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 Most people think of the Mennonites in Belize as white-skinned people with suspenders and straw hats or modern farmers and businessmen who live in Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek. Many also think that all Mennonites speak Plautdietsch. However, this blog disproves that common misconception as it features the lifestyle and practices of the different types of Mennonites who live in Belize and points out the fact that not all are white, not all speak Plautdietsch, not all are conservative and not all came from Mexico, and not all live in colonies. The aim is not so much to look at their history but at their lifestyles, beliefs and practices and for both locals and outsiders alike to know that the word Mennonite does not stand for a "race" of people but for a religious body with various sectors, made up of the Old Colony, Hoover (Old Order), Kleine Gemeinde, Beachy Amish, Conservative, Holdeman (Church of God in Christ), the non-traditional Mennonites of EMMC and other charismatic churches, and then the mixed Mennonites who are descendants of the above groups but have left their traditional home churches. We're always reviewing and editing, so if you notice any inconsistencies or errors, have any questions, comments or feedback, you may contact us via email.
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                                                 A. Mendoza

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Mennonite Foods

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         The Old Colony, Kleine Gemeinde, and Old Order have a diet which mainly consists of homemade bread, cottage cheese, noodles, pork, potatoes, and stewed beans. Milk is used in many of their meals, such as casseroles and faspa foods. Some dishes from the Plautdietsch groups are:   nuddelsuppe:  noodle soup made with home-made noodles    werenaki:  (perogies see picture above ) made of pockets of flour with  glums  (cottage cheese) filling,  schmaunfat  (white gravy made of flour, milk and black pepper), and  formavorscht  (pork sausage). The perogies are then boiled and served. I recommend it to anyone who wants to try out Plautdietsch foods although I prefer the fried ones.  Cheesy or creamy casseroles: often it will contain meat and cream with potatoes or macaroni   borscht:  a vegetable soup with bits of meat sometimes added to it    Clops: patties from either ground meat or potatoes   And then there is that unique Mennonite meal known as faspa, a late afternoon snack or earl
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Mennonites and Music

   Music, the comfort of the soul, the way of sin to some, a sign of true worship to others.   Within the Mennonite family in Belize music to some degree is used or listened to, with each branch viewing it based on their understanding of the Bible.                          The Kleine Gemeinde   Used to consider any musical instrument as wrong. But after acapella recorded music was approved, it introduced a need for tape recorders, then slowly over the years other instruments were approved. Church singing is still acapella, and radio and TV are still not accepted. However, instruments such as violins (which is often played by KG youth girls) and guitars are used during youth singing, community concerts, and personal entertainment or family singing. The organ is also used sometimes in such events.       The Beachy and Conservative Mennonites     Also sing acapella style during church services and other singing services. While musical instruments such as guitars and violins are not
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Mennonite Houses

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 Mennonites in Belize have become famous for their custom-built wooden "Mennonite houses". The two main  house builders in the country,  Plett's Home Builders and Linda Vista Lumberyard , both located in Spanish Lookout, have become reknowned for their prefabricated houses which are built in Spanish Lookout and shipped countrywide. Houses are built from lumber or colored sheet metal and prices will vary of course based on the amount of details a customer wants. A small house with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom and kitchen may cost you an estimated US$12,000 to US$15,000. (Check directly with the company for up-to-date pricing and delivery fees.)    A "Mennonite house", custom built by Plett's Home Builder's; photo via Facebook   Plett's Home Builders offers both metal and wood siding with a variety of porch and window designs. Linda Vista, which is just down the road from Plett's, also offers excellent building options. Also inside Spanish Lookout i
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