Mennonites in Belize

           How the Pandemic Did Not Change Them   No. It did not necessarily change the lives of the Mennonites. If anything, it simply brought into sharp focus the practical way that the philosophical "mennos" deal with never-before seen challenges and fueled their independent spirit. They conquered wild and savage jungles and converted it into tens of thousands of acres of bountiful farmland that provides food for the whole country, not counting the industries that created jobs for hundreds of Belizeans. And then to cower and worry about a little cold where the majority of patients actually survive... Well, the idea was met with scorn by many Mennonites.   (Note: this article is not to scoff at or minimize the coronavirus. It portrays the attitude of the majority of Plautdietsch Mennonites. Click  here  to read the opinion of another blogger on the Mennonites vs Covid scenario.)   A little over a year ago, I remember it as though ...

    View from The Lookout, several hundred feet above Spanish Lookout. At the bottom of this steep hill lie the Cara Blanca pools, a series of pools documented and photographed by Tony Rath and rich in history. In this picture, Spanish Lookout would be just out of sight on the right side.   A few months ago on a Sunday morning, I rode along with some relatives to an area known to western Belizeans by the general label of Yalbac, a sprawling mixture of jungle and farmland in the southwestern corner of the Orange Walk District, much of it owned by Spanish Lookout now. The area lies directly north of Spanish Lookout and is protected by the Mennonite community and the owners of Yalbac Ranch. Area in red is the new area purchased by Spanish Lookout not too long ago   I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The scenery, the thousands of acres of ripening corn, the rolling hills, the lush green pockets of forest tucked in mysterious valleys, a calm lake. It was wonderful seeing the ...

    Things I Like: 1. Most of them are raised with strong work ethics and the value of self-discipline and commitment. It's rare to find a Mennonite male who does not know how to repair engines or build a house on his own. 2. They are united in wanting the best for their community both in progress and discipline which causes other around them to admire the rapid growth and orderliness of their colonies. 3. Schools are all private which ensures that a child will be taught by approved and trusted teachers chosen by that particular church district. 4. Their infrastructure and system of taxation within their own community. Some of those taxes are much higher than what a non-Mennonite Belizean would pay (or would ever want to pay). But the results in the communities are obvious. 5. Economic planning and investment not just by the community in general but individuals. You will not easily find incomplete buildings left to themselves for many years because the owner could not afford t...

 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...

        Here's a  glimpse inside Linda Vista Shopping Center in Blue Creek, a superstore in the modern Mennonite community on the northwest corner of Belize. Their new store rivals the Farmer's Trading Center in the other Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout in the west, otherwise referred to as the "Wal-Mart" of Belize. To contact Linda Vista Shopping Center, you can dial 501-672-0320.                                                      A. Mendoza

  Screenshot from Facebook video  The Old Colony Mennonites in northern Belize are famous for their cast aluminum products. Griddles, pots, pans, tortilla presses, etc. Click  here  to watch a very interesting video of how these Mennonites mold and make their own aluminum products.                                               A. Mendoza

   Photograph by Jake Michaels/New York Times   Did you know that Old Colony Mennonites (at least here in Belize) teach their children about Santa Claus bringing gifts on the night of the 24th? Surprised? I was too.    Rather than hanging up stockings, however, the little ones place bowls on the table on the evening of the 24th and eagerly wait for morning to see what Santa and his reindeer left for them. The 25th is a day of gathering at the grandparents home to eat a meal and open gifts. While young children receive toys, engaged couples compete with each other in the amount of gifts they buy. Usually the gift is something that the couple will use in their future home.   Another surprise is that married grandchildren cannot attend the gathering at the grandparents' house. They must gather at their respective parent's home instead. So if your oldest son recently got married, you must begin to hold the Christmas gathering in your own house now. Photograph b...