group has been varied according to their respective Biblical views, their resolution is firm: no to mandatory vaccines. The Old Colony Mennonites in Shipyard are adamant about not bowing to the government at whatever ...

    Photo: ambergriscaye.com   Today the 10th of September is a national holiday in Belize which commemorates the defeat of the Spanish conquerors who continuously attempted to capture British Honduras, now known as Belize. The battle began on the 3rd of September 1798 when a fleet of Spanish gunboats and 2,500 troops arrived on the northern coast of Belize to permanently remove the British settlers and slaves. The small force together with a local militia composed of African slaves and three battleships was heavily outnumbered by the Spanish. On the last day of battle, the 10th, the Spanish army was defeated off the coast of St George's Caye; they sailed away and never again returned to bother the settlement.   On a normal year this day is celebrated with parades and other events. But due to the Covid pandemic these have been canceled.   While it is a national holiday, the Mennonite colonies do not keep it. Most stores and shops are open all day and school is h...

  A series of break-ins at businesses in the modern colony of Spanish Lookout, a united and well-organized community police force; a search operation that involved up-to-date technology, hours of hunting, a trained dog, and finally at the end of the trail three guilty men. The three culprits were then handed over to government police who did not quite appreciate the vigilante justice carried out by the Mennonites. To be honest with my readers, many Belizeans do not think highly of the government police due to the moral decay and political corruption that plagues the department. Hence the hard work carried out by Mennonite constables in pursuing the criminals was admired and applauded across the country. You don't mess with these Mennonite community cops buddy. They've got technology at their fingertips, unity and purpose, and high level of communication. A formidable team. ( The incident took place last week Sunday morning. Also note these private constables in Spanish Lookout ...