Mennonites in Belize

       I am not the first, nor will I be the last ex-Holdeman, to publish a letter to the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. My desire is not to expose the failures of the Holdeman church nor to boast of myself as being superior to them.   First of all, I believe that my spouse and I are at peace with God and man, we have been reconciled unto the Lord and have received assurance of salvation as evidenced by the abundance of joy and peace we experience in our daily lives. We do not speak in tongues, we do not cast out evil spirits or pivot and cavort in odd positions while worshiping nor do we now wear silver bracelets and gold chains around our neck to express our "freedom"; we have and are experiencing that true spiritual liberty does not consist of beating drums or jabbering in unknown gibberish, nor is it composed of wearing double head-coverings (for the Holdeman ladies) or of beards and plaid shirts (for the Holdeman men).   I genuinely appreciate the...

     A historic event about to occur. Churches protesting and praying. Politicians and doctors hopeful. Civilians torn between yes or no.   Its the cannabis controversy regarding Caye Caulker, an extremely popular tourist hotspot off the coast of Belize City. A proposal which garnered nationwide attention with individuals both for and against which in turn inevitably led to this moment: a referendum. Read the whole article below: Caye Caulker Cannabis Referendum   Not surprisingly, a majority of the Mennonites I spoke to are against it, despite the fact that the main motive behind the movement is to create a legal industry which could in turn have a positive effect on the medical field, fearing that to legalize it would open a flood of consequences which the nation of Belize is wholly unprepared for. Rampant misuse of the substance, addiction among youth skyrocketing, etc. just to name a few. There are those who are liberal in religious views (it's ok to drink b...

September 21, our Independence Day The night of the 20th in Belmopan, the capital Roseville, a Hoover Mennonite colony. Exact date unknown Springfield, another Hoover Mennonite colony Late night harvesting Achieve Fitness, Spanish Lookout's first official gym building where modern Mennonites build muscles A different kind of gym for conservative Mennonites. All you need is a crosscut saw Mennonite News Joselyn and the Kitchen View Blog                             A. Mendoza

A Hoover Mennonite boy mowing grass in Roseville      In Spanish Lookout, it appears that every year the holiday becomes more important. This year for example if you would have driven down Center Avenue you would have thought it was Sunday. Stores closed, processing plants silent, restaurants dark. Have the modern Mennonites become more patriotic? Although millenials may not be that excited about patriotism, Gen Z is now taking the reins and infecting Gen Y with their enthusiastic flag-waving approach to this national day, September 21, the birth of our country. Since the holiday fell on a Sunday this yeat it was observed on Monday. I thought perhaps businesses might be open due to not observing it on the actual day but I was wrong. The night before Independence Day certain Mennonites from the community headed to Belmopan for the evening parade and midnight fireworks. I've been there, done that. Trumpets, drums, tobacco, alcohol, dancing and smoke from food vendors. A won...

     A bit of history was in the making today when Achieve Fitness held its grand re-opening, the first official and permanent gym building which opened its doors in Spanish Lookout today in their brand new facility. Unlike other franchised gyms in the community which operate out of temporary leased buildings, this one located on Route 40 West, across the road from Plett's Home Builders, is completely independent. An imposing modern structure of metal and glass with just about everything you need to achieve that fit and toned body you have always longed for. Gym owners Ronny and Rhonda Plett were on hand all day to greet visitors and welcome customers. Snacks and various other refreshments were available. Mennonite News View Blog Joselyn and the Kitchen                                       A. Mendoza

     Yes, its the type of blog I was looking for when I searched for foods that are Belizean in taste but Mennonite in culture. Cooking is a hobby of mine but writing about it ain't my specialty. The writer shares her talent both in the recipes she posts and in the way she describes them. Click the link below to view her blog and start enjoying the delicious meals she has written down:  Joselyn and the Kitchen Mennonite News View Blog                                       A. Mendoza

  A traffic mishap The graveyard in Spanish Lookout A motocross event near the Iguana Creek highway A truck show Traffic piled up due to an accident Noah Hoover Mennonites in Roseville A farm in Spanish Lookout Mennonite News View Blog                                    A. Mendoza

     A sawmill in Little Belize, Corozal   Twice in one month Old Colony Mennonites were caught in the middle of controversial logging operations which attracted national interest and caused many citizens to wonder about the extent of damage being wrought on our forests. First was the Boston incident in the Belize District where these Mennonites were discovered to be logging with an expired license and furthermore had destroyed community property by felling trees outside of their designated permit. It caused an uproar among the villagers which spread out across social media especially since the Mennonites' first reaction was to call a government official for assistance when police officers confronted them. The politicians then questioned the cops,  claiming this was a matter for the Forestry Dept. and not for police to deal with.   The second confrontation was in southern Belize where a land owner visited his private property only to find the trees had been...

  "Long live the que...". Not anymore, sir.   Today, August 4, Belize officially began using its brandnew banknotes. The paper notes emblazoned with Queen Elizabeth II are now history and have been replaced by a more modern style, at least in looks, similar to the peso and quetzal. Banking institutions are now handing out only the new bills but the old ones are still valid until eventually phased out. Mennonite News View Blog                     A. Mendoza

  A display at Timberman Designs "Pizza Hut" in Shipyard, complete with drivethru Neighbors and friends at play, San Marcos Teachers and students at a summer Bible school, DuckRun 3 A cybertruck in Spanish Lookout caused a sensation A program at UCM church The beginning of a new school year A truck goes for a swim at the Baking Pot ferry crossing Guatemalan trucks being loaded with chickens Miss Loewen does a great job as chiropracter Mennonite News View Blog                                                 A. Mendoza

      Is it a 100% effective and accurate method of diagnosing body health or simply a "work smarter, not harder" technique? Or perhaps a scam to milk money out of unsuspecting customers? Could it simply be an electronic device which is actually algorithm-based and tampered before hand by manual input? On the other hand, plenty of customers are satisfied with its results and have demonstrated--or at least claimed-- improved quality of health.   QRMA (quantom resonance magnetic analyzer) treatment is a debated subject with no official scientific confirmation exhibiting the method as accurate or its proven effectiveness in curing illnesses, based on my research. But perhaps my research is biased; maybe my Gen Y mind cannot fathom such a mysterious theory of physics actually being applied directly to my own body and hailed as the final say regarding personal health. My  health.   To be honest I am personally fascinated by the study of quantom physics even thou...

A waterwheel in Lower Barton Creek, a colony of conservative and traditional Mennonites An approaching storm over Spanish Lookout Part of the effects of the above storm After 18 years, I finally tried werenaki (perogies) a second time. I think I'm good for another 18 years now. Students and visitors dining at CDI (Cayo Deaf Institute) Crossing the river at Lower Barton Creek Friesen Farmer's Fuel in Shipyard, an Old Colony Mennonite community on the main road to Blue Creek Logs, logs, and more logs piled in Shipyard The   Coffee Corner, a popular deli in Spanish Lookout Mennonite News View Blog                                  A. Mendoza